Union Jack
The Tap Brewing Company

Raised my flag with this one on 6/21/2006. 16-oz. pour in a shaker glass at Redbones.

Initial 1/2-inch bed dies to full coat with some mxed bubble types; medium stick going down. Deep amber, really a medium/light brown hue with fair clarity and a bit of action. Touches of oak char, some medium bitterness, and molasses all mix on the nose. Kind of jumpy on the mouth at first, but fades to a nice even keel as it warms with some toffee notes, light plum, faint hop, and a good malt bill. Medium body.

Session, session, session.

Had from the Brewpub in Haverhill - was presented to me in a basic pint glass, the beer was a dark copper color with one-finger of pure white head and little other sign of carbonation. A nice sheet of lace throughout the sample. Color was a little darker than expected.

The smell is malt with slight hints of chocolate and caramel. A hint of sweetness in the nose and some brown sugar.

The taste is lightly toasted malt with hints of milk chocolate some coffee, caramel, and toffee flavors as well. Slightly bready in the finish with a smattering of hop flavors to balance.

Medium body and low carbonation.

Session beer defined. So easy to drink, very well balanced, and very tastey.

Here is the Tap's entry into the English Mild Ale category. My glass was an orange-amber color with a slight haze. Very low head with a corresponding light lace.

The aroma is muted like a typical mild ale. Mostly dry malt smells...a touch of hop.

The first impression on the taste is how thin the beer is. The hop level is far greater than the aroma would indicate. The carbonation is on the high side. The aftertaste is fleeting. Overall, the beer is tasty but not special in the sense of having something unique.