Amber Ale | Boulevard Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
Boulevard Brewing Co.
Missouri, United States | website
Style: American Amber / Red Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.10%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Boulevard Amber Ale is an exceptionally well-balanced beer, complex yet thirst-quenching. American pale malt provides a firm foundation. English specialty malts impart a nutty sweetness, perfectly complemented by noble German hops. The deep coppery color holds the light, reflecting a ruddy glow, and the finish is clean, round, and delicious.
24 IBU
Added by brownbeer on 05-23-2010
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 133 | Ratings: 356
Reviews by mmva321:
More User Reviews:
3.93/5 rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Brought down to Springfield by the generous folks at Boulevard for a beer dinner. Pours a chestnut-amber with a frothy head on top. The beer is somewhat nondescript aroma and taste-wise. Faint notes of almond and grapfruit come to mind. Malt-forward with a delicate touch of hops late. The medium body is velvety smooth. A super session beer, or probably a great transition beer for people looking to move away from our pale, watery friends next door.
★ 451 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Brought down to Springfield by the generous folks at Boulevard for a beer dinner. Pours a chestnut-amber with a frothy head on top. The beer is somewhat nondescript aroma and taste-wise. Faint notes of almond and grapfruit come to mind. Malt-forward with a delicate touch of hops late. The medium body is velvety smooth. A super session beer, or probably a great transition beer for people looking to move away from our pale, watery friends next door.
★ 451 characters
3.3/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Always glad to try a new beer from Boulevard.
The beer pours a light amber color with a white head. The aroma is toffee and grass. Not very complex, but not bad.
The flavor is grassy hops, along with toffee and biscuit malt. The beer is well balanced, but leans slightly to the maltier side of the spectrum.
Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.
★ 353 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Always glad to try a new beer from Boulevard.
The beer pours a light amber color with a white head. The aroma is toffee and grass. Not very complex, but not bad.
The flavor is grassy hops, along with toffee and biscuit malt. The beer is well balanced, but leans slightly to the maltier side of the spectrum.
Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.
★ 353 characters
3.55/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Nonic Imperial Pint.
Appearance: Very cloudy amber-orange with thin tan head that mostly dissipates.
Smell: Mostly caramel, with some cherry and floral hops.
Taste: Semi-sweet caramel, dark fruit and cherry malt backbone. Seems to be a tiny bit of nuttiness (like a Brown Ale), and a very light floral, spicy hop finish.
Feel: Moderately low carbonation, medium body but quite smooth, semi-dry finish.
Drinkability: Slightly different take on an Amber Ale with some English Brown Ale and English Bitter characteristics. Well made and tasty, if a little unexciting.
★ 608 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Nonic Imperial Pint.
Appearance: Very cloudy amber-orange with thin tan head that mostly dissipates.
Smell: Mostly caramel, with some cherry and floral hops.
Taste: Semi-sweet caramel, dark fruit and cherry malt backbone. Seems to be a tiny bit of nuttiness (like a Brown Ale), and a very light floral, spicy hop finish.
Feel: Moderately low carbonation, medium body but quite smooth, semi-dry finish.
Drinkability: Slightly different take on an Amber Ale with some English Brown Ale and English Bitter characteristics. Well made and tasty, if a little unexciting.
★ 608 characters
3.9/5 rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
(Served in a dimple mug)
best by 4/28/11 (it was)
A- This beer has a slightly hazy brown body with an orange hue to it and strong carbonation of big bubbles gliding to the surface. There is a bubbly creamy head that last a good while.
S- The soft aroma of brown malt finish with a soft fruity yeast notes.
T- The toasted brown malt fades to a soft green note and a slightly dry finish.
M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel and a tight fizz in the finish.
O- The smooth amber ale is nice but it is pretty light and not much character to make it worth another glass.
★ 570 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
(Served in a dimple mug)
best by 4/28/11 (it was)
A- This beer has a slightly hazy brown body with an orange hue to it and strong carbonation of big bubbles gliding to the surface. There is a bubbly creamy head that last a good while.
S- The soft aroma of brown malt finish with a soft fruity yeast notes.
T- The toasted brown malt fades to a soft green note and a slightly dry finish.
M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel and a tight fizz in the finish.
O- The smooth amber ale is nice but it is pretty light and not much character to make it worth another glass.
★ 570 characters
4.13/5 rDev +19.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle poured into pint glass
Appearance: Layer of lacing atop a cloudy amber haze.
Scent: Fruit esters; Very light scent.
Taste: Amber malts with a mixture of: burnt, crisp and bitter flavors. Nice grainy texture that complements the other flavors.
Drinkability: The first couple of beers that I had from boulevard were not 'up to par', but this brew definitely surpasses others of the same style.
★ 402 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle poured into pint glass
Appearance: Layer of lacing atop a cloudy amber haze.
Scent: Fruit esters; Very light scent.
Taste: Amber malts with a mixture of: burnt, crisp and bitter flavors. Nice grainy texture that complements the other flavors.
Drinkability: The first couple of beers that I had from boulevard were not 'up to par', but this brew definitely surpasses others of the same style.
★ 402 characters
3.77/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A - Hazy amber brew with a small gray-white head. Good lacing.
S - Toasty with a good deal of caramel. Slightly hoppy with dried autumn leaf notes.
T - Malty. Toasted grains, caramel, toffee, and a hint of pumpkin pie. Some nice hops come into play towards the off-dry finish.
M - Medium bodied, chewy.
A great session brew. This is well balanced (but leaning more towards malty as befits the style). I'd buy this again for sure. I'm a big Boulevard fan and this is a great offering from a great brewery.
★ 509 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A - Hazy amber brew with a small gray-white head. Good lacing.
S - Toasty with a good deal of caramel. Slightly hoppy with dried autumn leaf notes.
T - Malty. Toasted grains, caramel, toffee, and a hint of pumpkin pie. Some nice hops come into play towards the off-dry finish.
M - Medium bodied, chewy.
A great session brew. This is well balanced (but leaning more towards malty as befits the style). I'd buy this again for sure. I'm a big Boulevard fan and this is a great offering from a great brewery.
★ 509 characters
3.08/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
12oz bottle, goblet, best by 10/3/10.
Certainly is amber and a bit hazy. The head was nearing an inch in a standard off-white but fizzed away quickly.
Fruit aromas of green apple, pear, and maybe white grape. There may be some orange peel and caramel apple. Less than inspiring.
Biscuit malt, and red apple here instead of green. Small bitterness and caramel sweetness balance for one of the least adventurous beers I've had in awhile. That isn't necessarily bad, as I don't find any faults.
Pretty darn neutral in the mouth too.
I could have a few, but I'm not quite sure why.
★ 587 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
12oz bottle, goblet, best by 10/3/10.
Certainly is amber and a bit hazy. The head was nearing an inch in a standard off-white but fizzed away quickly.
Fruit aromas of green apple, pear, and maybe white grape. There may be some orange peel and caramel apple. Less than inspiring.
Biscuit malt, and red apple here instead of green. Small bitterness and caramel sweetness balance for one of the least adventurous beers I've had in awhile. That isn't necessarily bad, as I don't find any faults.
Pretty darn neutral in the mouth too.
I could have a few, but I'm not quite sure why.
★ 587 characters
4/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Attractive and clear amber as promised, with substantial foam and fine lacing.
Nose is biscuity and grainy. Well-done representation of the style.
Taste is tangy and breadlike. A smooth and highly enjoyable example of an amber ale, this is an easy-drinking session ale with class.
★ 282 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Attractive and clear amber as promised, with substantial foam and fine lacing.
Nose is biscuity and grainy. Well-done representation of the style.
Taste is tangy and breadlike. A smooth and highly enjoyable example of an amber ale, this is an easy-drinking session ale with class.
★ 282 characters
2.64/5 rDev -23.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Two solid fingers of spun sugar head, an amber red complexion in the liquid beneath...
Some caramel and mild hop esters in the nose, very weak nose
Some lemon and barley come to the front at first, a tad acrid in the back
Mouth feel is a tad watery with soda pop carbonation
Overall a very simple boring beer. I wouldn't recommend it
★ 337 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Two solid fingers of spun sugar head, an amber red complexion in the liquid beneath...
Some caramel and mild hop esters in the nose, very weak nose
Some lemon and barley come to the front at first, a tad acrid in the back
Mouth feel is a tad watery with soda pop carbonation
Overall a very simple boring beer. I wouldn't recommend it
★ 337 characters
3.8/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a orange / amber
Head: Light tan head
Smell: caramel malts with a nice little hop in the background
Taste: Caramel with a little nuttiness and a light heavy grain
Weight: Medium to light body with a medium to low carbonation
Finish: Grassy with a little caramel on the back
★ 296 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a orange / amber
Head: Light tan head
Smell: caramel malts with a nice little hop in the background
Taste: Caramel with a little nuttiness and a light heavy grain
Weight: Medium to light body with a medium to low carbonation
Finish: Grassy with a little caramel on the back
★ 296 characters
3.66/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Aaaahhh! A nice session amber ale....Love it! Straight forward no Bull Sh&t! Cloudy amber color...little light on the head, but a very nice simple Amber!!! No after taste baby!!! Boulevard once again does not dissappoint, this beer falls in line with all their other remarkable beers!
★ 284 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Aaaahhh! A nice session amber ale....Love it! Straight forward no Bull Sh&t! Cloudy amber color...little light on the head, but a very nice simple Amber!!! No after taste baby!!! Boulevard once again does not dissappoint, this beer falls in line with all their other remarkable beers!
★ 284 characters
3.95/5 rDev +14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Picked up a sixer on special for $6 at Princeton's Liquors. The bottle says best by January 2011. Overall, I thought this was a nice malty session beer that reminded me of a Vienna lager. The description mentions noble hops, but I don't get must more than a hint of peppery spice in the finish mixing with the caramel malts. The beer opens with a toffee and bread mixture and is followed by cherry and strawberry juice (not to sweet), and then that mild herbal bitterness. The aroma is a bit simpler with more of the bready malts coming forward. All in all, a good session beer for folks that can appreciate malt without a lot of hops.
★ 635 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Picked up a sixer on special for $6 at Princeton's Liquors. The bottle says best by January 2011. Overall, I thought this was a nice malty session beer that reminded me of a Vienna lager. The description mentions noble hops, but I don't get must more than a hint of peppery spice in the finish mixing with the caramel malts. The beer opens with a toffee and bread mixture and is followed by cherry and strawberry juice (not to sweet), and then that mild herbal bitterness. The aroma is a bit simpler with more of the bready malts coming forward. All in all, a good session beer for folks that can appreciate malt without a lot of hops.
★ 635 characters
3.58/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Dark amber, hazy with a two-inch head and okay lacing
S: Sweet and grainy but something metallic is there too; some bready biscuity malts but really not a ton going on here
T: Much more going on in the taste thankfully; bready malts with subtle toffee and caramel; slightly sweet but enough subtle hopping in the finish to balance things out
F: Decent mouth feel; perhaps a touch thin
O: This beer gets better after a few drinks and thankfully tastes better than it smells; this is a sessionable, tasty brew
★ 514 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Dark amber, hazy with a two-inch head and okay lacing
S: Sweet and grainy but something metallic is there too; some bready biscuity malts but really not a ton going on here
T: Much more going on in the taste thankfully; bready malts with subtle toffee and caramel; slightly sweet but enough subtle hopping in the finish to balance things out
F: Decent mouth feel; perhaps a touch thin
O: This beer gets better after a few drinks and thankfully tastes better than it smells; this is a sessionable, tasty brew
★ 514 characters
Amber Ale from Boulevard Brewing Co.
3.45
out of 5
based on 356 ratings.
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a pint glass.
If Boulevard's Smockstack series is the holy grail of American micros, then the regular rotation of Boulevard is a souped-up pint glass. Solid and sometimes tasty but rarely interesting and never revolutionary, Boulevard has found a nice little place in being that beer you like to run into at bars, but that can't save it from the mediocrity it will be called out on when meticulously tasting it at home to write pointless reviews on blog sites.
So we have Amber Ale: one of the better examples of Boulevard's regular rotation (and a great value) but nothing to really write home about (or anywhere asides from sites like this). It has a cloudy amber-tinted body with very little off-white head and no retention. It has a faint aroma with malt being the main characteristic though hints of hops and lemon punch things up a bit. The taste follows suit, though it doesn't have a thin taste to it thanks to a surprisingly full-bodied mouthfeel that is rich and creamy and even well carbonated.
One of the best value beers I can think of, Amber Ale should have a huge market for the somewhat-more discerning beer drinker looking for a cheap night. It doesn't wow me in any way, but it holds it's own, has a great feel, and is therefore one of the best of Boulevard's regulars.
★ 1,303 characters