New Amsterdam beers have been around for awhile, at least since the late 1980's as I recall, and I've always been a fan of them, especially the wonderfully hoppy New Amsterdam Ale, which I haven't see in a long time. The IPA may be it's replacement, both beers are dry-hopped and have a strong Cascade character; the IPA boasts Centennials as well. It comes wrapped in a blue plastic film label too, the idea being to keep harmful light away from the beer. And it's still contract brewed at FX Matt.

New Amsterdam IPA is a bright orange colored brew with light carbonation and a malty, slightly hoppy nose. The palate features a subtle chocolatey-cookeeish flavor from the dark malts used, some butterscotch notes, and a citric, slightly piny and respectably bitter hop finish. This makes for a really impressive combination, both malt and hops are well represented and don't tread on each other's territory. An excellent effort.

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