Belfast Bay Lobster Ale

Brewed by Shipyard Brewing Company
Style: Amber Ale
Portland, Maine USA

Draught at Thurston’s lobster pound in Bernard, ME. Really surprised me as this was a great amber ale. Very well balanced with malt and just enough bitterness from the hops. Give it a try if possible.

It’s really a clear amber brew with a thin tan head, bit of molasses and mild hoppiness, and a quick finish. I had hoped for more fruitiness here.

Shipyard Brewing seems to pump out a lot of beers under a variety of names - this is a practice that makes for fun labels that make one ask, "What is this little microbrew here?" - but that also makes one suspicious. This is a solidly built amber ale that is well-hopped and very drinkable - worth trying.

Bottle. Pours a ruddy reddish brown with a very nice tannish head. The nose is sweet, roasted winter fruit. This was better than I thought as I grabbed it running out the door of a CT beer shop. Much darker than a typical amber, it was hopped, fruited and roasted all kinda bouncing in the mix but not so badly. I mean, I don’t think I’ll be going back to get a 6er but if I saw it in your fridge, I’d grab a cold one.

[bottle] Nice lemony, citrus toffee aroma. Almost clear orangish brown with an eternal, off-white blanket that laces the glass nicely. Very good amber ale flavour with a good balance of many gentle characteristics: caramel, pine, lemon, hops bitterness. Apple and walnut notes. Light to medium body, medium carbonation that compliments the almost pronunced bitterness, and a bitter finish. Nice, but not extraordinary.

On draught at the Lobster Claw (Orleans, MA). Pours a hazy dark caramel brown with a thin off-white head. Only slight lacing as the head settles. Aroma is sweet malt, caramel, hint of molasses. Flavor is sweet malt, some hops, some spice, but generally devoid of any strong flavor notes. Generally light body with a quick finish.

A nice brown color with an average size head. It smells nice and sweet and slightly fruity. Slightly dry and sweet on the palate but smooth and balanced. A very nice beer.

First tasted this at a Yanks/O’s tailgate in a Silo; take two from home in a pint glass... smooth malty scents with slightly fruity yeasts--excellent balance... dark ruby, almost purplish brown body with a thin off-white head--bold and assertive... effervescent, full-bodied ale, smooth and palatably textured... first taste impression is the solid malt; secondary tastes include a bit of spiciness--not dramatic, but enjoyable... the word for this beer is BALANCE, although recent reviewers seem not to be so taken by this aspect. Wouldn’t have known this was Shipyard’s doing unless otherwise noted by website...solid.