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

90 Green Lakes Organic Ale, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 5.2% ABV (3/10)
Rich dark amber color. Aromas of peach and apple cobbler with a nice toasty crust, clay and citrus yogurt follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with brown sugar and butter cream notes. Finishes with a nice wave of grapefruit-marmalade-on-nut-bread-toast hop and malt flourishes. Beautifully arced flavors make this a pleasure to drink.

90 Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.8% ABV (3/11)
Copper color. Hearty, earthy roasted grain and root vegetable aromas and flavors with a smooth, dryish medium-to-full body and nut, rye and pine notes on the long tangy finish. Refreshing and rich.

90 Dry Hopped Red Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.3% ABV (2/11)
Deep amber color. Bright hoppy aromas of leafy greens, lemon curd and cake with a frothy, crisp, dryish medium-to-full body and a tangy, honeyed green tea, okra- and kale-accented finish. A very nicely hopped and food friendly table companion; serve with spicy sausages.

90 Organic Free Range Red, Laurelwood Brewing Co. (OR). 6.1% ABV (2/11)
Bright deep amber color. Aromas of caramel pudding and honeyed Meyer lemon cake with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a crisp, frothy, clay, leafy microgreens- and radish spouts-accented finish. Very earthy, pure, subtly styled and balanced; will be great at the table or on its own.

89 Stepchild Red, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 6% ABV (3/11)
Deep reddish copper color. Aromas of lemon-polished pine plank, warm grapefruit compote, mustard seed and frosted scone with a supple, zesty, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a savory and astringent, baked apple and citrus, pine bark and peppery hop finish. A hophead’s red ale.

89 Fixed Gear American Red Ale, Lakefront Brewery (WI). 6.5% ABV (3/11)
Hazy reddish copper color. Bold grapefruity and piney hop aromas and flavors with an underlayment of sauerkraut and borscht. Round and supple with a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a dusty grain, honeyed citrus pith and earthy hop-driven finish. A nice savory food beer to pair with sausages and spicy stews.

88 St. Rogue Dry Hopped Red Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.3% ABV (3/10)
Copper color. Bold aromas of crystallized ginger, honeyed grapefruit peels and tangerine butter on toast follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with creamy lemon frozen yogurt notes. Finishes with a touch of vanilla mint, citrus chutney and surprisingly smoothness.

88 Lancaster Amber, Lancaster Brewery (England). 3.7% ABV (3/10)
Bright amber color. Aromas of warm multigrain toast drizzled with caramel follow through on a round entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with a touch of toasted nuts. Finishes with a charming, grassy hop fade. A clean, well-crafted session beer; bring on the fish and chips.

88 Brunehaut Bio Amber Ale, Brunehaut Brewery (Belgium). 6.5% ABV (9/10)
Cloudy deep amber color. Aromas of dark roasted nuts and chocolate. Round and silky with a dry-yet-fruity medium body. Seamlessly integrated flavors display hint of dried fruits, roasted root vegetables and hay on the gentle finish. A lovely sipper.

88 Full Sail Amber Ale, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 5.5% ABV (3/11)
Bright copper color. Mild aromas of honeycomb, rye cracker and dried pear with a round, frothy dryish medium body and a praline, pepper and astringent, frisée-like hop finish. A nice session beer.

88 American Amber Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.3% ABV (3/11)
Deep amber color. Creamy lemon curd and coconut cream aromas. Crisp, lightly fruity and medium-bodied with a nicely astringent hoppy bite and a touch of wood sap. Solid.

88 Jamaica Red Ale, Mad River Brewing Co. (CA). 6.5% ABV (2/11)
Dark copper mahogany color. Aromas of honeycomb, stewed fruits and vegetables with a supple, chewy, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a crisp, raisin bread crust and leafy, citrusy hop twang. A very good choice for meaty curries and hot spicy stews.

87 Danny’s Irish Red Ale, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 6.5% ABV (2/11)
Bold aromas of grilled romaine and oven-roasted peanuts with a velvety, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body where notes of toasted zucchini and date breads, white cigar ash and kiwi emerge. A very interesting odyssey, with the emphasis on the odd.

87 Rad Red Amber Ale, Upland Brewing (IN). 5.6% ABV (2/11)
Pale amber color. Aromas of caramel mocha custard Danish and plaster with a supple, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a roasted whole nut, peppery arugula-like hop finish.

87 Hobgoblin Ale, Wychwood Brewery Co. (England). 5.4% ABV (3/11)
Deep copper color. Nutty praline and pumpernickel bread pudding aromas and flavors with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium body and a crisp, nicely balanced craisin, fruit nut and earthy hop finish. A nice session beer.

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