Amber Road is Baxter's third, and newest, canned release to date. This one is set to hit shelves in it's homestate of Maine next week and will be in Massachusetts in early 2012. The beer was named after "the ancient Roman trade route that ran for centuries from the modern-day Baltics to Northern Africa for the transport of then semi-precious amber, the Amber Road is meant to connote cosmopolitan adventure, in keeping with the emphasis of Baxter’s commitment to the portability of great beer in cans, along with the special characteristics of this newest style."

From the Baxter Brewing site:

"Amber Road, a malt-accented amber ale featuring a rich toastines and balanced hop flavor that lingers through to an exceptionally smooth finish, joins Baxter’s flagship styles Pamola Xtra Pale Ale and Stowaway IPA...The new amber ale is a careful blend of ten different malts and three different hop varietals. The profile of this beer fits nicely next Baxter’s two previous releases while appealing to the more malt-minded beer drinker, nicely rounding out the company’s profile of year-around releases."

Here we go...

Pour - fills the glass with a nice, deep mahogany color. Has some of the same colors as a nice bourbon. A thin white head splashes on top. Clean and clear with solid carbonation.

Aroma - first whiff and I get lots of caramel malt. This is followed by some toffee and hints of cider. Definitely some malt complexities in this one. Ten different malts in one brew is impressive.

Taste - smooth, sweet and crisp. Lots of that caramel maltiness coming out on the tongue as well as raw sugar and candied orange peel. Loving the way this isn't too sweet, it isn't too light and it isn't just another run-of-the-mill amber ale. This one has some character and a very solid flavor. Also, the IBUs may be low at 35 but this has an edge to it, perhaps not a citrusy hoppiness but some bite in the finish.

Overall - definitely a well made amber ale. A great addition to the growing Baxter can family. Amber Road is a very drinkable beer with actual character and not the type of amber ale you hardly notice while you're drinking it. This should appeal to the masses and to the beer geeks alike. Well done Baxter!

Note - Below are the "Technical Specifications" of this beer as provided by Baxter Brewing Company.

• A proprietary blend of North American 2 row malted barley including barley grown in Northern Maine’s Aroostook County
• 8 different domestic and imported “Character” malts provide complexity, color and body
• 3 different hops varieties grown in the Willamette Valley region of Oregon
• Cold conditioned for a smooth, crisp and clean flavor
• Clean, well attenuating, top-fermenting American ale yeast
• Pure, soft water from Lake Auburn, Maine