Ringwood Old Thumper (USA)

Brewed by Shipyard Brewing Company
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Portland, Maine USA

Clear amber color – white frothy medium head – nose of yeast , malt , and cloves – taste of malts , yeast , cereals , grains , bitter chocolates , sour red fruit – cream raw body , dry style – aftertaste slightly bitter , malts , and yeast

This is my first Old Thumber. It has the bitter taste down pat. Very little head and a clear copper color. The body was medium with bitter flavor that much like some pale ales. This beer is made in the US. The berr is brewed by Shipyard in Portland, ME.

On cask tapped fresh in Orlando. A bitter English ale. Dark golden color with slight haze and zero head. Low carbonation (in style) with a fresh, bitter taste. Low alcohol (in cask) makes for a nice session beer.

In the bomber bottle from Coronado Island. Pours light amber with an off white medium head. Medicinally sweet. There’s a weird bitterness to the taste that might be from an over use of fuggles. Aroma is soapy. Beer has an ice tea flavor. A quick finish is demarcated by a touch of raspberry.

This is a solid ale, but I don’t think it is as great as the reviewers rave. There is some real complexity, and I love the apple finish and the caramel, malty toast, coffee front tastes. I think this needs to be closer to room temperature. I drank it cold and I think it closed up the flavors. Will try again!

bottle - Pours amber and clear with a thin, fading head. The aroma is very good and includes yeast and apple notes. Malts with apple dominate the flavor. It has a medium body and is too fizzy on the palate. The finish is crisp and pleasant. This is a good beer.

Pours bronze with a light brownish head. Smells of musty butterscotch with some richness that is reminescent of cream cheese - as odd as that may sound. Creamy off-putting butterscotch on the taste. Medium / full bodied. Sour bitter hops on the finish. Taste seems old and dusty. Lingering metallic sourness stays around after the finish. Best to avoid this one.

Draught. Copper color with off white head. Lots of malty caramel in the aroma along with a touch of soy. Flavor is similar, I particularly liked the buttery caramel note. Smooth on the tongue with relatively low carbonation on tap.