Outcast Amber
Big E Ales, Lynnwood
Style: Amber ale
Stats: 6.5 percent ABV, 25 IBU
Available: On tap at the brewery and at select restaurants and bars around the Puget Sound; in four-pack 16-ounce cans at the brewery
My thoughts: Lynnwood’s Big E Ales has been canning its Scotch ale and Hoppy Redhead ale for years. Recently, though, Big E has opened the floodgates and started canning nearly all of its beers, including its Outcast Amber.
According to the folks at Big E, customers have been clamoring for a larger variety of their beers in cans, so they obliged. Big E got a new canning machine and started canning more beers on Feb. 17. (It is also canning its famous Big E Root Beer.)
I recently stopped by Big E Ales to pick up a four pack of the Outcast Amber and the root beer; my three kids would have been mighty upset if I only brought home “dad-only” beer. The cans aren’t anything special to look at. They’re basic silver cans with a large rectangular yellow sticker and the name of the beer scrawled in black felt pen.
The beer itself is solid. Big E Ales has produced good beer for a while. The amber has a nice strong malty base and a not-too-sweet finish. It’s not complex, but it’s great with a big plate of nachos.
As for the root beer, I got six big thumbs up from the kids.
From the brewery: Malty, robust amber ale loaded with flavor and dry hopped with Citra hops to give it a floral and hoppy tasting finish and great flavor without the bitterness.
— Aaron Swaney, Special to The Herald
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