Mac and Jacks African Amber Ale

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

Growler, courtesy mcbackus. Pours a cloudy, rusty amber color with a small, bubbly, off-white head. No lacing. The aroma is quite funky for an amber, notes of cocoa and red, fruity berries accompanying the requisite cara-toffee sweetness, with a little floral hoppiness in there as well. The flavor follows suit, lightly sweet and toasty, with nice toffee notes, leafy green and floral hops, and a nutty cocoa finish. Strange, but appealing. The palate has clearly diminished in the growler a bit, but it’s still substantial enough and silky. Good stuff.

On tap at Tap House in Seattle. Color was a dark murky amber. Aroma of toasted malt, biscuit with a light cocoa presence. I had a bit higher expectations for the flavor, but it was just ok for me. Nice for the style, but just ok overall. Flavor was of very toasted biscuit malt with some fruit. A hint of sweetness. Drinkable.

Unfiltered, for sure, as it pours opaquely, a rich russet, far darker than I’d expect of an amber, light orange at the foot and along the sides. The head is puffy, bone-white, a solid half inch and holds well. Very attractive glass of brew! Nose is lightly laced with hops and amped up with sweet malt. Slightly candyish, and aplomb with fruit, soft citrus, grapefruit and tangerine, orange rind and lemon zest. Exceptionally inviting! Clean entry on the palate, but loaded with flavor, urging the lips to meet the cup again, for a deeper examination. Hangs full in the mouth, then floods the gates with deliciousness, same flavors found in the aroma spilling out. Body is medium, mouthfeel is smooth, while tangy and tasty. Finish is lighter than I normally prefer, but seems just right for the style. I understand why ambers are favorites among many people and the one that hits the right medium can became "the best beer in the world!" to those folks. There’s a lot of them, and I can see why this one can easily be Washington’s answer to New Belgium’s Fat Tire, Anderson Valley Boont Amber, and so many others. I would drink it up like crazy, if there were no IPAs or Stouts vying for my attention.

Draft at Safeco, while the Mariners got whipped by the White Sox, 13-3, with Dye going deep twice. Hazy brown, amber, muddy even, good head. Fresh green hop aroma. Caramel and toffee and biscuit body, and more biscuit with loads of thick hops. Vegetal, yet not. Full bodied hops? Not particularly bitter. Interesting, in fact unique, and good stuff.

on tap, very good golden orange color, no head shown, nose is fruity and malty sweet, flavor is a malty grapefruit and spice with a slightly bitter finish

On tap at the Portland Brewing Co.’s Portland airport pizza pub, sampled 7 August 2004. I vaguely remembered this beer’s name, so I figured my recollection must have been purposeful. I was right- this was a great amber ale. Hazy orange body, thin off-white (light cream) head. Citrus, brown sugar, toasty, caramely aroma. Flavor was quite unusual for an amber ale, with rather intense citrus (lemon, orange) dominating the profile with little associated bitterness. Caramels rounded out the body. Had a nice carbonation "bite" that enhanced the body’s sweetness. One of the best amber ales I’ve tried...is it coincidence it doesn’t taste like any of the others?

This is available at lots of bars/restaurants in Seattle and I drank quite a bit of it. Cloudy orange with a nice creamy head. Well balanced amber with a malt profile that was almost too strident, but worked with this beer. A good amber and a good session beer, but make sure to make the time to try some of Seattle's other offerings.

Growler thanks to ditmier! Pours slightly hazy deep amber with a tall, lasting off-white head. Fruity, juicy malt aroma with citrus hops. Sweet malts balanced nicely with the hop bitterness. Complex flavor profile with a smooth full body. Great beer, worth seeking out.