Shipyard “Brewer’s Choice Special Ale 2008 (Brown Ale)”
April 11, 2009 3:47 pm
That title is a mouthful.
Surprisingly, BeerAdvocate only had one rating of this beer so far (an “A-“).   Shipyard describes the brewer’s choice series as an annual tradition to try new beers in the market.
On tap 4/11/09, paired with Wachusett’s “Green Monsta”. Kicked 7/4/09!
I liked this beer but it certainly wasn’t my favorite from Shipyard. I’d consider putting it on tap but would prefer to put something new on tap, as usual.
Lines Cleaned
1:08 pmBerkshire Brewing Co “Lost Sailor I.P.A.”
March 20, 2009 8:35 pm
BBC's Lost Sailor IPA
We had to purchase this on a whim since Will and I kicked the keg of BBC Imperial Stout while filling the first pitcher. I’ll never choose an IPA over, well, any other style of beer. That said, this is one of the better IPA’s I’ve had – it has a very strong hop taste (dry hopped?) but isn’t quite as dry or bitter as other hoppy beers I’ve tried.
I looked it up on Beer Advocate and was glad that it rated a “B+”, which is fairly high for an IPA. Having consumed a bit tonight, it’s a decent beer that I suspect quite a few people will like but I wouldn’t purchase it again (not that I indended to in the first place).
BBC describes this beer as, “A medium bodied India Pale Ale, dry hopped to provide a very pleasing flora, citrus aroma. Well balanced between malty sweetness and hop bitterness. A very thirst quenching IPA. 5.5%”
This was kicked really quickly, in 11 days. For the most part, there was one Saturday that I had people over and we must have murdered it, since I’ve only pulled about 6 beers from it since. With that, it became the fastest consumed keg at 5.0 beers per day. I quickly learned to live with the hoppyness of this beer, and would probably put it on tap again, maybe even as early as mid-summer.
Brooklyn Brewery “Lager”
January 29, 2009 3:09 pm
We had this on tap at work, but I didn’t even get a chance to try it (I think I was away the week it was on tap). Regardless, it’s a solid beer with a “B+†rating on BA. It will be on tap at BLB on 1/30 – just in time for the Super Bowl.
Here’s how Brooklyn Breweries describes their beer:
In the late 1800s Brooklyn was one of the largest brewing centers in the country, home to more than 45 breweries.
Lager beer in the “Vienna” style was one of the local favorites. Our flagship beer, the award-winning Brooklyn Lager is amber-gold in color, and displays a firm malt center supported by a fine bitterness and floral hop aroma. Caramel malts show in the finish. The aromatic qualities of the beer are enhanced by “dry-hopping”, the centuries-old practice of steeping the beer with fresh hops as it undergoes a long, cold maturation. The result is a wonderfully flavorful beer, smooth, refreshing and very versatile with food. Dry-hopping is largely a British technique, which we’ve used in a Viennese-style beer to create an American original.
Style: American Amber Lager
Alcohol: 5.2% by Volume
OG: 13.2 Plato; 1053
It will be paired with BBC’s “Imperial Stoutâ€
Kicked on 3/14/09, while pouring Vogel’s first beer. Ended up being pretty popular, although I drank more of the BBC Imperial and thought the Brooklyn tasted a bit too hoppy in comparison. Good beer though; I’d order again.
On tap 1/31. I think BBC is one of the best brewers out there right now. There beers are nothing wild (like Southern Tier’s) but they produce consistently great versions of classics, and I expect this to be more of the same.
Here’s how BBC describes their beer: “A dark rich creamy ale. This is our version of this classic stout style. With its dense black color and velvety texture, our stout’s flavor hints of chocolate liquorice and coffee. This ale is truly a meal in a glass. 8.5% [ABV]â€
Tim @ Colonial told me, “I have been pounding this lately.†Good enough for me.
It will be paired with Brooklyn Brew’s “Lagerâ€.
Kicked 3/20 on the first pour. Awesome beer, I’d certainly get this again. It was a little too heavy for some friends, but for a stout it was finished very quickly.
Shipyard “Prelude Special Ale”
December 30, 2008 4:14 pm
I like this beer; it’s not too hoppy and it’s not too spiced with holiday spices which makes it quite drinkable. I was actually hoping for something a bit more spiced for one of the beers, but neither this nor the Sebago “Slick Nick Winter Ale” it was paired with was very seasonal.
From Shipyard, “Prelude Special Ale is full-bodied in the true English style. It’s a rich and nutty ale with a hoppy finish and an inviting amber hue. Available November – December. 6.8% Alcohol by volume.”
Kicked 1/17/09, after ____ days. (Actual time, TBD). This was a pretty good beer, although next year I’d like something with a bit more holiday spice. Next keg, I expect, is going to be Gritty’s Black Fly Stout, courtesty of TA.
