Kinkikali

Shipyard Chamberlin Pale Ale (Beer)

Beer bottles usually don’t make good history teachers, but Shipyard Brewery out of Portland Maine is an exception.  Joshua L. Chamberlin, the mug face on the bottle, is a well known hero of the Civil War. He fought against Gen. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia from 1862 to 1865–Antietam to Appomattox. He and his Maine boys are best known for their stand at Gettysburg.  Shipyard has celebrated this Civil War celebrity by putting out a pale ale with his name on it.  The beer is tasty and flavorful, just hinting of fruit.  The body is medium with a blue collar aftertaste.  Best matched with a burger or brauts–it has an appeal just on its face–yes Joshua Chamberlin.  Oh to travel back in time with a case of Chamberlin. Now that’s messing with history.

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout (Mature)

Back in the early 1980s when I was just getting used to being “of age” for drinking adult beverages, I had just discovered Guinness Stout and felt pretty worldly. My Mom came back from England (vacation) with a bottle of Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout.  I was so impressed with the classy Olde English style label.  The taste, heartier than the Guinness.  Now, nearly 30 years later, I brought s bottle recently.  The taste and flavor seemed flat.  Might have been my age and maybe Sam Smith has changed, been awhile I guess.  At a pint, the bottle has immaculate British credentials.

Holy Grail Ale

This is the first beer review.  I put this in the adult/mature category simply for the drinking age issue.  Responsibility matters here.

First a plug for Barb’s Beer Emporiumin Concord NH. They specialize in a diverse selection of beers. Sold individually or the more popular six mix pack.  So those who like variety vs. quantity, rack em’ up.

Another note, I was late in getting into drinking.  Even at college where beer and such was cheap, easy and come 1984, legal, I could not get into it.  Even having a brother a Frat Prez could not convert me.  Of course most beer was lager, soda with a hangover. I’ll pass.

Things turned differently in Costa Rica, Peace Corps country.  Beer drinking was practical, official, part of the job description and better than the water.

Since then I have enjoyed drinking for the taste, flavor, the unique character.

Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale joins that line-up. The bottle labeling is typical Python–snide, cutesy, in your face smart alacky.

This Black Sheep Brewery ale (“tempered with witches”) is fruity, slightly acid yet well balanced.  I found the ale refreshing without being heavy.  Much like the troupe, this ale has plenty to offer with the Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam.