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, 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, rub grapefruit peel and river stone fade. A decidedly British-styled amber ale with a full body and resonant core of American hops.
91 Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.2% ABV (3/10)
Slightly hazy copper color. Rich aromas of caramel and citrus marmalade on dark buttered nut toast follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity, medium-full body with great intensity and a zesty grapefruit and lemon pepper driven finish. A hophead’s delight.
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.
90 100 Meter Ale, Eugene City Brewery (OR). 6.2% ABV (2/08)
Deep copper brown color. Earthy sweaty hops, buttery chocolate and mineral aromas. a round entry leads to a dryish, almost syrupy medium-full body of thick resiny hop, molasses and charred citrus flavors. Finishes with a buttered herb, cocoa nib and piney hop fade. An intensely earthy and hoppy amber ale, best served with hearty grilled meat dishes.
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 with good depth and an apricot buttercream 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 wintermint, 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 buttercream 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.
89 American Amber Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.3% ABV (3/10)
Aromas of drizzled caramel and Nutella on dark toast follow through on a round, frothy entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with rich toasted nut and cocoa notes resounding. Finishes with a long, crisp and quite astringent citrus zest and white peppercorn-like hop finish. A nice, choice for spicy mole dishes.
88 Famous Red Ale, Joseph Huber Brewing Co. (WI). 5.6% ABV(3/08)
Pure amber color with a faint bubble head. toasted nuts, praline and faint dried peach aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of caramel-drizzled dried fruit, toasted Brazil nuts and honeyed toast. Finishes with a crisp tangy caramel apple fade.
88 Kilgubbin Red Ale, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL). 4.5% ABV (2/08)
Brilliant deep amber color. Charred peanuts, raisins and wet clay aromas. A crisp entry leads to a dry medium body of dark roasted nuts, brown sugar and tangy dried fruits. Finishes with lovely and refreshing dry praline and clay-like hop finish. A pure, refreshing take on the style.
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 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 Full Sail Amber, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 5.5% ABV (3/10)
Rich amber color. Aromas of date bread, roasted nuts and salty sautéed mushrooms and vegetables follow through on a crisp, round entry to a dryish medium body with a spry lemon soufflé and delicate earthy hop-accented finish. Styled like a session mild ale and quite table friendly.
87 Smoking Mole Ale, Hideji Beer (Japan). 5% ABV (2/07)
Pale amber color. Delicate caramel, honeyed toast and nougat aromas. A frothy crisp entry leads to a dryish, round and even light-to-medium body of caramelized nuts and cereal with balanced earthy hops. Very smooth and tasty.
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 is makes this drink like an earthy kölsch.
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.
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.
84 Truly Honest Amber Ale, Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. (PA). 6% ABV (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Copper brown color. Aromas of cherry syrup and melted 3 Musketeers bars have a light plastic note and follow through on a round entry to a off-dry medium body with salted nuts notes and a toasty, hop kissed finish.
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.
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 shittake 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.