Lost Sailor India Pale Ale - Berkshire Brewing Company Inc.

MarkQ617

Massachusetts

3.36/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

A good, but not awesome IPA. Had this on tap at the Martha's Vineyard Chowder Co. Decent color, but I'd prefer a bit darker. Probably non coincidentally, the smell was pleasant but not super robust. I could've used more hops. Citrusy, crisp, floral, decent flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2013 22:49:17 | More by MarkQ617

PhillyStyle

Georgia

3.23/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

On-tap at Prime 16 in New Haven, CT, served in a pint glass:

The beer appeared a hazy orange color with a light, white foamy head that dissipated into a small thin cap. Nothing too impressive...perhaps slightly above average. The beer gave off a hoppier aroma than was expected from an English IPA, but light citrus hops. The taste, again, was overpowered by the hops for the style. This style is typically a bit more balanced than say an American IPA. No real complexity to it, just straight citrus hops. The beer had a good feel to it and finished with a decent dry but bitter aftertaste and was easy to drink. Overall, too hoppy for the style, I expected a little more balance...but even if it was just an IPA, it is average at best.

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2013 02:02:38 | More by PhillyStyle

MNishCT77

District of Columbia

4.69/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

22 oz. bottle purchased in CT in late 1/13 (no birth date), poured into my tasting 3Fs Teku long-stemmed glass, drank 2/13/13 over ~one hour.

A: 4.755 - amber-brown coloration, moderate clarity, whitish frothy 2 finger head that lingers into an attractive rim lacing, slight alcohol legs

S: 5 - herbal/spice/floral notes predominant, slight toffee and caramel snifters --> perfect smelling EIPA to these nostrils!

T: 4.5 - little-to-no bitterness, citrus undertones, bready malty backbone with slight esters, moderate alcohol notes

M: 4.75 - medium body, moderate carbonation

O: 4.75 - it's really unfortunate that I don't have easy access to this beer any longer; to me, it's the best American example of a classic EIPA on the market and accentuates all the best features of East Kent Golding on a Marris Otter backbone; for those in New England, considering how affordable it is (~$3.99/bomber and $7.99/growler before deposit) definitely worth hunting down; for those outside of New England who enjoy classic British bitters or EIPAs like Fuller's ESB or Samuel Smith pale ale, it's definitely worth a trade

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 02:38:52 | More by MNishCT77

Etan

Illinois

4.06/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle sent by Valdieu2. Thanks!

A: Pours a cloudy orange with a huge puffy white head. Great lacing.

S: Restrained citric hop notes meld with some fruity ale yeast esters, cream, toffee, light peppery spiciness.

T: Light piney bitterness and mild grapefruit, yeasty, caramel and bready malt, a bit leafy, crisp finish.

M: Light-bodied with moderate carbonation, very creamy feel.

O: Nice to have a good English-style IPA every once in a while. This one is restrained and tasty with a great mouthfeel. The Golding hops are expressive without being aggressive.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 02:53:21 | More by Etan

kangarooAdam59

Maine

3.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Out of the bomber and into my pint glass:

A: hazy copper orange body that leaves a one finger foamy white head that lasts for a good minute before gently dieing into the body. The body is too hazy for any carbonation to be seen rising. Some mild spotty foamy lacing coats the pint glass.

S: light citrus, hops and malts combined very nicely.

T: the same adding a nice extra lingering sweetness.

M: medium with nothing harsh on the tongue. I would say this is a fairly sessionable beer.

O: this is a pretty good English IPA, good for the style and good for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 16:01:23 | More by kangarooAdam59

JHS123

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Actually liked this better by bottle than on tap. Unusual as it is I was comparing it with the Rotator Series Falconer IPA today and it paled in comparison and that is the best way to say it.

Appearance: 4.5 out of 5.00 Beautiful unfiltered appearance. Orange / Copper color... Golden hue.

Smell: Aroma of light citrus..

Taste: Not as hoppy as I would have expected. Very low bitterness for an IPA. Malty and frothy on the front with limited IPA taste more of a golden ale. Not hoppy. No alcohol bite. Maybe the English in English IPA comes from the breadiness of this ale.

Mouthfeel: Suprisingly dry. Does not have peppery or hoppy mouthfeel more of a sweetness which almost tastes skunked...

Overall: No major flaws but not the best of BBC. Its adequate and I would rate it well as Berkshire has not done me wrong in the past but this is not their finest product..

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2012 01:22:55 | More by JHS123

Masscraft

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Amazing creamy head with chunks of foam clinging to the rim of the glass after a few sips, nice lace down the glass that's not going anywhere until the next pour. Hazy golden body that likes to play with light for added complexity, kind of light amber, like the actual mineral held up to light. Not much hits me in the nose, but as I search a juicy mouthwatering citrus orange-cookie aroma comes through. Really dig the flavors though. Very well balanced. Enough hop presence that you know it's an IPA but enough satisfying malt contrast to be solidly English rather than American style. As it warms some dark fruit sweetness comes through quickly cut by drying bitterness, some tobacco and earthy fresh cut grass in the finish. Really juicy and easy to drink, refreshing as spring even as autumn settles in. Orange/lemon rind with some melon/ grape notes finishing like a crusty rustic baguette. Complex and good. Non-extreme with nothing lacking.

Serving type: growler

10-13-2012 16:55:04 | More by Masscraft

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.08/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from bomber into pint glass

Appearance – The beer poured an amber color with a thick two finger white head. Just like all the other Berkshire beers I have had, the head has good retention with it eventually fading to give a great amount of lacing.

Smell – The smell is sweet with nice lighter hints of hop aroma. The sweet is of honey and a light tangerine. The hop aroma is a nice blend of citrus (grapefruit and lemon) as well as a rather strong floral hop smell.

Taste – The taste begins with a nice bready and lightly sweet flavor. These honey and bready flavors create a backbone for the beer. At the forefront a floral hop flavor is present. While the initial floral hop is light, it is soon met with some citrus and pine hop flavors. These give a nice bitterness that balances the sweet quite well. The beer bitters ever so slightly with the floral hop seeming to get even strong. In the end a rather pleasant floral spice is left on the tongue

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the average side in terms of its carbonation level with a thickness that is slightly above average. It suits the floral hop and malty flavors quite well.

Overall –It’s a rather smooth IPA. While if you are looking for something very hoppy, this may not be your brew, but if you are looking for something very easy to drink with some nice flavors, this is a nice brew to go to.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 00:24:07 | More by Darkmagus82

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Golden-orange with plenty of yeast floating around because I poured the entire bottle. White, fluffy, soapy head that leaves behind good lace but little retention.

S: Light hops but mostly sugary malt.

T: Great for the style. A good break from the hop-heavy American IPA's. Obviously this is more malt-heavy than the American counterparts but it's very balanced. Enough hop presence is there to satisfy the hop craving but malt is the star. Sweet, roasted malt is there from start to finish.

M: Smooth, sweet, and balanced. A killer English IPA.

O: Fresh and delicious. BBC hit this style on the head.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2012 20:16:28 | More by Gatch

Duff27

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Small sediment filled body, light amber. Head settles to a cap. Splotchy lacing.

Not getting a whole lot from the nose at first, a little fruitiness perhaps. As it warms starts to smell good.

Well you can definitely tell its an English by the malt presence. Fruity. Hint of hops. Would guess at 7%abv

Good medium mouthfeel, medium mouthfeel. Fits the beers profile nicely.

I don't have English IPAs very often so this is a breath of fresh air. Loved the fruit aspect. Thanks r94uconn!

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 00:21:55 | More by Duff27

BostonHops

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

growler served in a standard pint glass.

pours a slightly hazy deep amber/light brown tone with a solid finger of a creamy beige head; decent retention and lacing. hearty, good looking IPA.

in the nose nose i get citrusy hops (a touch of pine), some bready, caramely malts. flavor follows the aroma nicely with a nice balance between the citrus/pine hoppiness and a bit of a bready malt backbone. some subdued spice notes. has a dry, bitter-hoppy finish. nice, serviceable IPA; perhaps not spectacular, but a damn fine beer that could easily fit into a regular rotation.

medium bodied mouthfeel, medium carbonation. crisp and refreshing. very drinkable. i could easily keep going with this. and since i have a growler, i guess i will. recommended, and the fresher the better.

originally reviewed: 11-12-2010

Serving type: growler

05-17-2012 20:46:16 | More by BostonHops

CheezyBlaster

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Ehhhh, itsa notta bad, eh? Bigger feeling/tasting English-ish IPA than 5.5% typically gives. A bit of mustiness, but brings across biscuits, noble hops of the EngPA variety, and a smooth drinkability. It was decent out of a bomber, but really something I'd love to try on draft, or perhaps . . . cask? Mmmm???

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 01:37:11 | More by CheezyBlaster

davey101

Connecticut

4.23/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bomber into a pint glass. Best by date of 06/19/12. Probably not the freshest of IPA's, but it is in the english style.

A - Nice and clear dark amber body. Soapy three finger high white head. Awesome lacing and retention.

S - Tons of sweet malts. Honey, biscuity crackers, and some piney and grassy hops. Extremely malt forward and inviting.

T - More of the malt heaviness. Starts off with some lightly bitter and spicy floral hops and ends on a sweet honey and biscuit note. Really delicious and highly drinkable.

M - Creamy and medium bodied. Carbonation is about spot on for me.

O - A great english style IPA. I'm glad to have BBC so close to me, I've had this super fresh from the brewery, a few weeks old on tap, and a few months old from the bottle. Its always a damn delicious beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 01:05:43 | More by davey101

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.1/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Cask at Redbones: Poured a light amber color ale. Aroma of fresh floral hops is not as powerful as expected. Taste is dominated by medium bitter notes with some floral undertones with delicate dry caramel malt. Body is about average. Middle of the road IPA with no major flaws but lacking a bit of hops.

Serving type: cask

05-11-2012 19:15:06 | More by Phyl21ca

BOSMECH

Massachusetts

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

Poured from a 22oz bomber

Appearance: pours a tea color orange with about a finger and a half for a head that stays well.

Smell: has a citrusy hoppy smell that is real good I think not to pungent.

Taste: the taste is very mild for a IPA but smooth and does not have a strong bitter taste afterwards either.

Mouthfeel: has a smooth mouthfeel and not to carbonated

Overall: overall it is a good IPA that I would get again in fact I just got it again thats why I am doing this review.
It is smooth for a IPA but there are better IPA's out there but still well worth buying.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 19:23:05 | More by BOSMECH

pburland23

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz. bomber into my Harpoon IPA glass.

Appearance: Beer pours a crystal clear light coppery orange. About a finger of white head lingered lazily receding slowly and leaving some moderate lacing in its wake. (3.5)

Smell: The aroma is quite balanced between flowery hops and classic English malts. Very nice smelling IPA. (4)

Taste: The sip starts off with some bready malts. The telltale floral spiciness of the Kent Goldings hops shines through in the middle of the sip before a slightly bitter finish. Very well rounded and well crafted English IPA. (4)

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and ever so slightly resinous. The carbonation is a touch lighter than I'd prefer but it's not much of a deterrent. Very drinkable. Boy, I love a English IPA...loads if flavor at 5.5%. (4)

Overall: Tasty and balanced English IPA. Very smooth and drinkable. I really enjoyed it. (4)

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 22:09:34 | More by pburland23

Thads324

Connecticut

3.45/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber best by 6/19/12
Pours a pale gold color. Big billowing white head, tight, tiny bubbles. Very slow to disappear. Thick pieces of heady lace
Smells like some honey and a hint of grassy citrus hops. Not much going on in the aroma. Hints of bready malts.
Taste start with a sweet honey malt. A hit I'm the face of carbonation and hoppy bitterness. Fills the mouth with mellow lemon zest, and rose petal hop flavors. Finishes with more sweet malt, bringing in bready and a bit of oat in the end. Nothing lingers but a slight citrus peel hop flavor.
Mouthfeel is medium bodies. High carbonation fills the mouth, sticks the hop to the tongue

A good, easy drinking English ipa. The hops don't overpower, nor does the malt. A bit too sweet, but otherwise very nice. I'll continue buying growlers of this.

Serving type: growler

04-25-2012 02:44:40 | More by Thads324

brureview

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This bottle has been in my refrigerator for about two weeks: the directions on the bottle recommend refrigeration.

I was pleasantly surprised. Even though Berkshire is a favorite brewery of mine, ( support local beer!) I wasn't expecting much- just another good IPA.

The beer pours a light tea color with a small 1 finger head. There is a light lemony smell with a hint of chocolate.

Unlike other IPAs I have tasted, there is a strong chocolate and lemon in the finish. This IPA has its own signature- it stands out with a distinct taste- the smell is light- a nice prelude to a well balanced finish. The mouth feel is wonderfully puckering and tart- not overwhelming. A good opener for the finish. Unlike many other beers, though, the finish doesn't improve with warming, so it's best to drink it cold.

I'm in Massachusetts, so perhaps the beer doesn't travel well, otherwise it would get more accolades.

One of my favorite breweries. A great beer. Worth the try. Keep refrigerated.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 02:27:24 | More by brureview

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.45/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I can't remember who sent me this as an extra, and I kinda lost it in the move. I found it today and cracked it open.

A - Pours a cloudy orange with a nice cream-colored head, good retention.

S - Floral and malty.

T - Floral, oranges, and carmel malts.

D - Good carbonationa nd body.

O - More malt than citrus. Maybe it is a bit too old.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 01:55:20 | More by HuskyinPDX

jb413

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Cloudy apple-cider type autumn hue with a nice finger plus of white foamy head.

S - Citrusy in the nose with some orange, grapefruit and pear. Slight floral. Delicious

T - Malty and sweet in front. Nice dry-hopped taste, moderate bitterness, citrusy profile and clean.

MF - Smooth, medium-bodied, an easy-drinker. Well-matched carbonation and nice finish.

O - A solid, consistent IPA with a well-rounded medium and balanced profile.

Serving type: growler

03-03-2012 19:35:34 | More by jb413

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Best by 2/22/12. Picked up a bomber from Beverage Warehouse in Winsooski VT. Like the Traditional Pale Ale, this is a more malty take on the style. There's a clean, bready toasty malt character under the citus, piney hops bite. It's not that similar to Brooklyn IPA, this is significantly maltier. Still a tasty beer, there's just a big sweet biscuit toast that matches the hops.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 02:04:37 | More by tempest

rudolphjacksonm

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A special thanks to my apartment-mate Bertrand Morin for bringing this to us in a growler straight from the brewery!!!

A - Cloudy, unfiltered dark amber color (almost like thick honey or agave nectar) with a small one-finger white head that reduces to a nice residual layer. Carbonation bubbles are continually moving through the cloudiness. 'Tis a gorgeous beer! 4.5

S - Floral, hoppy smell. I couldn't tell you exactly what this smells like...but what I can tell you is that it smells good. Really good. Like hop-angels singing in your nostrils. (ok that sounded weird) 4.5

T - Slightly sweet citrusy lemon flavor at the beginning, immediately counterbalanced by bitter hopnotes at the back of the tongue. Nice crisp finish with a hint of apple, bergamot and more citrus. 4.0

M - Smooth and carbonated just slightly. I think this would have more carbonation and a better body if we had had it in Massachusetts and it didn't have to travel back down here to Richmond, VA. 3.5

O - I think this is a fantastic beer. It's been in the growler, transported by car, all the way down from Massachusetts to Richmond, VA and I think that has definitely had an impact on the quality. That being said, I think this beer is great even despite these detractions. If you can get your mitts on this beer, do it!!! 4.5

Serving type: growler

01-05-2012 05:20:09 | More by rudolphjacksonm

tylerprince

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bomber poured into a pint glass.

A: Pours a beautiful hazy orange/copper. One finger head resolves to leave a little bit of foam and a hefty lacing.

S: Smells like a nice toasty caramel with some floral undertones. Fairly mild and no hint that it's an IPA.

T: Not for the hophead. A balanced combination of mild citrus, toasty malt and orange. Pretty tasty, just tastes more like a wheaty pale than an IPA. Gets a good bit breadier as it warms.

M: Somewhat thick, but simultaneously crisp and refreshing. A decent session ale with minimal alcohol sensation.

O: Just too bland and lacking in hop flavor as an IPA for me. Decent if you want an unfiltered pale, though. Ultimately delicious and well brewed.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 00:33:34 | More by tylerprince

nickfl

Florida

3.4/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours with half a finger of white foam on top of a hazy, copper body. The head fades away quickly and leaves only minor traces of lace.

S - Fruity hops with notes of melon and lemon as well as some bready malt and toffee.

T - Sweet, grainy malt up front with a hint of floral hop flavor. The hop essence increases slightly in the middle as more toffee and yeasty bread pile on. Some fruity hop flavor comes out in the finish, but is quickly plowed under by lots of thick, rich malt which overpowers the modest bitterness.

M - Medium-thick body, moderate carbonation, and a fairly sweet finish.

D - This is a pretty nice, very drinkable beer but it is kind of an anemic IPA. The hop aroma is noticeable, but not nearly as pungent as a hop lover would hop it might be and the flavor profile is thoroughly dominated by the malt. This all makes for a very nice pale ale, and it could be a great IPA if it had about 4x as much hop character as it does.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 02:27:57 | More by nickfl

derekmorris7

Massachusetts

3.35/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A > Pours a medium-light amber, small white head that doesn't last too well.
S > Aroma is light, fruity (pears, grapes), mildy hoppy (floral, pine).
T > Flavor starts slightly fruity (mostly pears), middle is thin, ends mildly hoppy.
M > Medium body, mild carbonation.

Bought this on a whim..5 bucks..not worth it though

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 00:02:28 | More by derekmorris7