The Beer Critic

Beer reviews for beer enthusiasts.

Beers Tagged ‘ buttery ’

Old Thumper ESA

April 3, 2011 | No Comments | Ales, British, North American

Brewery Website: http://www.shipyard.com

Type of Beer: Extra Special / Strong Bitter

Alcohol Content: 5.9%

Beer Review -

Appearance: Crystal clear burnt orange color with a thick two-finger head that sat on top of the beer like a dollop of cream until dissipating into a fine film.  Not a whole lot of lacing happening here just a little sticking to the glass when swirled vigorously. Carbonation was good and continued to stay strong throughout the entire review.

Smell: This old English beer has a subtle yet complex nose with soft scents of sweet malts, citrus esters, earthy hops and a pleasant buttery (or as the professionals would say, diacetyl) smell that alerts you to the fact that this baby was made with that special ringwood yeast.

Initial Taste: Taste begins with a nice medium body that is quite sweet with a crisp maltiness that covers the pallet. That buttery scent we picked up in the nose makes it’s presence very well known. While being quite a buttery flavor there is a nice hop backbone that cuts through and brings a well needed shot of bitterness into the taste. The finish is a slightly fruity, bitter hoppiness that lingers just long enough to pull you back in for a second drink. Aftertaste is clean and dry with slight bitterness.

Thoughts: This is a special beer as it isn’t originally an American one. The story of this beer starts in Ringwood England at the Ringwood Brewery where it stands as their flagship beer. Lucky for us colonials Shipyard Brewery’s brewmaster Alan Pugsley worked at the Ringwood Brewery and tutored under their brewmaster who allowed him to take this recipe to America and be brewed solely under the Shipyard name. So what we are tasting isn’t just another great Shipyard beer but a great European beer that no other brewery can offer. But what makes this beer so special isn’t it’s history but the special Ringwood yeast strain that is used. This yeast comes from the town of the same name that imbues a unique buttery (diacetyl) flavor which gives beer a rich, buttery smooth palate.  So if you like ringwood beers then you must go out and try this one. It’s a rich, sweet, medium bodied, buttery yet bitter beer that is balanced extremely well. I highly recommend. Cheers!

Summer Ale – Shipyard Brewing Co.

May 31, 2010 | 6 Comments | Ales, North American

Brewery Website: http://www.shipyard.com/

Type of Beer: American Pale Ale

Alcohol Content: 4.80%

Beer Review -

Appearance: The color is crystal clear bright gold, looking only a slightly bit darker then an average macro beer. Head was an easy two fingers but dissipated quickly turning leaving only a thin film. Not much lacing to speak of.

Smell: Some nice smelling fruit and bready wheat in the nose but very soft. Definitely noticed a diacetyl buttery smell that overwhelmed the other scents that may have been there. The buttery smell isn’t offensive but certainly seems like an odd smell for a summer style ale.

Initial Taste: Flavor seems to start off pretty crisp and refreshing with hop-like cleanliness leading the palate followed by a sweet bready malt. This however become overshadowed by a tangy sourness that doesn’t really seem to go away. There are some light citrus flavors that try to make themselves apparent but overall seem to fall short. The finish is dull and somewhat dry.

Thoughts: For me summer ales should have a refreshing quality not found in your other seasonal offerings. They are meant to be enjoyed in the blistering heat of summer. Usually summer ales are either pilsners or some variation of a pale ale which both offer lots of hops and clean tasting flavors with and light and crisp mouthfeel. Sadly I feel this particular selection doesn’t deliver as well as the other summer ales you can find on the shelves. While this is not an entirely bad beer it just doesn’t stand up against the competition. The flavor is just a little to buttery and sour to be considered a “refreshing” beer. But as usual don’t just take my word for it, try this beer yourself and see what you think. Who knows, this may become one of your favorites. Cheers.