Shipyard Blue Fin Stout - Shipyard Brewing Co.

CHickman

New York

4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours pitch black color with a 1 finger creamy tan head that faded very slowly, leaving great creamy lacing down the glass.

Smells of cocoa, chocolate, coffee, roasted malt, toasted grains, molasses, syrup, caramel and burnt wood; roasted, smoky essence overall, which was really nice.

Tastes of cocoa, chocolate, coffee, roasted malt, toasted grains, molasses, syrup, caramel, vanilla, charcoal, brown sugar and burnt wood; tastes and smells just like a Guinness with coffee beans and some cocoa powder in it.

Mouthfeel is very creamy and smooth, with little to no carbonation, a medium body, and a watery feel as it flows down. A really tasty stout that went down easy and is a solid recommendation if it’s on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2011 03:28:02 | More by CHickman

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Stout Month at Vine Street has arrived! This one was included on my first day visit.

Dark brown pour, not much head, but that's the way they poured it.

Aroma is very light. Some cocoa and coffee, maybe some dark fruit, but not much is coming up

Flavors include coffee, chocolate-dark, molasses and roasted malt, but they aren't powerful. I get more sharp hop in the middle, but not quite dry. This isn't a very dry stout, nor a hugely malty one. Seems like a 'pilot' beer in the stout arena.

But still, it's not bad and quite easy to drink. It's gone...next

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2011 08:22:02 | More by Mebuzzard

bala747

Singapore

3.78/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On my tour of the Shipyard Brewery in Prtland, Maine I had this. Being from Singapore the only other stouts I had tried were Guinness and ABC, neither of which I liked all that much (but to be fair, the Guinness Stout sold here is brewed in Malaysia and is called 'Foreign Extra Stout')

This stout however I loved.

A: A beautiful dark coffee-brown to black hue with a thick 2 centimeter head. Very pretty.

S: Chocolate and smoke predominate. The smoky smell was especially pleasant.

T: For its appearance it did not taste strong at all. I was expecting it to be bitter and full bodied but it was suprisingly mild bodied with some bitterness and coffee flavours but nothing really overpowering. In fact the taste was a bit of a let down compared to how good the beer looked. Some yeasty flavours were present as well.

M: Medium bodied and mild hoppiness gave it a very good mouth feel.

D: Very drinkable on a cold Maine day. I was there in the winter where temperatures dropped to -12C, and this was my companion during those days.

Overall: My wife who HATES beer liked to sip this during our holiday in Maine. A perfect beer for a cold day.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2010 08:02:07 | More by bala747

Durge

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This brew reveals a deep dark brown color, solid and thick with a big light brown head and solid lacing. The aroma is a nice chocolate charcoal, simple but true. The flavor favors the charcoal and smoke idea with a hint of dark chocolate. There's a nice sort of melon sweetness that blends without interfering. It's a solid medium bodied stout with a very smooth, near Guinness like feel. The charcoal offers a near lemon bitterness with some dry finishing. It's quite easy drinking for the style, very likable, the best of the three brews I tried this day in Kennebunkport at Federal Jack's Brewpub.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2010 17:01:20 | More by Durge

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap at the Cambridge House brewpub in Torrington, Conn.

A: Poured an opaque black color with a two-finger head of creamy, bubbly white foam. Head retention was nice and the lacing was ample for a stout.

S: Smells rich and roasty, with hints of dried malt husk and slightly bitter herbal hops.

T: Taste is dry and slightly sweet at first, with a deep roasted, earthy malt flavor proceeded by a slightly bittersweet floral hop lending a little spice to the cocoa and charcoal malt profile. Creamy finish and quite clean tasting, nice!

M: Mouthfeel is medium bodied, smooth, creamy and not very filling.

D: I was making a night of this brew at the bar, and could see it easily turning into a solid session stout. Nice malt flavor with a smooth creamy mouthfeel, modest ABV and good balance had me coming back for more.

The tap made this brew shine and would parallel any import dry stout coming from an American brewer. Spot on for an Irish stout and just enough creaminess and hop resin to remind you it's American.

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2009 23:58:34 | More by Gambrinus1184

joepais

Maine

3.28/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the shipyard brew pub
Served in a pint glass thick dark head on top of a jet black body the head lasted the whole time I had the beer

Aromas of coffee and chocolate

Flavors of roasted malts and grains (chocolate and coffee) and a light I mean light hop finish

Great thick mouthfeel with a good bit of carbonation

Good stout if you want something different than the usual suspects

Serving type: on-tap

02-29-2008 22:20:15 | More by joepais

cvstrickland

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The only beer worth a damn on tap at Portland International Jetport. Black as pitch with a nitro-cascade of pearly brown bubbles that sustain a massive, bountiful and lingering creamy head; fresh, chocolatey, roasty, silky... with a hint of sweet herbal smoke and just enough carbonation to make it nice in the tummy.

Travelers, take note: if you're close to Portland and can get a really fresh one, any Shipyard (pronounced colloquially as "Ship-yAHd") brew ain't bad at all. This particular one was so surprisingly good it inspired my first review! Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2008 00:12:05 | More by cvstrickland

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this at the Florida Tap Room (I don't recommend the Orlando location).

A: Black with a nice tan head, some retention, plenty of lace.

S: Pleasant fruity esters (British yeast?), dry roastyness.

T: Pleasant roastyness, not at all burnt. Mocha-like. It's not overly dry, it's rounded out with a nice bready maltyness. Not a lot of depth to the flavour, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

M: Moderate to full body is silky smooth. Carbonation is a little lower than moderate.

D: Very drinkable, quality session brew.

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2006 00:27:24 | More by Derek

Gavage

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Arrived in a pint black looking black in color with a thick 2" creamy tan head built by nice cascading carbonation bubbles for the first few seconds. Nice lacing developed through the drink.

The aroma was very tame as only some mild coffee tones were barely detectable. The flavor was much better for the tastebuds as the roasted malts, coffee, wisps of chocolate, and butter were well balanced.

Creamy and smooth mouthfeel. Medium in body. nice long coffee and roasted malt finish. One of the better Shipyard brews.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2005 11:32:56 | More by Gavage

dpend

Florida

3.98/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured this almost black beer into a liter mug and it created a nice nut brown lid of froth. Head stayed around although with minimal lacing. Smell was faint but delivered a deep roasted coffee and chocolate. Roasted malts abound with a nice delivery of hops at the finish. This beer needs some warming.Too cold and everything is hidden.Get it right below the condensation point (typical glassware) and it really wakes up.Nice, balanced stout.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2003 01:07:14 | More by dpend

oberon

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep brown/black with a off white creamy head that leaves some nice lacing,aroma was very coffeeish and nutty.Taste was highly roasted and lightly chocolaty,the roasted malt flavor lingered after swallowing.A good beer definently not a wimpy tasting stout in my mind.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2003 12:39:51 | More by oberon

EmoBeerGuy

New Hampshire

3.8/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this beer on tap at the Mews Tavern in Narraganset, RI and it was a pleasent surprise. Upon ordering I did not realize that this was a Shipyard brew, and although I had never had a Shipyard before I had seen the label many times before and was happy to finally be trying one of their beers.

This stout pours very dark black, which is a thumbs up in my book, nice thick quarter inch head which left much lace. The nose hints at the coffee notes that will follow. Taste is deep, rich and malty with the aforementioned coffee and more subtle chocolate notes dominating the pallete.

All in all a very solid dom. stout. Recommended vs. Beamish, Guiness and the rest. Enjoy!

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2003 04:03:47 | More by EmoBeerGuy

bewareOFpenguin

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark, black, sun-blocking. Average head. Good tasting, plenty of "roasted" taste, with a semi-sweet sensation. Always good on tap, not so in the bottle. A good stout, but not superior. I can only handle one or two.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2002 10:17:39 | More by bewareOFpenguin

StevieW

Florida

4.58/5  rDev +27.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap @ Federal Jack's in Kennebunkport. Pleasing deep dull black color. Foamy tan head matched nicely. Lacing was near perfection, rich creamy head stuck to your lips, glass, and everything else. Smell was subtle roasted chocolate malt and coffee bitterness. Taste was super smooth combination of the same, and crisp dry hoppy finish, as advertised. Chocolate taste is by no means over powering. Very good. One of my new all time favorite stouts. I bought 4 22 oz bombers for $1.50 each and carried them home to Florida. Great beer, great name, beautiful souvenier of my trip to Maine.

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2002 08:33:30 | More by StevieW

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

3.99/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

I bought this as a single since it was fairly cheap and I havent seen this before, the label caught my eye but also expect it to be quality despite the ABV!

A: Pours a dark motor oil black, with a thin mocha colored head and not much lacing to speak of but there is some.

S: Aroma gives off some dark roasted malts, chocolate notes, and a blend of coffee and caramel. Awesome smell to this beer and especially sweeter than bitter.

T: Strong coffee flavor, mixed with hints of caramel is what I get in the initial flavor. Beer blends into a sweet chocolate and dark fruit combination that finishes with a dry, bread or nutty dryness.

M: Mouth has a sweet texture and not overly bitter. All the components for a good stout are there.

O: This is a session stout and is delicious at that. Lacks the ABV of a trophy type stout, but it doesnt matter because now instead of having 2 glasses of a bomber, you can have 6 beers of this and be straight!

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 03:48:16 | More by SouljaSaia17

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.38/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A: Pours a very dark brown color that's moderately opaque. The head is a one finger khaki color with lacking retention. At least lacing is nice.

S: Roasted barley, nuts, chocolate, licorice, and a hint of coffee. Actually a bit more interesting than I anticipated - though considering the beer I had before this, just about anything will be an improvement.

T: The opening flavors are pleasantly roasty. A bit buttery in the midtaste, though it works to a partial extent in this. The finish goes back to the roasted barley and coffee, with even a bit of char. A slight floral note appears on the aftertaste, suggesting a pseudo-healthy hop profile. Nothing pops out in the grand scheme of things, but it's fine.

M: The first sip seems overcarbonated, but it smooths out nicely after sip #2. Shipyard actually did a decent job of nailing the clean dryness of a good Irish stout, except for a lingering chalkiness on the aftertaste. Gotta clean that one up, guys...

O: Good, not great. Very easy to drink and noob friendly, at least. I won't get a six pack of it, but it would be a good one to try on tap.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 23:13:44 | More by ThisWangsChung

Kendo

New York

3.13/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured from the bottle (with a twist-off cap) into a pint glass. Dark pour makes it look pretty thick. In the glass the body is black with a small (maybe a half-finger) light brown head.

S: Roasted barley and a bit of black licorice.

T: Bitterness is the overall impression - not sure if it's from the roasted malt or the hops. At times I think it's gotta be the roasted grains, but sometimes I'm not so sure. Really nothing more going on besides that roastiness, though after a few sips and my palate adjusts to it, I think I get a bit of roasted coffee beans as well as just generic roast.

M: Way too carbonated. A sharp, active carbonation doesn't help things here, as it makes the bitterness more pronounced on the palate. Heft is lightish.

O: I used to have a co-worker who owned a place in Maine not too far from Kennebunkport and the Shipyard brewpub. He used to rave about this beer back in the mid-to-late 90s, and I remember having it back then and kind of liking it. Either it's gotten worse or my taste buds have improved; this is nothing I would ever get again.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 23:43:38 | More by Kendo

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark sherry color upon the pour sits a dense pitch black in the chalice accompanied by a 1.5 finger mocha colored head that sits well but hardly pays its respect in the lacing department.

S: Burnt sweet grains, dark roast, moderate in strength. Dark fruit of plums with burnt chocolate.

T: Flavor is alcohol laced, chocolate and roast, dark fruit of prunes, black cherries, sweet burnt grains. Malty, worty, roasty with a sweet mention of alcohol and a touch of roasted fruitiness.

M: Mouthful leans on the light side per style, silky, roasty, with an oily feel. Not much carbonation detection, leaves a powdery roastiness coating on the tongue.

O: Overall a generally good stout, won't blow you away, but shouldn't disappoint as a casual example.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 00:07:19 | More by beerthulhu

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.65/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From the 22 oz. bomber. Sampled on August 25, 2012.

The pour is a deep dark brown with a handsome looking tan, fluffy head that settles down after a few moments.

The aroma is full of dark toasted malts, coffee and the Shipyard yeast strain.

The body is near medium and somewhat smooth.

The taste has a moderate to high bitterness but not hoppy. The ending is dry but it does not linger.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 00:06:23 | More by puboflyons

soju6

Missouri

3.78/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a black color with a small tan head that fades to some lacing.

S: Aroma of roasted malt and dark fruit with a bit of coffee in the background.

T: Taste of roasted malt with dark chocolate. A bit of coffee and dark fruit are mixed in. Mild bitterness and a dry finish.

F: Fairly full body, crisp and smooth. Nice balance but not overpowering.

O: Enjoyable beer, good for a few. Nice take on the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 09:57:02 | More by soju6

CloudStrife

New York

3.73/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into chalice. Best before June 2012.

A: Pours a pitch black with a thick 2 finger light khaki head. head sticks around for a few minutes and leaves some lacing on the sides. No light gets through this brew.

S: Fairly timid aroma, get some roasted malt and dark fruits but that is about it. A little coffee kicks in as it warms. Slight boozey presence.

T: Nice roasted malt flavor, very true to the style. A slight smokiness to it. Hints of coffee.

M: Light on the palette for a stout. Has a nice creamy feel to it. Very drinkable

Overall a tasty stout that has great drinkability. Very true to the style of irish stouts. Would recommend anyone to pickup a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 02:05:04 | More by CloudStrife

JohnnyBarman

Ontario (Canada)

3.38/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bomber from Knightly Spirits Orlando. Poured into a Chimay goblet.

This brew is black as sin, with hardly another colour to penetrate the inky depths. Leaves an impressive head of light mocha foam. Great retention.

Nose is dark coffee, toasted malt, a bit of citric hops.

Bitter and astringent, this brew certainly upholds the "dry" portion of its style. If dry stouts are your thing, this one would definitely fit the bill. For myself, I lean towards the sweeter end of the stout spectrum, though I do enjoy the Irish stout style now and again. This brew was just too much for me, and I rate it so because I also didn't find the flavors mixed well - the tartness of the brew was overwhelming and the coffee flavor wasn't that enjoyable.

Thinner feel to it, and the carbonation was too strong. A miss for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 22:36:10 | More by JohnnyBarman

Brenden

Ohio

3.7/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This stout is black, impossible to see through the inky darkness. On top forms a creamy medium brown head that is a little more than one finger tall but, while not huge, never, ever fades. It leaves lacing in almost a sheet even in a snifter. This one's got fantastic form.
The aroma gives off a strong malt backbone with a strong barley element along with a touch of smoke to it. There's just a touch of caramel and ghost of dark fruits. The flavor follows suit with a bit more tanginess that I don't feel complements the overall character. Malts go interestingly thin in the flavor where it doesn't in the aroma. Fortunately, the tanginess drops off a bit as it sits. A bit of leafy bitterness is also present in this beer well into the drier finish.
The body is medium-heavy, as the thinness of malts in the flavor doesn't translate to the feel. It's just slightly crisp, as the focus is more on smooth.
This is a very interesting beer, as I like how everything works in it except where the tanginess and thinness seeps into the flavor. Everything else is good, but something doesn't mix where the flavor's concerned initially.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 13:49:30 | More by Brenden

Tone

Missouri

3.53/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a black color. 1/3 inch head of a tan color. Good retention and good lacing. Smells of sweet malt, slight roasted malt, dry hops, and a hint of citrus hops. Fits the style of an Irish Dry Stout. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of roasted malt, slight sweet malt, hint of sugar, hops, and a hint of dry hops. Overall, decent appearance, aroma, and body.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 20:08:35 | More by Tone

beardedterror

Iowa

2.08/5  rDev -41.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2

Poured into stout glass, served at approximately 55 degrees Farenheit:

A - Dark brown, nearly black color with 1/2 finger light tan head which disappears quickly, but leaves good lacing on glass.

S - Not much, especially for a stout. Slight toasted grain smell and a decent bit of smoke. Very slight caramel flavors after several minutes of smelling. No discernible hop aromas.

T - Dirt is the first impression I get. Not a pleasant flavor. Smoke is very high. Smoke from the front of the palate through the late finish, which could be due to high roasted barley content. Only flavor other than smoke is a huge buttery flavor. Very unpleasant. Batch could have been fermented too hot. Slight, but noticeable amount of bitterness, on par with style.

M - Creamy feeling. Slightly chewy. Sadly, best feature of the beer.

O - Very disappointing, as stouts are my favorite and I've heard good things about this beer. Perhaps a bad batch or just very old? I will give this one more shot (from a different retailer) in the future. Flavor was severely lacking in complexity for a stout. Smoke and butter were the only two things I got from this. It was difficult to finish.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 01:29:51 | More by beardedterror