Kennebunkport Brewing Company
If you've been to Trader Joe's recently you may have noticed a new line of beers they're selling. Bottles read Kennebunkport Brewing Company, which is also known as Federal Jack's. The bottles say that they are brewed at The Pugsley Brewing Company in Portland, Maine. Along with Shipyard and Sea Dog, these are all under the same parent company. I wouldn't be surprised if these beers and Sea Dog's are exactly the same.Pumpkin Ale
49 / 100
This time of year is glorious for pumpkin ales but there is a dearth of them available in SoCal. Trader Joe's often has "orphans" (singles) available; so with the jonesing for a pumpkin ale, I had to give this a try.
It's orange in color (surprise!) with virtually no head. The initial scent is gumball, quite pungently sweet. Notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin follow up. But really it's sickly sweet, tasting more like a soft drink than a beer.
Why did I buy 2?
IPA
70 / 100
This was thankfully much better, but still nothing special. Probably more of an English IPA than the American hop monsters I'm used to; I could taste the Fuggle hops but they weren't that in your face. This is definitely more on the malty side. There was a little buttery taste I could have done without. Passable IPA but I probably won't be buying again.
In all, I haven't been impressed by the Kennebunkport Brewing Company. If you are into the Sea Dog beers, these will probably please you. Otherwise, Trader Joe's has plenty of better options.
Californian's all have the same beer taste buds. Hop-centric. Hops is essential but it ends up being like ketchup when overused as it is in most CA and NW beers. Yes I am originally from Back East. Maine in fact. I agree the pumpkin is a bit sweet. But the Sea Dog or Kennebunk IPA is a nice contrast from the 70-100 IBU style beers that flood the market out west here. Any left over Kennebunk or Full Sail LTD please mail to me in NorCal. Try Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA when you get a chance. They are from Delaware. This could be a beer that would be a middle ground for the folks who like New England style IPAs and those who like their West Coast hop bombs.
Posted by
Mr. Gordy |
5:00 PM
The buttery taste you experienced was most likely diacetyl. It is a common byproduct of fermentation and usually is described as caramel or butterscotch. I love California and Pacific NW beers and their hop-bombs, but I would agree w/ Mr. Gordy's comment: try Dogfish Head's 60-minute IPA - it is a unbelievably well-balanced, yet still hoppy brew. Their 90-minute IPA (more like an Imperial IPA) is even better. Another east coast hoppy brew that is delicious is Victory's Hop Devil. These are all well-known enough that I probably didn't really need to mention them to you. Other delightful, hoppy brews from outside of Cali that are similar to the DFH and Victory brews are from Oskar Blues: Dale's Pale Ale and Gordon IPA. If you haven't already, give them a try.
Posted by
JBH |
3:52 PM