Drakes Expedition Ale

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

Something I never had and figured, for the great price, to not expect much. As an IPA’er I found this to be better much better than anticipated. A Very Dark Amber, fruity but happily bitter and very tasty. Although not real hoppy, much Hoppier than most Ambers I’ve sampled. And might I say it does get hoppier which each bottle? A better tastying brew with each pint. A kick! Worthy of being drank from my Heavy Seas Pint Glass.

1700th rating: Hazy darker amber. Aroma is wood, caramel, grapefruit, chocolate, somewhat fruity. Medium bodied, moderate bitterness and sweetness. Huge flavor and complexity for an amber ale.

Bottle poured into a pint glass produced a finger worth of head that settled to a thick lace on top of a cloudy brown body Aromas of sweet malts and spice with a light floral hop note at the end Flavors of toasted malts with a strong bitter not all of it is from the hops Good mouthfeel medium with enough carbonation to keep it crisp on the tongue A good ale more of a hybrid than a true Amber but drinkable none the less

I had to challenge myself to see this beer for what it is, rather than what I expected it to be...I wasn’t expecting much, but I got a lot! Mostly roasted and sweet malt flavor that carries to a hoppy bitterness into to the finish. A bit sweeter than I typically like in a domestic ale...almost reminded me of some of a Belgian candy ale in some regards...but overall, a great pour!

bottle from Hollingshead. Translucent red/brown...beige head. Sweet malt aroma as expected...light hoppiness. Not my fav style but so far so good. Flavor is more sweet malts, caramel, a touch of raisin...that I didn’t expect. Hops appear later, and offer a nice lingering bitterness to the end. One of the best ambers I’ve encountered.....boy I like Drakes.

12 oz. bottle courtesy of a trade with dirty_martini. Pours a mostly clear deep reddish brown with a creamy light tan head that lasted through most of the glass and left light lacing. Very pleasant aroma of molasses, brown sugar and a touch of citrus. The flavors were lightly roasted malt with a little bit of molasses and grapefruit. A bit dry with some lingering bitterness at the finish. Medium bodied.

Bottle poured a clear dark reddish brown with a small lasting amber head. Aromas of carmel, chocolate, fruitiness and tobbaco. Palate was light to medium bodied and smooth. Flavors of chocolate, carm el, grapefruit and a hint of roastin ess with a smooth lingering bitter finish.

350 ml bottle from Bevmo. Deep brown with a creamy off-white head. Roasty caramel, dark fruit, and pine aroma. Furry mouthfeel. Intiial taste is quite sweet followed by a deep earthy taste reminiscent of a good old ale and finishing dry with a hoppy perfume. I haven’t particularly cared for most of what I’ve tried from Drakes, but this is decent.