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) %{Brewpub}
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.
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) %{Brewpub}
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.
86 Appalachian Amber Ale, Thomas Creek Brewery (SC). 5.5% ABV (3/10)
Deep amber color. Aromas of Bananas Foster and roasted nuts follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with brown sugar, delicate spice and roasted fennel notes. Finishes with a crisp, creamy nougat and earthy hop fade.
86 Eric the Red, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 6% ABV (3/10) %{Brewpub}
Deep amber color. Aromas of apple Danish, dark roasted whole nuts and a sautéed Swiss chard with a touch of apple cider vinegar follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with tangy apple and lemon compote, and herbal honey notes. Finishes with a crisp, toffee and citrus marmalade on toast fade.
86 Triple B Ale, Oxfordshire Ales (England). 3.7% ABV (3/10)
Golden amber color with a white blanket of fine foam. Aromas of nutshells, muddy hay and sweet cream follow through on a round, silky entry to a dryish medium body with toasted lemon bread and Brazil nut notes. Finishes with a crisp, slightly peppery straw and lemon honey tea-accented fade. Lager-like crispness makes this drink like an earthy Kölsch.
86 Mummer’s Brew Amber Ale, Quidi Vidi Brewing Co. (Canada). 5% ABV (3/11)
Deep amber color. Caramelized nut, raisin scone, apple cider vinaigrette and peach pie filling aromas with a supple, frothy, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a honeyed pumpernickel, kiwi and peppery arugula-like hop finish.
85 Pride of Oxford Ale, Oxfordshire Ales (England). 4.2% ABV (3/10)
Slightly hazy golden amber color with slight carbonation. Aromas of apricot butter, toffeed nuts and earthy hops follow through on a very soft entry to a dry-yet-fruity light body with toasted nut bread, wood and a dusty earthy hop finish. More of a session mild ale and quite pleasant.
85 Annie’s Amber Ale, High Noon Saloon & Brewery (KS). 5% ABV (3/11)
Lightly hazy copper color. Butter caramel and apricot Danish aromas with a supple, dryish medium body and a savory peppery okra, brown sugar and mustard greens like finish. A nice BBQ beer.
84 Boerne Bernstein Amber Ale, Dodging Duck Brewhaus (TX). (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Deep mahogany color. Nutty toffee and Nutella-on-toast aromas follow through on a frothy entry to a moderately sweet medium body with honeyed grain and tangy taro root and kale notes. Finishes with a wispy, slightly prickly cocoa, potato bread dough, aspartame and grapefruit fade.
84 Albion Amber Ale, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 5.5% ABV (2/09)
Dark amber copper color with a lacy head. Curious aromas of soy sauce, toffee and roasted beets follow through on a brisk, round entry to a sweet-and-sour medium body with burnt sugar, nut skin, turnip and pewter notes. Finishes with an earthy honeyed nut, cocoa and root veggie fade. Interesting flavors, but not integrated.
84 Rahr’s Texas Red, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. (TX). 4.9% ABV (2/11)
Deep pure amber color. Aromas of toasty bread and roasted veggies have a hint of cured meat. Round and frothy with a dry medium body and a crisp, grassy hop and water chestnut-accented finish.
84 Red Mountain Ale, Silverton Brewery (CO). 6.5% ABV (2/11)
Aromas of lightly toasted pumpernickel, mocha, toasty nut brittle and wet potter’s clay with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a jicama and grassy hop-accented finish.
83 Steelhead Red Ale, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 5.6% ABV (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Deep copper color with a thin blanket of foam. Bread dough and brown sugar aromas follow through on a soft, foamy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with wet grain, honeyed cinnamon raisin toast notes and a chewy orange marmalade, praline- and catsup-accented finish.
83 Avalanche Ale, Breckenridge Brewery (CO). 4.4% ABV (3/10)
Bright amber color. Aromas of dusty multigrain bread and lightly earthy hops have a tinny edge and follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body husky toasted grain, chalk and pewter notes and a powdery, lemon rind-accented finish.
81 Marsh-Mellow Ale, Oxfordshire Ales (England). 4.7% ABV (3/10)
Deep amber color. Soy-sautéed shiitake mushroom and eggplant, roasted nut and faint dried fruit aromas follow through on a brisk, soft entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with splattered uneven character and limp carbonation. Finishes with quick, dusty, trail mix fade.
81 Clancy’s Amber Ale, Moosehead Breweries Ltd. (Canada). 5% ABV (3/10)
Light amber color. Delicate aromas of toasted peach Danish follow through on a crisp, frothy entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with lemon and lime curd notes and a crisp, drying, grassy hop finish.