New Zealand Nectar
Casita Brewing Company

A: Pours a crystal clear medium reddish copper in color with moderate amounts of fine active visible carbonation rising quickly from the bottom of the glass and moderate ruby red + honey + amber colored highlights. The beer has a three finger tall dense sudsy foamy beige head that reduces to a handful of small patches of medium thick film surrounded by a large patch of thin film covering the remainder of the surface of the beer and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Slightly stronger than moderate aromas of bready + toasted + caramel malts with light to moderate amounts of caramel sweetness. There are moderate aromas of citrus/lime + citrus/grapefruit pith + herbal + floral hops.

T: Upfront there are slightly stronger than moderate flavors of bready + toasted + caramel malts with light to moderate amounts of caramel sweetness. That is followed by moderate flavors of citrus/lime + citrus/grapefruit pith + herbal + floral hops which contribute a light to moderate amount of lingering bitterness.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Initially crisp with a light amount of dryness in the finish.

O: Easy to drink with well hidden alcohol and a crisp + refreshing mouthfeel. Enjoyable and fairly well balanced with decent malt complexity + sweetness as well as hoppy flavors + bitterness. One of the more interesting Amber Ales I have sampled recently (not a style I come across all that often anymore, where once it was pretty much a standard).

Look: It pours dark amber and a bit cloudy with an off white head Head retention is very good.

Smell: It has tropical fruit aromas that feature limes. There is a very light dankness in the nose with hints of bread.

Taste: There are flavors with lime and resinous elements. There are tropical fruit flavors with bread and a touch of caramel.

Feel: It has a medium body with a medium high bitterness in the finish.

Overall, it doesn't look like a typical amber ale, but then again neither does the taste. It is refreshing and unique.

Excellent balance between hops and malt. Malty in the front with a nice lingering bitterness on the back end. Best amber I have had in a very long time.