Ringwood Old Thumper (USA)

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

Looks great. Good hops, good malt, but a nasty cheesey undertone makes this just not an enjoyable beer.

Pours a clear, coppery color from the bottle with a thick white head. Smells like beer. A little grassy and earthy. Nice flavor. Buttery and silky flavors and mouthfeel. Some nutty and caramel malt flavors. Smooth finish. This is a really good beer.

amber, clear, frothy, light sweetness, medium bitterness, medium body, average carbonation, long finish,. Weird, reminds me of 7UP at first then turns into an IPA. Excellent head at pouring. Drinkable, nothing special.

Bottle poured a clear copper with a large off white head. Aromas of carmel and toffee with a hint of fruitiness. Palate was medium bodied and smooth. Flavors of toffee and sweet malt with a bit of fruitiness and a smooth moderatly bitter finish.

Bottle, amber with a thin head, aroma is sweet and fruit, likewise the flavor, with some toffee and earthy hops in the finish. Very british-like ale, good balance and quite drinkable.

As you can tell I love ESB. Pours a beautiful brown color but with little or no head. Aromas of caramel and just a hint of citrus. Stays with the palate with a sweet finish.

Okay beer. Clear light brown pour with a little head. Taste is very bitter, with toasted malt in the front. End is slightly sweeter with some metallic finish. While this was good, I am not very enthusiastic about getting it again.

This was a nice surprise. I was sceptical on this one but the mild roasted nut and malt flavors were pleasant and smooth. Really light sweetness in the finish.