Steamworks' Steam Engine Lager. Let's Give it a Ride

According to Rob Willey of Details Magazine, Steamworks' Steam Engine Lager is a really excellent brew. As a matter of fact, Steam Engine is at the very top of his "excellent canned beer list."

He writes..."Yes, it tastes similar to Sam Adams, but it's preferable by a long shot, with a sweetness and a peppery tang."

The can is just as bold, promising that Steam Engine Lager is "arguably the best American style amber lager in the world."

This is all very heady stuff, so I popped a top of Steam Engine Lager and gave it a ride.

I have to admit, I was very impressed with its appearance. Steam Engine Lager poured crystal clear with a warm, deep coppery color. The head was tan-ish white, but it wasn't long before it dissolved into the brew. It always bothers me when a brew's head does that.

The taste? Well, I thought something was missing here. Yes, Steam Engine is a malty brew, just like an American Amber should be. It is malty enough to be called "Biscuit" if it was a horse. But, here is the deal. When a brew bills itself as "the best American amber lager in the world" and when some magazine writer sticks it on the very top of his "excellent canned beer list," the beer should bring something more than just its bready malt flavor to the table.

It didn't.

Steam Engine is a very drinkable, middle of the road American amber lager. It is a malt lover's dream. However, Steam Engine would not lead my "excellent canned beer list." It is good, but good isn't good enough to be most excellent when you are talking about being the best in the world.

Sorry guys.

Here is Details Magazine's excellent canned beer list.
1. Steamworks Steam Engine Lager--Colorado
2. Caldera Ashland Amber--Oregon
3. Oskar Blues Ten Fidy Imperial Stout--Colorado
4. 21st Amendment Brew Free! or Die IPA--California
5. Sly Fox Pikeland Pils--Pennsylvania
6. Butternuts Heinnieweisse Weissebier--New York
7. New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale--Colorado

Agree? What would be your top 7 canned beers?

By the way, I was also going to review Steamworks' Ale Diablo today. I wandered on down to Lukas Liquors in the Denver Tec Center to pick up a bottle. They didn't have it in stock. So, I trucked over to Davidson Liquors. They didn't have it either, but big beer kudos to the Davdson beer guy who offered to call the Steamworks' rep. (That's good customer service gang!) The rep said it was just hitting the Denver market, so watch for old Ale Diablo to start showing up next week.

Yum!