Shipyard Brewing Co.
Portland, ME
Available: n/a
Prelude Special Ale was originally introduced in 1993 at Federal Jack’s Restaurant and Brew Pub to celebrate the holiday season in Kennebunkport. Prelude is the name of the town’s annual holiday celebration.
ABV: 6.7
ABW: 5.3
Color: 28
Bitterness: 48
Original gravity: 1070
Final gravity: 1017
Malts used: pale ale, crystal, chocolate
Hops used: Cascade, Tettnang, Fuggles, East Kent Goldings
A handsome winter scene on the label and an entrancing amber/red color suggest this will be a warming and inviting beer. The aroma is rich and spicy with a “sweet shop” smell of my misspent youth — oranges, tangerines and pear drops, plus a pleasant smoky note. It flatters to deceive: in the mouth, bitter hops kick in and counter the growing impact of malt and fruit. The finish is long, dry and bitter but with a continuing ripe malt and tangy fruit note. Throw another log on the fire, sit back and enjoy.
This beer has a beautiful clear, deep copper color and a malty nose with raisiny notes. On the palate, hops dig in up front, gripping the tongue. Biscuity malts try to peek through the dry center, flashing a hint of caramel. The finish is dry and minerally. Plenty of hop bitterness, but not much hop flavor or aroma here. A good choice for spicy Caribbean dishes like jerk chicken.
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.
