Allen Street Amber
Tombstone Brewing Company

No canning date; consumed on 2/11/21

Pours a clear, dark saddle-brown body with glistening mahogany accents coming through, and around a finger and a half of frothy, pale khaki foam; good head retention leaves a paper-thin cap, a slight, creamy collar, and a comprehensive spatter of thin, soapy lacing caked along the walls of the glass.

Aroma opens with huge notes of caramel malt striking the senses, accented with touch of peppery, floral spice and hints of crusty brown bread developing over time; a tinge of brown sugar shows the bouquet trending sweet, though remains surprisingly clean throughout.

Taste brings expressive caramel malts against overtoasted pumpernickel bread as hints of burnt sugar evoke an almost brûléed tone into the mid-palate; flaked malts meet a light hop tone balanced on the back end, easing with caramel malts and brown bread crust into the finish.

Mouthfeel offers a medium body and a moderate carbonation, with textures perfectly level, clean, and embracing a delicate char over the mid-palate; the mildest bitterness meets a casual, malty grit into the back end, balanced for an airy, crisp peak on the swallow.

In what intitally presents as an American Amber leaning towards the saccharine side of the malt spectrum, this particular example maintains itself excellently, shrugging off the seemingly inevitable sticky characteristic in favor of the deft, bready nuances found in a well-attenuated lager; upfront in its presentation, but entirely restrained and wholly enjoyable where it matters.