Old Thumper (Shipyard Brewing Company)

Not that long ago I was talking to Alan Pugsley over at the Shipyard Brewery. I asked Alan how the name "Old Thumper" came to be. I don't remember the entire story but the gist of it was that the Ringwood Brewery in England had a radio contest to name one of their new beers. The winner was Old Thumper and apparently the guy who came up with that name was referring to his hangover (or "thumper"). So its not the name of the boar on the label!?! By the way, this beer was first brewed over in the UK back in 1979. Next year will mark 30 years of Old Thumper!

Pours a nice clean golden color. The head is not too thick but pretty rich. As the beer settles the head keeps a nice ring around the glass with some clouds of foam that float around like inner tubes in a pool. 

Smell is slighly grassy, a bit of honey sweetness, fresh bread and butter along with some malt bitterness.

Tasting this beer will tell you why its one of the Shipyard brews that people rave about. Its so well balanced and smooth with a nice refreshing taste. Very creamy mouthfeel and rich in malt sweetness but balanced well with a nice, yet faint hop bite. Its slightly bitter and crisp in the finish as well. Overall, its probably one of my top three Shipyard beers (the Longfellow Winter Ale being my favorite). 

If you haven't had a pint give it a shot. If you can find it on cask even better!

BEER FACTS

Name: Old Thumper

Style: Extra Special Bitter

Brewery: Shipyard Brewing Company

Location: Portland, Maine, USA

Container: 22 oz. bottle

Malts: ?

Hops: ?

ABV: 5.9%

IBUs: ?

Brewed in Maine