Amber Ale
Big Blue Brewing Co

a fine amber ale, but i always sort of have to shake my head at the unnamed, fully generic amber ale on tap at some upstart craft brewery trying to figure it out. who asks for this? how does this become a house beer, a menu fixture at more of these than not? i just dont get it. its not a bad beer, not at all, but it literally has no soul, which to me is more unflattering than a technical flaw, this is not inspired, and it has the potential to inspire noone, although the flavors are alright. copper color but a little flat in the shaker pint, not much head here at all, and just off from fully clear. it smells like caramelized malts of the crystal variety, a flavorless california type ale yeast, and just enough hops to balance it out, simple and clean, a little sweet, but well enough proportioned and all, and the flavor is the same. faint biscuit and toasted nut, a pinch of brown sugar, and a whole heap of boring. i get that maybe not every beer drinker down here in retirement land wants to have wild ale and barrel aged whatevers, but this is almost an affront to a curious palate, and i cant really see a beer like this bringing any new drinkers into the craft fold. not a bad amber, not at all, but its definitely the least attractive beer on their menu right now...