Worthington's White Shield | Museum Brewing Company / White Shield Brewery
Brewed by:
Museum Brewing Company / White Shield Brewery
United Kingdom (England)
Style: English India Pale Ale (IPA)
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.60%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by TheLongBeachBum on 01-26-2004
Reviews: 111 | Ratings: 251
3.6/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.
Look - typical color of an ipa, soft amber color with about two fingers' worth of off-white colored foam that dissipates very slowly.
Smell - aroma is more typical of an English IPA. The hops are more subdued and the malts seem to have a little more presence. Smells more like a pale ale in general.
Taste - the taste does have some bitterness and hop presence, but is like the aroma in that it is not quite as "in-your-face" as the American version. Stronger, darker malts are noticeable, and with just a touch of bitterness toward the end of the taste.
Mouthfeel - the feel is moderate, but leans a little more on the creamier side. It almost feels like a light porter.
Overall - interesting brew. Nothing wild or crazy about it, but still a good beer and good representation of a style.
★ 834 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.
Look - typical color of an ipa, soft amber color with about two fingers' worth of off-white colored foam that dissipates very slowly.
Smell - aroma is more typical of an English IPA. The hops are more subdued and the malts seem to have a little more presence. Smells more like a pale ale in general.
Taste - the taste does have some bitterness and hop presence, but is like the aroma in that it is not quite as "in-your-face" as the American version. Stronger, darker malts are noticeable, and with just a touch of bitterness toward the end of the taste.
Mouthfeel - the feel is moderate, but leans a little more on the creamier side. It almost feels like a light porter.
Overall - interesting brew. Nothing wild or crazy about it, but still a good beer and good representation of a style.
★ 834 characters
3.37/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Color- cloudy honey. Full head.
Aroma- malty, fresh bread, and gentle hops.
Taste- Not an IPA for a hophead. This is a very malty English brew. This is a gentle giant! Starts malt forward with rich bread and butter notes fading into a mild hoppy finish with a slight lingering dryness. We estimate about 40 IBUs, and at least one homebrewing site claims 41 IBUs.
Poured from 500 ml bottle into a Liefmans Goudenband glass (my preferred all purpose beer tasting glass). Purchased locally in Austin, Texas.
★ 509 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Color- cloudy honey. Full head.
Aroma- malty, fresh bread, and gentle hops.
Taste- Not an IPA for a hophead. This is a very malty English brew. This is a gentle giant! Starts malt forward with rich bread and butter notes fading into a mild hoppy finish with a slight lingering dryness. We estimate about 40 IBUs, and at least one homebrewing site claims 41 IBUs.
Poured from 500 ml bottle into a Liefmans Goudenband glass (my preferred all purpose beer tasting glass). Purchased locally in Austin, Texas.
★ 509 characters
3.73/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Bottle: a solid dark brown 500mL bottle with a quality old-school label.
Appearance: pours a very strong golden-copper colour with a beige head that bursts to three fingers, and settles to a creamy one-finger with great staying power. Limited lacing.
Aroma: some caramel notes with some floral hops. Not as intense as I was expecting from an IPA, but most I have had recently were AIPAs, so that makes sense.
Taste: a decent amount of caramel again with some hops over the top. Fruit esters also. Not mind-blowing, but full-flavoured and plenty tasty.
Aftertaste: a touch of hop bitterness comes through at the finish. Quite dry also. Nice.
Mouth feel: moderate to heavy in body with enough carbonation to carry the flavour through nicely.
Overall: a very drinkable English IPA. Mostly dominated by caramel with some floral hops. The only problem with this being so easy to put down is that one 500mL bottle is AU$9 (2014). Ouch.
★ 937 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Bottle: a solid dark brown 500mL bottle with a quality old-school label.
Appearance: pours a very strong golden-copper colour with a beige head that bursts to three fingers, and settles to a creamy one-finger with great staying power. Limited lacing.
Aroma: some caramel notes with some floral hops. Not as intense as I was expecting from an IPA, but most I have had recently were AIPAs, so that makes sense.
Taste: a decent amount of caramel again with some hops over the top. Fruit esters also. Not mind-blowing, but full-flavoured and plenty tasty.
Aftertaste: a touch of hop bitterness comes through at the finish. Quite dry also. Nice.
Mouth feel: moderate to heavy in body with enough carbonation to carry the flavour through nicely.
Overall: a very drinkable English IPA. Mostly dominated by caramel with some floral hops. The only problem with this being so easy to put down is that one 500mL bottle is AU$9 (2014). Ouch.
★ 937 characters
4.1/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
16.9 oz. bottle poured into mug
(7 Mar 14 best-by printed on bottle)
L: HUGE head, just explodes out of the bottle like a good Belgian ... so much carbonation; the orange brew is 50/50 cloudy or thereabouts -- not 100% opaque but it's not clear, neither; color is on blonde/pale end, orange-amber up to light, dull gold otherwise; the head is slight off-white, amost tan, and super thick; sticks like crazy and is lacing nicely on the way down.
S: fruity, light, sweet; as it warms, grain takes over ... is this backwards? always light, sweet and refreshing, floral; muted grain note is backed by sweet malt
T: fruity and light, similar to nose, a no-doubt English pale ale taste with the nice light malt sweetness interrupted by spicy English hop bitterness
F: solid all the way around, a bit light in weight but full with good carbonation despite the massive head
O: love it. i'm partial to the English style, and this is possibly the best English IPA I've run into so far, namely because it isn't watered down -- often a hallmark of the imported English pale ale family. it stands up to any of my English ale favorites with enough body and taste to please any beer drinker.
★ 1,181 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
16.9 oz. bottle poured into mug
(7 Mar 14 best-by printed on bottle)
L: HUGE head, just explodes out of the bottle like a good Belgian ... so much carbonation; the orange brew is 50/50 cloudy or thereabouts -- not 100% opaque but it's not clear, neither; color is on blonde/pale end, orange-amber up to light, dull gold otherwise; the head is slight off-white, amost tan, and super thick; sticks like crazy and is lacing nicely on the way down.
S: fruity, light, sweet; as it warms, grain takes over ... is this backwards? always light, sweet and refreshing, floral; muted grain note is backed by sweet malt
T: fruity and light, similar to nose, a no-doubt English pale ale taste with the nice light malt sweetness interrupted by spicy English hop bitterness
F: solid all the way around, a bit light in weight but full with good carbonation despite the massive head
O: love it. i'm partial to the English style, and this is possibly the best English IPA I've run into so far, namely because it isn't watered down -- often a hallmark of the imported English pale ale family. it stands up to any of my English ale favorites with enough body and taste to please any beer drinker.
★ 1,181 characters
3.75/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
500 ml bottle. Pours orange with huge, long lasting white head, nice lacing and lively carbonation. Aroma is of funky yeast, piney hops and ripe fruit. Earthy hops dominate the palate while caramel, bready malt and ripe fruit provide some balance. Finish is long and earthy. Very nice brew.
★ 290 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
500 ml bottle. Pours orange with huge, long lasting white head, nice lacing and lively carbonation. Aroma is of funky yeast, piney hops and ripe fruit. Earthy hops dominate the palate while caramel, bready malt and ripe fruit provide some balance. Finish is long and earthy. Very nice brew.
★ 290 characters
3.63/5 rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
First review and First time tasting a beer from Worthingtons brewery. Definitely very different from my normal American craft IPA, as most UK beers are. However...
Appearance - did not have a glass...unfortunately.
Smell - toasted barley, rich, grape
Taste - malty, rich, medium dark
Mouth feel - excellent, full, semi-dry, smooth
Overall thoughts - very interesting, rich, new to the UK style IPA I will definitely have to give it another try(next time prepared with a glass). This beer gave a good first impression making me want to try other creations by Worthingtons. I recommend giving it a try to anyone.
★ 610 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
First review and First time tasting a beer from Worthingtons brewery. Definitely very different from my normal American craft IPA, as most UK beers are. However...
Appearance - did not have a glass...unfortunately.
Smell - toasted barley, rich, grape
Taste - malty, rich, medium dark
Mouth feel - excellent, full, semi-dry, smooth
Overall thoughts - very interesting, rich, new to the UK style IPA I will definitely have to give it another try(next time prepared with a glass). This beer gave a good first impression making me want to try other creations by Worthingtons. I recommend giving it a try to anyone.
★ 610 characters
4.93/5 rDev +30.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Worthington’s White Shield has an extremely thick, off-white head with a frothiness that is more pronounced than pretty much any other beer in existence, a hazy, golden appearance, and very heavy lacing left behind on the glass. The aroma is of a most rich, sweet, fruity, bready, mildly citrusy, caramel, toffee, and roasted malt. Taste is of creamy, sweet, sugary, wedding cake, light fruit, white bread, bread crust, nougat, light vanilla, barley malt, and pleasant, perfectly-placed hop bitterness. Mouthfeel is light to medium and somewhat slick, and Worhtington’s White Shield finishes semi-dry, refreshing, eminently drinkable, and near perfect. This is a tour-DE-force from Molson-Coors, and one of this world’s truly great beers. The worst that one can say about this beer is that it is outstanding in almost every way! This is an absolute must!
RJT
★ 865 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Worthington’s White Shield has an extremely thick, off-white head with a frothiness that is more pronounced than pretty much any other beer in existence, a hazy, golden appearance, and very heavy lacing left behind on the glass. The aroma is of a most rich, sweet, fruity, bready, mildly citrusy, caramel, toffee, and roasted malt. Taste is of creamy, sweet, sugary, wedding cake, light fruit, white bread, bread crust, nougat, light vanilla, barley malt, and pleasant, perfectly-placed hop bitterness. Mouthfeel is light to medium and somewhat slick, and Worhtington’s White Shield finishes semi-dry, refreshing, eminently drinkable, and near perfect. This is a tour-DE-force from Molson-Coors, and one of this world’s truly great beers. The worst that one can say about this beer is that it is outstanding in almost every way! This is an absolute must!
RJT
★ 865 characters
4.14/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Best before 06 Mar 14 on the bottle. 16.9oz bottle from Whole Foods
Very hard to poor without too much head. Frothy white head that is very sticky. Lingering and beautiful lacing. Golden yellow but plenty of light copper hues.
Nose is spicy and bready.
Very noticeable carbonation. More bread and biscuit in the nose. I love the malt character. Plenty of depth and it would seem like it could just be a floor-malted single source pale malt. Delicious. Earthy spice from what I would imagine is just East Kent Goldings. Lovely.
The mouthfeel is outstanding here and just adds to the complexity. Such and easy sipper here but you could throw back pint after pint of this.
★ 673 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Best before 06 Mar 14 on the bottle. 16.9oz bottle from Whole Foods
Very hard to poor without too much head. Frothy white head that is very sticky. Lingering and beautiful lacing. Golden yellow but plenty of light copper hues.
Nose is spicy and bready.
Very noticeable carbonation. More bread and biscuit in the nose. I love the malt character. Plenty of depth and it would seem like it could just be a floor-malted single source pale malt. Delicious. Earthy spice from what I would imagine is just East Kent Goldings. Lovely.
The mouthfeel is outstanding here and just adds to the complexity. Such and easy sipper here but you could throw back pint after pint of this.
★ 673 characters
3.95/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 4
Poured out of a 1.9 pint bottle into a straight lined ipa glass. Served cool.
Appearance is a nice thick off white head and a somewhat cloudy goldenrod with reddish hues.
Smell is chalky, jam, and some grains and fresh earth
Malt is very pronounced here. Hop bitterness really bites you at the end. Somewhat aspirin like tannin quality at the end.
Way too carbonated
Nice true ipa. What you woul expect. But too much carbonation
★ 439 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 4
Poured out of a 1.9 pint bottle into a straight lined ipa glass. Served cool.
Appearance is a nice thick off white head and a somewhat cloudy goldenrod with reddish hues.
Smell is chalky, jam, and some grains and fresh earth
Malt is very pronounced here. Hop bitterness really bites you at the end. Somewhat aspirin like tannin quality at the end.
Way too carbonated
Nice true ipa. What you woul expect. But too much carbonation
★ 439 characters
2.71/5 rDev -28.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
564ml bottle (1 imperial pint) I think. ap: rapidly subsiding head, light amber/deep gold, clear. Little smell. Taste: some crystal malt, medium bitterness and sweetness. mo: medium body, oily. Overall: There are many more flavoursome IPA's than this.
★ 251 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
564ml bottle (1 imperial pint) I think. ap: rapidly subsiding head, light amber/deep gold, clear. Little smell. Taste: some crystal malt, medium bitterness and sweetness. mo: medium body, oily. Overall: There are many more flavoursome IPA's than this.
★ 251 characters
3.71/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
500ml bottle. Pours a nice copper amber hue with a nice long lasting off white fluffy head..Good head retention and lacing. Aroma of citrus, grass, some biscuit malt, sweet fruity, notes, grains and some yeast. Taste is sweet biscuit malt, grass and grains with some citrus flavor and mild bitterness. Palate is a medium body, smooth, mild carbonation with sweet mild bitterness. Finishes with sweet biscuit malt, grass and grains, citrus fruity notes, yeast with a mild bitter ending for balance. Has a nice full flavor for an EIPA. Overall makes a good session brew, good balance and flavor.
★ 593 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
500ml bottle. Pours a nice copper amber hue with a nice long lasting off white fluffy head..Good head retention and lacing. Aroma of citrus, grass, some biscuit malt, sweet fruity, notes, grains and some yeast. Taste is sweet biscuit malt, grass and grains with some citrus flavor and mild bitterness. Palate is a medium body, smooth, mild carbonation with sweet mild bitterness. Finishes with sweet biscuit malt, grass and grains, citrus fruity notes, yeast with a mild bitter ending for balance. Has a nice full flavor for an EIPA. Overall makes a good session brew, good balance and flavor.
★ 593 characters
4.12/5 rDev +9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer poured a light copper color into a tulip with a 4F head.
A beautiful classic-looking beer.
The aroma was malty, and floral. Perhaps a hint of fruit.
The mouth feel was slightly carbonated.
The taste was malty, doughy, bready: classic English IPA. Very easy drinking,
well-balanced in character. From color to finish, the beer showed balance .
This is a excellent classic. Suggested serving temp: 45-50F. At 50F there is slight fruit in the taste;
the pungent briskness fades in favor of a mild, fruitier taste.
★ 523 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer poured a light copper color into a tulip with a 4F head.
A beautiful classic-looking beer.
The aroma was malty, and floral. Perhaps a hint of fruit.
The mouth feel was slightly carbonated.
The taste was malty, doughy, bready: classic English IPA. Very easy drinking,
well-balanced in character. From color to finish, the beer showed balance .
This is a excellent classic. Suggested serving temp: 45-50F. At 50F there is slight fruit in the taste;
the pungent briskness fades in favor of a mild, fruitier taste.
★ 523 characters
4/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this at the National Brewery Centre in historic Burton-on-Trent on cask.
Appearance: light amber with golden hues, creamy white head, good clarity
Aroma: earthy and a hint of floral hops, phenolic bandaid/plastic whiffs
Taste: nice earthy, floral English ale taste, firm bitter finish, borders between bready and biscuity malt character, long finish
Mouthfeel: medium-full body, smooth creamy texture
Overall Impression: Definitely the ale to drink in Burton. A nice depth of malt flavor that tiptoes between bready and biscuity with firm hop bitterness that lasts into the finish. A fine ale to enjoy on a sunny afternoon or a rainy, cold night.
★ 656 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this at the National Brewery Centre in historic Burton-on-Trent on cask.
Appearance: light amber with golden hues, creamy white head, good clarity
Aroma: earthy and a hint of floral hops, phenolic bandaid/plastic whiffs
Taste: nice earthy, floral English ale taste, firm bitter finish, borders between bready and biscuity malt character, long finish
Mouthfeel: medium-full body, smooth creamy texture
Overall Impression: Definitely the ale to drink in Burton. A nice depth of malt flavor that tiptoes between bready and biscuity with firm hop bitterness that lasts into the finish. A fine ale to enjoy on a sunny afternoon or a rainy, cold night.
★ 656 characters
4.05/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
500ml bottle into a tulip glass. Best by March 6th, 2014
Pours a darker copper color with a 2 inch thick lingering white head. Malty, bready, bitter aroma. Not like an american IPA. Smooth taste. Slightly bitter, nothing like west coast hop bombs. Balanced. Though a bit more bitter than other english IPAs ive had in the past (good thing.) Malts are distinct and bready, with a slight caramel and toffee aftertaste. Drinkability is this beers friend. Incredibly easy to drink because of the balance and flavor. Goes down so fast. Medium bodied with medium carbonation.
Overall a very good representation of the class British IPA with an insanely high level of drinkability. These are on sale for $1.99 / 500ml bottle and i think i might pick up an entire case. I prefer the american style, but this is one is quite good.
★ 824 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
500ml bottle into a tulip glass. Best by March 6th, 2014
Pours a darker copper color with a 2 inch thick lingering white head. Malty, bready, bitter aroma. Not like an american IPA. Smooth taste. Slightly bitter, nothing like west coast hop bombs. Balanced. Though a bit more bitter than other english IPAs ive had in the past (good thing.) Malts are distinct and bready, with a slight caramel and toffee aftertaste. Drinkability is this beers friend. Incredibly easy to drink because of the balance and flavor. Goes down so fast. Medium bodied with medium carbonation.
Overall a very good representation of the class British IPA with an insanely high level of drinkability. These are on sale for $1.99 / 500ml bottle and i think i might pick up an entire case. I prefer the american style, but this is one is quite good.
★ 824 characters
4.56/5 rDev +20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured into a glass mug. The beer pours deep, hazy copper with a thick, creamy off-white head that retreats very slowly and retains well throughout consumption. There are lots of visible tiny bubbles rising in this beer. Some lacing is left behind on the glass during consumption. There are aromas of brown bread and toffee. I also detect some floral and citrus notes along with the English yeast. The first sip brings that brown bread and toffee, but the toffee notes aren't too sweet. I get the citrus and some nice back end hop bitterness that isn't too bitter and the English yeast comes through pretty well. It has that unmistakable Burton ale flavor with a good mineral quality. The long lasting head actually adds a bit of creaminess that I'm just not used to when I take a sip of this beer. The flavors are wonderfully well-balanced. The mouthfeel is medium with moderate carbonation. The finish is dry and smooth. This is a highly drinkable beer. This is an excellent beer that I would recommend.
★ 1,005 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured into a glass mug. The beer pours deep, hazy copper with a thick, creamy off-white head that retreats very slowly and retains well throughout consumption. There are lots of visible tiny bubbles rising in this beer. Some lacing is left behind on the glass during consumption. There are aromas of brown bread and toffee. I also detect some floral and citrus notes along with the English yeast. The first sip brings that brown bread and toffee, but the toffee notes aren't too sweet. I get the citrus and some nice back end hop bitterness that isn't too bitter and the English yeast comes through pretty well. It has that unmistakable Burton ale flavor with a good mineral quality. The long lasting head actually adds a bit of creaminess that I'm just not used to when I take a sip of this beer. The flavors are wonderfully well-balanced. The mouthfeel is medium with moderate carbonation. The finish is dry and smooth. This is a highly drinkable beer. This is an excellent beer that I would recommend.
★ 1,005 characters
3.21/5 rDev -15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
I hope I feel like sacking jerusalem after having this...
eyes...
golden brown with a furious torrent of bubble action, the head is massive to start, cuts itself in half in a minute but then maintains, a beautiful cascade of perfectly cloned microbubbles on the sides with a mushroom of marshmellow in the middle floating like some sort of quasi-island, clear on this pour throughout in terms of clarity, pretty nice lookin' lot
nose...
musty green hops, some tangy yeast, slight bits of lemon, an almost sea breeze quality to it, pretty straight forward and such
taste etc...
musty dry brit hops, almost has a dusty stale taste (but not unpleasant), when taking a nice swig with the fresh head this is much more appealing, it gives it more mouthfeel that way, the hops are not very bitter, the malts are the right sweetness... but nothing really is satisfying me here to any great length. this is not crap or anything, it is just pretty standard fare, the carbonation is very good though, it seems to really fit the bill for a nice pint at the bar.
verdict?
no wonder the french killed the order... this beer is OK, nothing special, nothing bad, I wouldn't turn it down on tap but I certainly will not be launching 3 journeys into enemy lands for it...
★ 1,257 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
I hope I feel like sacking jerusalem after having this...
eyes...
golden brown with a furious torrent of bubble action, the head is massive to start, cuts itself in half in a minute but then maintains, a beautiful cascade of perfectly cloned microbubbles on the sides with a mushroom of marshmellow in the middle floating like some sort of quasi-island, clear on this pour throughout in terms of clarity, pretty nice lookin' lot
nose...
musty green hops, some tangy yeast, slight bits of lemon, an almost sea breeze quality to it, pretty straight forward and such
taste etc...
musty dry brit hops, almost has a dusty stale taste (but not unpleasant), when taking a nice swig with the fresh head this is much more appealing, it gives it more mouthfeel that way, the hops are not very bitter, the malts are the right sweetness... but nothing really is satisfying me here to any great length. this is not crap or anything, it is just pretty standard fare, the carbonation is very good though, it seems to really fit the bill for a nice pint at the bar.
verdict?
no wonder the french killed the order... this beer is OK, nothing special, nothing bad, I wouldn't turn it down on tap but I certainly will not be launching 3 journeys into enemy lands for it...
★ 1,257 characters
4.36/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: clear, light copper color, poured with a rocky, creamy, big head, tan-off-white colored head
S: mild nose, light biscuity malt with good earthy hop finish
T: a classic British IPA, well-rounded, full-bodied, and well-balanced with surprisingly bitter hop finish for a British IPA
M: well-balanced and refreshing
★ 314 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: clear, light copper color, poured with a rocky, creamy, big head, tan-off-white colored head
S: mild nose, light biscuity malt with good earthy hop finish
T: a classic British IPA, well-rounded, full-bodied, and well-balanced with surprisingly bitter hop finish for a British IPA
M: well-balanced and refreshing
★ 314 characters
4.15/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
As always, I review (mostly) to style (ala BJCP), modified (a bit, not too much) by personal taste (contra BJCP), or else certain beers, which are excellent exemplars of styles I do not prefer (like this IPA), would receive consistently lower marks than beers which are poor exemplars of my favourite styles.
As always, I review live, and not from notes.
This is a re-review of Worthington's White Shield from a new bottle. My current impressions are largely consistent with my first - an excellent, stand-out IPA, one of the best of its style.
Presentation: 22 fl oz bomber, $3.99 certified "real ale" by CAMRA. Poured in to a Stone Brewing pint glass at 40ºF and warming as I write. Brewed by Coors.
A: Crystal-clear amber colour. "Amber" was invented to describe the shade of this beer. Lively carbonation, three-finger head, excellent retention and lacing.
S: Excellent for a "Coors" beer. Subdued tropical and citrus fruits, with a little bit of funkiness/wet rag reminiscent of a Belgian - still a defect for the style, maybe due to the long Atlantic voyage.
T: This is my kind of IPA. Some citrus fruits, a strong, toasty breadiness, a strong malt backbone tempered by some good, but very well-balanced, hopping, with a long, dry, astringent finish. Notes of cereal, pine needles, juniper berries, and an odd kind of hops, which I take to be an English variety I am unaccustomed to. This is how an IPA should be. If you like IPA, but find the American styles too reminiscent of marijuana in the flavour, and of bitter-ass denatured alcohol in the hop bite, this is the beer for you. Far more taste than the low ABV (5.6%) foretells.
M: Light and spritzy, full and bitter, smooth and mellow. Higher carbonation than American IPAs, and, frankly, better.
D: High.
O: Try this beer. The quintessential "session beer". The best IPA I've ever had. Second best is Commodore Perry, an English-style American IPA. The Brits know how to brew their India Pale Ales - they should, they ruled the subcontinent for a century. Try this beer.
If you like American IPA, the hops may be underwhelming - the hop characteristic is more in-line with an American Pale Ale.
To style (English IPA): 95/100
To style (IPA): 82/100
To taste: 88/100
★ 2,240 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
As always, I review (mostly) to style (ala BJCP), modified (a bit, not too much) by personal taste (contra BJCP), or else certain beers, which are excellent exemplars of styles I do not prefer (like this IPA), would receive consistently lower marks than beers which are poor exemplars of my favourite styles.
As always, I review live, and not from notes.
This is a re-review of Worthington's White Shield from a new bottle. My current impressions are largely consistent with my first - an excellent, stand-out IPA, one of the best of its style.
Presentation: 22 fl oz bomber, $3.99 certified "real ale" by CAMRA. Poured in to a Stone Brewing pint glass at 40ºF and warming as I write. Brewed by Coors.
A: Crystal-clear amber colour. "Amber" was invented to describe the shade of this beer. Lively carbonation, three-finger head, excellent retention and lacing.
S: Excellent for a "Coors" beer. Subdued tropical and citrus fruits, with a little bit of funkiness/wet rag reminiscent of a Belgian - still a defect for the style, maybe due to the long Atlantic voyage.
T: This is my kind of IPA. Some citrus fruits, a strong, toasty breadiness, a strong malt backbone tempered by some good, but very well-balanced, hopping, with a long, dry, astringent finish. Notes of cereal, pine needles, juniper berries, and an odd kind of hops, which I take to be an English variety I am unaccustomed to. This is how an IPA should be. If you like IPA, but find the American styles too reminiscent of marijuana in the flavour, and of bitter-ass denatured alcohol in the hop bite, this is the beer for you. Far more taste than the low ABV (5.6%) foretells.
M: Light and spritzy, full and bitter, smooth and mellow. Higher carbonation than American IPAs, and, frankly, better.
D: High.
O: Try this beer. The quintessential "session beer". The best IPA I've ever had. Second best is Commodore Perry, an English-style American IPA. The Brits know how to brew their India Pale Ales - they should, they ruled the subcontinent for a century. Try this beer.
If you like American IPA, the hops may be underwhelming - the hop characteristic is more in-line with an American Pale Ale.
To style (English IPA): 95/100
To style (IPA): 82/100
To taste: 88/100
★ 2,240 characters
3.17/5 rDev -16.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.25
From Vintage Cellars. BB Apr 14.
A somewhat unremarkable India pale ale overall. True to style with English style malts, moderate hops.
Notable is this instance is the godalmighty fizz that comes out of the bottle when poured. A good two finger head a la Hefe takes a while to subside, and the mouthfeel is too fizzy and spritzy.
Apart from that, solid.
★ 356 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.25
From Vintage Cellars. BB Apr 14.
A somewhat unremarkable India pale ale overall. True to style with English style malts, moderate hops.
Notable is this instance is the godalmighty fizz that comes out of the bottle when poured. A good two finger head a la Hefe takes a while to subside, and the mouthfeel is too fizzy and spritzy.
Apart from that, solid.
★ 356 characters
3.1/5 rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Appearance has a mid orange amber color supporting a nice lasting head leaving small lace. Smell is clean with light cereal notes and english hops. Taste of the cereal grain, english yeast with fruit notes and a balance of hops throughout. Mouthfeel is medium with a higher carbonation associated with this English style.
★ 321 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Appearance has a mid orange amber color supporting a nice lasting head leaving small lace. Smell is clean with light cereal notes and english hops. Taste of the cereal grain, english yeast with fruit notes and a balance of hops throughout. Mouthfeel is medium with a higher carbonation associated with this English style.
★ 321 characters
4.11/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Clear amber copper color with tons of thick head and leaving laces.
Aroma of earthy and piney hops. Mild when compared to the American counterparties.
Perfect balanced beer, optimum level of slightly toasted malt sweetness (meaning not sweet) and a decent amount of earthy hops. Notes of pine, orange peel, caramel, guaraná and licorice.
Dry and bitter aftertaste. Light body with medium carbonation and tiny bubbles with an effervescent sensation.
What a pleasant beer to drink, this must be the reason to be almost 300 years old in business. Glad to see that still to be now owned by a global major company they are truly faithful to the style, actually it is claimed to be the oldest surviving IPA. Very hoppy for English beers, but not overwhelming as some American IPAs can be (ps. anyway not to a hop head like this one).
★ 828 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Clear amber copper color with tons of thick head and leaving laces.
Aroma of earthy and piney hops. Mild when compared to the American counterparties.
Perfect balanced beer, optimum level of slightly toasted malt sweetness (meaning not sweet) and a decent amount of earthy hops. Notes of pine, orange peel, caramel, guaraná and licorice.
Dry and bitter aftertaste. Light body with medium carbonation and tiny bubbles with an effervescent sensation.
What a pleasant beer to drink, this must be the reason to be almost 300 years old in business. Glad to see that still to be now owned by a global major company they are truly faithful to the style, actually it is claimed to be the oldest surviving IPA. Very hoppy for English beers, but not overwhelming as some American IPAs can be (ps. anyway not to a hop head like this one).
★ 828 characters
3.65/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours a rich amber-copper color. Some haze. Big white head that expands quickly with a hard pour. Solid chunks of lace sticking to the walls of the glass. Very pretty beer. Lots of English hops in the aroma; I'm not good at this, but my guess would be Goldings. It has a sweet citrus aroma shot through with a peppery spice. I'm not enjoying the malt contribution as much. The caramel sweetness is a bit limp and doesn't quite have that luxurious quality of that I love in other English beers. Perhaps, a touch of diacetyl, not that it's a problem, just a little English twist. The taste adds an interesting mineral note but loses some hop brightness. The malt is still a bit underwhelming. The bitterness seems to have that lasting dry flavor that I think of coming from Burton's hard water. Still, the beer either needs a richer malt sweetness or a drier profile. The malt bill kinda plays the middle and doesn't do a great job of it. Good yeasty, mildly bitter finish, though. It's an easy drinking beer. Mouthfeel is relatively gentle. The attempt to mimic cask ale doesn't work all that well, but it's a good thought - I recommend a relatively hard pour and patience. The drying finish helps a lot. Drinks easily. It's always fun to try a good English beer. Too few make it across the Atlantic.
★ 1,299 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours a rich amber-copper color. Some haze. Big white head that expands quickly with a hard pour. Solid chunks of lace sticking to the walls of the glass. Very pretty beer. Lots of English hops in the aroma; I'm not good at this, but my guess would be Goldings. It has a sweet citrus aroma shot through with a peppery spice. I'm not enjoying the malt contribution as much. The caramel sweetness is a bit limp and doesn't quite have that luxurious quality of that I love in other English beers. Perhaps, a touch of diacetyl, not that it's a problem, just a little English twist. The taste adds an interesting mineral note but loses some hop brightness. The malt is still a bit underwhelming. The bitterness seems to have that lasting dry flavor that I think of coming from Burton's hard water. Still, the beer either needs a richer malt sweetness or a drier profile. The malt bill kinda plays the middle and doesn't do a great job of it. Good yeasty, mildly bitter finish, though. It's an easy drinking beer. Mouthfeel is relatively gentle. The attempt to mimic cask ale doesn't work all that well, but it's a good thought - I recommend a relatively hard pour and patience. The drying finish helps a lot. Drinks easily. It's always fun to try a good English beer. Too few make it across the Atlantic.
★ 1,299 characters
3.99/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A - Pours a reddish copper with a thick three finger head. Slowly dissipates to a very nice cap remains with a sticky lacing. Probably the best looking IPA I have seen from a bottle.
S - Aromas of orange, sweet bread, and a bit of moss or forest mix together.
T - Sweet oranges initially, turning to a dark bread, yeast in the background. Mild piney bitterness in the swallow, lingering in the aftertaste.
M - Medium body and light carbonation.
O - A good IPA, nice flavor profile, just the right ratio of malt to hops. Could use a little more depth in the aroma. Would definitely have again.
★ 596 characters
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A - Pours a reddish copper with a thick three finger head. Slowly dissipates to a very nice cap remains with a sticky lacing. Probably the best looking IPA I have seen from a bottle.
S - Aromas of orange, sweet bread, and a bit of moss or forest mix together.
T - Sweet oranges initially, turning to a dark bread, yeast in the background. Mild piney bitterness in the swallow, lingering in the aftertaste.
M - Medium body and light carbonation.
O - A good IPA, nice flavor profile, just the right ratio of malt to hops. Could use a little more depth in the aroma. Would definitely have again.
★ 596 characters
3.83/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured into a Samuel Smith imperial pint glass. Pours a medium orange amber with a healthy three finger very light tan head and pillowy lacing. Light aroma of biscuit malt and grassy, spicy hops. Flavor of biscuit and bready malt with light earthy and grassy hops. Nicely balanced and a great combination of malt and light hops. Finishes with very faint hops and malt. Medium bodied. A quite pleasant English style IPA. I suspect the long shipping time has muted the hops somewhat, and this is nice enough that I hope I can drink a fresh version some day with a bit more hops.
★ 576 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured into a Samuel Smith imperial pint glass. Pours a medium orange amber with a healthy three finger very light tan head and pillowy lacing. Light aroma of biscuit malt and grassy, spicy hops. Flavor of biscuit and bready malt with light earthy and grassy hops. Nicely balanced and a great combination of malt and light hops. Finishes with very faint hops and malt. Medium bodied. A quite pleasant English style IPA. I suspect the long shipping time has muted the hops somewhat, and this is nice enough that I hope I can drink a fresh version some day with a bit more hops.
★ 576 characters
Worthington's White Shield from Museum Brewing Company / White Shield Brewery
3.78
out of 5
based on 251 ratings.
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Pours an orange amber, slight haze and only a few bubbles wafting to the top. The head is tan, orange tinted, thick and creamy. meringue like and does not want to fall. Nose is subdued and very very shy. Some citrus but very faint. Nose favors the malt with a light caramel and a bit of bread. Grassy herbal and some spice from hops. It has a small dank quality that I would also call pungent. The taste follows the nose all the way except it has an almost nutty taste that I find strangely out of place. It has no pine or resin but it does leave a bit of stickiness in a pungent and dry finish with plenty of spice and only a hint of the caramel sweetness. The bitter is moderate but it accumulates in the drink. The mouthfeel is soft and creamy.
Different. But the floral grows on the nose as it warms.
★ 806 characters