Upland Amber Ale

Brewed by Upland Brewing Company
Style: Amber Ale
Bloomington, Indiana USA

Date: 04/29/2005
Mode: Draft
Source: Charlie’s Ale House, Munster

dark amber, thin white head, light dry malt aroma, solid body, good rich malt flavor, good balancing earthy hop quality without being hoppy, low bitterness, with a touch of sweetness it would make a good scottish ale

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 10/20
Rating: 2.6/5.0
Score: *4
-------- /> The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.

Golden-amber with robust caramel-coloured head. Light caramel and nuts aroma. Toasty, nutty, caramelly flavours. Sweetish finish. On the bland side of the style.

Clear amber body with beige head. Aroma is medium sweet, caramel, light chocolate. Taste is medium sweet, chocolate, caramel. Creamy meadium body.

Objectively speaking: Highly toasty and hoppy amber which could use more of a hop kick.
I like: Appetizing toastiness is the dominant feature and well done at that. Softly fruity, a soft yeast character peaks through the dominatingly malty structure. Strawberry and peaches offer a juiciness that complexifies the otherwise bready taste. Gently mineral which brings it into English territory.
I dislike: A touch of acidity hampers its otherwise interesting malt extraction. Not very hoppy at all, so again, this Upland beer feels a bit on the sweet side of the spectrum. Upland porter 7473 Objectively speaking: Clean and tasty porter that goes both into fruitiness and darker malt flavours.
I like: Not one-dimensional. Clean all throughout. Gentle smoky kiss in the finish ends up a soft chocolate lullaby. Hard to decipher fruitiness stays there all along. Highly drinkable with all this softness. Not overly sweet.
I dislike: Timid light-body. Not all that complex, but straightforwardly well done.

Bottle courtesy of Acknud. Pours a reddish brown with a nice white head. Smells of tangy malt, roses, some earthy hints, peppery splashes and some sweet malt. Taste lives up to the expectations of the aroma with a nice tart tanginess complimented by some nice sweet malt. One of the better amber ales I’ve had.

I liked the pour, a clear amber with a huge fizzy head. This turns rocky as the sides slowly collapse, leaving a cone in the center and thick lacing in its wake. It has a sweet, fruity aroma with caramel and a taste of nuts along with a light floral and orange hopping. The flavor is less complex, a sweet caramel with a nutty and floral bitterness. Not bad.

Note: My bottle’s label read "Hoosier Hops Amber Ale" and I’m awaiting a response from the brewery to verify that it’s the same beer.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp? Pak Liquors, Indianapolis, IN<font size=-1>

Bottle. Pours a dark amber with a small rocky white head that diminished quickly. Medium sweet malty aroma. Medium body with a smooth texture. Full complex malty nutty flavor with a medium finish.

Medium copper body with a lightly yellow khaki head. The aroma is rich with some walnuts and iced tea. There is also a little bit of orange citrus. The taste has some woody notes, like paper. There is also some light cheap tobacco and a little bit of orange juice concentrate. A decent amber, but it needs a little more malt to balance the oranges.