A red, roasty and sweet aroma with a hint of hops and more than a hint alcohol. There is a distinct alcohol warming and a bit of bitterness when drinking it after it has been out of the fridge for eight or so minutes. Best to let this warm up a bit so that the alcohol can mingle with the other flavours rather than stand out on its own. That's better: a nicely sweet and roasty body with a touch of honey and wooden edges though, with a still quite boozy finish.
For a beer with nearly seven percent alcohol by volume the flavours are on the light side, especially when compared to the darker, thicker, hoppier beers that one tends to find in that 'weight' class. Waterloo Amber is a good beer and really good for a strong beer. I think it would taste even better still if the alcohol content was slightly lower (6 or 6.2%) so it didn't mask some of the lighter flavours quite so much. A honeyed amber colour in a glass.
Picked this one up based upon your review and quite enjoyed it. The dwindling stock at NB Liquor is disappointing. I suggest to other readers to grab one while you can, if it interests you.
ReplyDeleteOn a related note, do you ever find much in Amherst that is not available in Sackville or Moncton?
Glad to hear you liked it, Curtis! All the Waterloo beers are availble year round in Ontario but -sigh- not in New Brunswick.
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely some things that are available in Amherst that isn't available in Sackville and vice versa. That being said, when I find myself in Amherst I usually take a look-see in case there is anything new but the selection isn't so much improved that I would make a special trip.
Cheers!