Stop two of my Father’s Day Pub Crawl, 2016 Edition, found me at The Vortex in Little Five Points. We had just left the Wrecking Bar and we were hungry, so one of the legendary burgers at the Vortex seemed just the thing. When you’re at The Vortex, a tall cool glass of Laughing Skull Amber Ale is a must, at least for me. Laughing Skull Amber Ale is not going to win over the hardcore beer geeks by any stretch of the imagination. But it’s flavorful and drinkable, and they bring you one damn big glass of it at the Vortex.

Laughing Skull Amber Ale is brewed by Red Brick Brewing Company, Georgia’s oldest operating brewer. It’s sister brew (or brother brew if you prefer) is also a Vortex staple: Laughing Skull Bohemian Pilsner. The labels for both of these brews feature the same laughing skull you’ll walk through to enter The Vortex.

From the Red Brick website:

Laughing Skull is a full bodied amber ale. Smooth flavored and easy drinking, it develops a loyal following wherever it’s served. This beer pours a brilliant amber color, with an off-white head. The late addition of Willamette and Crystal hops provides an earthy and mild bitterness, which balances the bready, malt character. The refreshingly crisp, clean and dry finish makes this a highly sessionable beer.

Enjoy with grilled meats, especially burgers at The Vortex restaurant in Atlanta.

I took them up on the latter recommendation, but you should know that Laughing Skull Amber Ale is hopped with Apollos and Willamettes and has an alcohol content of 5.3% by volume with 25 IBUs. The beer was a bargain at $4.63 for a huge 22-ounce (I think) glass; it was at least 20-ounces of draft brew. In cans, the beer runs $7.99 a six-pack. You will pay about $1 more for bottles.

My tall cool glass of Laughing Skull Amber Ale arrived a dark, well, amber color with a soft malty nose and a thick creamy head of foam. Taking a sip, the beer has a smooth maltiness up front with a subtle hint of fruit and, in the finish, a balancing if not assertive bitterness. Laughing Skull Amber Ale is a solid quaffing beer with high drinkability and delicate malt flavor.

While not a beer I would go out of my way for, I would definitely take Laughing Skull Amber Ale over a megabrew any day of the week. It served perfectly to enjoy while awaiting my Four Horseman Burger (blackened patty topped with horseradish sauce, grilled onions, sautéed mushrooms, and jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles), and to wash it down after it arrived.

Oh and if you do visit The Vortex, don't miss the deep fried cheesecake for dessert. My daughter Jessica highly recommends it.



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