Mac and Jacks African Amber Ale

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

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.

Wow. I’d never heard of this until my recent trip to the northwest. I wasn’t expecting too much, and I was stunned when I tried it. Excellent example of a good amber beer. Smooth and drinkable, but has some very nice spice to it. Rich and creamy malts make for a superb mouthfeel. Very well balanced. A definite must try.

tap. pours dark, hazy amber, with small visible paritcles and a smallish spotty head. smells sweet and malty, with a bit of citrus. this beer does not have a significant release of gasses, yet this does not detract from the mouthfeel tastes is similar to the aroma, it is smooth, malty, with a nice bit of hops, some honey, citrus, nuts, and a nice bitter dry finish. this is a very drinkable and interesting beer that i highly recommend. bottoms up.

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.

On tap at the Sheraton Hotel Downtown Seattle. Has a nice rich hazy amber color with a medium off white head. Aroma of herbs, spices and malt with a hint of hops.Taste is smooth and well balanced with a flavor of caramel and floral undertones. Finishes sightly sweet from the maltyness.Very nice beer. I will be drinking more of his.

On tap Pours out a orangeish amber topped with an off white head. A veryt nice aroma of malt and a touch of hops. Tast was great. More of the malt and a little sweet. Great body. I think I may have found a new top amber.

Draught, all over the Puget Sound. Tasty beer. Pours hazy amber color with white foam head. Taste is that great mix of caramel malt sweetness and hop flavor. Nice full and chewy mouth feel. The finish still has the sweetness of the malt but now it is competing with a lingering hop bitterness and a bit of tang. Very good.

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