Adnams Broadside (ENG)

For me, this is the bottled version of this ale from seaside Southwold in Suffolk. The pub version is apparently quite different and comes in at under 5%. The bottled is over 6%. If you can't replicate real ale in bottles, then I suppose it makes sense to re-work the beer a bit.


Broadside turns out to be a complex strong ale. I have a hard time nailing down all that's going on. It reminds me vaguely of Cooperstown Pride of Milford, which I reviewed recently, but that of course gets the influence backwards.

Broadside has a hazy, auburn color and a rich, creamy mouth feel with soft fizz. The flavor is partly malty sweetness (cherries? raisins?), partly hop bite (but not too bitter), and partly buttery (but not of diacetyl excess). Warming seems to bring out citrus notes. This is definitely one to be savored and not gulped, which is good given the price ($12+ for a 4-pack).

Cooperstown Pride of Milford Ale (NY)

In contrast to Ommegang's fish-out-of-water Belgianity, Cooperstown Brewing Company embraces their town's baseball heritage with offerings such as Strike Out Stout and Benchwarmer Porter. In fact, the brewery is located in nearby Milford, NY, from which this "Special Ale" gets its name.

Cooperstown uses Ringwood yeast, and the first sniff reveals the telltale buttery aroma. The butter doesn't overwhelm the beer, but is something to keep in mind if you have an aversion to it. A lot of people talk about Pride of Milford being fruity, but I don't detect too much of that either. It is definitely malty -- biscuity, I think -- with hops only used to keep it from getting carried away. The nearly 8% alcohol is noticeable, giving it a sherry-like undertone. The body isn't all that heavy, though, and it has a somewhat sparkly carbonation. If everything else makes it a winter beer, the mouthfeel could actually suit a summer brew.

This is kind of an unusual beer. I like it, and give it points for being interesting.

Southern Tier Harvest Ale (NY)

This is a fall seasonal, and I had assumed it was ST's Oktoberfest lager (though I guess it says "ale" right on the label). The website calls it a "classic English style Extra Special Bitter of the highest order."

Slightly hazy glden in color, it produces a lasting pure white, lacy head. Harvest Ale proves to be a fairly hoppy APA, but it isn't all bitterness. There's some citrusy hops to be sure, and secondary sweetness. But there's also an unusual bite to it that isn't the bitterness or the sharp carbonation. Overall, it tastes very fresh (though it isn't fresh-hopped like some other harvest ales).

This is another good beer from Southern Tier, better than Phin & Matt's but maybe not as nice as their IPA.