Maine Beer Company - Zoe

Maybe it's just me, but when I hear the term "Amber Ale," the first thing that comes to mind is a beer that is kind of meant to please everyone. With a few exceptions (Troegs' Nugger Nectar being the biggest one), most of the amber ales I've had have been very middle of the road beers. Not to say that I don't enjoy ambers, but if I'm looking for new beer to try, it's not too often I'll seek out an amber. Unless, that is, it's an amber I've heard as much about as Maine Beer Company's Zoe. I was able to find a bottle at a liquor store near my sister's place in Boston and opened it soon after getting back to San Diego.

Zoe (named after the daughter of one of the brewery's co-founders) pours a dark and deep reddish brown color with a great looking one finger cream colored head. The aroma had some big citrus hops, grapefruit and some faint roasted malt. Already, I could tell that this wasn't going to be the kind of amber ale I was used to.

The taste opens with a big hit of grapefruit hop flavor followed by a complex middle that featured notes of chocolate, roasted malt, tangerine rind and toffee. The finish is hoppy and dry with a good amount of pine. The depth of flavor in this beer easily surpasses any amber I've come across and this is right up there with Nugget Nectar as the best amber I've ever had.

Final Grade: A


Top 100 Beers Tasted: 37