Beer of the Week (Vol. XLVIII)

Another edition of Beer of the Week brought to you by the fine folks at Glen Lake Wine & Spirits who can help put the wind in your sails.

When it comes to the world of micro beers, the Full Sail Brewing Company in Hood River, Oregon is an oldy but a goody. Like some of the other craft brewers who have been on the scene for a while, there's a tendency to take Full Sail for granted at times. You tend to overlook their solid lineup of well-made beers that are among the most widely distributed.

So this week we stop and smell the roses with Full Sail's Amber Ale.

Simple brown bottle. When it comes to label, you can appreciate how much thought Full Sail puts into their graphic design. The neck label features a gorgeous outdoor scene with sailboats and canoes in the foreground at Castle Rock in the Columbia River. The main label has a great retro look with the Full Sail logo, beer name, and other information in classic font and stylish shapes with a light wood-grain background. Simply lovely.

Beer Style: Amber/Red Ale

Alcohol by Volume: 5.5%

COLOR (0-2): Rich dark amber. 2

AROMA (0-2): Mostly nutty with some malt, but weak. 1

HEAD (0-2): Off-white color, good lacing. 2

TASTE (0-5): Toasted malt flavors with carmel and nuts. Pretty light on the hops. Medium-bodied and drinkable. 3

AFTERTASTE (0-2): Smooth finish but a bit empty. 1

OVERALL (0-6): An above average amber ale. Not terrible exciting, but very solid. A good, tasty, accessible micro choice if you're looking for a six-pack to bring to a party that will refresh without slowing you down too much. If you have friends who like Leinie Red, this is a much better alternative that shouldn't frighten them off. 4

TOTAL SCORE (0-19): 13