United Nations of Beer

North Fork Amber Ale

by Bret
(Las Vegas, NV)

North Fork Amber Ale (5% ABV)
Glacier Brewing Co., Polson, MT, USA

In keeping with our beer drinker's journey through Montana, my next beer was the Amber Ale. This one was kind of a let down after the Cherry Ale, just an average Amber Ale.

The aroma is a combination of sweeter scents including a mild fruity yeast and light earthy hops with a sweet malt under tone. There is no real hop or malt bitterness apparent, but their milder sweetness comes through. This beer gives off a slight caramel or toffee aroma as the beer warms. The color of this beer is a dark amber almost pale brown with a muddy haze and cloudiness that can be seen as the beer pours into the glass. There is a very thin frothy tan head which dissipates quickly and does not lace the glass as the beer is consumed. A very moderate carbonation is visible in the glass.

North Fork's flavor is a combination of lightly roasted malt, sweet yeast and a mild sweet hop earthiness. There is a mild aftertaste of caramel, very subtle but still present. The beer's mouthfeel is very smooth and moderately bodied in texture. This Amber Ale is light and refreshing with very little carbonation. Lightly coats the palate but does not lingers in your mouth very long.

Overall, this was a good beer. Not the best Amber Ale I have ever had, but definitely not the worst. It was a perfect pairing for some deer sausage and eggs I had for breakfast this morning.