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Craft Beer & Brewing
American Ale, Encased in Amber

American amber ales aren’t fossils—they’re more like liquid signals sent through time and space from an earlier generation. And today’s brewers continue to refine and polish them to an appealing ruby hue, while the opportunities for flavor and quality are greater than ever.

By Joe Stange·Related: Recipe: Fogbelt Red Tail Ale
Podcast 493: Fresher Than Fresh! Jake Watt of Trap Door Utilizes Hot- and Cold-Side Techniques in Award-Winning Wet-Hopped IPAs

Forget last year’s hot side versus cold side social media debate. The real issue, says Trap Door head brewer Jake Watt, is the seasonal creep that’s pushing out fresh-hopped beers before the most compelling hops are even ready to be harvested. But ask him which methods he uses to hop these beers dubbed “fresh,” and he’ll answer, “all of the above, and more.”

By Jamie Bogner·

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