Etna Phoenix Red

Brewed by Etna Brewing Co.
Style: Amber Ale
Etna, California USA

Nice malty aroma, foxy amber body, somewhat foggy with a very thin white ring of head, malty flavor with a somewhat bitter finish that lasts about a second, and then my mouth just tastes like I had a sip of water, palate is pretty weak, I guess that 1 second of bitters is the only thing that keeps me raising the glass to my lips, never trust a magician.

Bottle pours caramelish amber, large frothy off-white head, attractive lacing, yet with little carbonation.   Definite malt aroma, plus a slight toffeeish flair.   Up front its rather malty, slightly biscuity, with the aformentioned toffee mixed in.   Body isn’t as full as I would like, but tiz not bad.   Finishes light, with a slight buttery malt aftertaste.   Nothing spectacular, but not bad either.   Like Gromit said, its a middle of the road Amber.

Interesting how WA and OR are the first states to rate from this CA beer. There’s three 12oz styles (this being one) and two 22oz’ers of different styles. It’s kinda cool to be the first... Oh yeah, the beer... Pours a dark amber color with a full head that leaves a *very* nice lace down the glass. Appearance wise, this is as good as it gets for an Amber. But this is the beer’s highest point by far. Aroma is almost musty smelling, but strong in malt. Yeah, and as it warms...the good ol’ canned corn diacytel, but it’s faint. Flavor is "eh." Malt, sure, a bit earthy. Not very complex. Palate is average for the style. Overall, it’s just another Amber. Nothing really objectionable, but with so many other Ambers around here, I doubt I’ll be reaching for this one again.