Capitol City Amber Waves Ale

Brewed by Capitol City Brewing Company
Style: Amber Ale
Washington, Washington DC USA

Assertive, orangte-grapefruit hop nose with a fairly sweet undertone. Clear pale copper coloured body is topped by a light ring of white head. Crystal malt sweetness is balanced by fairly strong bitterness with herbal, leafy, citrus hop flavours. Medium light body is dry with moderate carbonation. Sampled at GABF 2005.

I was surprised to see this advertised as an Amber Ale, I thought it tasted and smelled more like a decent pale ale, lot’s of hops and more of the same sickly sweetness I have come to expect from Capitol City brewing. Although decent when compared to other Capitol City offerings, it was not enjoyable.

Aggressive hops on the nose put this Amber more in the California Common/IPA category than with the pales. A brilliant amber color in the glass -- it is darker than the Oktoberfest they brew. Good bittering hops are rich and rounded without being too dry. The palate of the beer is a bit thin, however, after being promised a full-bodied beer. The flavor profile of this beer is all about the hops, however, and it is successful in that regard.

Extremely popular beer here. A rigidly defined flavor for an amber, solid but too heavy without being distinguishable from other beer.

Had this in a sampler from Capitol City Downtown on September 5th, 2005. Amber bodied with a small off-white head. Nose is hoppy but sort of subdued. Dried fruits, caramel and creamy malts reinforce the hops. Taste very much backs up what I’ve just smelled. Hops, lots of fruit, a pleasant maltiness, and caramel. Body is medium with a light lingering bitterness. Finishes with a hop bite and some sweet malts. Some citrus and caramel as well. Pretty good stuff!

Deeper red than the Pale Rider, but same characteristic head, only off-white instead of white. Hoppy aroma, floral and fruity (grapefruit). Distinctly bitter, with a substantial hop bite that my mouth doesn’t get used even after many swigs. It hangs in your mouth for a long time. Lordy, I’m so not a hophead. This is a pretty aggressive beer for the moniker of "amber ale", very often a dumping ground for slightly malty send-ups of beers intended for the masses. (on tap at Postal Square location)

This did NOT have an "intense floral hop character" when I had it at the Baltimore location. It was good however, with a firm bitterness balanced by caramel notes and an off-dry finish. Seemed like a dumned down Arrogant Bastard. I did enjoy it and would have it again, but I did not find that it lived up to it’s description.

On tap at Old Dominion Brew Fest ’05. Clear amber red with an off white head. Hops and caramel in the nose. Flavor has notes of rich caramel, hops, toasted malt, grapefruit and citrus. Moderately sweet, bitter finish. Medium full body with moderate carbonation. Nice beer.