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Belgian Style Amber Ale
Dark Horse Brewing Company
- 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:
- 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.
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.
Rated by LeeRosenblum from Michigan
4.01/5 rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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, 2021Reviewed by VoxRationis from New York
3.99/5 rDev +15%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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, 2019A: 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.
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
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, 2019Reviewed by JimboBrews54 from Michigan
4/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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, 2019Reviewed by mikeg67 from New Jersey
3.73/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
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, 2018Reviewed by HorseheadsHophead from Colorado
3.62/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
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, 2018The 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.
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
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
Belgian Style Amber Ale from Dark Horse Brewing Company
Beer rating:
79 out of
100 with
484 ratings
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