Amber Ale - Boulevard Brewing Co.

secondtooth

Indiana

4/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Attractive and clear amber as promised, with substantial foam and fine lacing.

Nose is biscuity and grainy. Well-done representation of the style.

Taste is tangy and breadlike. A smooth and highly enjoyable example of an amber ale, this is an easy-drinking session ale with class.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 05:12:39 | More by secondtooth

dav

Missouri

3.33/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a slight hazy brown-reddish with a quickly diminishing off white head. A bit foggy due to a fairly vigorous pour.

Not much going on in the faint nose. Predominant sweet caramel with a hint of apricot.

The first sip follows the nose exactly. A decent dose of malt provides the main caramel characteristic followed by the faint apricot in the finish.

Medium bodied mouthfeel with rough carbonation that smooths as the beer goes down. Very clean.

Overall, this is "a beer". Nothing complex and quite bland. However, I found this quite enjoyable in light of all the big christmas beers that are taking up real estate in my fridge. This is a great beer to reset the palate but other than that, I don't see myself falling back on this again.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 19:45:15 | More by dav

ruckus232

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 Ounce brown bottle poured into a mug

Appearance: Slightly hazy light brown/amber color with a finger of off white head

Smell: Not a very powerful smell but there are toasted and slight fruity scents

Taste: Also not extremely powerful but the taste it has it pretty good. It has kind of a dry taste without really being too bitter. There is not a lot of complexity but it is good.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 20:28:19 | More by ruckus232

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

3/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass from a 12oz bottle.
Best by 12/19/11

A - Pours a light amber more cooper and range like color with some slight haze. There is a thin white head that pops up but recedes far too quickly.

S - Light malty notes with some bread and biscuit notes. There is some fresh baked sourdough bread and some slight hopy notes in the aroma with some mild citrus. The aroma is a bit mild but still delicious.

T & M - Starts off with some malty undertones. Some slight caramel notes and some nice bread. Very earthy with a slight bitter finish. The malt profile seems quite simple. Bread notes, earthy grain and some slight sweetness. The slight hop notes help balance this simple and uninspiring beer. Quite crisp and clean with very little after taste that lingers.

O - Overall this beer is underwhelming. It is pretty basic. Still a well crafted beer but quite basic. Even for the style it doesn't really inspire.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 21:10:02 | More by JoEBoBpr

Fatehunter

Oregon

2.95/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass. Hazy copper color with a tight finger of head.
Mild malt smell.
Honey, light bitterness... and nothing else.
Light body, crisp and refreshing.
Nothing much going on here. Easy enough to drink and I would choose it over the macros, but not much else going for it.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 01:08:25 | More by Fatehunter

budgood1

Minnesota

2.8/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

pours out of the 12 ounce stubby bottle a clouded, um, amber clour with a thin bubbly off white head. thin lace. slightly sweet malt aroma...weirdly reminds me of fresh paint, but not in a bad way. taste follows suit...meekly malted...light choco and nougat flavours...a touch of spicy hop and a misplaced boozy note round things out. for a low ABV ale, this one comes with a strange flavour of alcohol that doesn't play well in the overall taste profile. like a green apple jolly rancher. anyway...it has a nice supple body...medium, but smooth mouthfeel. drinkability is a "meh" at best.

overall...i think the fact that this was purchased on clearance with an expired best by date is a factor in the off flavours i'm experiencing.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 23:36:17 | More by budgood1

bigaltemple

Colorado

3/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Rich amber with orange and yellow highlights. Consistent stream of bubbles supplies an off-white foamy cap that leaves some decent lacing.

S - Get some toasted caramel malt and not much else. Very faint hint of hops if you really dig in.

T/M - Sweet, bready, caramel malts. Does have a slightly bitter finish. Has some really good carbonation, but comes across as very light bodied, almost watery.

O - Very easy to drink, not offensive by any means. Nothing particular standing out that makes me want to come back for more.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 21:44:23 | More by bigaltemple

JohnnyChicago

Illinois

3.13/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a shaker pint.

A: Pours a light brown with a wimpy off-white head.

S: Smells of toasted bread, slight butter, citrus hops and grainy malts. However, these flavours are all muted and only perceptible with much effort.

T: Taste is a little stronger in the hop department than suggested. The toasted flavours are still there and it ends crisp and refreshing.

D: Easy-drinking unoffensive, but uninspired stuff. I wouldn't turn this down, but wouldn't buy a sixer either.

Overall: I bought the mixed 12-pack of Boulevard's beer and this just adds to the collection of weak, forgettable offerings. Boulevard has to have one of the biggest divides in excellence between their regular lineup and their specialty brews. This stuff is just so far below beers like Tank 7 and Dark Truth.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 17:16:46 | More by JohnnyChicago

Mississipping

Mississippi

4.05/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a completely clear amber color with golden highlights at the edges when held to light.  A medium off-white head forms atop the liquid body that lingers forever as a half-finger foam.  Moderate lacing and legs on the edge of the glass.

S: Malty sweetness right up front with a good amount of honey.  Subtle pear and apple emerge from time to time in the background, accompanied by an even subtler hops and earthiness.  Although typical for the style, slightly sweeter than expected.

T: Starts out sweet with the maltiness coming to the fore.  A touch of caramel, apple, pear, and honey mingle around one another to give it a somewhat complex character.  Transitions to a finish that is very slightly hoppy and earthy with just a bit of bitterness linger well after each sip.  

M: Medium bodied with a lower level of carbonation that creates a nice creaminess on the palate.  I think the mouthfeel is really pretty spot on.  Starts out sweet and transitions to a minimally bitter/drying finish.  

D: Not at all among my favorite amber ales, but it's tasty for what it is.  Nice balance between maltiness and hoppiness, sweet and bitter.  Not overly complex, but just enough there to keep you interested.  Another tasty brew from Boulevard. 

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 06:01:32 | More by Mississipping

UnionMade

Colorado

3.33/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Hazy reddish amber, with a wispy coating of head. Smells toasty and malty, with a delicate apple fruitiness. Light on the hops, but smells easy going and inviting. The taste opens with caramel malt sweetness, pretty simplistic, with a pleasing apple undertone and a biscuit flavor. Balanced towards the malt, not a lot happening in terms of hop flavor or bitterness. Floral, mostly, with a touch of lemony citrus. The carbonation is a touch strong for my taste, a little too fizzy. Full flavored and hearty feeling, this is obviously not made in million barrel batches. Pretty middle of the road, as far as craft beer goes, but it's well made for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 13:28:40 | More by UnionMade

KTCamm

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up in the 12 mixer. Poured from the bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a reddish brown amber. Heavy white foam that settles out with foam sticking around the sides. Clean smell with no distinct notes. Sharp caramel/toffee taste. Carbonation pop that balances into a sweet malty finish. Sweet aftertaste. Very drinkable. Solid.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 21:58:36 | More by KTCamm

scratch69

Missouri

3.58/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured a bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance- Clear amber color with about a fingers worth of head
Small amount of lacing.

Smell- Weak malty aroma.

Taste- Sweet malt with a hint of hop bitterness at the finish.

Mouthfeel- Medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.
Smooth with a slightly dry finish.

Overall- A enjoyable beer. I'm not a big fan of amber ales but this one wasn't bad.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 04:53:07 | More by scratch69

FanofHefe

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a tulip; date stamped on the bottle neck says best by 9/30/11, so this one is close, but still fresh according to their date. Pours a slightly hazy light amber in color for the body. Aggressive pour yields a 4-finger light tan head. Good retention, but only a little lacing.

The aroma surprises me with a hint of lightly tart citrus notes up front with caramel malt in the background.

The flavor does tend more toward the sweet, caramel malt as the dominant flavor. But, I still get a good light citrus hop flavor that provides a good balance overall. Not terribly complex but enjoyable.

Medium to light consistency in the mouthfeel. Easy to drink and a nice take on the amber style.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 00:00:46 | More by FanofHefe

jkrich

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle with freshness date: poured a slightly hazy, amber with orange highlights. There is a persistent, creamy off-white.
The aroma is solidly malty and slightly syrupy with little hop presence.
Given the aroma, I assumed the ale would naturally be malt dominant in flavor. While it is the key flavor, there is a surprising and refreshing hop bit. The overall simple flavor profile is short-lived with very little lingering aftertaste.
The carbonation is slightly too sharp and the body could use more body. The mouthfeel is clean and vaguely sweet.
This is a decent, drinkable ale that would be good to offer to crowd with varying tastes. The ale is refreshing but the flavor is rather dull.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 23:21:49 | More by jkrich

DCon

Missouri

3.68/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bought a Boulevard 12- Mix Pack w/ GeoffTheAleMan @ Dierbergs in Creve Couer, MO for $15.49. Poured from the boring bottle with AMBER labeled in yellow into a 16oz Pint Glass and has BEST BY 12/04/11 on front.

Aroma- Has the normal amber aroma. Bit of citrus hop, good maltiness, and well-balanced maltiness. Possibly even a bit of caramel character but only a hint if any.

Appearance- Pours a 1.5 finger head with terrible retention (looks almost flat, but after the taste isn't). Has a crystal clear, amber body and leaves a bit of sudsy lacing.

Flavor- Very clean taste from the start. Has the usual amber malt tastes, very medium and sweet. Has a light-medium hop bitterness at the finish.

Mouthfeel- Light-medium Bodied, Light- Medium Carbonation,Smooth, but then almost leaves nothing on the palate.

Overall Impression- Good sweet, malty amber ale, but needs more body! Everything was above average and enjoyed greatly but could very easily pound one of these! I have never been able to get my hands on one of these but then when seeing it in a mix-12-pack from Boulevard, was very excited! A good session-able beer but this is all.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 04:10:15 | More by DCon

Forb

Nebraska

2.73/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle...

Appearance: Pours a deep dark ruby / brown hue with a minor head.

Smell/Taste: Overly malty in both smell and taste with the hops making an attempt buy failing to break through evidently in either of these categories. Roast malt, caramel sweetness, and the most minute of hop elements is most clearly pronounced with the possibility of some darker fruits making way?

Mouthfeel: Medium body with mediocre carbonation.

Overall: I can enjoy a good amber ale but this one just wasn't the best of taste for me.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 00:59:34 | More by Forb

mmva321

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass.

If Boulevard's Smockstack series is the holy grail of American micros, then the regular rotation of Boulevard is a souped-up pint glass. Solid and sometimes tasty but rarely interesting and never revolutionary, Boulevard has found a nice little place in being that beer you like to run into at bars, but that can't save it from the mediocrity it will be called out on when meticulously tasting it at home to write pointless reviews on blog sites.

So we have Amber Ale: one of the better examples of Boulevard's regular rotation (and a great value) but nothing to really write home about (or anywhere asides from sites like this). It has a cloudy amber-tinted body with very little off-white head and no retention. It has a faint aroma with malt being the main characteristic though hints of hops and lemon punch things up a bit. The taste follows suit, though it doesn't have a thin taste to it thanks to a surprisingly full-bodied mouthfeel that is rich and creamy and even well carbonated.

One of the best value beers I can think of, Amber Ale should have a huge market for the somewhat-more discerning beer drinker looking for a cheap night. It doesn't wow me in any way, but it holds it's own, has a great feel, and is therefore one of the best of Boulevard's regulars.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 06:54:32 | More by mmva321

emmasdad

Colorado

3.43/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I picked up a Boulevard mixed twelve pack last week at Argonaut. This was one of the included beers. Poured a nice medium amber color, with a solid beige head. Aromas of caramel, light malt and light hops. On the palate, this one was light to medium bodied, with flavors of sweet malt, caramel and light hops.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2011 01:56:37 | More by emmasdad

K9AleingPiss

Oklahoma

3.38/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This bottle had expiration date of 12/11,enjoyed while in K.C. MO. Color a nice copper,not much head or lace. The aroma improved as I drank this beer,a good sweet,malt robust yeast smell began to grab hold of me after an initial skunk odor. Fortunately the taste was better than the odor,and it too improved as I continued to finish the glass. No after taste,very smooth,would recommend again. I enjoyed this beer very much. A good blend of alcohol,malt,hops and carbonation! Im looking forward to another kind of Boulevard.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 00:30:39 | More by K9AleingPiss

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.9/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Boulevard Amber Ale has a thin, cream-colored head and a hazy amber appearance, with lots of streaming bubbles. The aroma is of roasted malt, clean water, and slight hops. Taste is not unlike Budweiser American Ale, with caramel, lightly-roasted barley malts, sweetness, some fruit (plum?), and a mild hop back-flavor. Mouthfeel is fluffy and slick, and the finish is clean and semi-dry. Overall, this is good. Try it.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2011 01:16:43 | More by RonaldTheriot

homebrew311

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: pours a clear, deep amber, white head upon pour, minimal retention, no lacing

S: non descript aroma featuring some faint malty notes, toasted bread, mild hop bitterness

T: like the nose, the taste is malt forward with bread and caramel. Malt character is faint, and the hops at the finish are even fainter. Well balanced and easy drinking, a little lacking in the flavor dept.

MF: high carbonation, light body

O: not a bad beer, but nothing exciting (I feel like I'm saying that about all of Boulevard's year rounders). Middle of the pack I'd say.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 05:42:25 | More by homebrew311

JoeAmerican77

Colorado

2.63/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Two solid fingers of spun sugar head, an amber red complexion in the liquid beneath...

Some caramel and mild hop esters in the nose, very weak nose

Some lemon and barley come to the front at first, a tad acrid in the back

Mouth feel is a tad watery with soda pop carbonation

Overall a very simple boring beer. I wouldn't recommend it

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2011 19:48:36 | More by JoeAmerican77

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Gale Sayers shaker pint glass.

Working my way through the current Boulevard sampler box. This offering pours a clear amber-russet topped by a half-finger of off-white foam. The nose comprises orange zest, brown sugar-cinnamon, light caramel, and a light twist of lemon. The taste brings in more of the same, though the orange definitely comes through more strongly and brings along a decent amount of rind. A small bit o' balsa finds its way in there as well. In addition, the brown sugar maintains a strong position, giving things a fairly heavy spicy character (for an amber, at least). The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a pretty smooth feel. Overall, a nice amber, one that shows that balance can indeed be achieved without going overboard on either side.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2011 21:34:28 | More by TMoney2591

THECPJ

Delaware

3.08/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes:

appearance: copper orange with a 1 finger off white head

smell: caramel, toasted malts,

taste: toffee / caramel, malts

mouthfeel: mild carbonation, medium body

overall: rather average amber ale. Nothing seems to stand out in this beer.

Cheers,
the CPJ

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2011 21:12:17 | More by THECPJ

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.5/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Shockingly, amber in color. Head does little damage to the glass and overall the look is pretty insipid, although bring the right color goes a ways. The nose is, again, super clean with only faint notes of German malts and a note of dextrin to make sure you're not about to settle down with a nice cup of water.

Flavor is a little better, though I'm not ready to change scores. Too much pale malt amongst the continental crystal and frankly not enough hops no matter the malted profile. Sharp carbonation up front, finishes with most of the malt taste, leaning toward crystal sweetness, aspirin, and dextrose.

I would imagine that this sells, but I'm a little sad that I subsidized it. It's okay, but nothing interesting, and Boulevard already has some boring beers to bring in the revenues. What is Amber Ale's place?

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2011 05:17:37 | More by BretSikkink