Moon Dog Amber
Woodland Empire Ale Craft

Pours an amber color with a thin white head that does not linger.

Tastes of sweet malts and pale hops. Has a grassy character to it that reminds me more of a pilsner and has a mild bitterness that builds as you sip. Light/medium body and lots of carbonation.

On-tap in Boise ID; I've tried this beer several times and always found it consistent, though not spectacular or out-of-the-ordinary. Its a traditional American amber in all facets. Mostly-clear golden body with a creamy white head and decent lacing. Malty nose full of nice sweet bready notes and hints of hoppy bitterness and some mild nuttiness. Clean malty palate washes away quickly, sweetness on-point and that mild hopping just present enough to somewhat balance. Smooth lighter body.

 

one of their more popular beers it seems like, if tap handles around the bars here are any indication. its just an amber ale, and they almost never get me too excited, but its somewhat modern compared to others around like new belgium or alaskan, that just taste straight out of the 90s, which is to say of course that its slightly hoppier, more robust in flavor overall, but still a pretty easy drinker when its nice and cold before the sweetness kicks up too much. the malt has some real depth to it, an almost fire roasted or toasted warmth about it, a bready richness, molasses and toffee notes, but not so sweet when its cold, nutty, kilned, some minerals as well in there. the hops have a light fruitiness to them that i am not used to in the style, but that i welcome for a flash here, but then it turns a little bitter in the end, which for me anyway is preferable to a more directly sweet red ale sort of finish, and even though its well short of ipa range, there is more balance than is common, and i dig it. i dont love the way this warms up, so i drank it pretty fast. nice from the can, like most of the beers i had in their mixed twelver. overall a better than most amber here, a little excitement in a style not known for that. i call that a win.

 

Pours a beautiful clear amber color with a good two finger khaki head that retains and laces well. Smells appropriately of lightly overcooked caramel with a slight dark fruitiness. Flavor follows with a nice toasted bread and floral hop finish. Feel is crisp, balanced, and smooth with just the right amount of carbonation. Overall, I was impressed with this amber alert, and would gladly revisit. Cheers!

 

On tap at the brewpub in Boise.
Clear deep amber body with durable head and very good lacing.
The aroma is very mild and bready .
The flavor is bolder and true to style average of a bit cleaner.
Medium body and carbonation.

This is a good imitation of a mass produced beer. Micro breweries should produce something that is better. Mild appearance, aroma and flavor. They can do better.

 

Smooth, creamy, and sweet. Pretty well balanced, but not quite what I expected from an amber ale. Interesting, but not one I'd reach for again.

This review is conditional based on my one experience of the beer. 650ml bottle. Bought in North Vancouver. It could have been the bottling, the shipping, or the storage of the beer, but it immediately exploded in nothing but foam. It's still just spewing out of the top. All it pours is head. A definite disappointment. The beer itself tastes okay. Doesn't really do it for me, though.

Maple sugar sweetness is the order of the day, velvety smooth copper body with small, tight off white head. A little bit of dry bitterness on the finish.

 

 

 

 

RB

Draft at the brewery a few times now... Finally getting around to entering in a review... Pours a slightly hazed amber... pretty nice head and retention. Flavor and aromas both show a slightly sweet maltiness with a good backbone of dry toast.. light hop bitterness and IMO could use a little more along with a bit more hop presence mid-palate... Light body and pretty drinkable... I would buy this one again.

3.75/3/75/3.5/3.75/3.75