Amber
Beer Academy

 

Beer Academy's Amber Ale looks a tad unusual for an amber ale; much darker than expected, this beer is nearly the same colour as its brown-glass bottle at most angles. Only against the light is any russet colour revealed (though even then the complexion is so deep as to be barely translucent). Its head is hardly thicker than a puff of smoke.

The peculiarities continue: the aroma features a candied maltiness that's been infused with spruce resins and a light peatiness. The sweet caramel and biscuit notes really have to compete with that spicy hoppiness and the especially floral, peaty Scottish strain of yeast.

While it registers as more malt-forward, earthy peat flavours not only show up in the flavour but actually manage to overshadow much of the toasted, biscuity grain. Hops play a part too, though it is that marked smokiness that distinguishes this recipe.

55 IBUs is substantial enough, but this is not an amber ale to be considered especially hoppy. Still, there is an appreciable amount of wood on the palate, both the bark and resins of pine and spruce tasted, as well as a spicy/grassy texture being felt alongside the caramelly maltiness.

Beer Academy's proven to be able to brew a vast variety of styles quite well and their Amber Ale, while mundanely named, turned out to be perhaps their most exciting offering to date. This brewery represents an exciting new voice in the Toronto craft beer scene and, with offerings like this, I look forward to keep trying more. I suggest you do too.

Bottle from the brewery, 625ml bottle into a tulip. Bottled March 15, 2013 - Recipe 1 Batch 1.

Deep mahogany, with a tan coloured cap. Big lacing and dense head retention. Nose is bready, toasted malts, light mineral/metallic character and a very faint smoke note. Taste is a bit disjointed, but actually works quite nicely. Some chocolate, caramel malt, wheat perhaps, toasty/charred notes with some more mineral/metallic character. Yeast plays a nice role here too. Medium feel, medium high carbonation. Definitely different from what I had anticipated given the name, and I think Sammy has it right labelling this a scottish ale

 

Had a pint at Beer Academy on tap. Edinborough yeast used imparted a slightly Smokey taste. Some toasted malt.Lots of caramel boosted the mouthfeel. Cloudy amber colour, with lots of beige head. Good drinkability, boosted by the hoppy Chinook finish. A blend of the old world and the new.