92 Rossa, La Fabbrica Della Birra Tenute Collesi (Italy). 8% ABV (1/11)
Deep hazy copper color. Aromas of melted toffee, molasses and honeyed figs with a crisp, frothy dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, lightly tangy peach cobbler, crunchy apple, wet wafer and leafy greens-accented finish. Very elegant and stylish; will work great at the table with roasted meats.
91 Belgoo Arboo, Belgoobeer (Belgium). 8.1% ABV (5/10)
Bright amber color. Aromas of caramel on grainy nut toast, dried fruits and earthy hops follow through on a supple entry to dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with excellent integration and depth. Finishes with long complex waves of delicate cherry cider, nut skin, dried citrus and grassy hops. An excellent amalgamation of traditional Belgian and more modern, hop-driven flavors.
90 Maudite, Unibroue (Canada). 8% ABV (5/11)
Copper color with a minute haze. Bold apricot jam on toast, pear, clove and coriander aromas with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a spicy, candied citrus, peppermint cream and grassy, leafy green hop finish. A tasty, fruity Belgian amber.
90 Pauwel Kwak, Brouwerij Bosteels (Belgium). 8.4% ABV (5/11)
Bright ruby copper color. Aromas of chocolate, halvah, dried meat and yeasty sourdough nut bread with a supple, fine carbonated dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a long, balanced fruit cake, spice, licorice, root vegetable and greens-accented finish. A deliciously drinkable amber that hides its potency amazingly well.
90 Tilburg’s Dutch Brown Ale, Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven B.V. (Holland). 5% ABV (5/11)
Dark reddish mahogany brown color. Aromas and flavors of caramelized roasted nuts, chocolate ganache and pumpernickel toast with a dry-yet-fruity medium body and a wonderfully integrated and balanced long finish with a hints root vegetables and celery-like hops on the finish. A delicious super quaffer.
90 Matilda, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL) 2011. 7% ABV (5/11)
Bright amber color. Slightly pungent aromas of mango granola, tomato soup, buttermilk custard and spice cake with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a tangy pomegranate gelato, latte, bark and root vegetable-accented finish. A fun, flavorful food beer.
89 Grand Cru, Birra Moretti (Italy). 6.8% ABV (5/11)
Pretty amber color. Attractive aromas of honeyed, delicately spicy pineapple, citrus and apricot pastries with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and crisp, roasted corn, pear and peppery arugula-like hops. A racy Belgian amber that drinks cleanly and easily.
88 Ambrata, La Fabbrica Della Birra Tenute Collesi (Italy). 7.5% ABV (1/11)
Hazy copper color. Aromas of warm caramel drizzled dried fruits and chocolate rice bar with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium body and a crisp lemon curd, wafer and apricot jam on buttered rye toast-accented finish.
87 Rare Vos, Brewery Ommegang (NY). 6.5% ABV (5/11)
Lightly hazy deep amber color. Aromas of pear and peach custards and lightly yeasty sour dough with a round, finely carbonated fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a tangy dried apple and lemon, pepper and rye toast finish.
82 Antwerp Amber Ale, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 4.6% ABV (5/11) %{Brewpub}
Cloudy amber copper color. Aromas of candied lemon and grapefruit, pine and baklava with a frothy fruity-yet-dry medium body and a bitter cigar ash, radish and burnt nut-accented finish. A bit clumsy.
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