Sequoia
Thornbridge Brewery

On tap at Fermentoren, Aarhus. For once I pass on writing own comments, and choose simply to quote the brewery’s tasting notes, which seemed quite accurate to me: "The Thornbridge Sequoia American Amber Ale has beautiful citrus and pine notes that come from our generous additions of Amarillo, Centennial and Chinook hops. It is smooth and velvety in the mouth with the toasted malts giving it a medium body with hints of roasted hazelnut, toffee and caramel malt flavours. Sequoia, a beautiful beer for all occasions!"

 

 

 

Red amber colour. Pale around the edges. Very clear. Two finger off-white head starts creamy, then reduces to a full cap. Plenty of lacing. Good retention.

American characteristics are immediately apparent in the nose. Some citrus. Plenty of pine. But also a good level of bitterness coming through. Malt not lost in the hops however. Aroma is prominent and lasts.

Flavour is a disappointing compared to the nose. Good level of bitterness. But also something metallic. The citrus and pine doesn't come through. The hazelnut, toffee and caramel vaunted by the label are not evident at all. There is some sweetness there but it's a little bland.

Light body. Some carbonation. Not watery at all, but I'd prefer either a little more richness or a little more spritz.

This is a highly drinkable but ultimately disappointing ale. It looks and smells great but the taste just doesn't live up to the early promise.

 

 

Finally american amber I would buy again and again. Looks perfect in glass (from the bottle), bit more orangey than amber though, but taste of caramel (along with citruses) justifies the name. Excellent lacing, wonderful thick head. Very refreshing but not too thin. Perfectly balanced. I've had 10-15 of Thornbridge beers so far and I think there's no brewery with such consistent and original products. Hooray!

 

 

Cask at Against The Grain, Dublin, Ireland

A: The beer is hazy amber in color and has no visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high beige head that has good retention properties and consistently left a short head covering the surface.
S: Light to moderate aromas of gooseberries and herbs are present in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the taste has flavors of gooseberries and herbs but these are somewhat balanced by flavors of amber malts. It has a light amount of bitterness. The flavors of gooseberries linger through the finish.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer really seems to work well on cask because it is not overly hoppy. It goes down easily.

 

 

 

 

Bubbly two finger head, rather long-lasting. Amber colour.
Floral and spicy green hops in the smell, really fresh green notes, like smelling a snapped flower stem. Herbs, lemon and some caramel too.
I can taste some toasted malts, some faint caramel and random nuttiness in the first sips, but later on the strong hops will simply dominate. Some citrus fruitiness, followed by huge green leafiness, spicy herbs, pine resin, perfumey flowers, ending with an aggresively dry bitterness.
Medium carbonation, crisp, but a bit too aggressive, not really refreshing.
Nice one, tho a bit exaggerating with the hops for my taste, should have been.. tastier.

Bottled
Pours an golden body with some muted orange hues but not enough to give that American amber
but thats there in the flavour and aroma just needs more body