59. Casco Bay Riptide Red

Another run of the mill red ale. I remember this beer being much better 10 years ago, either it changed when Shipyard purchased them or my tastes have changed. Appearance is great with a nice amber coloring and thick head that stays with you throughout. Aroma is solid and taste is not as sweet as some of the previous reds. Not a lot malt flavor or caramel but overall this is not a bad beer. Again I was hoping for better but I seem to review all the reds about the same. 

Pros: Color

Cons: Was better before Shipyard bought them

Alcohol Content: 5.4% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Casco Bay Brewing (now owned by Shipyard)

Brewers Description: Our flagship, this Irish-Style Red Ale proudly won a gold medal at the 2000 World Beer Cup. A combination of 5 different malts and 3 hop varietals, carefully blended, results in a perfect balance. Full-flavored and medium-bodied, the Riptide Red provides surprising complexity for such an easy-drinking brew. The Riptide Red has an original gravity of 1.056 and a 5.4% ABV.

58. Carrabassett Pale Ale

I'm not sure what it was about this beer that made it better than some of the other pale ales previously reviewed but it is. If someone asked me what a pale ale should taste like I would hand them a Carrabassett. Color is nothing special, not a lot of aroma either but the taste is simple yet satisfying. A bit of malt, some caramel flavors and even a bit fruity at times. 

Pros: A perfect example of a pale ale

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: ??% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Casco Bay Brewing (now owned by Shipyard)

Brewers Description: Our flagship, this beer defines the classic, American-Style Pale Ale. We looked to the Pacific Northwest, rather than England, for our inspiration and our ingredients. Utilizing malt, hops, water, and most importantly yeast from the USA allowed us to create a balanced, highly drinkable beer. It's no accident that the Carrabassett Pale Ale is our top-selling beer, year after year.

57. Tuckerman's Pale Ale

This is my favorite Pale Ale to date from a small brewer in Conway, NH. The White Mountains of NH are one of my favorite places and drinking beer that was brewed there just seems right. This beer is similar to the Smuttynose Pale Ale in color however the taste is superior. Aroma is almost non-existent but I value flavor over smell when reviewing my beer. Will have to look for more from Tuckerman Brewery. 

Pros: Taste, color

Cons:  

Alcohol Content: 5.5% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Tuckerman Brewing Co.Brewers Description: Our flagship Pale Ale, released in 1998, is brewed with specialty malts, some grown in Maine, and four types of hops. After fermentation, it is cold conditioned and dry-hopped in lagering tanks for maximum taste and quality. It is naturally carbonated in the bottle or keg using a German process called “krausening”, where a small amount of fresh fermenting wort is added. This produces a delicate carbonation and superior flavor. From the Mash Tun to store shelves is a 30 day process. The Tuckerman Pale Ale is available by the ½ barrel keg, 6-pack, 24 bottle case and in mixed 12-packs with the Headwall Alt.

56. Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale

I usually enjoy pale ales and this one is not the best but certainly not a disappointment. The color is great (although darker than a typical pale ale) with a small head when poured which stays with the beer as you drink and leaves a nice lace on the glass. Not a lot of aroma but has a good taste with a good amount of hops and not a lot of bitterness. This is what I would expect from a pale ale from Smuttynose as they typically brew good beer. In fact they have my favorite fall flavor - Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale.

Pros: Great color, solid taste

Cons:  

Alcohol Content: 5.4% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 30
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Smuttynose
Brewers Description: Our interpretation of a classic English beer style is copper-colored, medium-bodied and highly hopped. Its flavor is delightfully complex: tangy fruit at the start, with an assertive hop crispness and a long malty palate that one well-known beer writer has compared to the flavor of freshly-baked bread.

55. Flying Dog In-Heat Wheat Hefeweizen

This beer has plenty of flavor and is different than anything I have reviewed to date. Color is great and pours with a nice head that dissipates quickly, cloudy finish found with most hefeweizens. Drink is smooth with very little bitterness and low alcohol content. The flavor to me seems a bit off and it may be the combination of banana and cloves that make this happen. Finishes clean and I believe it would be a good beer on a hot summer day. As you can tell from the photo I happened up this one on a rainy fall day. Not a bad beer but plenty of other options that are better including my favorite Hefe - Widmer Bros

Pros: Color, easy to drink

Cons: Banana / clove tastes are overpowering 

Alcohol Content: 4.7% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 12
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Flying Dog
Brewers Description: This German-Style Hefe is great with complementing (fruitness) or contrasting (seafood spices like Old Bay) flavors. Flavor notes: Huge banana and clove notes. Pairs with: Seafood, chicken, tomato or carrot soup: tangy cheeses like Feta, Swiss, and Chevre: fruit salads.

54. Samuel Adams Imperial Stout

Took me 53 reviews to get to my first stout and now 2 in a row. This Imperial Stout from Sam Adams is entirely different from the Shipyard reviewed in #53. Pours to the same almost black color, nice thick head that thins quickly but remains to leave a nice lace on the glass as you drink. Taste is a slightly burnt chocolaty flavor which is better than the coffee flavor of the Shipyard Blue Fin. I cannot figure out what the aroma is but it is not terribly appealing. Sam Adams site says this would go well with Oysters or dessert, I don't eat oysters so had to try it after dinner as a dessert and it worked well. High alcohol content and thickness make this a sipping beer. If you like stouts give this one a try. 

Pros: Color, Alcohol content

Cons: Aroma (strange smell)

Alcohol Content: 9.2% ABV
Calories: 308
IBU (Bitterness): 42
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Samuel Adams
Brewers Description: A massive beer once brewed for royalty.
Samuel Adams® Imperial Stout is our take on the traditional Russian imperial stouts from the 18th century.  While this style originated in England, American craft brewers have embraced the style and taken it to whole new level of flavor and complexity.  We think we raised the bar again.  Samuel Adams Imperial Stout is a massive beer filled with big, dark flavors.  It has been a brewery favorite in recent years and we are excited to share this intense brew with you.Samuel Adams Imperial Stout is our take on the traditional Russian imperial stouts from the 18th century.  English brewers supplied these stouts for the Russian imperial court of Catherine the Great, who had taken a great liking to the beer.  In order for the beer to survive the long trip to St. Petersburg, the flavor and alcohol were amped up to preserve the beer.

The first thing you notice about this beer is its color.  It is black as night and almost completely opaque.  Next is the cappuccino colored head and the aroma filled with notes of coffee, smoky chocolate, and licorice.

Samuel Adams Imperial Stout was brewed with seven different varieties of malted barley, each delivering its own unique flavor for the beer.  But this beer is not a “malt bomb”.  It is balanced by 50 BUs of East Kent Goldings hops that have a clean earthy aroma and pleasant bitterness. This is a colossal beer that should be savored and enjoyed

53. Shipyard Blue Fin Stout

Not much of a stout drinker - in fact I think this is the first stout review. This is a good hearty beer with lots of flavor, unfortunately the primary flavor seems to be coffee and I am not a coffee drinker. The beer has a decent aroma, great color and pours with a nice tan head. If you like stouts or if you like Shipyard (I am not a fan of either) than give this one a shot. I am happy I only purchased a single so I do not have drink more. 

Pros: Color

Cons: Coffee taste

Alcohol Content: 4.7% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Shipyard

Brewers Description: Blue Fin Stout was first produced in August 1993. This is a classic Irish stout. Full-bodies, yet smooth and spectacular in appearance.