Shipyard Export Ale

Brewed by Shipyard Brewing Company
Style: Golden Ale/Blond Ale
Portland, Maine USA

I’m not sure why I haven’t reviewed this one before. New to Wisconsin about a year ago, sampled it first on draught in Boston at the Paradise Rock Club a couple years back. Not my favorite from these guys, pours a dark blonde-light amber colour with a medium sized head. Mouthfeel is decent, well carbonated brew, well integrated hop character and a soft nutty undertones. Contains characteristics of a weaker amber.

A Mes rate: Bottle at GBBF.
Golden colour with an off white head. A little too sweet, very fruity and rather a lot (as in way too much) diacetyl. Pretty much a fail.

Picked up a bottle on a whim. Could not pass up a beer from the ’other’ Portland. Too bad I didn’t like it. Has a strange off flavor kind of a weirdly sour sweet taste in the middle of the mouth. Kinda funny beer. I’m hoping I somehow got a weird one because, well, it’s not my cup ’O.

Bottle at GBBF 08. Nice to see that the Americans do a style worse that the UK. Gold, lasting beige head. It’s a poorish ale, doesn’t go anywhere, bit empty, although decent enough in the mouthfeel.

Pouring a soft golden, wheatish orange, a thin head forms and fades into a nice soft ring around my glass. Each quaff leaves a trail of foam and brussels lace behind. Beautiful. Sweet malt, orange and oily spices tickle my nose. The body is light, but with just enough malty weight that reminds the drinker that Export is an Ale, not a lager. Bright and fizzy, she settles down a bit as the ale has time to rest. Tangy orange and sweet malt mingles, leaving behind a pleasant afterimage, and slight tingle of hops to add a little bit of punch. Oily smooth, sweet, fruity, and refreshing. As I finish the Export Ale, the malts get smoother and more bread notes make themselves known. I also detect a bit of lemony zing emerging to contrast the orange. It is nice to see the brussels lace trailing down my glass all the way to the last quaff.
I imagine myself sitting at the helm, feet propped on the steering wheel, 4-5 poles set to various depths and design behind me, waiting for that sudden strike, scream of the real, and dashing adrenaline rush as I set my Export Ale down and grab for the pole and the fish.

Clear golden with tiny off white head. Sweet fruity aroma with caramel and malty notes. Sweet flavor that goes the same way and finishes sweet.

(Bottle). Faint sourish aroma. Light golden color with a small head. Not a pronounced flavor profile to speak of, but relatively refreshing and mild. Pleasant sourish finish.

Had in bottle (several!). Light and clean taste; flavor of caramel, malts, and fruit. pours nice with a full head. WIll drink again.