The fourth day has finally come and with it the fourth pumpkin beer and the end of this short series of posts.  If you are at all confused, where have you been these last few days?!  Go ahead and check out the entries from Blueprint Brewing, Smuttynose Brewing, and Weyerbacher Brewing to get yourself caught up with the whole pumpkin beers in March thing.

We first heard of this creation when The Wife and I were vacationing with family up in Maine and visited Shipyard Brewing last fall.  At the time the beer was not even available at the brewery because it sold out so fast.  We knew that Shipyard brews were available here in Florida so there was at least a small chance that we would see some on the shelves when arrived back home.  Obviously we got lucky and found a bottle one day without even looking for it.

Be sure to read all the way to the bottom as the long awaited judgment on the flight from The Wife is revealed!

Now to wrap things up . . .

Brewery: Shipyard Brewing Co. (Portland, ME)

Name: Smashed Pumpkin Ale  (Signature Series)

Style: Vegetable Beer

ABV: 9.0%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the wine fridge (51 degrees +/-) and served in a pint glass.  $8.99 for 1pt. 6oz.

Aroma: Low, but prominent pumpkin spice aroma (mostly nutmeg to me) and a clean aroma overall.

Appearance: Amber in color with a slight orange/copper hue.  Slight dark(er) cream head that quickly dissipates with no trail.  Crystal clear with few rising bubbles visible.

Flavor: The pumpkin spice flavors are prominent with a sugary sweetness underneath.  The spiciness carries through to the finish and lingers slightly.  Really full flavor overall that is like liquid pumpkin pie.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with low(ish) carbonation.  A low amount of warmth is noticeable.

Overall Impressions: Most pumpkiny pumpkin ale that I have tried (to date) and is definitely at the top of the Shipyard family for me.  The aroma really carries through to the flavor.  Fitting/appropriate for the holidays (Thanksgiving or Christmas).

Grade: A

Her final decisions have been made . . . read below.

As for the final rankings from The Wife and her blind tasting:

1. Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin Ale (very close 1^st and 2^nd)
2. Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale (very close 1^st and 2^nd)
3. Blueprint Gourdeous One
4. Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale (distant 4^th)

She fell right in line with the final grades that I had when drinking the four of them side by side.  I don’t know that it means we are correct, but I now know what to look for on the shelves and what to brew at home next fall.

Cheers!

I have tentative plans to visit the Shipyard Brewing Company’s brewery when I am passing through Portland next month because I generally enjoy and appreciate their beers.  This one was an exception to that general enjoyment for me.  Maybe I had set my expectations too high and it fell short, but in the end it wasn’t a beer that I needed to have again anytime soon.

Brewery: Shipyard Brewing Company (Portland, Maine)

Name: Chamberlain Pale Ale

Style: Pale Ale (American)

ABV: 4.9%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.  $3.99 for 22oz

Aroma: Light, slightly earthy hop nose.  Very faint caramel aroma?

Appearance: Light copper color with orange tint.  Short, off-white head that dissipates quickly without a trail.  Very clear with a few rising bubbles visible.

Flavor: Low hop flavor with a slight earthiness.  Minerally finish with some cloying.  Maybe a hint of a bready malt flavor?  The aroma was a bit stronger than the flavor turned out to be.

Mouthfeel: Light body with some dryness on the palate.  Medium to high carbonation, producing some bite (sharpness).

Overall Impressions: Weak overall aroma and flavor (compared to what I expect in an APA).  Alcohol content typical for style.  Really not much going on overall.  Drinkable, but also forgettable.

Grade: C to C-

Shipyard Brewing Co. - Chamberlain Pale Ale