16 Mile Brewing Company - Amber Sun Ale

Amber Sun Ale lives up to its name, presenting an attractive medium-dark amber color with a big crop of khaki foam. Perfumed, floral hop aromas are immediately apparent atop caramel, light bread crust, and a touch of fruity esters lurking beneath. In the flavor department, caramelized, toasty notes form a really nice core in concert with a prominent red fruity quality which we really enjoyed. Hop bitterness is moderate, offering just enough of a balancing counterpoint to the caramelly malt to be complementary without any aggression on the palate. Amber ales can be all over the map style-wise, with some bent definitively toward toasty malt and others toward big hops, bitterness, and fruitiness. We like what 16 Mile has created here: a little bit American amber, a little bit ESB – ultimately a tasty all-around balanced brew with toasty malt, fruity character, and aromatic hops without an excess of bitterness. We recommend pairing with applesauce pork chops, or a snack of tangy cheeses. Enjoy!

Co-owners Brett McCrea and Chad Campbell opened 16 Mile Brewing Company in July 2009. After working in other careers, including 10 years in Washington, D.C. for McCrea, the friends wanted to team up to start a local business for the benefit of their families and the local community back in Georgetown, DE. After Chad offered the suggestion of starting a brewery, the two set off on the path to making that happen – a bold choice given the larger-than-life presence of Dogfish Head Brewery just a few miles away.

The McCrea family had owned a sizeable piece of land since the early ‘80s which had previously been a pig, chicken, and cattle farm. A century-old barn on this site made for a perfect brewhouse location – but it needed work. The interior was reinforced and refinished, new brewing equipment was brought in, and soon the beer began to flow. The brewing duo chose 16 Mile as the brewery’s name as nod to Georgetown’s roots; in the 18th century it was said that Georgetown was 16 miles from anywhere.

Rather than focusing on the extreme beers and sometimes over-the-top exotic ingredients that nearby Dogfish Head is known for, 16 Mile wanted to focus on crafting bold but sessionable brews in traditional British styles, with an American twist. It’s a strategy that has paid off, as 16 Mile has experienced strong growth since their opening in 2009 and they’ve expanded, opening an on-site tavern and retail shop where you can have a drink and take home bottles or growlers of your favorite beers. Additionally, 16 Mile has teamed up with other local companies to produce beer-infused artisan foods including bread, coffee, scrapple, and cheddar cheese. For more info on the brewery, their tasting room/tavern, and brewery tours, call 302-253-8816 or visit www.16milebrewery.com.