Newport Storm Hurricane Amber Ale

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Best by date June; Sampled December 2008
A solid pour into my 25cl tulip glass produces an initial two-finger thick, light tan colored head. The beer is exceedingly clear and is a reddish, amber-gold color that shows a bright copper color when held up to the light. The aroma is a mix of expressive citrus hop notes and crystal malt aromatics. Some other notes of metallic, lightly herbal hops join aromas of grapefruit zest, tangelo, lightly toasted grain (sort of biscuit like), and a touch of sweet caramel maltiness.

Pretty dry tasting and actually a bit lighter than I was expecting. The citrus hops seem to add a touch of tartness due to the overall dryness of this beer. Meyer lemon zest character comes through in the flavor more than the juicy, ripe, slightly sweet citrus notes that were noticeable in the aroma. The beer has a nice, clean, biting bitterness that is noticeable from the beginning to lingering end of each sip. The finish has a nice cracker like malt to it at times, but at others comes off as thin and tart.

Not bad, but a bit weird somehow. I don't think there is quite enough malt to support the hops here and the tartness is a bit odd; I don't think it is an infection as this beer is pretty clean over all.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

An outstanding amber ale and among the best that I've had. Great body and flavor with a nice head and lacing. Not too heavy and just right to have while throwing darts or dining.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Surprisingly good. I've had this one in the beer cellar for some time now and finally decided to knock off the state of RI. It poured a typical amber body with a small head. The taste was decent to enjoyable: hops offset by light sweetness of malt.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Better the I expected. Poured a light amber color with an okay head good lacing. Aroma was of hops and caramel. FLavor got better as it warmed. Mostly hops and caramel malts. Mouthfeel was thin. Still a good beer.

Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 6

08.11.04 Tap@Mew’s tavern in RI. Pours the usual orangey-amber color with medium head that lasts. Mild, floral, fruity. Light bodied, refreshing, quaffable session brew. Truly brewed for the masses.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 8

Cloudy leather with sluggish head that lingers but gradually fades to something too thick to be called a film. The aroma is lightly sweet (not syrupy) with light fruitiness and tea. Teh flavor is hopless. Typical pale malt flavors with big toast and a little caramel but there''s also the slightest hint of something darker like from a porter that I can''t identify. It''s just strong enough to add character without weighing down the taste buds. This is a great beer that would be perfect for those times you want something good but don''t plan on paying attention to the beer enough to warrant something more complex.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

This one had potential...maybe I had a bad bottle. Poured with nice fluffy head and really good lacing. Aroma was bready malts. Mouthfeel was smooth, could have used maybe a tad more hops and/or carbonation. Flavor was sweet caramel and bready malts, but had a metallic aftertaste that was not appealing (was very faint, but noticeable)...would have been a much more enjoyable experience without it.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

A very drinkable beer. Flavor grew on me as I drank it. The pour was clear amber with a normal head, but decent lacing. Aroma was hoppy with some caramel malt underneath. The flavor was much of the same with some fruity hints, although the base of the flavor was hops and the sweet caramel-like malts came through more in the aftertaste (normally the other way around). Definitely not an overly sweet beer, but strong caramel, almost artificial tasting, yet drinkable....

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Gift from Cottrell. Orange color. Spicy sweet aroma. Slightly malty taste. Long, dry finish. Reminds me of a reasonably good knock-off of New Belgium's Fat Tire.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

A very basic and unchallenging ale. Pours a hazy dark amber with 1 finger of head which doesn't stick around for the duration of the drink. Aroma is earthy hops, and faint sweet malt. This is a little grainy, but not too bad. There's a bit of malt sweetness, with some earthy hops in the finish. Not a bad session brew, but not somethign I'd buy again.