Amber Ale

Empire Brewing Company, Syracuse, N.Y.

ABV: 5.5 percent

Rating: 3.5/4

With a light nose consisting of mild toasted malts, some caramel, butterscotch and nuttiness, this is a very inviting beer. Fresh from the tap at Al’s Wine & Whiskey Lounge on Clinton Street, it pours dark amber with minimal head retention. The taste first matches the smell and then tops it ten-fold. It has a well-balanced first taste of complex malt flavors with some sweetness, followed by a small bite from the hops at the finish. This is a must-try for anyone in search of a complex yet sessionable cold-weather beer.

Wizard’s Winter Ale

Middle Ages Brewing Company, Syracuse, N.Y.

ABV: 6.3 percent

Rating: 2.5/4    

Middle Ages likes to experiment with British-style ales and also follow seasonal trends, so this winter ale coincides perfectly with the changing weather. It pours slightly amber and smells like a combination of toasted malts, caramel and a little dark-fruit sweetness. At first taste, one gets biscuity malts followed by slight toffee and finally finishes with a bit of alcohol and mild hop bitterness. This local brew will warm you up but may only be worth one pint at the most.

Zuur

Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, N.Y.

ABV: 6.0 percent

Rating: 4/4

Zuur, Dutch for ‘sour,’ is a collaboration between Ommegang and Belgium’s Brouwerij Liefmans. This beer is the epitome of uniqueness. Brown ale mixed with a sour ale creates a tartness and sweetness that combines to develop excellence. It pours slightly lighter and redder than standard brown ale. With real cherries added, it smells very fruity and tart, but mild malt sweetness comes through as well. It tastes more tart than sweet, but unlike sharp sour ales, there is a mild hop bite at the end. A malty sweetness tones down puckering caused by the black cherry. This is a must-try limited edition release.

For more information on Syracuse Beer Week, be sure to check out The Daily Orange’s off-campus guide.

— Compiled by Lucas Sacks, staff writer, ldsacks@syr.edu

Published on November 3, 2010 at 12:00 pm