Winter Amber Ale
Hops Grillhouse & Brewery

 

On tap at the Alexandria, Virginia location.

Pours a moderately-dark brownish-amber color with a short tan head that does not stick around for very long and leaves no lacing behind. The nose brings forward some stale amber malt as well as a bit of over-toasted malt. Behind that, a bit of a metallic astringency comes through. The taste is more of the same. There's a prominent metallic character underneath highly-toasted malt. Dry dry and quite bitter with a bit of a grain-husk character. Finish is really harsh and metallic. Not a good beer. I would not have this again.

Dark brown, nearly black in color. Not quite sure where the amber part comes in. Tasty enough that I don't really care.

Bartender told me it was really more a porter than anything else (which seems to conflict with some of the other reviews), though flavorwise it might be on the light end of the porter spectrum. A very lightly toasted flavor to it, not at all overwhelming. Malty, with rather subdued hops. Rather nice, actually.

Dark brown body. Head is tan with good retention and lace.
Subdued and hard to place scent. Faint porter notes with some roasted chocolate .
The taste was a great mix of coffee and chocolate roast. Hops comes through well making this a well balance brew. no apparent alcohol notes and the aftertaste had a good solid lengh of mellow hopness.
Strong and sturdy porter mouthfeel. Moderate coating and slick.
This I was told was not a porter but it sure as hell had all the qualities of one. I havent tried the alligator ale yet but thats what I think I was served for now. We'll see.
This was a highly drinkable brew, a repeat performance is needed.

-Oelergud

Ruby brown colored with a tan head. Smells of roasted malt and a little bit of spices and floral. Taste was extremely good. Roasted malt and fruity flavor, finished off by a nice rush of hops. This is maybe the best beer that I have had at Hops. A little pricey at $4 a pint...

Thanks to the Hops Grillhouse and Brewery for serving a minor.

Darker in color than most Ambers. Nice lace left on the glass. Poor head retention. Served way too cold. Ice floating in the glass!

Pretty nice nose! Floral hops dominated the nose along with some caramelized malts.

Initial flavor struggled. Mid-palate gets a little better and then leads to a nice floral hop finish, probably cascade. Bright apples and caramel also apparent on the tongue. Not bad.