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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

British and North American Ales

The Lords of the Ales: A Powerful Onslaught of Ales from the Two Towers of North America and Great Britain

Amber Ale

Many North American brewers are now producing ales that are identified by the term “amber ale.” This is a more modern, non-traditional style, and many of these beers borrow heavily from the characteristics associated with more classical styles such as pale ales or bitters. Amber ales are light- to medium-bodied and can be anywhere from light copper to light brown in hue. Flavorwise they can vary from generic and quaffable to serious craft brewed styles with extravagant hoppy aromas and full malt character. Typically amber ales are quite malty but not heavily caramelized in flavor. For our purposes amber ales will also include ales commonly identified as “red ales,” and “American ales” as, from the consumer’s viewpoint, the dividing line between these styles can often be a more a marketing concern than a consistently observed brewing convention.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

92 Captain Sig’s Deadliest Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.9% ABV (2/09)
Burnished deep amber color with a resilient blanket of fine foam. Complex aromas of orange-raisin-fig compote and roasted grains and root vegetables follow through on a supple, round entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with great mellow balance and superb integration for fruit, nut and appropriate vegetable and earth nuances. Finishes with a long, ruby grapefruit peel and river stone fade. A decidedly British-styled amber ale with a full body and resonant core of American hops.

92 Truly Honest Amber Ale, Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. (PA). 6% ABV (3/11)
Deep copper color. Attractive honeyed peach and grapefruit marmalade aromas with a rich, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tangy, peppery grassy and leafy hop finish. Very rich and balanced for the long haul.

91 Irish Red Ale, Garrison Brewing Co. (Canada). 5% ABV (3/10)
Deep amber copper color. Deep, sumptuous aromas of toasted nut bread, brown sugar, cherry butter and delicate seared back bacon follow through on a round, silky entry to a dryish medium body with great integration and smoothness. Finishes with a touch of milk chocolate-dipped citrus peels and roasted root vegetables. A delightful session and food beer.

91 Organic Ale, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (3/11)
Golden amber color. Aromas of praline cookie and doughy golden raisin scone with a round, lively dry-yet-fruity medium body and a toasty, multigrain bread, roasted corn pudding and wonderful crisp leafy, pepper greens hop finish. A fantastic food beer.

90 Blonde Bitch, Moorhouse’s Brewery (England). 4.5% ABV (3/10)
Pale golden amber color. Aromas of warm golden raisin and peach compote, and honeyed almonds follow through on a round, silky entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium body with good depth and an apricot butter cream and toasted nut-accented finish with long orange custard-like hops. Very fruity and tasty; try with chicken tagine.

90 Ripon Jewel Ale, Daleside Brewery (England). 5.8% ABV (3/10)
Medium amber color. Interesting herbal and roasted notes of winter mint, toasted nuts, grilled fennel and bubblegum follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with honeyed cereal and toffee nuts notes. Finishes with a crisp, nutty fade with dried citrus and minty hop accents. Different and fun.

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