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Sawtooth

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Well-rounded maltiness up front, then herbal, slightly citrusy hop flavors and a dry finish. Brewed since 1993, this amber ale (2-Row, Crystal, Munich, wheat and black malt; CTZ, US Goldings, Willamette and Cascade) took Great American Beer Festival golds in 2013 and 2023. 5.3 % ABV, 27 IBU, available year-round in cans, bottles and on draft, served in a pub glass.

ABV
5.3%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter27 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Gold · 2013
Great American Beer Festival
Ordinary or Special Bitter
Gold · 2023
Great American Beer Festival
★Gold — Great American Beer Festival (Ordinary or Special Bitter)
★Gold — Great American Beer Festival
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
maltyherbalhoppy
malty
herbal
hoppy
citrusy
caramel
Aroma
The nose leads with clean maltiness—toasted grain and subtle caramel sweetness from the malt bill.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Sawtooth

◎ Appearance

Sawtooth presents a warm amber hue with bright clarity and a moderate, persistent head. The beer maintains good lacing as it's consumed, and shows lively carbonation appropriate to the style. The color reflects its blend of Crystal and Munich malts, sitting at 12 SRM with an inviting, approachable visual presence.

warm amberclearpersistent headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with clean maltiness—toasted grain and subtle caramel sweetness from the malt bill. Herbal hop character emerges with a light citrus undertone, courtesy of the Cascade and Willamette varieties, while CTZ and US Goldings contribute a spicy, grassy complexity. The aromatic profile is balanced and inviting, without aggressive hop intensity.

toasted grainherbal hopssubtle citrusspicy complexity

◐ Taste

The palate opens with rounded maltiness and a gentle caramel sweetness that establishes the beer's foundation. Mid-palate brings forward herbal and slightly citrusy hop flavors, creating a pleasant interplay between malt and bitterness. The 27 IBU provides structure without dominating, allowing the malt character to remain prominent while the finish transitions toward dryness.

malt-forwardherbal-citrus balancemoderate bitternessdry conclusion

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and dry, with residual hop bitterness and herbaceousness lingering pleasantly on the palate. The aftertaste fades smoothly without harsh edges, leaving a balanced impression of both malt and hop character.

dryclean aftertastelingering herbs
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
78
Appearance
76
Finish
78
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Sawtooth

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About Amber Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Amber Ale?

Amber Ales have 4.5–6.2% ABV and IBU 25–40. Caramel malt sweetness balanced by moderate hop bitterness, a reddish-amber colour and smooth finish.

Finding a similar Amber Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same dry, malty, herbal character as Sawtooth will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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