Red Star Amber Waves Lager

5/12/08 - Pours dark copper with light khaki head. Caramel malt nose. Taste is sweet toffee with some caramel and very mild bitter at the end. Crisp and clean with little hop flavor. A little on the malty side with no real hop balance. Not bad, but nothing to write home about.

Date: 07/24/2007
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub

Appearance: clear amber, wispy beige head, streaks of lace,
Aroma: light sweet caramel and biscuit malt aroma,
Flavor: rich malt flavor, good sweet bready character, light balancing bitterness,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 11/20
Rating: 3/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4

Clear and slightly darker than a ubiquitous pale yellow american lager. No head but just enough froth to create little islands on top of the brew along with a little girdle around the inside edge of the glass. Barely any detectable aroma, just simply clean and crisp. Not as hoppy as I expected but that is probably because when I hear the word amber, I immediately think of an ale. This is a lager and is well mannered like a nicely brewed lager. Very mild with some fruit hints in the taste. Easy to like for a lager lover. Friendly, unique and easy to get along with. Very kind to the taste buds and overall a refreshing drink. No memorable bitterness on the finish.

Sample at the brewpub. This beer is a clear amber color with a thin ivory head. Thin, spotty lacing. The aroma is pretty weak, with sweet malt and caramel. Light-bodied with subtle malt flavor, along with a touch of hops. The finish is kind of thin and sweet. There is a touch of hops that lingers on the tongue which keeps this from being completely forgettable. Still, this beer is pretty unmemorable.

This is a good session beer to drink with friends. It won’t hit you too hard and is sure to please the first timer.

Draught: This one is a crystal clear amber color. There was a bit of a strong white head, but it died out rather quickly. It has a slightly sweet aroma. The taste was also slightly malty sweet. Not quite sure of the other tastes, but it is definitely a hair buttery. Smooth, but just OK.

Draft only. Dark golden color with a medium white head. Sweet, slightly malty aroma. Strong malt flavor with a back taste reminiscent of mixed nuts. A thick and hearty texture. Overall a really nice lager.

Clever name, playing on the Star Spangled Banner. Golden, good head. But for flavor, lame, plain, and boring. Gosh, the brewers all have beards...they seem like nice guys. (on tap, Pennsylvania Microbrewers Fest 2003)