Mac and Jacks African Amber Ale

Brewed by Mac and Jacks Brewing Company
Style: Amber Ale
Redmond, Washington USA

This was a really nice local brew, though not as nice as the IPA I had just before it. Good malt base, good hoppy bitterness, and I guess the fruitiness and the cloudiness are related some way, the way they are in an unfiltered sake maybe.

August 27, 2005: On tap at Ivars in Seattle (and my 50th ratebeer contribution)

Poured a cloudy copper with a non-existant head. The aroma is fruit and floral hops; the flavor is a sweet yet well hopped, with strong notes of orange and cherry. Mouthfeel is good, and the finish is well-balanced.

What strikes me about this beer is its impressive balance between quality and accessibility. Not only is it quite a decent effort in a usually-not-so-impressive category, but also every non-beer-geek friend I’ve recommended this to has loved it.

March 14, 2007: Sometimes I can be a bit dismissive of this hometown favorite, in favor of masterful amber ales such as Drakes Expedition. I think that part of the problem is that I rarely order it anywhere that actually knows how to properly serve a beer. Rather, it tends to be a fallback option at local eateries when nothing exciting is available. Thus when I get it, I tend to get it stale, overcarbonated, and too cold. But lately I’ve been drinking these at a favorite neighborhood restaurant (Piccolo in Maple Leaf), and as poured there, fresh and served at the proper temperature. it’s truly an outstanding beer. I’m bumping my ratings up accordingly.

Aroma is subdued from the actual taste and it just pours like a beer should, rich dark amber with a persistent head. Flavor expounds on the aromas with doughy yeast and a small but noticeable orange bite

Draft at Safeco Field on 7/13/07. Small white head over a clear orange/ amber body. Dark caramel aroma eith some hoppy overtones, certainly more hop character than other ambers that I’ve had. Medium body with a certain richness on the palate. Although the sweetness is quite evident, there is a surprisng and satisfying piney bitterness that dries up the finish to a large extent. I’m rarely impressed by ambers, as they are often uninspired, boring brew. This is an exception. It has some character and depth of aroma and flavor that distinguishes it among its peers.

on draft bellvue, washington. this is a decent second option and a step above of the macros. reminded me of a fat tire that was unfiltered and abit more robust in flavor, more of toffe malt backbone with subtle pnw hops.

Growler generously shared by theisti. Pours a cloudy dark orange-brown with a thin off-white head. The nose is an interesting blend of Bahamian Goombay Punch mixed with light grapefruit and toasted hazelnuts. Light to medium-bodied and slick with a mildly dry and lingering nutty finish. Fruity and nutty, the flavor is an interesting variation on the typical amber ale. Very interesting. Thanks for bringing this back for us, Tim!

Not bad, but nothing spectacular. Just a well-balanced American amber.

Cloudy orange, nice nose of hop. Slight toasted malt with a good presence of hop. Nice clean dry finish.