Amber’s Lager
Irwin Brewing Company

 

Bought two 12 ounce cans from Beer Drop. I might keep the second to accompany lunch. Brewed six months ago, I can't be harsh in my review.

Looks are exceptional; while cloudy for a marzen, the foam is good. I give Looks points for packaging, and the label remake from a 1970 rock poster is brilliant and wins the heart of this aging Baby Boomer. Smells are more fruity than expected from a marzen. Tastes are messy and fruity, not clean and precise like the Bavarian masters. Refreshing and medium-mouthed, though not spry like a lager.

I'm guessing that brewing at almost 9,000 feet makes it difficult for yeasts to behave. But, so what? Isn't crafting about the innovation ? However, I'm not sure what advice I can give Irwin for next year. Maybe give it an ale yeast, giving it full-fruit taste and call it a Belgian Pale? But, Amber won a GABF award, so maybe I should just be quiet.

For my micro-review of Irwin: they are only five years old and have a good little thing going in the old downtown of a skier's Paradise. Taproom is western quaint; but the menu is mostly bar food, yet shows promise of becoming a gastro-pub. Cheers !

A: clear and light amber colored. White head with nice lacing
S: Dark fruits, chocolate (kind of like a tootsie roll)
T: toasted malts, toffee, caramel, smooth
M: medium bodied
O: drinks kind of like a scotch ale.

Nearly clear amber color. Decent head. Some wider streaks are left on the glass.

The smell is a bit earthier with darker toasted aromas. Attractive. There's some alcohol and semisweet caramel in the background.

The body leans rich even for the style. Ample carbonation. The flavor features more of the darker malts. Notably, there's a hop presence in the swallow and aftertaste.

nice refreshing amber lager slight tastes of malt