I’m not a big fan of Shipyard to begin with, so I grabbed this six-pack with a bit of hesitation and low-expectations.
Shipyard puts out a Brewer’s Choice each year – a limited edition recipe from their in-house brew team. Typically, limited editions of anything tend to be a little better than their established counterparts, so I hoped this ale might be an improvement on some of Shipyard’s more bland offerings (Prelude and their IPA come to mind).
The beer pours out to a golden amber color with a medium head, typical of an English IPA.
The aroma is hoppy with a sweet roasty malt scent to it, and the taste is almost exactly what I was expecting: a balanced effort of sweet malt which fades into the bitterness that the hops bring.
The after-taste is a bit dry for my liking, but the beer is still a drinkable IPA by most accounts.
Like most offerings from the ‘Yard, this year’s Brewer’s Choice is nothing I would seek out, but is a decent performer in its style.
Brandon likes beer. No kidding. If you want him to test the waters before you drop cash on your next six-pack, send review requests (or brew-related questions) to freepress@usm.maine.edu with the subject: Beer.
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