Atlantic Amber - New England Brewing Co.

jampics2

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz can into a pint glass. Since this was apparently retired, I guess this is a little old. I found it in my beer fridge when cleaning the other day. I'll keep that in mind while reviewing!

Looks decent in the glass - cloudy fiery amber with touches of red and orange. Small head, even when agitated. Just a ring of foam and pretty average lacing.

Smells of caramel malt and earthy hops with just a touch of fruit (grapes, figs, and raisin). Not bad, and not a lot of oxidation if it indeed is as old as I fear. Maybe brewers are on to something with these cans ;)

This beer has held up well, but it's nothing amazing. It comes across as an earthy amber with modest hops and a focus on the bready, caramel, and mildly toasted malt. Slight bitterness from the hops, but mostly just an earthly edge. As it warms, subtle biscuit tastes emerge. A pleasant beer and packs more flavor that many 5% ambers.

Mouthfeel is on the lighter side of substantial, but that's fine - if it were heavier it would be bordering on old ale territory. Carbonation is moderate and adds to the experience. Overall, I'm glad I had the chance to sample this before it dissapears. But I can see why it's been retired. This beer isn't bad, but being the most average beer on the block is no accomplishment.

Serving type: can

10-01-2010 19:25:17 | More by jampics2

JAHMUR

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%

02-02-2013 00:55:03 | More by JAHMUR

t0rin0

California

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

11-23-2012 00:09:21 | More by t0rin0

RBorsato

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +20.6%

11-13-2012 20:24:05 | More by RBorsato

seplo

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

10-23-2012 23:43:17 | More by seplo

gamanley

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%

08-06-2012 17:41:37 | More by gamanley

donohuer

Connecticut

3/5  rDev -19.6%

03-06-2012 04:05:59 | More by donohuer

chrispoint

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%

02-19-2012 20:25:54 | More by chrispoint

jfcaa193

Connecticut

2.5/5  rDev -33%

01-30-2012 02:11:48 | More by jfcaa193

Puttenham

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Found a forgotten dusty six-pack of these Red and Black cans at my "liquor supermarket" in the forgotten dusty heart of Plymouth County, Mass. I've read about this beer I thought. Sure enough my 1997 copy of "The Great American Microbrewery Beer Book" by Jennifer Trainer Thompson proves I've read about it as this brew has been around (or was around) for some time. This "Amber Beer" (remember when that was considered an entire beer category?) was presented in a brown bottle with a tan label back in Bill Clinton's second term. Very Elegant looking back in those Halcyon Days (better than Red and Black cans anyway).

Appearance: These cans practically exploded when I opened them. Fizz everywhere! Huge head at first but it eventually settled down to a thin but steady canopy of froth. A dark reddish...errrr...Amber hue and cloudy as well. Inviting appearance.

Smell: Faint but steady aroma of caramel. "Something" in the background though. What is it?

Taste: The caramel quality is more pronounced in the flavor. Definitely on the malty side of the equation but not too sweet. I didn't notice the hops in the flavor but they're in there somewhere (they have to be, right?). That certain "something" is there in the aftertaste too. Just a subtle hint of butter? or butterscotch?

Mouthfeel: smooth and easily drinkable

Overall: Not a great beer but not bad either. I think this beer may be a little off as these cans are at least a year to year and a half old.

This beer won the Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 1993 in the Altbier Category (Long Trail and Otter Creek would have been in the running I'm sure). Am I drinking the same beer that won the Gold Medal? Hard to say as New England Brewery has been through so many changes in the last 10+ years.

Oddly enough, both the New England Brewing website and the 1997 book describe this beer as a Steam Beer. So, was it an Altbier or a Steam Beer? Does it matter? It was definitely unique in any case, and it is sad to see a piece of early New England microbrew...errr...craft brewing history pass on. Glad I was able to try out this piece of microbrewing history even if it wasn't in the best of shape when I sampled it.

Serving type: can

01-13-2012 01:56:41 | More by Puttenham

nmann08

Maryland

4/5  rDev +7.2%

11-28-2011 23:08:52 | More by nmann08

RoryOMoore

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +7.2%

11-22-2011 00:42:57 | More by RoryOMoore

HopStoopid120

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +7.2%

11-15-2011 04:08:26 | More by HopStoopid120

Exiled

Texas

4/5  rDev +7.2%

11-15-2011 03:02:18 | More by Exiled

albertjr21

New York

3.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a can into a pint glass. Consumed on 1.25.11.

A: Appears a clear reddish-amber color under a nicely sustained, lightly tanned head.

S: A nice crisp and floral sweet aroma with a dominating toasted caramel malt backdrop.

M/T: There's a nicely balanced malt feel and hop presence throughout here. A solid caramel malt backbone provides for a full flavored feel right into the finish and is nicely accented with a light earthy hop note.

D: It's a shame to hear that this was retired because it's a solid brew with an overall distinguishing character that separates it form others in its category. I'm very happy I got one of the last cans in my glass and in my sense memory...

Serving type: can

01-26-2011 01:18:05 | More by albertjr21

Schmittymack

Colorado

2.17/5  rDev -41.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

From notes scribbled from a recent mini-tasting.

Pours an amber/brownish color, with a lasting head. Aromas of caramel and light hops. Taste was pretty light bodied, nicely carbonated, with a God-awful metallic taste. I guess the drinkabilty would be ok if not for that metallic taste. Maybe it had gone bad? Definitely can't recommend this one; very unimpressd.

Serving type: can

11-08-2010 08:18:51 | More by Schmittymack

emmasdad

Colorado

2.55/5  rDev -31.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Poured from a 12 ounce can at a recent tasting. Pours a clear amber, with a lasting amber head. Aromas of metal, caramel and light hops. On the palate, light bodied, fully carbonated and metallic. I was really unimpressed with this one, after enjoying the last couple NE beers I tried.

Serving type: can

11-07-2010 00:24:51 | More by emmasdad

zoolzoo

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev +8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I recently rediscovered NEB Atlantic Amber, its been sort of a staple in my fridge as of late. Too bad its being retired.

A: Hazy amber body, cream colored head. Actually, it looks best while being gulped directly out of the can at picnic.

S: Nose has a strong nutty malt presence, one dimensional. Something metallic reveals itself intermittently.

T: This is a great tasting and refreshing Amber. Toasty and spicy, nutty & semi-sweet malts, yet super clean and refreshing. Flavors are well balanced.

M/D: Light body and prickly carbonation well suited for the flavor profile. Quaffable and refreshing with enough flavor to keep you interested.

Awesome with a hot dog.

R.I.P.

Serving type: can

06-09-2010 20:19:03 | More by zoolzoo

Walken

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

New England Brewing: Atlantic Amber (No date) (Tasted 05/24/10)
12 oz. can, poured into a dimple mug.

Appearance: Hazed orange with a foamy, meringue-like off-white head that is slow to fade, but dies down into millimeter thick cap of foam, ok retention.
Odor: Subtle, yet full aroma featuring suggestions of ripe red fruit, minerals and bakers chocolate.
Consistency: Full medium body with a frisky, high/medium carbonation and a snappy bite that cleans up nicely.
Flavor: A very dry beer with a firm maltiness that suggests toasted bread, bakers chocolate and toffee. Yeast shows sulfur, nuttiness and a bit of fruitiness. Bits of citric hop flavor fill out the rear and pair with roasted chocolate, lending balance Hops and roast ride into the long, clean, finish.

This beer, in my opinion, is more aptly classified as a california common ale, and that being the case, it is exceptional. Similar to the benchmark Anchor Steam with a decidedly more malt focused flavor profile. I am going to miss this beer quite a bit.

Serving type: can

05-24-2010 23:04:56 | More by Walken

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Here we go...

Pour - sort of hazy amber/orange/red due to the cold temperature coming out of the can. As it warms it clears up. Big foamy head on top with some sediment swirling about. Can-conditioned goodness!

Aroma - sweet malt, orange rind, pineapple, stewed apples and a little lemony. Mostly the malt stands out as to be expected.

Taste - one big sip and there is plenty of proof that this is a very easy drinking session-able brew. The maltiness is not too dominating and there is a nice crisp bite to this beer. This is the type of beer that a lot of people can agree on as its non-offensive in almost every way. It would please the lager and non-lager drinkers alike as well as the craft geeks and the macro-lovers as well.

Overall - A very solid and well produced amber ale. Nothing too fancy but its the little things with this style. It all comes together nicely with no faults and just a lot of great tastes. I am sure many people will miss this one, although I hear it may make a come back in the future.

Would I buy more of it? - n/a

Serving type: can

05-19-2010 15:12:48 | More by indiapaleale

jgasparine

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours from the can with a 1/2" cream colored head, which slowly evaporates to a haze layer and some nice little bits of lacing. The body was an optically clear, well-carbonated, orange-amber color.

S- A nice bouquet of nutty vienna malts and mild low-alpha hops, with just a very faint trace of fruity esters. Nicely balanced.

T- A nice replicate of the nose, with the hop bitterness increasing on the mid-palate from mild to moderate, before being overtaken by some perceived husky and nutty flavors in the dry finish. A very rich flavor profile with some surprising complexity.

M- A medium body with some texture, presumably from unattenuated sugar, and a nice persistent soft carbonation.

D- I may have found my new favorite session beer! Super drinkable, rich and flavorful, and in perfect balance!

Serving type: can

05-16-2010 12:35:48 | More by jgasparine

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass on 3/31/10

Thanks to Pabs311

Hazy & dulled amber in color. Poured a solid one finger head that started to dissipate in short order with bubbles popping rapidly. Very thin retention & ok lacing.

The nose isn't particularly potent. Caramel & toasted malts are most notable with earthy hop aromas strewn throughout. Not bad, but it could be a little more assertive.

The taste is unsurprisingly in line with the nose though thankfully the flavors are at least a little bolder. A mild bitter twinge of earthy hops offsets a reasonably solid caramel malt backdrop. Hints of toasted bread in there, too. A few grassy notes, as well.

Medium-light body with appropriate carbonation that leans just slightly to the lower end of the spectrum. Almost has a slick, medicinal quality on the finish. Notes of toasted caramel linger on.

It's a easy enough drinker. It's not bad, but seems pretty average for the most part. I could easily throw back a few over the course of an evening.

Serving type: can

04-06-2010 03:29:16 | More by Ryan011235

Patrick

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear dark amber color with a thin white head that pretty much ends up as a thin white film. No lacing.

S: The smell is just that of sweet bready malts. I can't really pick up on any hops.

T: Up front there is a bit of dark caramel like sweetness that fades to a crisp bready flavor. The middle has a hint of lingering sweetness, but not a whole lot. The finish has a bit of a roasty flavor with some breadiness as well.

M: Dry, well carbonated, crisp, medium bodied.

D: A very easy drinking amber ale that would be nice for a hot summer day.

Serving type: can

03-28-2010 21:14:20 | More by Patrick

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.33/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On-tap at Prime 16 into a shaker pint, then immediately transferred to a 16oz Harpoon 100 Barrel tulip upon my casual comment about how shaker pints suck. Thanks, Caitlin!

A: Clear orange-amber body with an inch of ecru head. Solid retention and a bit of lace. Nice.

S: Intense aroma from the glass, but sadly it's a boring, generically malty nose with nothing terribly interesting about it at all.

T: Smoothly sweet, toasty malt flavor with a slightly fruity finish. Not great by any stretch, but not bad at all, either.

M: Medium body with moderate carbonation. Just fine.

D: Easy to drink, but not terribly enjoyable to drink.

Notes: It's a nice color. And it isn't hard to drink. And it's brewed by great people. Those are about all the positives I can think of for this beer. Thank God NEB is coming around with IST, Gold Stock, Ghandi-Bot, etc, etc, since this (much like its year-round brethren) is kind of weak.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2010 03:32:30 | More by woosterbill

callmemickey

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Dark red-copper body. Large off-white creamy head upon the initial pour. Crashed fairly quickly but left behind some fairly dense, but spotty lacing.

S: Roasted malts, caramel, toffee, and a slighty nutty twang.

T: Like the nose, this is a decent brew with a moderately complex presentation of caramel, toffee, roasted malts, and nuts. Not much in the way of hops or bitterness. I'd prefer a bit more hop presence to really draw out the flavors that are present here.

M: Smooth, medium-light bodied. Clean throughout but an occasional lingering off-feeling. Perhaps its a bit astringent.

D: All said, its a decent brew. Its got a bit going on, but can use some hops to really bring out all the beer has to offer.

Serving type: can

03-18-2010 04:44:42 | More by callmemickey