Looking for Amber Ale suggestions.

That's an understatement, IMO.

 

Odell's Levity Amber is a nice, lighter take on an amber ale. Very little hops, though not as huge on the caramel, toffee, bread as other ambers in the field.

I only had it once, but remember being pleasantly surprised with Widmer's Drop Top Amber.

 

Hoppy reds/ambers - Odell Red, Troeg's Hopback Amber, Bear Republic Red Rocket.
Non-hoppy reds/ambers - Stone Levitation, Odell Levity Amber, Catawba Valley Indian Head Red (NC), NoDa Ramble on Red (NC), Bell's Amber, Full Sail Amber.
Similar to ambers - Odell 90 Shilling, Highland Gaelic Ale (NC), Green Man ESB (NC), Goose Island Honker's Ale.

 

Zoe and Nuggett Nector are the winners in this contest!

 

Ruedrich's Red Seal Ale by North Coast and Common Ground by Fort Collins. Haven't had them recently but I don't remember them being strong on the hops unlike a lot of the stone, lagunitas, ballast point options. Bell's is a solid choice too.

 

Troegs HopBack Amber is great, but definitely on the hoppier side (based on your stated preference anyway).


Bell's Amber Ale is more malty than hoppy from what I remember, and a pretty solid example of the style.

 

I haven't tried many but of the ones I've tried I'd say favorites are Stone Levitation and Oskar Blues G'Knight

 

The whole English family of Fuller's ESB & 1845, Wells Bombardier, Black Sheep Ale, even Newcastle Brown (which everyone knows). Similar domestics that I've had include Brooklyn Pennant and Geary's Pale Ale.

 

Don't know if you can get it in America, but Timothy Taylor's Landlord is definitely amber in my book and is delicious. Best from cask, but the bottled stuff is really good too. It's one of the best British bitters.

 

I found Coronado's Mermaid's Red Ale to be a nice red ale. I haven't had it recently, but I don't remember it being too hoppy. It doesn't get the most attention, but it's a solid beer and worth a try if you haven't!

 

Probably cant get it locally, but if someone wanted to trade, Indianapolis's Flat 12 Hello My Name Is Amber and Oaken Barrel Indiana Amber are both very good

 

Troeg's Nugget Nectar Imperial Amber!

 

Levitation Ale from Stone

 

Fat Tire. I know it might too ubiquitous for some but I love the stuff.

 

I was going to say the same as well as GL Oktoberfest -- the 2 beers are really "lagers" brewed for ale drinkers. I've never tasted so much fruit ester in a lager before. They're definitely not traditional to-style.

 

I recommend Oskar Blues G'Knight Imperial Red. It is closer to an IPA, but one of the best beers I have ever had. I believe Oskar Blues is distributed to your neighboring state, Wisconsin. Also, Lagunitas Lucky 13 is solid too.

 

Maine Brewing Zoe is the best American Amber I know of.

 

Red Rocket and Red Rocket only, forget what you heard about everything else.........unless you can find Lagunitas Red, then Lagunitas Red and Red Rocket and forget what you heard about everything else.