Austin Amber

English-style ales are a dying breed here in the U.S. The ones that make it over from the U.K. are often riddled with oxidation due to a long boat ride across the Atlantic, and are many times a weak representation of the style to begin with. The few made here in the U.S. tend to migrate towards the American mantra of “bigger is better,” which typically leaves little room for balance or subtlety. This beer is a true gem and a pleasure to drink from start to finish… I want more… a whole case more! Classic, biscuit-type malt flavor reverberates throughout this beer with moderate caramel and even a touch of nuttiness. These flavors meld together with a well-rounded tea-like hop character and a bit of a floral note hiding underneath it all. There is a fairly dry finish and moderate bitterness to this beer, which helps move it off the tongue and readies you for another sip. The elegant finish is a little more refined than a typical beer of this style, but it’s not unwelcome in any sense.