Mission Amber - Mission Brewery

Bricelyn

Idaho

2.98/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Its coloring is very much like the lucite stem on a pipe Golds and oranges mixed randomly through this beer.

Its smell is wet steel and malt odd but pleasing

A slight bitterness that smooths out into smokey malt that bitters again at the end. sticky finish.

A very light bubble that is almost flat I don't like it mouthfeel to me is very blah and it also seems sticky... just not in the mood for it.

Good beer ok taste but mouthfeel ruined it for me.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2009 03:10:38 | More by Bricelyn

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.7/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bright burnt orange with bumblebee yellow trim. A thick chunk of sandstone colored suds rests atop the beer. When the head evenutally melts, scattered sheets of sea foam lace can be seen on the sides of the glass. It isn't a great look, but it gets the job done.

The nose is classic for the style. It's big on toasted-earthy-nutty character, thanks to what Mission calls 'the generous use' of Munich, Vienna and Pilsner malts. For those who have never had an altbier, they smell like Oktoberfests. Hops aren't appreciated.

Beer that counts on pale and mid-range malts (see above) for the lion's share of the flavor(bocks, marzens, altbiers) will never be among my favorites. Having said that, I have given a few altbiers some pretty high scores. Therefore, Mission Amber is being given every chance to impress me with its magnificence.

Malt sweetness is easily matched by hop bitterness. While 43 IBUs seems a tad high for the style, more hops than expected is rarely a problem. Specifics include toasted whole grain bread, steely caramel, roasted peanuts and bitter black tea leaves. Next to no fruitiness gives the beer a cleanliness that lager lovers should enjoy.

Since the flavor score was rounded down, the drinkability score will be rounded up. Ideal sweet-bitter balance helps drinkability quite a bit. The mouthfeel is light-medium and has fairly bright carbonation. Softer and smoother would have been better... and things are edging that way now that the bottom half of the bomber has arrived.

In the end, Mission Amber is a respectable altbier that I probably won't think about again once this review is in the books. Kudos to the brewery for trying something different rather than rounding out their lineup with yet another American amber ale.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2009 15:12:18 | More by BuckeyeNation

Zorro

California

3.15/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Clear caramel colored beer with a good light tan colored head.

This is sweet and malty with a faint metallic smell. Bread and toffee candy with a bit of soapy hop in the background. Not really one that is big on aroma.

Sweet and malty with a big toffee and caramel flavor, slightly bittersweet like burnt sugar. Solid bitterness in the aftertaste and some yeast fruitiness. Little bit earthy at the end.

Mouthfeel is good.

Not sure if this is really an Altbier or not. My reference beer for this beer type is Alaskan Amber and it is frankly better than this.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2009 01:31:17 | More by Zorro

scottoale

California

4/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz. bomber. Although label name is Amber Ale - they call it a "Dusseldorf-Style Altbier" and it weighs in at 5.0% ABV and 43 IBU's. It pours a red-copper with brilliant clarity and a two-finger white-cream head. The foam disipates down to a surface cover and leaves only flecks of lace hear and there. The carbonation looks pretty mild.

The nose is fairly sweet with notes of caramel, some toastiness and a metallic twang of sorts. Sweet yet earthy is how I'd describe it simply. Nice and lager like.

The taste starts sweet and malty and briskly fluffs in the mouth rendering some earthiness. The earthy turns toasty and winds to a pilsner crisp finish while coating the tongue with sweet caramel. An unusually nice balance with the carbonation being bigger than it looks. A very lively brew.

Medium full body with high drinkability due to the relatively low ABV. The alcohol is hidden in every aspect. Overall a solid brew in a unique style that I definetly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2009 04:20:25 | More by scottoale