Old Reliable
Bert's Brewing

i feel like these guys have made a half dozen ambers since they opened their doors, and this to me runs together a little bit with others, i guess its a little more hoppy than i recall any others being, some bitterness to this, even a little catty hop thing in the nose, and lighter drinking than it looks, although this is more brassy to bronze than it is amber, so light to look at too, but the malt is clean and dry, as is the ferment, this is tight and quick, refreshing and drinkable in a style i generally dont get too amped up about. like a rich honey color, short of true amber, good clarity, average white head from the tap there at the brewery, fizzy, with a nose of slightly stinky hops, grassy and almost a sulfur thing there, but fresh too, and a toasted biscuity malt profile, simple really, which is kind of the name of the game here. the flavor is nicely balanced, consistent fresh bready barley character the whole way, and the hops pick up a lot on the swallow, bitter, grassy, not a ton of personality for the higher than average dosage, at least in my opinion. some oily bitter linger but light overall, a drinker and with soda-like carbonation. some cool wrinkles but basic beer overall, well executed as almost always from these guys, not sure i love the hop profile, but i appreciate pushing the limits of amber with this, not quite red ipa, a cool place to take the style.

Taster flight at Bert's. Copper colored pour, wispy head, streaky lacing. Light toasty aroma, toffee. Taste is malty, sweet, caramel, with some drying at the finish