Tim's Ginger Beer
Descendants Brewing at the Old Ship Inn

Poured through the beer engine, this darkish ruby-chestnut ale sports a short head of very fine-bubbled, off-white froth that holds well and leaves some minor lace throughout the start of the glass. The nose is intrigueing, offering the smell of fresh-peeled ginger but without all of the spiciness usually associated; and this carries over into the flavor as well. It's quite beguiling. The ginger is clear, but far from overwhelming, and it lends the most subtle spiciness possible to its already delicate caramelized maltiness. Hop flavors are kept to an absolute minimum and a low-key bitterness backs it up, leaving it to finish dry as a bone with some lingering ginger character that sticks around to mop up any sticky malt that might get left behind. It's quite authentic in its anglicity, and as such, a good deal of drinkability follows. It's medium-light in body, lower-than-usual in alcohol, and quite smooth across the palate. Its maltiness is muted (as lower gravity beers usually are), yet it still offers enough character to keep it interesting throughout a pint; and the ginger just lends it a bit of extra zip. Quite interesting! And although you may need to switch off to another one of their fine ales after a pint or two, the ghost of the ginger that once was should remain welcome in your memory for some time to afterwards. It's spiciness finishes where many pumpkin beers begin... ... Very well done for such a hard style to balance!