The Prospector
Czig Meister Brewing Company

This brew is a turbid rust color with a slim white head. Modest malt aroma. There is a little toffee and a touch of graininess. The taste is balanced a bit to the sweet side with more malt character than in the aroma, along with a pleasant hop bitterness in the mid-taste. Medium body. Very approachable beer.

Pours mostly clear; dark amber appears almost dark brown but backlit it has that beautiful reddish hue; head is lightly brown in color with good retention.

Nose is malt; caramel like, some toastiness, grain husk, a mix of earthy hops with a touch dark fruit.

Taste has is a good one two punch of malt and hops; little bit of caramel, some toast; leafy hops, light pine; picking up a really subtle dark fruit note on the finish.

Body is medium-light; very smooth and creamy; some hop stickiness; moderate bitterness, does a very good drying out, finishing very clean.

Dark amber appearance
Just below average carbonation that comes off a little prickly with about a medium body
Aroma is caramel upfront with dark bread,mild cereal and grain. Molasses shows up pretty heavy as well
Taste is sweet but not syrupy, caramel, Molasses, bread and grain
Overall its an excellent beer

pours almost brown, healthy tan head. Cinnamon and nutmeg on the nose and palate. Malt sweetness isn't overpowering.
BBD is 12/01/2024, probably 1 year from canning because not hop forward

16 oz can. Pours amber with tall, long-lasting, fluffy off-white head and nice lacing. Aroma is of floral hops, ripe fruit and caramel malt. Body is full and crisp. Taste is of floral hops, red fruit and caramel malt, some sour notes. Finish is long and semi-dry. OK brew.

a: nice rich mahogany and amber color with a slight hint of purple. 1 finger tan head that looks pretty solid

s: caramel and some earthy sugary notes upfront. fresh and crusty bread. fruit bread and some fig. sweet grains and some more caramel on the back end

t: follows the nose. caramel and sweet grains upfront. crusty fruit bread behind that. a kiss of earthy bitterness and another nice punch of crisp grains. grass and light brown sugar. caramel and bread finish it out

m: solid medium mouthfeel with low-moderate carbonation

o: really solid Amber Ale. smooth and malty, just what you want. nice mouthfeel, but doesn't feel heavy. really nice

A: pours amber body with red hues; off white head with nice retention and lacing.
S: light sweet toffee notes
T: sweet, caramel toffee taste with a subtle, dark toffee aftertaste
M: a little thin but good
O: pretty good amber ale; lot of burnt toffee taste that was sweet on the palette.

 

Let's face it, there are waaaaaaaay too many beers in the world. Hell, there are way too many beers in the state of Vermont. So how do we start to give a beer from a backwater town in New Jersey, of a style that has very little interest in the current beer geek universe, a fair shake? Prospector is what I consider to be Czig Meister's 'signature' product. It is very malt-forward, in the English pale ale style, with a musty sort of element that reminds me of my favorite English pale ale, Samuel Smith's Organic (a world class example of the style, bee tee dubs). I prefer it on draught, especially at one particular tavern a few miles from the brewery, the legendary Black Horse Pub. I'm drinking it as I write this review from the 12 oz can, and it's got everything but that last little smidge of body and heft. Other than that minor quibble, this beer is very enjoyable.

 

Proud to be 5th review of Prospector. At cask temp, from can, in glass mug. Wow! I'm way over clocking this one vs BA.
a) As perfect an amber ale pour as I've seen and it's a fave style. Complete lacing of glass, persistent tan head, hazed mahogany body.
s) Sweet caramel malt, but not becoming soda pop. fruity but but dry.
t) True to red ales, more British, but better than. Dark fruits. Woody undertone through out, like wood shop working with dark woods and some sap and sawdust. Enough hop bite, more than Brits, to clean up finish.
f) Cleans up nicely on palate. Drying, almost dusty finish.
o) Thank you for not being sweet even at cask temp. Should be tasted off a bunch of red-ales & ESBs

Stylistically near flawless. Boring style per 2019 standards, but well executed staple for the small town crowds. Well done! Sharp, caramel, clean, slightly metallic.

 

 

Great color. A little malty up front but smooth due to lack of fizz....could use a little more.
Pretty good beer....give it a try

 

 

On-tap @ Czig Meister Brewing Co. in Hackettstown, NJ.

Deep amber color with a small head. Fresh caramel malt aroma with light earthy hops. The balance in the flavor is all malt but it's not sweet at all. Some raisin and plum fruitiness while caramel undertones remain throughout. Smooth in the finish. Medium bodied.

Not what you would think of when you hear "American Amber Ale." This is almost more British in nature. The hops take a backseat to the malt and provide subtle balance rather than bright citrus notes. An easy drinker.