Waldo Lake, 5,400-odd feet up in the Cascade Mountains, is the second-largest non-alkali lake in Oregon. Waldo Lake Amber, developed for NB by Mr. Denny Conn, is the number one largest American Amber Ale in our kit lineup! Weighing in at just a titch above the BJCP's stated gravity range, this A3 shows off a brilliant russet-amber with a cap of white and draws you in with a nose of citrus, lemongrass, and malt. A classic combo of northwest hops offsets a dense, chewy, caramelly sweetness and gets you ready for a big finish. Recommended: 2-stage fermentation and yeast starter.

Denny's Notes

I know some crazy people, but one of the craziest is my good friend Mel Lemay. Every year, she runs the Where's Waldo 100K Ultramarathon around Waldo Lake in the Oregon Cascade Mountain Range. The race starts at an elevation of 5120 feet, and goes to over 7800 feet at points. There's a total of over 11,000 feet of elevation change over the course of the race. You have to be crazy to do that! Several of us go camping at the lake to give moral support when she runs and I developed this recipe to her tastes so she'd have something to look forward to at the end of the race. Its a smooth amber ale... not too hoppy, but with enough bitterness and hop flavor that the rest of us enjoy it too. The Magnum hops give it a smooth, mellow bitterness, with flavor from the first wort hop Cascades and a wonderful nose from the Centennial. The Carared gives it a nice malt flavor Ive never gotten any other way. And the Wyeast 1450 Dennys Favorite 50 smooths out the mouthfeel to complement the flavor. You certainly dont have to be crazy to enjoy this beer, but it sure doesnt hurt!