Geary's Hampshire Special Ale - D.L. Geary Brewing Company

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, deep chestnut color with a thin head. The aroma seems centered around alcohol with caramel and malt. Dry bread crust and nuts…walnut and almond? A little floral hop character as well. First taste is malty and, but quickly turns to a sharp hopiness and astringency. Finish is smooth and soft; very nice balance. As you drink it, you’d swear that it has more than it’s stated 7% ABV. However, although it’s solidly good, nothing about the beer particularly stands out.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2004 01:18:54 | More by Suds

KarlHungus

Minnesota

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

This beer pours a murky brown color. The head is one inch in height, and recedes slowly into nice lacing. The aroma is of molasses, hints of dark chocolate, and caramel. There is no detectable hop presence. This is a rather simple aroma, yet I still find it really appealing. The taste is much like the aroma. It is very malty, but I can sense that there are some hops in there. They don't really come through in the flavor, but there add some balance to this beer. How ever small a hop presence it might be without it I would easily confuse this beer with a Wee Heavy. The mouthfeel is medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation, and a velvety texture. Overall, this is a nice beer that I will certainly drink again. I am a big fan of IPAs that have enough malt to add complexity. I feel this beer a lot like those beers in that it is a malt bomb but with enough hops to add complexity.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2010 21:37:08 | More by KarlHungus

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Appearance - an orange-amber beer with a frothy but short-lived head. Some decent beading from below.

Aroma - malty and sweet, smells nice!

Taste - very interesting taste. A malty-styled beer, there are hints of chocolate that combine with a light alcohol presence to create a near doppelbock effect. Some good hops to balance with, this beer makes a statement in several areas of the palate. The finish is roasty, warm, and slightly sweet. I'm impressed.

Mouthfeel - peppy carbonation, average body, helps the beer from being too heavy.

Drinkability - very tasty and at 7% abv, is just within session range (having disposed of 5 sixers in the past 2 months). Hey, at $4.49 per sixer, that's hard to resist.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2005 07:18:42 | More by brewdlyhooked13

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.6/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass.

A4.5 : Must say that this is a fine looking beer. Crystal clear amber in color. Off-white (with a touch of yellow) creamy as hell head with above average retention and tons of lacing.

3.5 S: Nose is full of sticky sweetness and a touch of graininess. No sign of hops as malts dominate. Crystal malts.

3.5 T: Way more balanced that I was expecting. There is a pleasant hop bitterness that I wasn't expecting. Buttery diacetyl accompanies lots of sweet caramel malt flavor. A touch grainy as in the nose.

4.0 M: Medium body. Good creaminess. Could use more carbonation, but carb is fine for the English style.

3.5 D: Not a bad brew, but not really my cup of tea. I'm not a big fan of English styles.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2009 03:29:52 | More by DavoleBomb

kmpitz2

Tennessee

4.53/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to SheepNutz for providing me this beer in a trade. It pours a deep amber to slightly deep red in color. The head starts about a finger high, but falls to just ring the top with sparse cover. What a nose. I love malt and I love hops. This give me the best of both worlds. The malt is giving me caramel with a rich toffee, almost buttery tone as well. The hops blend really well into the malt, but I get some citrusy notes from those. Very rich flavor, like a super rich caramel floods my taste buds. There is a fantastic hop bitterness dncing on my tongue after swallowing the beer. Good good and good. The beer is thick, but not as thick as I would have expected. This is a trade-off in my book, as it increases the drinkability. For the full flavor, this beer is very drinkable. Just a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2004 01:35:37 | More by kmpitz2

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Geary's- Hampshire Special Ale

A- Deep clear amber with a huge frothy head. Good chunky lacing.
S- Sweet buttery toffee with hints of vanilla and oak?
T- Big buttery toffee malt with a creamy vanilla touch. Chewy bready malt dominates with slight earthy woodsy tones in the back half.
M- Thick and buttery. Huge malt with a slight metallic alc. tinge.

Overall- Big buttery and sweet make this a bit cloying. alc., eventually, smoothes out.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2008 22:13:59 | More by NJpadreFan

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Orange in color with a good head, looks like it will be a decent brew.It tastes slightly English if that makes any sense but it is a little too strong and I usually don’t say that. This is a decent beer but not one I will seek out again, doesn't suit my tastes.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2007 16:33:47 | More by ArrogantB

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

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

Pours a beautifully clear reddish amber with a frothy off white head that dissipates quickly. Smells of alcohol and a bit of floral and perfume, some sweet malt in there bread and biscuit. Really great nose. Taste is sweet malt up front some toffee and caramel. With some alcohol and hop bitterness mid to finish. Some raisins or dried fruits in there too. Medium to thick body. A syrupy oily mouthfeel. Low carbonation. Great Strong ale, if not a touch sweet. Not cloying, but a little sweet.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2008 00:22:19 | More by johnnnniee

dsa7783

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Short, fat, stout, single 12 oz bottle purchased from Total Wine and More in Union...
After an aggressive pour, a deep, dark, amber and ruby-red hue is noticeable along with a moderate-sized head that slowly receded and left a copious amount of lacing...
My first brew from this company, and I must admit that I was very impressed by the overall quality and flavor exhibited...
Subtle, soft smell with some noticeable hops and a touch of malts present along with a tinge of vanilla...
Rich, sweet, creamy taste bursting with caramel, sugars, vanilla, bread and butter, and butterscotch...
In my opinion, another highly underrated beer that should deserve more attention and respect...
Flavor was top-of-the-line and certainly one of the best depictions of the style that I have recently come acrosss...
Rich, creamy, thick, filling mouthfeel and an equally high level of drinkability where the ABV is well-masked behind a rich conglomeration of flavors...
Excellent stuff...
Definitely recommended...

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2008 02:19:29 | More by dsa7783

ADR

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear dark bronze color, really cottony head on a hard pour, settles to 1/4 of an inch in a minute. Wide brimming lace. Bready aroma, slight lemony accents. Medium body and lower carbonation. The flavor strikes me as extremely nutty, almost Brazils and Filberts with the skins on, working with an odd dryish hop flavor. Slightly buttery but I've had worse. Finishes full, somewhat papery, with a light molasses tone. I'd drink it again, especially if they fiddled with the hop bill a little. Thanks to (who else?) JohnnyP for the beer -- its got character, alright... ;>)

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2004 15:41:04 | More by ADR

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.2/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Short-necked, twist-off-capped bottle, holding 12 ounces; poured to the Abita pint glass. No date (or much else) on the simple label. Big 'HSA' on the neck and cap. This came from Back East, a swap with AdamB84...

A: Crystal-clear honey/amber, topped with about 1-finger of pillowy, ivory-colored head. Excellent head retention, settling to a denser creaminess. A healthy level of fast-rising carbonation.

S: This one was slow to develop, starting vaguely sweet and grainy. With time and warming, more ripe fruit, orange rind and flowery spice rose. Malts become more and more sugar-laden, melding nicely with the fruit and spice.

T: Lots of ripe fruit (raisins, plums?) hit up front, with a citrus juice twist and an intriguing tart cherry. Bready malts have lots of sugariness, brown sugar and toffee. Drying hoppiness in the finish balances the malts well.

M: Some carbonation 'busy-ness' in the mouth initially, then settling to a smooth, creamy mouthfeel - seeming to thicken as the glass empties. Medium carbonation. Alcohol gives a slight warmth and malts stick a bit on the cheeks and lips.

D: Quite tasty! Intriguing flavors, something different. Easy to drink, too (mine didn't last more than 5 minutes...it was a long day at work...); 7% makes it a strong ale to 'session' but I certainly have liked another...

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2007 04:41:37 | More by msubulldog25

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

2.85/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured this bottle into a Pint glass and noted about a 2 finger thick head that was beige in color. The head did last a long time as I enjoyed the brew.

Color was deep copper and the beer was very clear.

The aroma was a little musty and I began to wonder if I encountered an older bottle.

A nice roasted malt flavor up front that faded to almost a metallic finish.

Yes, I think this bottle was not in great condition.

I consider this an average beer. I hope a fresher (perhaps non-skunked) bottle would be more enjoyable.

When finished I was excited to try a different brand.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2008 11:42:53 | More by Reagan1984

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: clear, amber, 1/2 inch head, high carbonation

Smell: toasted malt, sugar, and spices

Taste: sweet malt, caramel, raisins, and a touch of hops on the finish

Mouthfeel: sweet, smooth, sticky, with a slightly bitter aftertaste

Drinkability: I think this one hid the alcohol fairly well. I could have a couple as I enjoy the sweetness, but not more.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2009 17:17:01 | More by tigg924

Mitchster

Michigan

3.7/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2002-2003 Bottling. Clear amber pour forms a rocky beige head which quickly thins. Moderate-well carbonation. Aroma is of spicy hops, crystal malt, clean american ale yeast, and a subtle peppery bite. Initial taste is of spicy hops, then makes way to a firm, but not overly malty sweetness, some very noticeable alcohol kick (not really annoying, however), and ending in a long bittersweet hop finish. Firm body with alot of carbonation that erupts on the tongue. The malt continues to hang in there for the finish, balancing with the spicy hop finale. No noticeable oxidation or diacetyl, fusel flavors. Think Sammy Boston Lager X 2...while good, it doesn't really do anything to excite me, and probably nothing I would seek out. Clean profile and well-done balancing act contribute to it's good drinkability despite it's modest ABV.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2003 19:38:14 | More by Mitchster

Crosling

Colorado

3.55/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Lightish copper. Fairly aromatic, with a unique blend of malts, creating lovely caramel, toffee and fruit aromas with a light hint of floral hops. Fluffy, creamy texture with a heavy body. Awfully bitter, unfortunately, as it seems to take away from the multi-dimensional malt flavor. Soft crystal malt character with a light hint of peated malt, providing pleasant butterscotch hints. Light apple notes and caramel are present as well. Sharp hop bitterness on the finish. Pretty nice stuff.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2006 04:21:08 | More by Crosling

prototypic

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I believe this bottle came from ampzilla. Thanks, Andrew.

Appearance: It pours a clear, darker copper color. It's topped with a vanilla colored head that stands about a finger and a half tall. It receded relatively quickly and left a decent coat of lace behind.

Smell: The nose is good, but a little lacking in strength. It's malty and sweet initially. There's a healthy bit of dark fruits in there. It smells like plum and a bit of prune. Smells like a little orange peel and perhaps some other spices are present. There's some hops in there. They're mostly floral and earthy. It's actually a little complex, but it's just a little weak. It's definitely enough to intrigue me.

Taste: The nose is surprisingly fruity and sweet. There's some apple and pear flavors initially. They're equally as strong as the plum and prune flavors that follow, if not moreso. It's definitely got a nice caramel/toffee malt base. There's some orange peel and various other spices at the secondary level. They add some depth, character, and are a nice addition to the flavor profile. Hops are earthy and floral. They're not overly strong, but add some bitter zeal to the mix. Finishes sweet and fruity.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: It features a medium body and has a decent, smooth feel. Carbonation's a little and prevents it from from reaching the next level in terms of smoothness. But, it's not bad. Drinkability is pretty. This is going down pretty easy and is an enjoyable beer overall.

Geary's has come up with a pretty impressive English Strong Ale here. I actually had somewhat low expectations and walk away surprised and impressed. I think dialing down the carbonation would smooth it out and improve it to a degree. But, other than that, it's alright. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2008 01:05:27 | More by prototypic

morimech

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Amber copper color with one finger of rocky head that had good retention before settling to a thin cap. Quite a bit of lacing is left on the glass.

After the beer opens up a little, I was treated with dark fruit, caramel, herbal and grassy hops resulting in a rich, complex aroma.

Taste is everything I expect from an English style ale. Bready and toffee malt with the sweetness kept in check by the grassy and herbal hops. This is a beer best sampled fresh I suspect.

The only short coming of this beer is that the body does not feal as big as it should. Lacks a texture that would put this beer in the elite level.

Why did it take me so long to discover this beer? Geary's really hit it hard with this beer. Right up there with Yorkshire Stingo.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2010 19:29:41 | More by morimech

argock

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev -3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz brown bottle into a clear pint glass

A: Copper-light brown with thin off-white head and skimpy lace.

S: Toasted malt with bread and caramel, reasonably heavy alcohol, and faint fruity aromas

T: Malty with buttery caramel flavor with fruity flavor cut by the moderate hops bitterness and warm alcohol. Very full beer for sure.

M: Light carbonation and full bodied with uncanny smoothness.

D: Tasty and smooth but very full-bodied and with heavy alcohol presence.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2007 04:56:14 | More by argock

rastaman

United Kingdom (England)

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Rich barley sweetness at the start, yet quite soft and approachable. Some nice delicate spicyness, with a touch of caramel and toffee, quite a hoppy, bitter-ish finish, quite alright, this was the last of the night, perhaps it didn't benefit as much as it could have because of this very reason, still a nice tasty strong ale.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2003 02:03:46 | More by rastaman

bditty187

Nebraska

4.3/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Clear amber-copper hue with bronzy-brown influences, the color is fabulous! The head was very small at its apex, it might have reached a 1/4th of a finger in height; it faded quickly to a thin soapy collar. The lacing was absent. The nose had some lovely depth; there was a mix of light citrus juiciness, sweet maltiness, a hint of biscuit, buttery-toffee, a faint note of woody-alcohol. The potency is modest but the bouquet is inviting nevertheless. The palate is down right tasty! The toasty caramel malt really stands out in this offering; it is rich and deep with just enough of a hint of biscuit. When the buttery-toffee notes mixed in, all I can say is, wow! The fruitiness was mild and interwoven perfect, citrus and honey soaked berries. The bite of hops is surprisingly burly, no I’m not talking West Coast hoppy but it is nicely aggressive. The persuasion of alcohol is very faint. The palate is well-rounded and tremendously gratifying to quaff. Medium in body, the carbonation is low and natural, mouthfeel is a tickle thin; maybe I am knit picking. HSA is a relaxing beer; it fits comfortably like an old pair of slippers. I see why this beer is so respected, it is very agreeable. If I had this beer available locally I would treasure it like gold, a “thank you” goes out to Bierman9 for the sample. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2004 22:39:44 | More by bditty187

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz, brown bottle, capped. No date. Presumed 2002-2003 vintage.

This strong ale poured a clear, iced-tea brown color with creamy, off-white foam that was persistent. The carbonation was lively. The smell was citrusy floral hops and sweet malt (very nice). The taste was sweet caramel malt and strong floral hops with a little biscuit thrown in. The mouthfeel was smooth and creamy and hoppy with medium body. Very nice balance. The drinkability was very good. This was a very tasty ale that left me wanting more.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2003 00:28:10 | More by UncleJimbo

RBorsato

Virginia

2.8/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Dark gold, copper with a low tan head and decent carbonation. Piney, sprucey hop aroma -- the best character of this brew. HUge malty flavor with a warming alcohol sensation. Funky fruity, yeasty flavor ... maybe that's the Ringwood yeast. Medium bodied with an unpleasant finish.

Per Maine Brewer's Guild site: Original gravity - 1070; two row English malts (pale, crystal and chocolate); Cascade, Mt. Hood and East Kent Golding hops.

Glad I only bought a single bottle.

($1.43 / 12 oz.)

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2004 21:24:28 | More by RBorsato

sulldaddy

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I have heard som much about this one I had to buy a sixer when I was in MA.
The brew pours clear amber color and a 1 cm creamy orangish white head foams up easily.
The aroma is sweet malts mixed with some grapefruity scents and a general fruity mix, maybe some mild apple.
The brew has a medium body and carbonation. The flavor is very nice. All sweet caramel and toffee up front that carries to a hint of rich chocolate in the middle and finishes with a mix of the caramel and earthy and citrus hop characters. This a very well balanced brew. I dont get a hint of the 7% abv anywhere.
Very nice winter brew!

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2004 03:49:00 | More by sulldaddy

mcallister

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Good pour into a tulip glass. A somewhat hazey penny copper color with good tight carbonation bubbles. Very small off white head was very fast to fade.

Thick juicy caramel malt aromas at the forefront. Buttered bread, almond, toffee, sweet light hops, nutmeg, and maybe some ginger in the nose.

Damn good beer. Silky smooth mouthfeel with a long long finish. As in the nose big caramel malt flavors, rich buttery toffee, some hop grain, sweet cinnamon. Easily drinkable a damn good beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2006 20:50:11 | More by mcallister

wagenvolks

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to my girl Emily for bringing this back from her family vacation to Maine. 12oz bottle into a pint glass; different label than the one shown - this has a yellow back and the wording is inset within a round oval crossed by a red stripe. No freshness date.

Hampshire Special sits with an especially crisp, copper hue with bronze highlights. After an aggressive pour, a thin veil of beige-gray foam holds court and retains fairly well. Excellent aroma, very English in nature with toffee malts bursting at the seams. Hints of red cherry sweetness and a kiss of vodka linger in the background.

Flavor starts with a bit of fruity spice and caramel-toffee malts that give way to a finish of raw, bitter hop leaves and sticky booze. Occasionally I detect traces of chestnut and oak. Thankfully, the sweetness never becomes cloying, though, as I've found this to be the case with many higher-ABV English ales. Body is dead-pan medium in consistency, with an uppity carbonation level that brings out some of the milder characteristics of the malts and yeast esters towards the finish. Top notch English Strong Ale, here; if you ask me, Geary's is underrated.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2009 04:58:23 | More by wagenvolks