Ripon Jewel Amber Ale

Daleside Brewery
Yorkshire, England

Available: AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, VA, WA, WI

The beer is deep amber in color and highly aromatic, bringing a complex mix of malts and mainly English hops, including Fuggles and Nortdown. With a hint of the barley wine, it is ideal to accompany food.

Alcohol (vol.): 5.8%
Color: Deep Amber
Hops used: Fuggles, Nortdown

Amber is regarded as semi-precious, an accurate description for this jewel. Eye candy—bright with a creamy head—leaving lace on the glass as it dissipates. The nose is pleasant enough, but lacking in aromatics. On the palate, the beer drinks lighter than its alcohol of 5.8% would suggest. It is quite dry, without much fruity maltiness. We enjoyed it with wild sea bass and organic fingerling potatoes tempura, served with a piquant wasabi sauce.
- Charles Finkel

Yorkshire’s fame as a brewing county has its origins in its abbeys, which were financed by wool textiles. The sheep that grazed on Yorkshire’s hills and dales had golden fleeces. In the Vale of York is the market town of Ripon, with a cathedral that is a jewel of ecclesiastical architecture. This ale has a dense head the color of clotted cream. The beer itself has a rich amber-red hue. The aroma blends the bouquets of orchard and hop garden, with the earthy, nutty notes of English varieties. The palate is toffee-like, with a Yorkshire leaning toward maltiness. It becomes firmer and drier, with a suggestion of mint humbugs. The Daleside brewery is in the nearby spa town of Harrogate.
- Michael Jackson

Not a session beer at 5.8% ABV, yet moderate enough to be blessed by the Ripon, England, Cathedral church for sale in its gift shop. Flashes plenty of malt on the nose, sweet bread and caramel complementing orchard fruits and a light grassiness. Medium body, with a pleasant mild bitterness at the end. Rich malt, darker fruits and even whisky notes emerge as it warms. Filtered clear for the US market, leaving me longing for the cask version.
- Stan Hieronymus

Charles Finkel
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.

Michael Jackson
Author of Ultimate Beer, the Simon & Schuster Guide to Beer and numerous other works on drinks, Jackson has created legions of converts to fine beer.

Stan Hieronymus
Editor at Realbeer.com, a professional journalist for 40 years and amateur brewer for 15, Hieronymus is the author of four beer books, including Brew Like a Monk.

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