Belgian Style Amber Ale
Dark Horse Brewing Company

Belgian Style Amber AleBelgian Style Amber Ale
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From:
Dark Horse Brewing Company
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
Belgian Pale Ale
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
79
Avg:
3.47 | pDev: 15.27%
Reviews:
215
Ratings:
484
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sep 03, 2021
Added:
Aug 10, 2002
Wants:
  12
Gots:
  69
Formerly known as Dark Horse Amber Ale

While the malt and hops give this beer an amazing copper color, medium body, and a smooth mouth feel; it’s the yeast that sets this one apart from other amber ales. Inspired by Belgium's beer, women and mussels we thought it would be cool to give our Amber a little Belgian touch. We accomplish this by using an "almost Belgian" yeast strain producing similar esters and flavors commonly found in more traditional Belgian beers.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by crossovert:
Photo of crossovert
Reviewed by crossovert from Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
12 oz bottle with a black cap. This isn't a style I normally enjoy but my first bottle entertained me enough to write this review for the second.

Pours a nice amber color, the head is a bit wear but that is the ony downside to the appearance.

The smell is basic, but clean. Some amber malts, a subtle hint of hops, not so much, but as per the style.

The taste is where this one shines, this could have been your generic run of the mill American amber ale crap but it really reminds me more of a Belgian amber. It has a crisp malt taste, but it has a bit more yeast presence than the average American amber ale. The hops are subtle but key in backing these flavors.

The mouthfeel is probably the best part about this one, it is lightly carbonated, good when chilled, super refreshing.

Normally I don't like my beer ice cold or form a bottle, but this is one i could tolerate in those conditions, though it is also quite nice form my glass, reminds me of if PALM were a microbrew, cheers.
Aug 08, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of LeeRosenblum
Rated by LeeRosenblum from Michigan

4.01/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
I think a pretty good example of this style.
Sep 03, 2021
 
Rated: 4.09 by foundersasap from Michigan

Feb 21, 2021
 
Rated: 3.42 by miwestcoaster from Michigan

Feb 04, 2021
 
Rated: 3.33 by Mrseanworldwide from Ohio

Sep 17, 2020
 
Rated: 3.44 by SWChi from Illinois

Feb 19, 2020
 
Rated: 3.5 by rare_bird from Michigan

Dec 02, 2019
Photo of VoxRationis
Reviewed by VoxRationis from New York

3.99/5  rDev +15%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served from a 12 oz (355 ml) can into a conical pint glass at Ashley's in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
A: Pours a hazy, copper to brown color with a one finger eggshell white head, no more than cap retention, but solid rings of lacing.
S: Lightly pungent with aromas of caramel, cherry/cherry wood, and red berries. Leather and light earthy notes.
T: Semisweet and very lightly tart. Flavor pallet very similar to nose. Light bitterness provides solid balance.
M: Medium bodied with moderate effervescence. Smooth and very drinkable.
O: I thought BSAA was a very smooth and drinkable, albeit very Americanized version of the style. I bit surprised by the low overall rating.
Apr 12, 2019
Photo of Ceddd99
Rated by Ceddd99 from Michigan

3.58/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This is interesting beer although not a style I am overly fond of. I would recommend giving this a try if you like Belgian ales.
Mar 05, 2019
 
Rated: 3.75 by cryptichead from Illinois

Feb 02, 2019
Photo of JimboBrews54
Reviewed by JimboBrews54 from Michigan

4/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pretty standard, pretty tasty, better than a Killians and more than just an amber. There is some sweetness and malty tones to this one, nothing over the top but just nice and mild for a change.
Jan 27, 2019
 
Rated: 3.61 by flgimp from Pennsylvania

Jan 20, 2019
 
Rated: 3.67 by Phoodcritic from Michigan

Nov 28, 2018
 
Rated: 2.6 by SaveWaterDrinkBeers from Maine

Nov 25, 2018
 
Rated: 1.83 by BlueTomorrow from Michigan

Nov 04, 2018
Photo of mikeg67
Reviewed by mikeg67 from New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle. Pours hazy amber with tall, long-lasting, fluffy white head and nice lacing. Aroma is of caramel malt, red fruit and hint of hops. Body is medium and slightly crisp. Taste is of caramel, bready malt, herbal hops and ripe fruit. Finish is long and dry. Nice brew.
Oct 25, 2018
Photo of HorseheadsHophead
Reviewed by HorseheadsHophead from Colorado

3.62/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Looks slightly hazy amber with a fluffy white head. Very good retention. Splotchy lacing.
The aroma is very sweet dark fruits and malt. Maraschino cherry, toasted brown bread, strawberry candy, toffee, some clove and coriander.
The taste is maraschino cherry, plum, toasted brown bread, and caramel upfront, followed by grass and a light spicing of coriander and clove. Finishes somewhat balanced but mostly sweet.
Feels medium, well carbonated, slightly slick and oily, but ultimately quite drinkable.
Overall, a decent Belgian amber, but not great, either. A bit too sweet. If this was drier and spicier, it would be great.
Oct 17, 2018
 
Rated: 4.01 by Explosion72 from Michigan

Aug 31, 2018
Photo of Brian_L-2056
Reviewed by Brian_L-2056 from West Virginia

4.03/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy light brown color with a frothy off white head. Smells of straw and sweetness. Initial taste is sweet and mild with a pleasant spicy mild aftertaste. The mouth feel is mild as well, overall a great brew
Aug 03, 2018
 
Rated: 3.42 by jr5639 from West Virginia

Aug 03, 2018
Belgian Style Amber Ale from Dark Horse Brewing Company
Beer rating: 79 out of 100 with 484 ratings