Draught pint at the brewpub on 4/29/06
Quite a dull reddish-orange, almost a dried apricot sort of color, high clarity and a beige head atop, medium size and well-retained.
The nose is very munich-like. Bready, lightly sour malts throwing out plenty of melanoidins, giving a dry melon-like note. Sourdough continues to unfold as it warms, with tangy, noble hops, mostly dry hallertauer , that keep things dry and spicy. Some wateriness invades the nose, keeping the aroma only at medium strength. Some touches of toasty crystal-like malts and a hint of sweetness, but overall, dry, bready and very German.
After the aroma, I’m no longer expecting an American amber ale, but almost more of a dark German lager, like a marzen, but with the heavy, biting yeast of a helles, and plenty of breadiness. Spicy hops are bittersweet and seem much less crisp and refreshing than they could be, while too much astringency builds up. Crystally-sweet texture at times, some toastiness contributes to this and the light sugariness as well, but there is a touch of wateriness to this one as well, with moderate carbonation. No alcohol noted in flavor or aroma.