Amsterdam Elementary Ale - Amsterdam Brewing Company

MeisterBurger

Ontario (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Clear unmarked bottle from the brewery store.

Pours a pale orange, slightly turbid with a bubbley white head that drops down to a good film that retains nicely and laces well.

Aroma is a tad grainy, with light toffee, slightly floral with lots of lemongrass.

The taste is a little grainy malt, light toffee notes, medium bitterness comprised of an an earthy, slightly herbal/lemongrass and citrusy orange with a lingering minerality.

Well carbonated, very crisp, medium bodied.

Overall a pleasing enough beer that could satisfy over the long haul and certainly miles better than Amsterdam's wider offerings. I like it.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2011 00:17:24 | More by MeisterBurger

ritzkiss

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

New golden/blonde ale from Amsterdam, SMaSH style I believe - Vienna and Columbus with an English yeast - mix of old and new world session ale.

Pint at The Only, a hazy golden yellow with orange highlights, little head. Nose is light and clean, light citrus and floral notes with clean biscuity malt. Nice clean lemony and orange notes in the flavor, light and balanced bite. Malt is restrained, doesn't remind me of the maltiness or slight mineral character I normally get from Vienna lagers, more clean - perhaps like a helles, a light fruitiness lurking underneath the hops as well. Light dry finish, slightly resiny, pretty zingy carbonation. Light and refreshing, fresh - much better than when I had it in the bottle. Not in pale ale territory for the hopping but with Columbus and generous hopping for the style it is certainly a North American take on things.

Easy drinker, great for summer. Clean, hoppy and refreshing. Not expecting much with this one but it is a nice addition. Get this on tap if you can.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2011 20:31:28 | More by ritzkiss