Shipyard Old Thumper - Shipyard Brewing Co.

Flounder57

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Having this beer on cask at the Great Lost Bear.

It poured a one finger head that has left some nice lacing on the glass. It has good clarity for a cask and no signs of carbonation. It smells fruity, bready, malty, and a bit funky. It tastes about the same with a bit of lingering bitterness and some yeasty boys. It drinks creamy and silky smooth with low carbonation and medium bodied filling. Overall, a good beer on cask that I seem to encounter every time up here in Maine.

Serving type: cask

10-20-2012 22:01:23 | More by Flounder57

HamFon

Florida

3.58/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: clear amber with small white head of small bubbles that persists and generates lacing

S: malty, buttery, floral, earthy

T: fruity, buttery, caramel, earthy, moderate hop bittering into finish

M: smooth and creamy, slight oily, no alcohol warmth

O: overall a nice ESB with fruity notes and earthy and floral English hops, but that Ringwood yeast produces too much diacetyl for me, and the buttery slickness and flavor are distracting

Serving type: cask

04-14-2012 16:27:30 | More by HamFon

JWU

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

10oz straight from a firkin

A-light amber/ tea color.

S- malt vinegar, apple juice, a bit of buscuit malt

T- follows the smell, the taste is much more in your face than most ESB's.

M- medium bodied and perfectly dry.

O- only 2nd to fullers, but pretty darn tasty.

Serving type: cask

04-14-2012 02:16:02 | More by JWU

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Cask at sea dog brew pub northborough.

Light fizzy bubble head fades semi quickly, decent lacing, over hazy nectar orange colored beer.

Nose light herbal almost earthy hops, more UK style bittering hops, typical brewery house hops, light toasty pale malts, light musty fruit I think from the yeast, hint of copper malts.

Taste starts similar, herbal almost vegetative hops, hint earthy, decent bitterness, bit grassy. Malts are softer thanks to the cask, light toasty copper malts, bit pale malt flavor. Then light fruits, just a touch of a fruity herbal flavor from combined yeast and hops. I also get a hint of oxidation again from cask I think, and a very slight possible diacetyl with a hint of butter and slight slimy feel. Finish has decent bitterness, soft malts, dry semi clean, hint of that bitter and bit of herbal hops.

Mouth is med to slightly lighter bodied, litte carb but typical for cask.

Overall not bad, typical house hops which are not my fav but i can't blame them if thats what they like, decent malts, nice long bitter finish, just a bit of oxidation and hint of possible diacetyl throws it off a bit.

Serving type: cask

03-09-2012 14:34:08 | More by jlindros

Zono

Rhode Island

3.98/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From the cask, in a standard pint glass.

The color is deeply golden, almost approaching amber. There is some cloudiness. Old Thumper pours a persistent, perfect cap of white foamy head.

The aroma is very subtle, indeed, difficult to detect at all.

The taste bears a heavy note of caramel, supported pleasantly by a very full mouth-feel. It is surprisingly un-bitter, but I find no fault with this, honestly. The hop presence is along the floral to earthy range -- downright chthonic at times. Imminently drinkable. As the beer warms in the glass, the flavor sharpens somewhat, becoming a bit spicier.

Overall, certainly a treat to find out and about, especially on cask. However, it is, perhaps, a little restrained. Nothing to complain about.

Serving type: cask

01-28-2012 16:25:16 | More by Zono

BrewCrew2010

New York

3.2/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 3

Served at the Local in Saratoga Springs in a pint glass.

A: Pours a bright golden amber body with no head.

S: Bready malts with notes of ripen fruit, yeast, and a hint of caramel sweetness.

T: Toasted bready malts, like in the nose, is the main flavor here. There's a caramel sweetness balanced with some herbal hops and fruity esters. Finishes slightly dry.

M: No carbonation; medium body; very thin mouthfeel.

O: This was a nice beer but the mouthfeel was all wrong. Although I enjoyed it and would try it again, my husband hated it because of the lack of carbonation. Perhaps if the mouthfeel was better it would have gotten higher scores.

Serving type: cask

09-24-2011 12:34:22 | More by BrewCrew2010

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

@ Harry's Burger, Providence RI

Misty amber to a golden pear color. Frothy lace that leaves several drippy rings. Stubborn retention like a snowdrift.

Aroma is fruitcake and buttery diacetyl. Tastes is more fruit fest marmalade sweetness. The bitter seems more toned down than other reviews would have lead me to believe. It's there though, in a earthy, tea-like way. Mildly resinous mouthfeel.

In New England Old Thumper is known as "the Shipyard beer that isn't that bad." It's pretty good actually.

Serving type: cask

06-30-2011 10:05:37 | More by donkeyrunner

JayQue

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had it on cask at the Blue Anchor pub in DelRay Beach FL. Nice setting, an old English pub, reconstructed on the site. The beer poured a bright clear orange color with a medium size off white head and light lacing. Head retention a bit less than average.

Smell is mild maltiness, a little caramel,mostly bready

Taste is mild maltiness,when combined with a smooth and crisp mouthfeel make this a good, if slightly strong, session beer.

Very pleasant, but not a standout in any way

Serving type: cask

06-27-2011 12:41:11 | More by JayQue

bishopdc0

Maine

3.98/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This appears a nice golden amber with a pretty nice lace especially for a cask.

The aroma is full of butty toasted sugar cookies

The taste is like a normal thumper but with a slight almost brandy characteristic with loads of malt flavor. very nice

Serving type: cask

12-14-2010 22:13:27 | More by bishopdc0

jwhawkins81

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Aroma - A good level of sweetness

Appearance - From the cask this beer looked amazing. A orange amber color and a half inch white head that wasn't going anywhere.

Taste - A fruit like sweet maltiness with not too much hops. A delicious beer I really enjoyed.

Notes - As this thing warmed from cellar temperature it didn't improve.

Serving type: cask

05-24-2009 01:04:34 | More by jwhawkins81

nebula1999

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pulled from cask into standard pint glass at The Wharf Pub, 37 Bowens Wharf, Newport RI.

I make a point to visit The Wharf Pub each time I go to Newport just to have this beer. Last tasted on Columbus Day Weekend 2008.

Rocky head fading to nearly flat. Slightly cloudy appearance. Aromas of caramel, light fruit, grass, wood and even the slightest hint of peat which I found unusual. Smooth maltiness and subtle hop presence. Chewy mouthfeel that coats the mouth, but not offensively. Not a lot of cask offerings out there, and it is always nice to stop by for a pint of this one.

Serving type: cask

02-01-2009 13:49:56 | More by nebula1999

tai4ji2x

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

on cask at british beer company in framingham, ma

poured into conical pint

almost clear, deep amber. some bubbly cask head, but soon fades to just a ring of bubbles. not really any lacing.

sweet aromas. apple, pear and caramelized maltiness with buttery diacetyl hint. hops are typically grassy english, but also some trace of citrus twang. there is an unusual acidity that peaks before the moderate bitterness and lingers into the finish. is this from the ringwood yeast or from the cask conditioning? speaking of "wood", there is actually a hint of that as well.

slightly thin, but smooth enough. very subtle carbonation.

Serving type: cask

08-01-2008 09:12:21 | More by tai4ji2x

FleeVT

Florida

3.85/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Cask conditioned and hand drawn into a pint glass at the Blue Anchor Pub in Delray Beach, Fl.

A: A beautiful golden and copper with a slight haze. This brew presented a nice 1 finger head which is better than I expected from a cask drawn ale. It eventually settles down to a thin layer, eventually.

S: The nose was a combination of toasted bread malts, mild yeast, and a sweetness that hinted at dark berries. This beer also hinted at some indistinguishable spices on the nose. Really approachable and inviting.

T: A subdued beginning which slowly opens up with the toasted bread malts and hints of the spice and yeast. The palate transitions nicely from tart to bitter as the hops build up and continue gaining steam to the bitter end. The finish provides a hint of the 5.9% ABV which is a great surprise.

M: A creamy texture that is no doubt provided by the lack of carbonation.

D: I haven't had a drawn beer in years and this was the perfect compliment to a rainy south Florida afternoon. The cask conditioning seems to add a complexity to the beer in the depth of flavors, the intermingling of the different palate components are layered nicely. I'd like to find a bottle of this stuff to compare apples to apples.

Serving type: cask

06-24-2008 14:42:47 | More by FleeVT

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Another Paul Pendyck GEN Sutter Cask Night special. We are so lucky to have this event on a monthly basis and the selections are always superb. I adore this beer and yet, this was the first occasion that I got to try it out of a gravity-fed cask. Usually, it is in bottle form.

Despite coming from a gravity pour, it still produced a finger of foamy ecru head with good retention. The color was a deep amber with NE-quality clarity. The nose had a grassy quality, underlain by a mild sweetness. The mouthfeel was thin-to-medium with a bitterness that put me in mind of freshly mown grass or hay. The finish was definitely herbal. This was much different than what I remember getting out of a bottle. It was quite good, and yet, I preferred the Chamberlain of the two presented on this evening. Go figure.

Another review, this time from a handpump:

The pull produced a finger of deep tan head with decent retention. Nose was mildly sweet with a slight graham cracker-like edge. Color was a bright medium amber. To see that kind of clarity in a cask ale is simply amazing. The mouth feel was very creamy. The taste was slightly bitter, but in a most pleasant way that would appeal to even a casual beer drinker. The finish was dry, butter, quenching. I really miss being up in PORME. The finish reminded me of the scent released when rubbing fresh hops between one's hands.

Serving type: cask

06-02-2008 00:45:02 | More by woodychandler

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this on cask at the General Sutter Inn Cask Ale night in Lititz, Pa. Served chilled in an Imperial pint glass.

A - A gently hazed copper w/ a 1/4 tan head that settles to nothing and won't revive w/ swirling

S - A slightly musty, bruised fruit aroma w/ a git of spicey yeast and bready malt scents

M - A very nice crisp hop and spice note w/ subtle booze and tannic grapeskin feel w/ slight tang in the finish

T - A mostly bitter flavor w/ cherry and dry malt. The malt has a biscuit-like nutty taste and the hops are spiced w/ mellow earthy and tart flavors in the background. The ringwood yeast really plays a role in the up front slight sour taste that is fruity. There is a light caramel malt flavor that lingers

D - A fine ale w/ a smooth lively spiced flavor w/ a nice tangy yeast and citrus zest aspect. There is a nice toasty malt that keeps this in balance and the cask version is a nice surprise adding to the overall experience of this beer for me

Serving type: cask

06-01-2008 17:13:41 | More by Slatetank

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a freshly tapped firkin at the General Sutter Inn in Lititz, PA.

A: The ale has a dark, concentrated apple juice amber color, looking rather robust but approachable. Less than a finger's worth of head was quick to disappear.

S: The aromas coming out of the glass are much maltier (as compared to the Chamberlain). The nose has banana nut bread aromas with a touch of Cheerio graininess.

T: The complex breadiness that came through in the nose is readily apparent here. Caramel and toffee mix with the aforementioned banana nut bread in a swirling taste. Green, slightly tart fruits add further flavor to the body. Hops pop up periodically and add a fresh tea and tobacco flavor, subtle but enough to make their presence known.

M: The mouthfeel is malty with a great spectrum of flavors. You'll enjoy slowly sipping on this one, I did.

D: The alcohol is a little higher here, so drinkability suffers a tad. I'd still be happy with another pint or two.

Serving type: cask

05-31-2008 01:36:33 | More by akorsak

BeerBelcher

Ohio

3.1/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I had this on cask from the beer engine, which usually really elevates my opinion of a beer...but with this beer it was elevated to merely OK, which makes me doubtful how good it would be when NOT on the beer engine. However, my experience with it was alright, but not far above average, if at all.

Appearance was quite good - gold and clear with a nice 3 cm head. Aroma didn't have a lot to it...if I sniffed really hard and deeply I got just a touch of hoppy non-descript fruitiness. Flavor was more of the same. Some non-descript bitterness, nicely balanced, but with only a wiff of fruitiness. Not much really all that exciting in there. Mouthfeel was pretty dry but unremarkable.

I wouldn't really recommend this beer. Nothing against it, I just didn't find anything particularly special in that glass.

I had this from the beer engine at Abbey Brewing in Miami Beach.

Serving type: cask

02-26-2008 16:02:16 | More by BeerBelcher

rusbry

Missouri

4.22/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A great pint!
Drawn from the cask so only a little carbonation and at room temp.
A thin head topped off the pint of amber/gold.
Yeast and a bit of hop to the nose
The surprise was the taste....more fruity than expected and malty as well with a citrus bite. A slight butter taste too. Truely a full drinking experience at room temp.
Mouthfeel is substantial but not too much to keep one from drinking more.
I love bitters of the English kind and this will be on my favorite list!

Serving type: cask

10-30-2006 00:49:13 | More by rusbry

GooberMcNutly

Florida

3.08/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On cask tapped fresh in Orlando. A bitter English ale. Dark golden color with slight haze and zero head. Low carbonation (in style) with a fresh, bitter taste. The freshness of this cask really shone through with some active yeast aromas and flavors evident. Low alcohol (in cask) makes for a nice session beer.

Serving type: cask

10-25-2006 16:09:31 | More by GooberMcNutly

BadBadger

New York

4.5/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wow, I had this as a cask conditioned ale at the Jolly Drayman in Bethel Maine. This was my first cask conditioned ale so I can't compare it to other CC ales. But this was truely an outstanding ale. It arrived in the pint glass with a small and receeding head. The color is a slightyly hazy amber. It is very smooth and tasty, with a nice malty flavor and very pleasant mouthfeel. A great brew: I can't speak for the bottled version, but if the cask conditioned is available, do not hesitate to give this a try. You will enjoy!

Serving type: cask

08-30-2006 15:49:47 | More by BadBadger

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed at The Moan & Dove, Amherst, MA. Presented in a pint glass.

Presented with an airy 1/2" head, which quickly faded to an uneven layer of bubbles over the brew, as most cask brews are apt to do. Somewhat balanced aroma, with the scales tipping slighty towards the hoppy side. Taste starts smoothly malty, but switches to a pleasant bitterness which dominates the rest of the drinking experience. Mouthfeel and drinkability are both excellent, and for the record, I noted not a drop of butteriness in this pint. Check it out for yourself.

Serving type: cask

04-17-2005 00:41:24 | More by ppoitras

PatandDavid

Massachusetts

2.68/5  rDev -26.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This was on one of the beer engines during my last visit to the Coat of Arms in Portsmouth NH. Slightly orange amber, light froth of head on top. Aroma was of low malt. Tastewise, I thought it was moslty malt, of the grainy variety. Bodywise, thin, but that was expected. Old Thumper is one of those brews that when it's good, it's great, but you have to drink many avergae ones to get to that one good one.

Serving type: cask

02-21-2005 19:05:47 | More by PatandDavid

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Good cask ale, courtesy of Abbey Brewing and Raymond in Miami Beach. Good easy drink in a place where beer does not freeze. Bitterness,clean, a bit of fruit, grass a session ale. And of course, the ringwood yeast. Medium mouthfeel. Nicely hopped. Better than its imitators.

Serving type: cask

02-17-2005 03:21:19 | More by northyorksammy

MuddyFeet

North Carolina

4.38/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of my favorite all-time beers. It pours a tarnished copper in color, like the color of antique, stained furniture. Like that furniture, the smell makes me think of old and history. It pours clean with little head and the lace consistently clings to the side of the glass. The flaovr is slightly buttery with hints of apples; almost apple cider but no where near the taste of hard cider. It's best served at room temperature and at first feels odd on the tongue because it is gnerally flat, but that is the appeal of the beer.

Serving type: cask

03-15-2004 23:05:15 | More by MuddyFeet

Loki

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sampled from a cask in an traditional pint glass.

Well color me disappointed. I walked in and order this without even looking at what else they had. After all I liked Old Thumper in the bottle, and it was cask conditioned so it had to be better. Right?

It was served a dark copper, almost antique bronze color with a white head that faded way to quickly. Great lacing throughout the entire beer. Looked like Mountain ranges viewed from a top another mountain. You could see the lower and upper ranges. Had the head retention been better this would have scored perfectly.

The aromas were very muted. I picked up malt, cask, earth, and some very mild hops.

The taste was sweet malt, then a bit watery, then dry cask, earth, a little more malt, with a dry finish. It was a little plain. Medium bodied and some what clean finish. But a little plain and a little disappointing. Maybe my expectations were too high.

Serving type: cask

08-24-2003 02:40:59 | More by Loki