Maritime Pacific Nightwatch Dark Amber Ale

Brewed by Maritime Pacific Brewing Co.
Style: Amber Ale
Seattle, Washington USA

This is a great beer. A complete and total standard bearer. I can never go wrong with this beer. When I want a darker quaff without the heaviness I reach for this six-pack. Maritime has NEVER let me down. Whether I am at the brew pub or buying from an outlet, I have never had beer from them that makes think I shouldn’t be enjoying my choice. Long Live Maritime!!!

This beer is a bit unique in the fact that it is some where in between an amber ale and a porter. It is brewed with pale and crystal malts and a dash of roasted malt throw in to give it just a hint of darkness. It is then hopped with Mt. Hood and Saaz hop varieties, but not as aggressively hopped as other MP products. This makes for a delicious, flavorful, yet very drinkable ale. Ale I enjoyed sipping at the bar in the Jolly Roger one lazy afternoon. The Jolly Roger Taproom is a wonderful little place to enjoy a beer. It only holds 50 people or so, and the whimsical pirate ship theme of the place makes for a fun and inviting place to enjoy a good pint and some good grub off their menu. Nightwatch Dark Amber Ale pours to a deep amber to ruddy brown color with a thick and creamy off white head, and a soft to moderate amount of carbonation. The nose on this beer is very pleasing with a good balance of sweet, nutty and slightly roasty aroma, paired with grassy/citric hop aromas. The palate is soft and full on the tongue with flavors of sweet malt, mild roast coffee, and hints of plumy fruit. Nightwatch Dark Amber finishes with more malt and mild roasty flavor, and then ends with gentle citrus hop flavors that balance of the malt character of this beer. This is a very enjoyable session brew, one that makes for easy drinking and a great beer to enjoy on draught at the Jolly Roger or at any number of beer bars in the Seattle Area. MP bottles as well, so keep an eye out for this one in stores that sell MP beers.

Tangy fruit aroma with some mild grain. Beautiful deep amber in color. Fluffy head that quickly dissipates. Slightly roasted flavor, some old world hops and nice sweetness. Quick finish. This is a tasty beer, reminiscent of an alt. If you are not in the mood for a hop monster, this is a nice treat. I like these guys’ brews.

Aesthetic crimson appearance with a deliciously sweet malt aroma. Very dessert-tasting, but quite drinkable--with a dry not touching the palate. This beer has just the right amount of sweetness and is quite a treat.

A lot of flavor in this beer. Very heavy and flavorful. Will give massive headache in the morning, but delicious to enjoy by the pitcher.

Dark ruby-brown color; dense, long-lasting off-white head; bready, biscuit-like malt aroma dominates; silky smooth texture going down; delicious chocolate/roasted malt flavor on the palate; some late hop bitterness comes through in the finish which is long and very satisfying. I drank this a bit too cold; 50-55 degrees would be optimal. Interesting that it says ’Dark Ale’ on the label, but above indicates a ’Dark Lager’.

On tap @ the brewpub. Pours brown with amber highlights and lasting thin tan head. The aroma is nutty and caramel along with malt roastiness. The taste is roasty malts mixing with yummy caramel and a bit of dark fruitiness. It then becomes nutty with mildly drying roasted maltiness and more caramel goodness into the finish. Way in the background is a very complimentary pin hop note. This is tasty.

Draught at the Jolly Roger in Seattle. Subtlety is the name of the game for this (amber?) ale. Had a smoothness that couldn’t be beat. One of my favorites from Maritime.