Gearys Hampshire Special Ale

Brewed by D.L. Gearys Brewing Co.
Style: English Strong Ale
Portland, Maine USA

This is part of a beer club. Had only one bottle but was decent for the price. Poured great and had a nice finish. Would do again.

12oz - Aroma is malty, sweet tart candy, caramel and hops. Pours copper with a medium head and great lacing. Flavor is bready malt, caramel and finishes with an earthy hop bite. Palate is creamy and smooth. Above average, easy drinking and tasty.

Pours a clear amber brown with a light tan head. On the nose it is tar like with a slight alcoholic tone to it. There is something else that is extremely prevalent that I just can’t put my finger on. Peat, maybe? On the mouth it is...whoa...sorry...was tasting and typing at the same time. Smooth and even. Strong caramel tones on the mouth. Feel is good, with a lower carbonation. Thicker with an almost syrupy feel. Definitely drinkable, but it’s definitely a strong English ale.

Date: October 19, 1997
Mode: Draft
Source: Great Lost Bear, Maine
Appearance: clear light amber
Aroma: rich malt and spicy hop aroma
Flavor: rich smooth malt flavor with a nice spicyness, just the right amount of hop flavor leading to a touch of bitterness

Date: October 28, 2000
Mode: Bottle Conditioned
Source: Chevy Chase, DC
Appearance: amber, scant head
Aroma: rich sweet fruity aroma
Flavor: lots of malt flavor, well balanced bitterness

Date: November 03, 2005
Score: iii to ii
Aroma: very sweet fruity vineous aroma
Body: thin body
Flavor: hint of oxidation, sweetness has dried out a lot, still a nice carmel malt flavor, lackluster

Date: May 03, 2007
Mode: bottle
Source: Ale Atlanta
Score: 3.4 to 2.8
tartness in the aroma, lots of earthy bitterness,

Date: December 03, 2009
Mode: bottle
Source: Ale Atlanta
Vintage: 2000
no tartness, lots of oxidized sherry and caramel, earthyness,

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 11/20
Rating: 2.8/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: ** /4

12 oz bottle: Good not great. Nothing too terribly special, but enjoyable. Lots of malts, a chocolately, sugary, vinegary flavor that was enjoyable but mellow. the right kind of mellow, not overpowering and not watered down.

Solid brew. Has your typical weak flavored english taste. The caramel, and roasted malts stand out. Hops are present, and subtle. Alcohol is masked very well. Thanks to the Wine Sampler for this one.

This is my all time favorite beer. I am so glad that it is served year round now, of course I do miss the sales that used to happen in May on the beer. c’est le vie

Pours a mostly clear reddish-brown color with a medium thick and creamy light tan head that has good retention. Patchy lacing on the glass. Equal parts toasted malt and hops in the nose. Medium, smooth body with a moderately hoppy character supported by sweet caramel and malt flavors. Mild spice and alcohol are present too. The finish is hoppy with touches of toasted malt and fruit in the aftertaste. Straightforward and easy to drink, this is a pretty good session beer.