Drakes Amber Ale

Brewed by Drakes Brewing Company
Style: Amber Ale
San Leandro, California USA

From six pack that cost $8.99 at BevMo in Vacaville, CA this poured a cloudy brown with red tinges, and raised a fat off-white heasd and good lacing. Nose is of roasted malts and some floral hops. Light and fizzy mouthfeel. Flavor is dominated by the chocolate and there was not much in the finish. I was not very fond of this, but then that is true of most ambers. I have five bottle to give away.

Poured from tap a clear amber with an medium off-white head. Aroma has a lightly toasted malt nose. Flavor has some toffee sweetness, bittersweet chocolate, smooth roast grain and a little nutitness ending in a mild floral hoppiness. I really liked this amber because it has more dimensions than most other ambers I’ve had. Lots of flavor and a good balance with the sweet and bitterings. I’ll be drinking this one again.

Very hazy amber pour with small off white head. Aroma was ok, floral hops mostly. Weak taste and funny aftertaste. Not a favorite.

Didn’t move me. I detected a slight metallic taste at the end. It isn’t a pretty beer. Very hazy orange amber. Oh well.

Color is a kinda sickly, hazy red-brown. Head is off-white, and small. Smell is honey and roses. It’s a nice smell, but it doesn’t do anything for me. I can smell a bit of hops as the beer warms. Flavor is mainly weak, stale hops. Not much else going on there. Mouthfeel is astringent and overly carbonated. This doesn’t float my boat.

It’s a good Amber. Most ambers are boring to me - but this one had a little character. The aroma was good, with a nice floral hop note. Ended on a dry and bitter note - very nice. Quaffable - this one could be quaffed in large quantities. ON SECOND ANALYSIS: I can taste the chocolate, very much like a hershey bar faded, I can taste the bitterness from the hops, and the roastiness from the malt making this. It’s a really good Amber.

I’m not a big Amber fan, but this one was quite nice. Malt and sweetness fill the nose and mouth. Not too complex, but a very nice refreshing amber.

Smells fruiy-flowery, hoppy, sweet, like a light IPA. Deep golden amber color. Tastes very bitter, with a sweet malty caramel flavor. Roasty hoppy taste, emphasis on the hoppy. Dry bitter finish. Not my cup of beer.