Elmwood Amber Ale
Elmwood Brewing Company

Beer is from a local brewery so I thought I would give it a try. I was very disappointed. Beer looks good, has the right appearance and smell, but it goes downhill from there. Pours into glass with almost no head. The taste seems to be slightly watery and not very carbonated. As much as Iike beer, I would pass on this one.

Appearance: Dark, burnt red color. Minimal, soapy tan head.

Smell: Dull, heavy butterscotch sweetness. Slightly sour. Light hop pine flutters around above it.

Taste: Dry, burnt sourdough. Lightly bitter hop undertones; the bitterness is detectable, but not much actual hop flavor. Sticky, cloying butterscotch becomes dominant in the middle. Once the butterscotch fades, the beer finishes in an off-tasting, metallic, lightly hoppy fashion.

Mouthfeel: Thin-bodied, bordering on watery. Lifeless carbonation level.

Verdict: There are off-flavors all over the place, and this just isn't very inspiring across the board. I'd suggest taking a pass on this one.

Somewhat cloudy... Amber in color.

Near ZERO head. Not an attractive beer. It looks dead. Swirls produce some bubbles, but hardly any.

Aroma is very good. Strawberry, sugar, candy-like.

Taste is off and mouthfeel is thinn. Vegetal, watery, grainy... yikes.

I would refuse if offered a bottle.

Clear ruddy bronze hue. Spotty, soapy head yields isolated foam wisps. Vague notions of toasted malt and burnt caramel in aroma. Bubblegum ester hints. Insipid aromawise. Prevalent in flavor is an impression of dilute chocolate milk and singed biscuit. Subtle lactic undertone offers a tartness that manages to not be offputting. Bitterness wanes as the beer warms, leaving a near void in malt character save non descript medium caramel malt sweetness. Trace earthy hop undertone. Lightly bodied, and approaching watery. Finishes with burnt sugar cookie sweetness fading quickly. An unimpressive amber with light flaws that outweigh its strengths. Entirely skippable is the verdict.

Appearance:

Part of the Malt of the Earth monthly beer kit. No freshness date listed. Pours a clear amber brown as the name implies with a thin attractive tan head on top.

Smell:

Some very pleasant roasted malt aspect along with the distinct smell of fresh cut grass indicating some nice hops.

Taste/Mouthfeel:

Very odd…starts off intensely hoppy, followed by a weird burnt flavor coupled with the offputting taste of dishsoap. There is some sweetness to be found midsip, but it is consumed by the taste of fire and dirty dishes. Not to be revisited.