Chamberlain Pale Ale
Shipyard Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- English Pale Ale
Ranked #180 - ABV:
- 4.9%
- Score:
- 81
Ranked #43,341 - Avg:
- 3.56 | pDev: 13.76%
- Reviews:
- 168
- Ratings:
- From:
- Shipyard Brewing Company
- Maine, United States
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 15
- Gots
- 36
SCORE
81
Good
81
Good
Notes:
Reviews: 168
| Ratings: 350
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Reviews by jjamadorphd:
4.31/5 rDev +21.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.25
By far the best Pale Ale I've ever had. It has a great look out of the bottle - amber hue - although not much of a head or lacing. The smell was just superb - not your run-of-the-mill pale ale scent. Mouthfeel was okay, too carbonated for my taste, but speaking of the taste, it was great. Hints of fruitiness to go mix quite well with the bitterness of the ale. Overall, I consider this the best Shipyard offering I've had to date.
437 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.25
By far the best Pale Ale I've ever had. It has a great look out of the bottle - amber hue - although not much of a head or lacing. The smell was just superb - not your run-of-the-mill pale ale scent. Mouthfeel was okay, too carbonated for my taste, but speaking of the taste, it was great. Hints of fruitiness to go mix quite well with the bitterness of the ale. Overall, I consider this the best Shipyard offering I've had to date.
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More User Reviews:
3.92/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I had this out of a 12 oz brown bottle and served in an imperial pint glass. Best before date clearly notched for June 2005.
I've had this before from a 22 oz brown bottle from the brewery. This time around, I was able to get this beer in the Shipyard Captain's Collection 12 pack. Probably the best option in there.
Whiffs of butterscotch, sweet malts, heavy cream and a tad of hops in the background.
Pours a nice copper color with a great fluffy head. Chewy, buttery malt mouthfeel. Classic Shipyard butter diacetyl flavors. Slight fruity profile mixed in as well. There is also a nice hoppy presence. Very smooth and drinkable. I enjoy this beer when it's available.
679 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I had this out of a 12 oz brown bottle and served in an imperial pint glass. Best before date clearly notched for June 2005.
I've had this before from a 22 oz brown bottle from the brewery. This time around, I was able to get this beer in the Shipyard Captain's Collection 12 pack. Probably the best option in there.
Whiffs of butterscotch, sweet malts, heavy cream and a tad of hops in the background.
Pours a nice copper color with a great fluffy head. Chewy, buttery malt mouthfeel. Classic Shipyard butter diacetyl flavors. Slight fruity profile mixed in as well. There is also a nice hoppy presence. Very smooth and drinkable. I enjoy this beer when it's available.
679 characters
3.2/5 rDev -10.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
3.62/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours a light, reddish amber with gold highlights and no head. Aromas are predominantly hoppy, with lemony metals showing, and some biscuity malts backing things up. On the palate, bitterness is substantial first-off, with lots of metallic flavors from the hops coming through at the mid-palate. The bitterness of the hops is expertly balanced by the malt, though, in spite of the fact that the malt doesn't contribute much aside from a clover honey in tea kind of sweetness. Mouthfeel is a bit overcarbonated, but otherwise typical. Overall, this is a decent, drinkable amber ale. Nothing special, but certainly something that I could order a few times.
654 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours a light, reddish amber with gold highlights and no head. Aromas are predominantly hoppy, with lemony metals showing, and some biscuity malts backing things up. On the palate, bitterness is substantial first-off, with lots of metallic flavors from the hops coming through at the mid-palate. The bitterness of the hops is expertly balanced by the malt, though, in spite of the fact that the malt doesn't contribute much aside from a clover honey in tea kind of sweetness. Mouthfeel is a bit overcarbonated, but otherwise typical. Overall, this is a decent, drinkable amber ale. Nothing special, but certainly something that I could order a few times.
654 characters
3.4/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Light, clear brown body with a small, fizzy ivory-colored head.
Smell: Ringwood aroma with light, buttery notes. Faint caramel. Herbal hop character.
Taste: Light caramel maltiness with a hint of butter. The hops impart flavors of citrus and herbs. Mild, lingering bitterness emphasized by the prickly carbonation on the finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Moderate carbonation.
Drinkability: Union General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was a badass. This beer, not so much.
486 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Light, clear brown body with a small, fizzy ivory-colored head.
Smell: Ringwood aroma with light, buttery notes. Faint caramel. Herbal hop character.
Taste: Light caramel maltiness with a hint of butter. The hops impart flavors of citrus and herbs. Mild, lingering bitterness emphasized by the prickly carbonation on the finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Moderate carbonation.
Drinkability: Union General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was a badass. This beer, not so much.
486 characters
3.88/5 rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On drat at The Inn on Peaks Island, Portland, Maine.
Poured a medium copper hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and good lacing.
The smell featured a flowery hop with a moderate grainy malt.
The taste was malt driven with highlights of grassy hops.
The mouthfeel was toward the fuller side of the style.
Overall a good APA.
357 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On drat at The Inn on Peaks Island, Portland, Maine.
Poured a medium copper hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and good lacing.
The smell featured a flowery hop with a moderate grainy malt.
The taste was malt driven with highlights of grassy hops.
The mouthfeel was toward the fuller side of the style.
Overall a good APA.
357 characters
3.9/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Picked this up at a counry store in Vermont -- I had never heard of it (but of course was familar with Shipyard), so I was curious as to what I might encounter. Here's the story:
Excellent head and lacing -- very light and pleasing; long lasting. Nice pale color. Moderate carbonation. Nice whif of maltiness with a little bit of hop spiciness. What sold this brew, however, is the taste. Very nice and sweet malt signature with appropriate accompanying hops. A warning, however: if you are a "hophead" and are looking for a very hoppy pale ale, this beer might not be for you. That said, this is a very drinkable beer -- definitely could be a session beer. Almost feels like a "throwback" beer, a la Brooklyn's "Pennant Ale." A very nice and refreshing beer.
762 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Picked this up at a counry store in Vermont -- I had never heard of it (but of course was familar with Shipyard), so I was curious as to what I might encounter. Here's the story:
Excellent head and lacing -- very light and pleasing; long lasting. Nice pale color. Moderate carbonation. Nice whif of maltiness with a little bit of hop spiciness. What sold this brew, however, is the taste. Very nice and sweet malt signature with appropriate accompanying hops. A warning, however: if you are a "hophead" and are looking for a very hoppy pale ale, this beer might not be for you. That said, this is a very drinkable beer -- definitely could be a session beer. Almost feels like a "throwback" beer, a la Brooklyn's "Pennant Ale." A very nice and refreshing beer.
762 characters
3.28/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Best before date of Sept 08; oops. Pours from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Emerges light tan/ sweet tea in color with a one finger sized head. Some lacing and a bit of chill haze.
Aroma wasnt very hoppy at all. It really smelled almost like a brown ale. Slightly sweet and biscuity grainy as well. Not even a touch of hops in this one. Perhaps the age has really done this one in.
Nice flavor, but not APA flavor. More in the amber ale range. More of the biscuit (this beer has a lot of biscuit it seems) and graininess. Again, not much hops. I guess the hop bitterness adds some balance because this one is only slightly sweet.
Thin on the tongue and crisp. Not bad I guess. Grainy and biscuity and not at all like an APA. Easy drinker. I will pass in the future.
773 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Best before date of Sept 08; oops. Pours from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Emerges light tan/ sweet tea in color with a one finger sized head. Some lacing and a bit of chill haze.
Aroma wasnt very hoppy at all. It really smelled almost like a brown ale. Slightly sweet and biscuity grainy as well. Not even a touch of hops in this one. Perhaps the age has really done this one in.
Nice flavor, but not APA flavor. More in the amber ale range. More of the biscuit (this beer has a lot of biscuit it seems) and graininess. Again, not much hops. I guess the hop bitterness adds some balance because this one is only slightly sweet.
Thin on the tongue and crisp. Not bad I guess. Grainy and biscuity and not at all like an APA. Easy drinker. I will pass in the future.
773 characters
3.4/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Presentation: 12oz bottle (Best By of 1/08) in a classic conical pint
Poured with a gurgle and smooth. Sweet citrus on the nose, nicely hopped, a little sharp, soft pine, subtle grapefruit, hard rock candy. As it warms the hops fade and slightly caramelized malts take the point. Head was a finger's worth of mixed blanched almond foam that faded quickly to a sheen that covered the top. A brassy, warm, crystal clear copper tea best describes the body (what is it with Shipyard and orangish beer?) with a steady parade of slow bubbles sliding up thru it.
Very light on the tongue, a little creamy, mildly hopped and mildly bitter, malts are in the background and slightly earthy. Its a little too light up front for me. There are some things going on, but everything is subdued...too subdued. Someone needs to stand up & take charge. If a roomful of followers with no leaders had a "taste", this is it.
Finally, someone steps up on the palate as the hop bitters take charge over a semi-dry floor of flattened, stony malts. There is a slight orange rind quality as it fades away, finishing with bitters, a little leather, unfortunately a filmy, slightly chalky & slate like coating that leaves a chewiness that is not very pleasing.
This was very easy to drink, but its quite ironic that a beer named after the Union officer who held the flank at Gettysburg (or everyone would be saying "Y'all" now) is a beer without real direction. There is stuff going on, but no real plan/course of taste action. It tastes confused, again a bitter (pun intended) irony given the namesake. I do think it would benefit greatly with some simple pub fair, and it probably would be very good with such. But alone I think, unless offered one, pass on getting more for myself.
1,768 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Presentation: 12oz bottle (Best By of 1/08) in a classic conical pint
Poured with a gurgle and smooth. Sweet citrus on the nose, nicely hopped, a little sharp, soft pine, subtle grapefruit, hard rock candy. As it warms the hops fade and slightly caramelized malts take the point. Head was a finger's worth of mixed blanched almond foam that faded quickly to a sheen that covered the top. A brassy, warm, crystal clear copper tea best describes the body (what is it with Shipyard and orangish beer?) with a steady parade of slow bubbles sliding up thru it.
Very light on the tongue, a little creamy, mildly hopped and mildly bitter, malts are in the background and slightly earthy. Its a little too light up front for me. There are some things going on, but everything is subdued...too subdued. Someone needs to stand up & take charge. If a roomful of followers with no leaders had a "taste", this is it.
Finally, someone steps up on the palate as the hop bitters take charge over a semi-dry floor of flattened, stony malts. There is a slight orange rind quality as it fades away, finishing with bitters, a little leather, unfortunately a filmy, slightly chalky & slate like coating that leaves a chewiness that is not very pleasing.
This was very easy to drink, but its quite ironic that a beer named after the Union officer who held the flank at Gettysburg (or everyone would be saying "Y'all" now) is a beer without real direction. There is stuff going on, but no real plan/course of taste action. It tastes confused, again a bitter (pun intended) irony given the namesake. I do think it would benefit greatly with some simple pub fair, and it probably would be very good with such. But alone I think, unless offered one, pass on getting more for myself.
1,768 characters
3.88/5 rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Shipyard is a company with which I go back and forth. I love some of their offerings, but others are just plain "blah" (Pumpkinhead, anyone?). This one is a great ale though. Bought today at MB in Hudson, NH.
A- Bronze, very good amber hues, head receded quickly.
S- Fruity at first smell, then the malts kick in. No discernible hop notes.
T- Malty, crisp pear and apple notes, with darker bread notes (think a dark wheat bread) and a slightly bitter finish. Hops again are not noticeable until the aftertaste.
M-Clean and crisp, a bit too dry for my liking though.
O- Good stuff! If you are a fan of crisp pale ales this is a great beer. Very refreshing after a warm day full of household activities!
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Shipyard is a company with which I go back and forth. I love some of their offerings, but others are just plain "blah" (Pumpkinhead, anyone?). This one is a great ale though. Bought today at MB in Hudson, NH.
A- Bronze, very good amber hues, head receded quickly.
S- Fruity at first smell, then the malts kick in. No discernible hop notes.
T- Malty, crisp pear and apple notes, with darker bread notes (think a dark wheat bread) and a slightly bitter finish. Hops again are not noticeable until the aftertaste.
M-Clean and crisp, a bit too dry for my liking though.
O- Good stuff! If you are a fan of crisp pale ales this is a great beer. Very refreshing after a warm day full of household activities!
706 characters
3.88/5 rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a cloudy golden orange with a thin white head. Some retention,and decnt laceing. Aroma is buttery, with fruity hop notes as well. Body is medium with some carbonation. Taste is bready up front, fruity as well. Piney hops in the finish. I like it a lot!
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a cloudy golden orange with a thin white head. Some retention,and decnt laceing. Aroma is buttery, with fruity hop notes as well. Body is medium with some carbonation. Taste is bready up front, fruity as well. Piney hops in the finish. I like it a lot!
258 characters
3.8/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
2.78/5 rDev -21.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This was listed on the menu at the restaurant as an IPA. I had my doubts as this place doesn't know beer all that well. Anywho...
Nice light copper/golden pour. Clean and clear with a 1 finger white foam perched on top.
The malty aroma told me this wasn't an IPA (and the label told me). Sweet caramel and a tinge of butteriness. I hope this isn't tainted. From what I've read in the reviews, though, is that the butteriness doesn't go away. Still, the hops are present and slightly fruity. A bit more earthy to me.
Yup, the butter is there. Yuck. I hate that stuff. For an APA I just can't justify it. It's caramel sweetness is tainted by it. The hops just don't live that long. Perhaps I'm overly sensitive to diacetyl, if that's what this is. blah. It's not all that powerful, which allowed me to finish the beer, but it takes a severe hit to taste rating.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This was listed on the menu at the restaurant as an IPA. I had my doubts as this place doesn't know beer all that well. Anywho...
Nice light copper/golden pour. Clean and clear with a 1 finger white foam perched on top.
The malty aroma told me this wasn't an IPA (and the label told me). Sweet caramel and a tinge of butteriness. I hope this isn't tainted. From what I've read in the reviews, though, is that the butteriness doesn't go away. Still, the hops are present and slightly fruity. A bit more earthy to me.
Yup, the butter is there. Yuck. I hate that stuff. For an APA I just can't justify it. It's caramel sweetness is tainted by it. The hops just don't live that long. Perhaps I'm overly sensitive to diacetyl, if that's what this is. blah. It's not all that powerful, which allowed me to finish the beer, but it takes a severe hit to taste rating.
863 characters
3.44/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
4.1/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a auburn copper color w/ a nice fluffy white head that lasts. Smells of caramel and maybe some honey with some hop. Tastes slightly sweet with a nice bitter kick to it. The flavor holds on to your tongue and has a slight carbonated hint to it as it goes down. Excellent beer, Shipyard has got to be getting big with the beers they are producing, they are no slouch to the beer scene. 2 thumbs up!
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a auburn copper color w/ a nice fluffy white head that lasts. Smells of caramel and maybe some honey with some hop. Tastes slightly sweet with a nice bitter kick to it. The flavor holds on to your tongue and has a slight carbonated hint to it as it goes down. Excellent beer, Shipyard has got to be getting big with the beers they are producing, they are no slouch to the beer scene. 2 thumbs up!
402 characters
3.75/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.83/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
From the 22 oz bomber into a pint glass, a very attractive, near-transparent amber-golden tint with numerous tiny bubbles coruscating. Smallish head that fades quickly toa solid thin cap fueled by constant carbonation. No lacing. Nose is very bready/yeasty and slightly sour. Taste is mild, with a sweet ale-like character, sweet floral taste like perhaps white grape juice. Flavor character overall is light and moderately fruity, almost like a semi-sweet fruit juice. Quite complex and mellow for a pale ale. Semi-viscous, mild, smooth mouth with light carbonation. Drinkability is very good, pretty mellow and smooth.
Overall: A good mellow pale ale, well balanced. Recommended.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
From the 22 oz bomber into a pint glass, a very attractive, near-transparent amber-golden tint with numerous tiny bubbles coruscating. Smallish head that fades quickly toa solid thin cap fueled by constant carbonation. No lacing. Nose is very bready/yeasty and slightly sour. Taste is mild, with a sweet ale-like character, sweet floral taste like perhaps white grape juice. Flavor character overall is light and moderately fruity, almost like a semi-sweet fruit juice. Quite complex and mellow for a pale ale. Semi-viscous, mild, smooth mouth with light carbonation. Drinkability is very good, pretty mellow and smooth.
Overall: A good mellow pale ale, well balanced. Recommended.
689 characters
3.25/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Chamberlain Pale Ale from Shipyard Brewing Company
Beer rating:
81 out of
100 with
350 ratings
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