Mac and Jacks African Amber Ale

Mac and Jack’s has an almost cult-like following here in the Seattle area and for good reason. Their flagship African Amber is pretty darn tasty albeit incredibly inconsistent when served on tap. Pours a dark almost muddy amber in color with thick opaque clouds of suspended yeast. Although the yeast adds tenfold to the flavor and mouthfeel of this amber, it completely kills it’s appearance...likening it to a glass of muddy red-hued water, maybe like the sahara desert? Great citrus hops (evidently each keg has a sack of hops inside) and a nutty malt-impression combine to make a very quaffable session ale. Incredibly inconsistent when purchased on tap, I’ve had it direct from the brewery (best) and all around the Puget Sound area and on several occasions wondered if it was even the same beer.

Draught at Doc’s on Bainbridge Island. This was a great beer. Exceptional amber but a fantastic beer no matter what category. Ambers sometimes get boring and staid but this was TASTY! I would gladly order this again.

I’m not even sure what to say about this wonderful concoction other than "wow." The only thing more badass than the beverage itself is the lion on the label. Sweet Jesus, if steriods were available on tap, I’d take the Mac and Jacks. This must be what Chuck Norris’ urine tastes like. Truly a gift from the brewing gods. If you can’t get laid by offering this to an unsuspecting female, there is no hope left.

Dark cloudy amber orange in appearance. Aroma is a basic sweet malt and hoppy aroma. Basic malt flavor with some toffee sweetness that lingers along with a hoppy bitterness. Overall, it was a solid effort...

On tap at the Owl & Thistle. Gorgeous butterscotch and hop nose, spicy and sweet. Palate is more butterscotch, mouthcoating, hoppy and delicious. So incredibly pleasant, really surprised for an amber ale.

On tap at Seeds bistro in LaConner. Deep amber color with lacy white head in a tall glass. Aroma is zesty fruit hops, some floral and sweet honey. These smells blend into the tastes of rich honey/toffee, some earthen nuts, zesty orange undertones and a chewy, flowery-spice and resinous end. A fantastic beer that I will enjoy having again.

The Benchmark for all other ambers! I’m actually happy this isn’t available in a six-pack (I’d be in trouble!).