Mission Amber - Mission Brewery

laituegonflable

Australia

3.68/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a rich red colour, not as vibrant as an American red maybe. Head is beiege, OK when poured but dissipated to a thin ring of lace. Looks alright.

Smells sweet, malty. Touch of roast but lots of caramel, toffee, touch of pumpkin even. Notes of citric hop floating over the top gives it an American edge. Quite nice, not sure if it's true to the mission statement though (no pun intended).

Taste is more what I expect from an altbier. Roasty, but lightly. Malt-driven with some grain soup characters, a touch of earthiness, sour clove spice and some noble hop bitterness at the back. Earthy, kind of woody notes finish up. Nicely balance, pretty to-style and well-made alt.

Nice body, but there's a fair bit of fizz to it that shouldn't really be there.

Nice altbier. Drinks like a hearty mid-season brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 02:49:13 | More by laituegonflable

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

technically an altbier, I already like this because we need more of these in the usa. however, this one is less than stellar. brick red with a decent off white head and decent carbonation. im picking up aromas of dry red malt, german caramel grains, and the aroma of a well toasted everything bagel. the flavor is pleasantly not sweet at all. the grains come through a little stale, and there needs to be some more hops so balance things out, but the dryness and relative lack of residual sugar for the style is a welcomed respite from the droves of sugary reds out there today. a nice almost oaty smoothness to this, but the carbonation dies a little and the beer gets a tad heavy for that reason. the finish is the best part, clean and dry, but still full of flavor, exactly as the style dictates. its not a flawless alt by any stretch, but this is a step in the right direction for American brewers. now that ive covered the basic mission lineup, I think they are a little all over the place, but might be on to something with their slight twists on mass appeal styles. I will keep checking out their beers as they come in.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 14:56:14 | More by StonedTrippin

CrazyDavros

Australia

3.85/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours copper with a very small off-white head.
Rich malty aroma, lots of toasty and nutty malt. Tempting.
Similar flavours, loads of nutty malt and caramel making for a very moreish drop.
Low carbonation. Could be a little higher.
Very easy-drinking stuff.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 01:27:27 | More by CrazyDavros

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - I give it a 3.5 since I drank it from the bottle. Carbonation seems good enough.

S - Fairly good alt bier it smells of caramel malts an a mild twang of hops.

T - Not bad has sort of a lingering bitterness but good caramel and biscuit background.

M - Light to medium body.

Overall sessionable but forgettable this beer was decent.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 20:04:19 | More by DrDemento456

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3.08/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Picked up this beer in Totowa, not knowing if this would be more like an Amber or an Altbier. It certainly wasn't the former in any way and it went down just a bit too easily to be considered a good example of the latter. While this won't offend anyone, there's not a lot to take away from this afterwards.

The pour was a decent almond hue with some head and virtually no lacing. Not a lot of carbonation here either and this was one of the clearest beers that I've had in some time. The creaminess and malts reminded me of a Vienna Lager and there was quite a toasted aspect to the mouthfeel. Lots of bread in the aftertaste with a bit of caramel to the malt but that didn't last long either. I haven't had a lot of Altbiers but given how smooth they tend to be, this one could have broken a mold just a wee bit and stood out more.

Thankfully, this would make for a good session beer as there wasn't a lot of alcohol here and this went down easily. While not the best offering from Mission, this is worth a go once since more examples of this style need to be on store shelves. Just don't look for anything deep or fancy here.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 20:58:44 | More by JerzDevl2000

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.68/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Glowing amber when held toward the light, a bit darker than the average amber, labeled as a Dusseldorf style altbier. Forms a light beige head, thicket with fine speckled lacing across the sides of my glass. Aroma has a pleasant fruitiness/grapes/roasted malts with spicy earthy/herbal hops going on as well. Toasted Vienna malts stand out and really bring to mind a good Vienna style lager. Tastes leaves a bit to be desired, a bit of harsh grain husks, dry finish, not enough malts shine through, with a bit of nutty earthiness making things pretty bitter and almost off putting. So far, I can deal with it but it's way to hopped up, earthy dirty hop profile muddles the whole malt experience in this beer. Mouthfeel is a bit harsh with hop oils/bitterness on the palate lingering, not as crisp as I would like. Carbonation is solid medium bodied alt style bier from SoCal. Good stuff, enjoyable brew I'm liking more as it warms up take your time with this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 22:46:40 | More by WVbeergeek

Rhettroactive

Virginia

3.3/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From 12oz bottle to Bruges hybrid glass on 5/21/12
*From notes

A: Rustic amber-orange in color. It looks just like a Marzen. A generous pour yields an off-white two finger head. Clean and filtered. Solid lacing and collar follow.

S: Lots of golden, maybe slightly toasted grains. Earthy. I get a really peanut-like quality to it.

T: Also very nutty. It's got an almond-peanut-cashew thing going on. It's also pretty plain jane and drinks (as it looks) a lot like an Marzen. A bit green on the finish. No real hops, which coming from a downtown San Diego brewery, is disappointing.

M: Feels like a decent session brew. The carbonation is a bit light, and the body a tad thin. It ain't bad, but it's not overly memorable either.

O: Not a whole lot going on with this Amber. Not nearly as expressive as I'd like, though if I was looking to crush a sixer, I guess this would do. Not bad, just not all that great.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 19:38:24 | More by Rhettroactive

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice fluffy 1 finger head that fades at a med pace but is reinforced by many bubbles rising from the bottom, light lacing, mostly clear amber orange color with bits of sediment floating.

Nose is a basic amber, light toasty reddish malts, copper, crystal malts but very little caramel, aromatic malt with a light toasty straw pilsner like malt. Hints of grassy hops.

Taste brings more hops, which aren't the dominant flavor but notable enough to mention first. Grassy and earthy hops bring a bigger bitter bite, (love alliteration) with a light orange rind taste as well. The malts still take the show initially, plenty of toasty reddish malts, light copper malts, and plenty of caramel this time with even a hint of toffee. Smooth with a light floral aromatic feel that adds nicely to it and hint of acidic bite. Finish is fairly bitter as the hops really ramp with the drier finish, with a bitter orange rind hop finish and a bit of caramel malts.

Mouth is med to slightly lighter bodied, good carb.

Overall pretty good, much better than the blonde IMO, this brings a nice malt profile with a nice hop kick balanced well, a dry not sticky finish with a big bitter ramp up and light acidic bite that surprisingly makes my mouth water when the sip is gone.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 12:36:41 | More by jlindros

mactrail

California

3.5/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The classic amber color. Quite hoppy at first sip, like a Pale Ale. More malty in the body, though, and plenty of carbonation. Lots of the browned biscuit taste. Bitter lemon flavor. Nose of roast malt is the best feature. Otherwise it's very plain. There is just a hint of cardboard taste. Kind of savory and salty in the aftertaste, along with the bitterness.

On tap at the brewery's Skid Row location in San Diego.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2012 05:23:37 | More by mactrail

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Very clear amber colored beer with a fluffy head, good retention and lacing.

Aroma is mostly toasty malty, hops have a very European taste and aroma, very much in the German Ocktoberfest mold. They’re kind of way in the background beneath the big bready malt character of this beer.

Lightly bitter, not overly hoppy and certainly not an American style amber; fits the altbier category well. Mild sweetness.

Short, dry finish. Clean drinking. Slightly creamy, very smooth, low-medium carbonation. Nice but a little bland.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 15:52:23 | More by tobelerone

rawfish

California

2.9/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clear amber with highlights of cherry wood. A small soapy cap of off white foam forms atop that keeps just long enough to deposit some spotty lacing on the glass.

Stale bread, wild berry and a touch of caramel on the nose. Some herbaceous odd notes on the back end. Malt and hops smell equally balanced neither of which is very pleasant.

Crusty bread, heavy caramel and a touch smokey without much sweetness. Hops come in herbaceous with pine undertones, followed by a earth steady bitterness that comes in phenolic but disappears as the beer warms. Very little crispness or drying on the back end. Well balanced but comes off as an esb and not a altbier.

A bit heavier body than expected with moderate carbonation. Bitterness gives the impression of dryness though it doesn't really clear out the hops and medicinal feel.

Very average fare in my opinion comes off heavy handed in both the malts and hops, neither of which were handled very pleasantly. It was much more drinkable warm as the plastics fade. An affordable session beer if you like ESBs and medicinal hops.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 00:55:23 | More by rawfish

Viciousknishs

Virginia

3.08/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A- pours a medium amber color with a finger of off white head. Ok retention.

S- malt forward aromas with notes of caramel, crusty bread and a subtle spiciness.

T- also malt driven in the flavor. Notes of caramel, toasty crusty bread and a substantial grain characterize the brew. A touch of leafy hop just for some balance on the dry crisp finish.

MF- dusty grainy mouthfeel with a light medium body and medium carbonation.

D- drinkable just not that exciting.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 03:08:21 | More by Viciousknishs

HopHead84

California

4/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12/12/2011

On tap at Mission brewery.

A: The color is, well, amber. The head is half an inch of white foam. Lacing is scattered.

S: Bread, caramel, and grainy malt with notes of apricot, orange, and grapefruit. This is quite hoppy for an Amber, but I can't complain.

T: Caramel malt is lightly sweet with balancing earth and citrus hop notes. I detect orange and grapefruit. The finish is smooth and balanced. Delicious.

M: Lower medium in body with medium carbonation. The mouthfeel is smooth and sticky.

Overall: A good hoppy amber. I'm told the beer isn't always this hoppy, but it's damn enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2011 15:12:49 | More by HopHead84

kflorence

California

3.13/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured an amber in color with hints of cherry. A small amount of head sits atop which dissipates to a few scattered patches of cream. Not much lacing. Carbonation seems average. Has a very nice color too it, but looks a bit weak.

S: Nutty, malt aroma with some hints of fruit and an underlying hop presence... flowers and soap.

T: Roasted nuts, maybe a bit of toast, some fruit: apple, pear, cherry, dates... A bittering quality towards the finish which is very crisp and dry. Lingering flavors of roast and bitter hops. Not quite what I expected. I thought this was an amber ale, but on here it says "Altbier" which hints at the fruitiness I found in this one. Reminds me more of an ESB than an amber.

M: Pretty light bodied, really, with average carbonation and not much substance. A bit thin, but not watery, and it really bubbles on the tongue (quite reminiscent of mineral water). I could use a bit more body, but it does make it quite drinkable.

O: Not quite what I expected. Not necessarily a bad thing, but this came off as an ESB, which I am too fond of. That said, it's got something to offer and is quite drinkable, but I think I'd pass on this one in the future.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 03:56:48 | More by kflorence

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Clear coppery amber with a beige cap that was a combination of fine and soapy bubbles. Good head retention with clumpy and streaky lacing. Malty aroma, not overly sweet though, with some toast and biscuit, grain, and faint herbal hops. Clean flavour with moderate bitterness (started out soft, but was sharper in the finish). More toast and biscuit with light caramel sweetness, slightly grassy with a hint of lemony citrus. Medium bodied with carbonation a bit higher than average, a bit dry with slight astringency. Very fresh tasting and quite drinkable. It's nice to see a someone take a (successful) stab at a less popular style.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 15:02:34 | More by DrJay

MrOH

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazy amber with no head.

Toffeeish malt, some herbal hops

Deep, rich malt flavor for the color, with a nice bitter hop bite at the end. Well balanced.

Medium bodied, slightly sticky, low carbonation.

A pretty good everyday beer. Probably wouldn't buy it again, though.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2011 22:48:32 | More by MrOH

HalfFull

California

3.58/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Standard bomber poured into a narrow pils glass. This offering shows a copper amber with good clarity. A half inch of just off white foam offers decent though a bit substandard retention initially, yet keeping a thin film and showing fair lacing.

Aroma is clean and a bit light with some grain and an understated nuttiness. Subtle earthy hops and a touch of caramel present themselves. Nothing overwhelms nor detracts in classic alt style.

Flavor is again clean and smooth, albeit with a notable hop spice character which delivers some unexpected body. Some nutty caramel notes up front segue to a subtle orange citrus character on the finish and a touch of smoke. Offers a touch of spice and a moderately lingering finish as the pour warms. Nicely done and with a well placed level of carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2011 05:12:14 | More by HalfFull

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

2.85/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass, the beer is super-foamy. Pours a bright, crystal clear, pinkish-toned copper coloring with an off-white head that is big bubbled and lightly packed, and finally settles into about half an inch. Slightly sweet and sour caramel malt smells on the nose. The taste has the same caramel characteristics, but also a smokey tone that blends well with the sweet flavors. Very malty, but not overly sweet. The beer is dry and crisp, and the aftertaste again has that slight smoked quality to it. Very interesting. The finish lingers a bit with the caramel flavors. Nothing really outstanding about this one, but nothing overly disappointing, either.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2011 01:58:06 | More by GarthDanielson

missingsense

California

3.33/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Very fizzy, clumpy head, that died pretty quickly. Odd color separation & tiny particles floating around. Amber color looks a little thin.

S: Cola, steel, some light berries, caramel, maple syrup. A little earthy. The sweetness of the aroma is a bit overpowering.

T: A nice, sweet maltiness, with a minor hop kick. The taste is considerably more balanced than the smell, but I would prefer a little less sweetness. Decent, but not a standout amber.

M: Sticky and a bit grainy

D: Overall, a good attempt, but it could use some improvement. I don't think I'll be rushing to try their other beers anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2010 01:56:51 | More by missingsense

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

3.53/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle.

Pours clear amber with a quarter inch of bone foam. Dotted lacing and a few whisps on the surface remain for the rest of the glass.

Aromatics are a blend of sweet malt, proofing dough, and a hint of raisin. Zero hops but perhaps a hint of gypsum.

Medium bodied with a crispish mouthfeel. A bit tacky.

Plump malt with drizzeled caramel starts the palate. A hint of fig and toffee follow through. Bitterness to balance.

Finishes with a touch of lingering sweet malt and a minerally crispness.

A pretty tasty, albiet kind of boring, Altbier.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2010 00:42:45 | More by brewandbbq

oberon

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a imperial pint glass a clear deep amber/bronze with a thinner but well defined white head.Aromas os sweet dough with some light toastiness,a faint earthy hoppiness compliments the sweet element pretty well.The palate is pretty straight forward with lightly sweet doughiness standing out,not mush hop presence but there is a decent drying in the finish.A no frills malt tilted alt,pretty true to style just not anything spectacular.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2010 22:15:24 | More by oberon

yemenmocha

Arizona

3.9/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Amber-brown colour from the pour with a slight haze, and off-white head is generous and retains nicely. Nose has some toasty/biscuity aromas. On the palate there's a pleasant one-two punch of caramelly malt sweetness followed by bitterness from the hops. More of the toasty/biscuity comes through on the palate as well. Medium bodied and rather sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2010 04:39:26 | More by yemenmocha

dfillius

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed while visiting family in San Diego. Poured into an imperial pint glass.

A: Moderate pour yields 2 fingers of ecru head with great retention. Hazy amber colored liquid. Good looking.

S: Clean breadiness. Bright, pleasantly perfumey herbal hops. Sweet caramel notes as well.

T: Very bitter, even soapy. Surprising, I expected and actually desired more malt - shocking for a hop head like me. Slightly disappointing but still okay. A departure from the style.

M: Fizzy, bitter, slightly metallic.

D: Okay, but not great. I would not order another or buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2010 02:58:37 | More by dfillius

WeisGuy

New York

3.45/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a bomber at Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa.

a - pours a deep copper color with a two-finger ivory head, low-to-moderate retention and lacing, fairly hazy

s - lots of malt with a very toasty aroma, moderate orange/tangerine citrus component, light caramel malt

t - toasted malt and bread up front, light caramel flavor, decent amount of hop bitterness on the mid-palate and finish, some orange and lemon notes mixed in with the toast, pretty dry and slightly bitter finish

m - light-bodied, medium-to-higher carbonation, fairly dry but not overly bitter finish, no alcohol warming

d - pretty drinkable stuff in that it's easy on the palate and balanced, unfortunately, the flavor, while solid, just isn't very interesting

Not bad stuff overall, but nothing memorable. I'd like to try some of the brewery's other offerings.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2010 04:56:10 | More by WeisGuy

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a clear coppery amber, with a finger of frothy white colored head that has a bit of an off-look to it. Pretty good retention here, staying rich and leaving a latticework of creamy lace behind that hangs in some thick swathes. The aroma is mostly floral and citric, with a touch of herbal quality about it up front. Underneath is some light notes of smoky roast, bread, and caramel sweetness.

The taste is overall fairly roasty in the mouth. Caramel malts come out to play, as does some fresh citrus character, giving this a tangy pop at times. Good bit of hops here as well, making sure that this finishes very dry, with just a little touch of leftover sweetness hanging on the palate. The mouthfeel is lighter-medium bodied, with a smooth and creamy touch to it. Maybe a bit too smooth, as this does feel a tad light in spots.

This was decent. A bit more beef would have been welcome in the body but for the most part this was a flavorful and easy drinking Alt.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2010 16:50:14 | More by Kegatron