Planktonic
Jellyfish Brewing

I probably don’t give ambers enough attention or credit; the style is hardly ever my first choice, but feeling burnt out on WC and NE ipas and not having enough promising lagers to choose from, I found a 12 oz can on the singles shelf and decided to give it a whirl: it is great and kind of interesting/different. Not sure how it measures up to the better ambers I’ve had in the past (which I probably rated lower), but this gets high marks in a number of fronts.

Pour into a shaker yields a half cloudy amber with a good 2 to 3 finger sudsy off-white head with great retention.

The can says 8 hop varietals and a whisper of hibiscus. I don’t think I’d have picked out the hibiscus but it (maybe?) makes sense of the little sharp twist of a tea-like herbal-woody-floral note I get at the end of a sip — lingers nicely, and comes along with some nice oily hops that coat the tongue. The nose is mainly crystal malt and some vague citrus and herbal hops. Taste becomes a lot more clear and distinctive: some blood orange citrus pulp and rind, and a hint of peppery spice. Mouthful is smooth and creamy , while still carrying some nice bitterness. Finishes clean, with a full but not too heavy body. This is a very good amber, and seems kind of distinctive.

 

 

draught
Clear, deep brownish medium auburn color. Lasting, off white head. Citrus tinged spiced malt aroma. Slightly sharp fruity malt flavor and somewhat sharp finish.

 

Nice copper brown color, decent cream white head. Moderately hoppy, in the West coast pale ale fashion. Medium body. Sweet malty nose, not much hops there.