Product Review: Oxford Organic Ales - Amber Ale
By Matthew Philip • Aug 11th, 2008 • Category: Eating, Products and Shopping, Recent Posts
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“Hi, my name’s Randy, and I just really love beer.”
My name is not actually Randy, but I do in fact really love beer. So much so that my wife surprised me with a variety pack for my birthday, which happened to include an organic amber ale courtesy of the Clipper City Brewing Company out of Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Now, I’ll admit, I’m no beer connoisseur; however, I know what I like and I know what I don’t. When I drink a beer, I’m looking for full flavor, texture, and a certain “this is new, unique” that you don’t find just anywhere. This is perhaps how I could best describe my first swig of Oxford Organic Ales - Amber Ale. Hold the artificial sweeteners, flavors, and additives–give me an all-natural, 4-ingredient organic beer and I’m a happy man.
That’s right 4 ingredients: water, organic barley malt, hops, and yeast. The way I see it, this is the way God meant beer to be: straight from the earth, simple, and delicious. The beer is certified organic by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
What does the USDA Organic certification mean? Getting an organic certification (according to Wikipedia) typically means that a product follows the following standards:
- avoidance of most synthetic chemical inputs (e.g. fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, etc), genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and the use of sewage sludge;
- use of farmland that has been free from chemicals for a number of years (often, three or more);
- keeping detailed written production and sales records (audit trail);
- maintaining strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products;
- undergoing periodic on-site inspections.
So if you get a chance to get your hands on one of these killer brewskis, don’t pass it up! Not to mention you might enjoy it that much more knowing that you’re drinking it the way God intended, all natural Organic!
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Matthew Philip is relatively new to the "green" scene but comes to us with a strong business background. He brings a very pragmatic approach to many environmental issues and offers unique common-sense tips for "greening" one's life.
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Thanks for the frank reviews - just found the site by accident, & REALLY appreciate your good/bad/ugly comment about Method soap. (Actually, I was looking for Method’s site to write about my tremendous disappointment with their regular hand soap -won’t buy THAT one again.) Also like the other guy’s take on the Clorox Green TB cleaner, & intend to tell THEM that. But as for this one on beer..as you’re “relatively new” to the green scene, can you compare this ale to any non-orgs like Leiny, Summit or Sam Adams? My husband can’t stand the Bud/Coors/Miller genre, but he loves those with body (even Guiness). Would you recommend I buy this one (provided I can find it) for him to try?
Thanks for your time & efforts - looking forward to more reviews. Heidi G
@Heidi
I think your husband will like this beer if you can find it. I would compare it to a Sam Adams Amber more than a Leinies or Summit. Try it!
Let me preface this comment with Oxford Organic Amber is a fine beer. But Green buyers beware, clicking through to the website you’ll find that this beer is nothing more than another fauxganic scheme. Clipper City’s “organic” line is just a small part of a larger portfolio. None of the other Clipper City beers are organic, may I suggest trying first some offerings from some real organic breweries such as Butte Creek, Peak Organic, or Wolavers. Call me a purist, but in my opinion creating organic products is about making a difference not just making a buck.