Beer Review: Arbor Brewing Co - Red Snapper Amber Ale

So I am traveling up to Montana this week and probably won't be by a computer much. I reviewed five Amber Ale/Lager/Hybrid this past weekend. Each day I will be featuring a new amber and will wind up the last post with my rankings. By no means are these the best 5 ambers, but they are a great selection from some great midwest breweries.

 Red Snapper Amber Ale

Style: Roasted Amber Ale
Strength: 4.9% (ABV)
IBUs: 30
Body: medium
Availability: Year-round, 24-12 oz bottles, 1/2 barrels

Food Pairings: Hamburgers, pizza, nachos, spaghetti & meatballs

Tasting Notes: A deep reddish brew with medium body and carbonation. This toasty, malty, and dry pale ale has a depth of hop taste and acidity in the palate and finish. 

Appearance: Pours a rich reddish amber. Thick almost tan head that lingers.

Aroma: Rich malt with hints of caramel. No hop presence detected, pretty much smells like grains in the mash.

Flavor: Huge malt backbone throughout. Hop bitterness comes through in the middle, and ends with a bit of roastiness. Detecting some biscuity and and toasty malt tones. Can not pick up any hop flavor. A tiny bit of caramel sweetness rounds it out and finishes lightly sweet.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with low carbonation.

Overall: An amber ale on the malt side of the spectrum. Very close to an English ESB, I am guessing this is what the recipe was based off of. I was expecting an American amber with more citrus hop flavor. The extensive and varied malt properties are very enjoyable. The bit of roast is nice but would like a little more caramel.