Atlantic Amber - New England Brewing Co.

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

KTCamm

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap from the South Norwalk Brewhouse (where this beer was brewed back in its hey day).

I'll preface by saying when I first moved to CT, this was brewed in Sono and available on tap everywhere. I love this beer.

Color is reddish amber, foamy head, some lacing.

The smell is muted - some of the malt comes out, but otherwise not a lot happening.

There is something about the taste I never could quite nail down - some caramel malt, starts sweet, finishes very clean. Very minor dry hop aftertaste.

Drinkable? Back in the day, I drank this by the pitcher. I could down these over and over, especially off a tap.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2009 18:15:41 | More by KTCamm

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Served on-tap at New England Brewing Co.

A: Pours a reddish amber color with a rich head of white foam, leaving a decent lace.

S: Smells of sweet caramel and toffee malts with a hint of dry floral hops.

T: The malty sweetness if like a dessert bread of some kind, mixed with a gentle hop bite at the end with a very smooth malt wash. Quite good.

M: Mouthfeel is a bit creamy, but the finish is smooth and clean.

D: Although I prefer their Sea Hag IPA, this is NEB's most drinkable beer. There is nothin offensive about it, and the taste, ABV and mouthfeel make this one of the most sessionable ales I've ever had.

Kind of along the same lines as Newport Storm amber, New England Brewing's amber ale is a good tasting, solid drinking brew that will rarely let you down, and is an extremely sessionable beer. Now all we need are some taps up in the Brass City, right guys?

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2008 15:06:28 | More by Gambrinus1184

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A pint glass served at the Brewhouse in Norwalk, Ct.

A: The amber ale is just that, a robust brown-red mixture that has a nice brilliance to it. The ale is very clean looking, crystal clear with a thick 1 finger head.

S: The nose is nutty, full of malty strength that does not betray much hoppiness.

T: The nuttiness in the flavor is a nice continuation from the aroma. The malts dominate that taste with the nutty toffee flavors. Hops add a balancing element but don't do much from a flavoring perspective. The finish sticks with the malts.

M: The mouthfeel is nondescript, nutty without a wow factor.

D: This could be a sessioner but it needs a little more oomph.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2008 02:56:56 | More by akorsak

erosier

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours an amber/copper color with a small medium head that sticks to the glass a bit. It has a nice malty and hoppy aroma that seems to blend well. The taste is very good as it delivers on what you would expect from the smell. It has a malty caramel flavor mixed with a slight hoppiness that completes the beer. It has the right amount of carbonation and has a very good mouthfeel. It is also very drinkable and I could definately throw back a few of these before I called it quits. Well worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2008 11:18:02 | More by erosier

Boppar

New Hampshire

3.88/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this from a keg into a glass at a party this weekend.

Poured a deep, rich, reddish brown, with an impressive two fingers of head, and surprisingly good lacing.

I didn't detect a whole lot going on in the smell department. Sweet malty notes, and maybe a little spice.

The taste is awesome! It starts off with sweet malts and toffee, with well-hopped bitterness. A robust tobacco flavor appears mid-palate, and segues into a bitter finish. The tobacco really took me by surprise.

The mouthfeel is silky and thick, with solid carbonation and nice weight.

The drinkability is somewhat limited by the bitterness of this beer, yet it is still well above average.

Let me conclude by saying that ambers have never been my favorite style, but this one came as a pleasant surprise. I will definitely have to give the style another shot if there are more like this out there.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2007 23:37:56 | More by Boppar

Boilermaker88

California

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at The Brewhouse in South Norwalk, CT. I opted for a pint of this local CT brew when the first choice I made had just kicked earlier that evening. Served up in a standard pint glass.
Dark brown in color with rather slow-moving carbonation and a modest off-white head, it still left decent lace and maintained a good appearance throughout.
The nose was full of toasty malts and slightly nutty with a decent whiff of herbal hops to round things out. With each pull, the malt bill got a workout as it engaged the firm herbal hops profile. Toasty, with a toffee, nutty tinge, the malt flavor clung to the palate through the finish and maintained the high ground over the hops bite. The feel was medium-light in body and slightly dry.
Overall, this was quite the quaffable amber lager. I'm not that big a fan of the style but this one was a pleasure to drink. Glad I got the chance to indulge.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2006 05:12:42 | More by Boilermaker88

beerman599

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

the flagship brand from the new new England brewery is worth the wait. this ale is very drinkable with out being week or watery. smooth malt aroma rich caramel flavor and just a hint of hops in the finish makes this very drinkable. this should be in every good pub!

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2004 22:43:46 | More by beerman599

UnionMade

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The boys are back in town!!!

On tap at Eli Cannon's in Middletown, CT.
Pours a deep rich reddish amber, with a thin head that eventually dies down to nothing. Crystal clear. The color is fantastic, and I'd rate it higher if the head remained through the entire pint.
Aroma is malty and sweet, with a bit of caramel and breadiness to it. Smells sort of like an ordinary bitter, with the malt/hop balance.
Flavor is reminiscent of a bitter, with a rich maltiness, light body, medium hopping and dry bready finish. Very light caramel, simple basic flavors that compliment each other impeccably. Carbonation is perhaps a bit high, but that could just be the cask beer I had previous to this. Very clean and defined flavors, simple, yet terribly effective. Definitely a winner.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2003 06:27:48 | More by UnionMade

far333

Connecticut

3.83/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This CT brew is back in the neighborhood. Pours a clear copper color, sporting a low beige head. Aroma is light, with hints of hop and esters. Flavor is also light, of smooth malt, but no noticeable hops. Mouthfeel is smooth, but a bit watery. A mild hop bitter aftertaste creeps into the back of the throat as the pint is drained.

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2003 06:00:11 | More by far333

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

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

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

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

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

FreshmanPour77

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed 02-23-10
Reviewed cold from a 12oz can to a glass

A - Cloudy golden brown, 1 finger of foam, good carbonation present with a good ring of lacing

S - Sweet Caramel malts and roasted malts, kind of burnt nut aroma

T - Light bodied brew, roasted malt flavor mixed caramel. Touch of hops present at the end. Really smooth all the way through

M/D - Big thanks to jaxon53 for the throw ins. Pretty tasty Amber ale, not overly strong which you would find with this style of brew but the caramel sweetness and malts mixed very well with the right touch of hops. A pretty sessionable brew to me, too bad I can't get it here in MN. I would highly recommend purchasing some or trading for it!!

Serving type: can

02-24-2010 18:52:32 | More by FreshmanPour77

Mora2000

Texas

2.9/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to exiled for sharing this bottle.

The beer pours dark reddish-amber with a white head. The aroma is not good, with a muddy, earthy malt. Smells almost like dirt. The flavor is very malty, earthy hops with some toffee. It also tastes a bit dirt like and has some cooked vegetable notes. Medium mouthfeel and carbonation.

Serving type: can

01-25-2010 19:52:43 | More by Mora2000

Lunch

Maryland

3.78/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served from a 12oz. can, obtained via trade with LSUExplorer03 as a generous extra (thanks man!), into my Old Rasputin 16oz. Nonic pint glass at the appropriate temperature (01/07/10).

A: Pours a darker shade of amber with some burnt copper hues. Capped off with two fingers of an off-white head with decent retention and spotty lacing.

S: Nice bouquet of caramel, slight burnt and roasted malt and some nut tones. A hint of citrus hops, but very slight.

T: The caramel and burnt/roasted malt dominated the flavor along with some bitter hops and subtle layers of citrus. Not bad at all.

M: Light to medium-bodied with appropriate carbonation, but seemed at little thin at times.

D: Very easy to drink and only weighing in at 5% abv.

Overall this was a pretty decent American Amber that had a great refreshing quality. Thanks again Matt for the opportunity to try this. Worth a Look.

Serving type: can

01-08-2010 15:34:40 | More by Lunch