= Brewpub93 Mañana Mexican Style Amber Lager, Del Norte Brewing Co. (CO). 5.2% ABV (11/09)
Rich copper color. Fresh grain, haystack and toffee aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a rich, dry, medium-full body with very pure multigrain nut bread toast and delicate dried fruit notes. Finishes with a crisp, lengthy roasted root vegetable and mossy earth hop fade. A great food beer.
92 Elliot Ness Lager, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 6.2% ABV (10/08)
Deep reddish amber color. Caramelized dates, figs and orange aromas have a spicy citrusy hop edge and follow through on a crisp, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with praline, anise and candied grapefruit accents and a long, peppery spice, candied nut and straw-like hop fade. A delicious and thoroughly refreshing amber lager.
92 Amber Czech Lager, Bernard (Czech Republic). 4.7% ABV (10/07)
Deep copper brown color. Roasted nut, crusty banana pie and burnt sugar aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a smooth, dry, medium-to-full body of roasted grain, nut toast, dried banana and citrus marmalade flavors with a long, crisp and earthy hop finish. Great balance and drinkability.
90 Samuel Adams Boston Lager, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 4.9% ABV (11/09)
Deep amber color. Aromas of apricot butter on raisin toast follow through on round, crisp entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with excellent balance and vibrancy. Finishes with a long nutty praline and earthy citrusy hop fade. An excellent refreshing beer with nice complexity.
90 Morena, Tijuana TJ (Mexico). (10/07)
Deep burnished copper mahogany color. Sweet caramelized roasted nuts and mocha aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of dates, dark chocolate and raisin flavors. Finishes with a crisp, nutshell and mocha spice fade. Very nice.
90 Baltijos Dark Beer, Svyturys (Lithuania). 6% ABV (10/08)
Deep amber color with pillowy taupe head. Eucalyptus honey on pumpernickel aromas follow through on a soft, creamy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with toasty praline and delicate spice notes. Finishes with a crisp toffeed fade with a hint of sautéed turnip.
90 Amber Ale (brewed as a lager), Roscoe’s Hop House (USA). 5.5% ABV (11/09)
Deep golden amber color. Aromas of peach jam on rye toast follow through on a supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with excellent balance and smoothness. Finishes in a pleasant baked apple and pear tart-accented fade with crisp, lemongrass-like hops. Very nice.
90 150 Anniversario Birra Ambrata, Menabrea SPA (Italy). 5% ABV (11/09)
Deep amber color. Aromas of caramelized, toasted pumpernickel and raisin oat bread follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with crisp green apple, pear and citrus notes. Finishes with a very crisp and dry, dimensional, roasted nut and earthy hop fade. Will work great at the table with braised meats.
89 Beniaka, Coedo Brewery (Japan). 7% ABV (2/07)
Deep amber color. Toasted nut and candied yam aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to an off-dry, medium body of cinnamon raisin toast and sweet potato pie flavors with a citrus marmalade fade and a breath of minerally hops. Curious, but very fun!
