Beer: Old Thumper

Beer Style: ESB (Extra Special Bitter)

ABV: 5.60%

Brewery: Shipyard

Serving Method: Bottle poured into Shaker Pint

Country of Origin: United Kingdom/ United States of America

Background: When I observed Shipyard’s sample 12 pack at one of my favorite liquor stores I had to buy it. I’m glad I did. Old Thumper is as the label says ‘A Beast of a Beer.’ The Ringwood label alongside Shipyard had me confused about the beer’s origin but Shipyard’s website tells the story best.

This is a sensational beer. Let’s have a gander as to the why.

Taste & Aroma: A fragrant spicy presence teases your nose before you imbibe. As I put the glass to my lips and sipped on this fine ale I detected complexity! Minerals, bready malts, and a peppary finish was present in this beer. While this is an ESB it does not have the mineral-like taste that many of the English ESBs have. As Shipyard says on its website, this is a non-traditional brew.

Final Analysis: This is a superb beer. I’m eager to explore more of this sampler pack.