Atlantic Amber
New England Brewing Co.

Atlantic AmberAtlantic Amber
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
New England Brewing Co.
 
Connecticut, United States
Style:
American Amber / Red Ale
ABV:
5%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.71 | pDev: 11.05%
Reviews:
121
Ratings:
142
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 23, 2021
Added:
Jun 19, 2003
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  3
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.53 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Nov 23, 2021
 
Rated: 3.29 by mltobin from Connecticut

Nov 01, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by Sellen from Connecticut

Sep 06, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by h4ger from Connecticut

Aug 09, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by rorjets from Connecticut

Jan 31, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by beernads from Florida

Sep 12, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by JTomczak from Connecticut

Aug 07, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by jaxon53 from Connecticut

Jul 07, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by JJSmash from Connecticut

May 25, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by JAHMUR from Connecticut

Feb 02, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by t0rin0 from California

Nov 23, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by RBorsato from Virginia

Nov 13, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by seplo from Connecticut

Oct 24, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by gamanley from Connecticut

Aug 06, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by donohuer from Connecticut

Mar 06, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by chrispoint from Connecticut

Feb 19, 2012
 
Rated: 2.5 by jfcaa193 from Canada (QC)

Jan 30, 2012
Photo of Puttenham
Reviewed by Puttenham from Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Found a forgotten dusty six-pack of these Red and Black cans at my "liquor supermarket" in the forgotten dusty heart of Plymouth County, Mass. I've read about this beer I thought. Sure enough my 1997 copy of "The Great American Microbrewery Beer Book" by Jennifer Trainer Thompson proves I've read about it as this brew has been around (or was around) for some time. This "Amber Beer" (remember when that was considered an entire beer category?) was presented in a brown bottle with a tan label back in Bill Clinton's second term. Very Elegant looking back in those Halcyon Days (better than Red and Black cans anyway).

Appearance: These cans practically exploded when I opened them. Fizz everywhere! Huge head at first but it eventually settled down to a thin but steady canopy of froth. A dark reddish...errrr...Amber hue and cloudy as well. Inviting appearance.

Smell: Faint but steady aroma of caramel. "Something" in the background though. What is it?

Taste: The caramel quality is more pronounced in the flavor. Definitely on the malty side of the equation but not too sweet. I didn't notice the hops in the flavor but they're in there somewhere (they have to be, right?). That certain "something" is there in the aftertaste too. Just a subtle hint of butter? or butterscotch?

Mouthfeel: smooth and easily drinkable

Overall: Not a great beer but not bad either. I think this beer may be a little off as these cans are at least a year to year and a half old.

This beer won the Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 1993 in the Altbier Category (Long Trail and Otter Creek would have been in the running I'm sure). Am I drinking the same beer that won the Gold Medal? Hard to say as New England Brewery has been through so many changes in the last 10+ years.

Oddly enough, both the New England Brewing website and the 1997 book describe this beer as a Steam Beer. So, was it an Altbier or a Steam Beer? Does it matter? It was definitely unique in any case, and it is sad to see a piece of early New England microbrew...errr...craft brewing history pass on. Glad I was able to try out this piece of microbrewing history even if it wasn't in the best of shape when I sampled it.
Jan 13, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by nmann08 from Virginia

Nov 28, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by RoryOMoore from New Jersey

Nov 22, 2011
Atlantic Amber from New England Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 142 ratings