Yankee Brew News Archive

Yankee Brew Review: Ipswich Ale

Originally Published: Spr/93

Brewer: Ipswich Brewing Company, Ipswich Massachusetts

Appearance: Deep gold, cloudy, with a small, fast-fading head.

Aroma: Hoppy, with some malt aroma, lots of fruity esters.

Taste: Good hop/malt balance; fruity, medium-bodied, with a trace of yeastiness; hop bitterness sweeps in at the end for a clean finish.

Summary: This unfiltered ale resembles the British "real ale" style of bitter, but with a more American (i.e. higher) carbonation level. At an original gravity of 1.046, it probably falls into the British "best" or "special" bitter category, wihich typically has original gravities in the 1.040 - 1.046 range. Compared to most American beers, the typical British ordinary bitter, or "session" beer, is low in alcohol, with original gravities in the 1.034 - 1.037 range.