All About Beer Magazine - Volume 34, Issue 3
June 26, 2013 By

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.

92 Reel Ales Starfish Imperial Red Ale, Fish Brewing Co. (WA). 7.5% ABV (10/12)

Deep reddish copper color. Bright dried hop aromas of grilled grapefruit and peach, honey, pine blossom and pink peppercorn with a chewy, fruity medium-full body and a honey-roasted corn, grain and root vegetable and chocolate mint-accented finish. Sip with caution, this is dangerously drinkable.

92 Amber Ale, Double Take (USA). 5.1% ABV (3/13)

Lightly hazy copper color. Aromas of fresh grainy pepper bread, nuts and mineral with a crisp, dry medium body and a zesty, grassy, radish sprouts-like hop finish. Excellent purity and freshness.

91 Fixed Gear American Red Ale, Lakefront Brewery (WI). 6.5% ABV (3/12)

Hazy amber copper color. Bright fruity grapefruit-like hop aromas with a crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, tangy grain and tangerine finish. Very nice and stylistically right on money for a U.S. amber ale.

90 American Amber Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.2% ABV (3/13)

Bright caramelized citrus and chocolate aromas with a chewy, frothy, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a well attenuated grain and nut driven finish with leafy greens like hops. Excellent malt character and balance.

90 Santa’s Private Reserve Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 6% ABV (3/12)

Deep amber copper color. Bright buttery praline and chocolate-covered citrus aromas with a supple, dryish medium body and a tangy, lightly piney hop-driven finish.

90 Organic Free Range Red Ale, Laurelwood Brewing Co. (OR). 5.9% ABV (3/12)

Deep amber color. Noble hop aromas with a touch of citrus and baguette. Crisp and finely carbonated with a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a lingering astringent hop finish that balanced the malty sweetness. Very well balanced and delicious.

90 Spring Fling Copper Ale, Blue Point Brewing Co. (NY). 5.2% ABV (2/12)

Aromas of toasty orange and peach danishes with a supple, dryish medium body and a long, fine balanced peppered sprouts-like hop finish. Excellent style and sessionability.

90 Kichesippi 1855, Kichesippi Beer Co. (Canada). 5.2% ABV (10/12)

Deep copper brown color. Aromas and flavors of caramelized nuts, cocoa, salty pretzel bread, nuts and elote with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a chewy, honeyed dried citrus and stone fruit, turnip and grassy hop-driven finish. A superb beer for the table.

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 Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.2% ABV (3/12)

Deep copper color. Mild bread and dried fruit aromas with a crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tangy, astringent citrusy hop finish.

89 Kigen Kawaba Sunrise Ale, Denen Plaza Kawaba Brewery (Japan). 5% ABV (7/12)

Copper color. Aromas of toffee and raisin-fig compote with a crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, citrus, water chestnut, molasses and grassy earth-like hops. Precise, refreshing and flavorful.

89 Stone Levitation Ale, Stone Brewing Co. (CA). 4.4% ABV (3/13)

Floral, spicy hop leads aromas of grapefruit, pine sap and melon with a supple, very dry medium-to-full body and a tangy, bitter, barky hop, grilled root vegetable and peppery arugula-like finish. A hop dominatrix of an amber ale.

89 Inclusion Amber Ale, Peter B’s Brewpub (CA). 6.4% ABV (3/13) %{Brewpub}

Copper color. Aromas of grainy toasted bread, chocolate and nuts with a dry medium body and a grainy, pepper bread, salty butter-roasted nut and grassy hop finish. A nice British-styled amber ale that is very sessionable and food friendly.

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.

88 Brunehaut Bio Amber Ale, Brasserie de Brunehaut (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 Dry Hopped St. Rogue Red Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.1% ABV (3/12)

Copper color. Aromas of caramelized nuts and citrus with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium body and a grainy, grapefruit-driven finish. Tasty.

88 Leavenworth Oktoberfest Celebration Ale, Fish Brewing Co. (WA). 5.5% ABV (10/12)

Bright copper color. Aromas of honeyed graham cracker, nuts and cereal with a crisp, frothy, dryish medium body and a tangy, dried fruit, cocoa and peppery hop-accented finish. Tasty.

88 Seadog Amber Ale, Vancouver Island Brewery (Canada). 5.2% ABV (3/13)

Deep copper color. Aromas and flavors of honeyed dark toasted nut bread and cocoa with a supple, dryish medium body and a mesclun and starfruit-like hop finish. Refreshing.

87 Danny’s Irish Red Ale, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 6.5% ABV (2/11)

Bold aromas of grilled romaine and over-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.

87 Golden Ale, CervecerÌa Kross (Chile). 5% ABV (2/12)

Floral aromas of waxy honeycomb, orange and peach marmalades on a buttered scone with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a nice fresh baguette and earthy hop finish. A nice carefree sipper.

87 Volcano Red Ale, Mehana Brewing Co. (HI). 5.2% ABV (3/12)

Aromas of toasted grain and soy with a crisp, frothy dryish medium body and a tart, lingering grilled citrus and greens-like hop finish. Very nice and a great choice for the table.

87 Kentucky Ale, Alltech’s Lexington Brewing Co. (KY). 5.34% ABV (3/13)

Hazy pale copper color. Aromas of fruity pastry with a crisp, frothy dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tangy, sweet potato, citrus and romaine-like hop finish.

87 Amber Ale, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 6% ABV (3/13)

Dark copper color. Aromas of nut toast and honey butter with a crisp, dryish medium body and a creamy, wet grain, cocoa and lettuce-like finish. A rock solid amber ale.

87 Ashland Amber Ale, Caldera Brewing Co. (OR). 5.6% ABV (3/13)

Deep amber color. Caramel and dried fruit caked aromas with a voluptuous dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a touch of dried banana, jicama, salty-roasted nuts and peppery hops on the long well balanced finish.

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 aromas with a supple, frothy, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a honeyed pumpernickel, kiwi and peppery arugula-like hop finish.

86 Rusty Tractor American Amber Ale, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). 6.2% ABV (2/12) %{Brewpub}

Hazy brown color. Aromas of chocolate-covered cherry and raspberry with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a crisp, roasted root vegetable and pecan, grass and pepper finish. Tasty, but not an amber ale.

86 Hoppus Maximus, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. (OH). 5.9% ABV (3/13)

Copper color with an olive cast. Hoppy aromas of sweet grapefruit marmalade and honey butter on pumpernickel toast with a very crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a bold pineapple-mango tart, radicchio and citrusy, peppery hop finish. A hop-driven amber.

85 Redhead Amber Ale, Fireman’s Brew (CA). 5.5% ABV (2/12)

Copper brown color. Aromas of mocha, scone and toffee with supple, dryish medium body and a crisp, peppered nut and grassy hop finish. A nice session beer.

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.

84 Fish Tale Organic Amber Ale, Fish Brewing Co. (WA). 5.5% ABV (6/11)

Brilliant deep copper color. Aromas of praline and toast with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a flan, turnip and grass nuanced finish.

84 Brooklyn Pennant Ale ‘55, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 5% ABV (2/12)

Amber color. Fruity apple pie crust, orange blossom honey and corn pudding aromas with a soft, dryish light-to-medium body and a creamy, sprouts, mineral ore and peppery hop-accented finish. A nice lawn mower beer.

83 Tall Ship Amber Ale, Garrison Brewing Co. (Canada). 4.6% ABV (2/12)

Bold sourdough and succotash aromas with a fruity medium and a bright apricot jelly on gingersnap and fruity stripe gum flavors with a radish-like finish. A bit strange.

83 The Naughty Nurse Amber Ale, City Steam Brewery Café (CT). 5% ABV (3/13)

Deep bronze color with a lacy taupe head. Aromas of oily crushed nuts and roasted cabbage with frothy, dry medium body and a molasses on rye, brown grass and nutskin finish.

82 Annie’s Amber Ale, High Noon Saloon & Brewery (KS). 5.3% ABV (3/13)

Aromas of caramel on fig toast and a hint of stewed veggies with a supple, dryish medium body and root vegetable purée, cacao nib and nutshell dominated finish.

81 Roadblock British Red Ale, Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works (IL). 5.7% ABV (5/11) %{Brewpub}

Reddish mahogany color. Mild aromas of toffee, succotash, bean casserole and toast with a round, dryish medium body and a slightly vegetal, cherry cola, melon, peach and grassy hop finish.