Alaskan Amber

Brewed by Alaskan Brewing Co
Style: Altbier
Juneau, Alaska USA

Serve in Kölsch/Altbier

Alaskan calls this one an "alt style" beer. Like the classic altbiers of Dusseldorf, this beer is indeed an ale, and enjoys a long, cold conditioning, which is traditionally done with lagers not ales. The similarities end there however, as Alaskan Amber Ale ,just does not have the right amount of hop aroma and flavor stylistically to be a classic example of altbier. Alaskan Amber is actually based on a 100+ year old recipe, from the Douglas City Brewing Company, a 19th Century Alaskan brewer. So stylistically, if you are looking for a classic Dusseldorf altbier, you will not find it here. That is OK though. I have yet to find domestic version of alt, that really comes close, to the altbiers I enjoyed vom fass in Dusseldorf. So what you do have in Alaskan Amber Ale, is a rich, malty, smooth, and drinkable ale, just packed with character. Alaskan Amber Ale pours to a beautiful, bright, deep amber color with a thick and creamy head, and a moderate amount of carbonation. The nose on this beer is fantastic with lots of good sweet malty aromas paried with some light herbal hop aroma. The palate is soft and full on the tongue with lots of good sweet malt and biscuit flavors. Alaskan Amber finishes with more good malt flavor up front, then ends malty but with enough herbal hop bitterness to take the malty edge off this beer. Wow. This beer is just so fresh and flavorful, and just so smooth and drinkable. Alaskan Amber is a wonderful session beer, one you could pound with impunity. It is also a very food friendly beer that would match up with a number of dishes. I really enjoyed this one. Its only flaw is the fact that it too malty as an altbier, and it would have been a better example of alt if it had more hop character. That being said, this beer is one you will want to try, one you will enjoy, and one well worth seeking out in markets where Alaskan beers are sold.

k

My favorite amber so far. Sharp and crisp with nice toasty maltiness. Pours a deep amber and has an extremely pleasant nose. No overpowering aftertaste, even at the end of the bottle. Very light hops flavor. I liked the high carbonation level and balance. Very good beer for beginners or experienced hop-heads.

UPDATED: MAY 6, 2006 On tap. Decided to finally give it a try, and I was glad I did. Enjoyed from first sip to the end of my second 25oz mug. Don’t know why I waited so long to give it a try. Very smooth flavor, sweet, but not overly so. More malty than hoppy, but that was a good thing. Great beer.

UPDATED: APR 12, 2004 If i moved to alaska it would probably be because of this beer. Very good taste, and it is smooth. First beer i have had from alaskan brewing company and want more.

This was the first beer I ever remember drinking and miss it out here on the east coast...

This beer pours a good deep amber color into a glass. It has a Bavarian amber taste with a tad bit less hops and a much more smooth character. Finishes extremely clean. If only this was sold here.

caramel, bread, toast, roasty, herbs, citrus, banana, woody, vanilla. I had this beer in Seattle. Smooth. Great beer