Piper's Ale
Redhook Brewlab

If only I could make mistakes like this one. After adding way too much grain in the traditional ESB recipe, the result was a more powerful ale with a more complex flavor and taste.

The beer was much darker than ESB and had a sweet malty smell that was quickly overpowered by a nice citrus hop bouquet.

The beer starts off sweet and fruity. The mouthfeel is pretty substantial but not exactly heavy. The hops follow and remain through the aftertaste. The beer is not bitter enough to be "balanced" but it is a nice combination that you don't taste everyday. There is a noticable alcohol flavor at the end.

This beer was short lived and probably won't return (I've asked many times) because Redhook has to appeal to everyone and they try to avoid high alcohol beers. If you tried the piper you are very lucky as it was the best thing this brewery had.

Had this at the Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth, NH. Our server said that this started out as their ESB but they had an equipment failure and ended up with double the malts. The brewery decided it was a good brew so have continued to make it available on-tap only. It is indeed a good brew, nice clear, amber color and malty nose. Starts and finishes on the sweet side not the usual ESB. $3.47 for a pint glass.

Had this on tap at The Barley House in downtown Concord, NH. I guess it's made for the 28th annual Highland Games held somewhere in NH. I didn't really check when or where.
The beer pours a brassy amber, topped with a creamy, lasting head. Great retention, with tons of sticky lacing.
Aroma is very similar to their ESB, just kicked up a notch. Malt is a bit more powerful, with a more pronounced toasty character. Spicier hops, perhaps a bit of saaz for aroma. Some fruity apple aroma, with the barest touch of biscuity aroma.
Flavor is excellent. Robust malts, with some toasted malt and a light biscuity flavor. Interesting fruitiness, with a floral taste up front, changing to apple, and finally creating an odd raspberry flavor, perhaps because of the hops kicking in. Wonderful spiciness in the hopping, with some citric flavor. Very clean tasting, with robust flavor. Medium bodied, with moderate carbonation.
What an excellent beer! I could drink this for days. It's too bad this isn't a regular offering, because it's easily my favorite from Redhook.