Black Diamond Amber Ale

Bottle. Yep, it’s amber alright, with a nice full head. Super, super sweet offering with a caramel bottom and a tinny, appley finish. (#3414, 4/11/2008)

Nutty malt aroma, along with some hop. Clear copper color with a frothy white head. It laces somewhat. Starts with some floral hop, quickly followed by marvelous malt. The combination results in a toffee/caramel aspect. Amazingly enough the finish is relatively dry. The result is something difficult to describe, but it is quite nice. Leaves a dry bitter in the mouth. Marvelous.

12-Mar-08 (12-oz bottle: Purchased 09-Feb-08 for $1.79 at Ledger’s Liquors in Berkeley, CA) This amber ale takes the balanced approach to this style, although the specific flavors are only moderately interesting to me. Standard pale ale malts show minimal sweetness and only a touch of caramel flavor, which definitely isn’t the norm in amber ales. Hops are prominently featured from start to finish, offering crisp, moderate bitterness and an earthy, piney flavor. In the nose, again, it’s malty without smelling sweet or caramely, and hops are fresh and earthy. Medium in weight from start to finish, and the hoppy flavor and bitterness contribute crispness on the palate for excellent drinkability. The beer is amber in color and only slightly hazy. An inch of fluffy, off-white head settles to a thin, complete layer. Dense, large patches of lace stick to the glass.

Draft. Rish dark reddish amber beer with a low off-white head. Nutty malt aroma. Rich nutty malt flavor with some hops balancing. Medium bodied.

Bottle from BevMo online. Light amber in color upon pouring. Dry malty aroma with a slightly spicy English hop character. Very bitter English hoppiness. Dry bready malt finish. More like a hoppy ESB than a typical American amber.