MacTarnahans Amber Ale (Macs Ale)

Brewed by Portland Brewing Company (Pyramid)
Style: Amber Ale
Portland, Oregon USA

Thanks <a href = "http://www.ratebeer.com/ViewUser.asp?UserID= for the bottle! Had this one in North Aurora, Illinois. Had I not known better, I would have thought this one was an APA, it was very hoppy and bitter. Delicious red pour, floral and bitter. I was very happy with this!

I was pleasantly surprised by this beer. Generally when I see "amber ale," I think "ZZZZZZzzzzzzz," but this one was really pretty good, well-balanced with a nice amount of hop bitterness. It poured a beautiful copper color with lots of bubbles coming up from the bottom of my beer-clean glass. The beer had abundant head that agressively stuck to the side of my glass and slowly and inconsistently faded, starting from the middle of my glass. This beer really was quite attractive. Aroma was surprisingly hoppy with a nice caramel malt smell. Flavor was a very nice balance of Cascade hops and caramel malt. Mouthfeel was nothing extraordinary, but I still thought this beer to be well done.

Draft, at Pyramid, Sacramento. Light aroma of fruity hop. Clear amber color with a white head. Medium body, but it quickly thins. Starts with arguably citrus hop, malt comes forth. Seems well balanced. Light bitter finish. Good experience.

I had this on Horizon Airlines and it was in a plastic cup so that may have diminished the quality somewhat (but it was a complimentary beverage on an airline so who’s complaining?). Had a thin head that dissipated quickly. The aroma and color were adequate. Flavor was good and the dry-hopped bitterness still seemed to come through pretty clear even out of the plastic cup. I would like to try this on tap before I pass it off as average – I think it has potential.

From a 12 oz. stubby twist-off bottle with what could be a freshness date on the neck label, I’m not sure, sampled at cellar temperature in a pint glass. Poured a clear orangey copper with a frothy, foamy white head that quickly settled into a thin sudsy lacing. Aromas of toasted grain, sweet caramel, spicy, floral and citrus fruity. Even, steady carbonation and a crisp, dry, smooth medium-light bodied mouthfeel. Pleasant enough taste, toasted grains and sweet caramel, hints of husky spiciness as well, soft citrus hops that provide a little sourness and a light bitterness, and a dry hoppy and grainy caramel finish. O.k. drinkability, but unless it’s on sale or in the singles rack, I won’t be buying more of.

Copper pour with a nice white and somewhat lasting head. Citrus hop aroma, with a sweet maltiness and floral undertones. Very malty, very English. Medium-bodied, buttery and some floral notes as well. Malty finish, nice bitterness. Pretty good stuff!

On tap at Pyramid’s MacTarnahan’s Tasting Room in Portland. Poured a rich, full-bodied head with a pale amber to rich copper body. Slight caramel and rich malt nose. English styled small hop profile, unlike many area micro ales. This beer is sessionable in the Pacific NW. An area staple, but in today’s extreme beer climate, it rang a little unexciting. Quite enjoyable and flavorful nonetheless.

Copper with thin head. Fruity floral and notes of citrus hops, which is also present in the flavour. Very smooth with a medium bitter finish. Nice balanced session beer for the summer.