First Capital Ale
The Kingston Brewing Company

Review from notes taken on 7/3/10 at the brewpub.

This brew poured a clear amber orange color with a finger of creamy offwhite head. A small amount of lacing is noted about the glassware which in this case was an imperial type of nonic.

The aroma of this brew included caramel malt sweetness that flows right into the taste. Not bold by any means but evident. Very little to no hop bitterness included in this offering but a bit of the flavor of hops comes out in the finish along with the presence of alcohol. The lingering sweetness about this brew changes from caramel malt to a bit fruity like pear as it warms.

This was a medium to full bodied brew with a light level of carbonation. It was quite smooth overall but just bland and not really to the style.

This was not a beer I would order again even though the server proclaimed that this was a staple and solid offering.

A: Was a hazy copper color with a decent head that fades slowly with some lacing.

S: Smells of grain with a hint of sweetness and fruit mixed in.

T: Has a mild fruity taste and is a bit refreshing.

F: Quite smooth & silky with a bit more carbonation than I expected from a cask ale.

D: Nice balance for and old recipe. Good for a couple. A bit sweeter than I normally drink.

This Ale is only brewed once a year for a local celebration from a 1841 recipe. Had this back in 2008 and do not remember this being quite as sweet.

This beer is brewed once a year (mid June) for Kingston's local festival, First Capital Days. Its a cask ale, tapped at noon with much fanfare. Advertising says its based on a historic 1841 recipe. Since its only made once I year, I would expect variability from year to year.

Dull copper coloured beer, slight cloudy. An off-white head that lasted all the way through lunch. Decent lace.
Smell was slightly sweet and fruity, like cherries. Very faint floral hops and malty graininess underneath.
Very nice taste. Slight malty sweetness that goes great with the fruity character of the yeast. Cherry-like with perhaps a little banana. Faint floral hop also goes very well with the fruity character.
Nice mouthfeel. Good body. Slightly more carbonated than I expect from a cask ale. Possibly because it had just been tapped about 5 minutes before I ordered.
Very well crafted beer. Well balanced. Good job using that yeast. I was very impressed. Great beer.

Here is another good one from the Brewing Company. I just think this place has exceptional brews as a whole. I love that they are fans of the cask.

Appearance- A bronze color with equal parts red and brown.

Smell- It is very fruity esters a little sweet.

Taste- Without being a fruit beer it has a strong fruit flavor to it. Not much on hops and grassy.

Mouthfeel. Extremely silky with some light carbonation.

Drinkability- It is smooth. I could knock these back all day.