Ettinger Amber Ale
Laurelwood Brewing Co.

A: Had on tap at the Laurelwood Public House recently. Rating based on notes that I took at that time. Poured an amber color, not much head. Slight lacing down the glass.
S: Smells strangely like vinegar to me. Slight hop scent as well.
T: Slight sweet taste, but does not taste much like anything actually, fairly bland
M: Smooth, light on carbonation.
D: Mouthfeel was nice, went down easily enough just didn't care for the smell or taste of the beer. By far my least favorite brew I tried at Laurelwood.

Sampled at Laurelwood's new pub off of NW 23rd. Supposedly in the style of an altbier, but more like your standard American amber ale. The beer was a thin reddish amber, with small but respectable head and lacing. The aroma was excellent, giving evidence of the flavors within, but the beer itself was not as substantial. The malts were round and sweet, with little bitterness or hops. The beer remained very well balanced. Like many Laurelwood beers, it was sparklingly clear and very thin in the mouth. They must filter the bejesus out of all their beers. No off flavors, but nothing that captured my fancy either. It's quite a good beer, pretty simple, but maybe too plain. Drinkability very good.

The name bears reference to its creator, former head brewer Christian Ettinger, who now owns Hopworks Urban Brewer, and of whom it is said the quality of his beers are "as reliable as death and taxes." I'm not sure I actually want a beer that's that reliable. But no matter. Ettinger's Amber Ale pours with a characteristically soft head of creamy white froth. It is a clear, saffron colored brew and appears very attractive in the pint.

Unfortunately, I don't care for the flavor of this beer at all which is harshly yeasty with a dour bitterness. This entanglement of difficult taste patterns with its slight essence of sulfur fashion a hasty turnoff to the casual drinker. The absent smell is a blessing.

I can't imagine that this beer is supposed to taste as it does though Ettinger's Amber apparently won a silver medal at the 2003 GABF for the German Style Brown Ale / Düsseldorf Style Category. A strange brew with little appeal.