Capitol City Amber Waves Ale

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

A dry hopped version sampled at the Virginia Beer Festival, last one of the day, and a great way to finish things off. Hazy amber, nice head. Big hop aroma, lots of citrus and faintly floral. Big green chlorophyll hop flavor, but enjoyable, with light caramel malt and a big citric hop finish. Very nice. Definitely on the hoppy end of the amber scale, which is a very good thing. This style really can be good, it just rarely tries to meet what it can be.

Had this one on draught at the brewpub near Union Station in Washington, D.C. Hazy dark reddish pour with a nice tan head, a nutty, malty nose, a nice bitter piney hoppiness, a bit of almond, complex finish. Very good!

On tap at Capitol Hill location. Color was an orange-amber color. ARoma of caramel, toffee and bread. Flavor was malty, with toffee, earth and some earthy spicing. Solid beer.

Tap at downtown location. Great name, less good brew. Pours amber with a tan ring. Nose is malty. Taste is malty with a touch of hoppy bitterness. Ok.

Sampled on draft at the brewpub, Shirlington location. Clear amber color with a medium head. Good head retention and lacing. Very hoppy aroma with caramel notes. Taste is strong caramel, assertive bitter hops, light fruity notes. Medium bodied. Probably the weakest beer of the eight I tried, which speaks very well of this brewery.

Location: Draft Postal Building Location - From the sampler glass 3/7/09.

Aroma: Slightly sweet
Appearance: Orange/Red
Flavor: Thinly flavored amber style beer
Palate: Full body, dry
Overall Impression: Pretty standard Amber style beer, relatively unexciting. Not bad, just doesn’t offer a ton.

Draught at the downtown location. Copper with a small head. Toasty malt, and citrucy hop aroma. The main flavor impression that i get is of sweet, toasted bagel with a bitter, hoppy finish. Light in body. Pretty balanced, but a bit different

On tap at brewpub *Summary* - A nice opening on the sampler tray this is a solid amber ale. I do not usually go for lighter styles but after walking around DC for a few hours this hit the spot. Check it out when you are in the area. *Aroma / Appearance* - A huge thick head graces an amber coppery fluid that smells of rye bread and pretzels. Smooth and balanced it is about what you would expect from an amber ale. *Flavor / Palate* - Full bodied for the style it was like someone had taken a bag of pretzels and converted them into a liquid. Fading dry it leaves a moist trail as it peters out. Very sessionable I would not mind killing an afternoon drinking this at Happy Hour.