Coaster Critique: Shipyard GingerBreadHead

On the fourth day of Beermas:

Shipyard Gingerbreadhead

Name: GingerBreadHead

Brewed By: Shipyard Brewing Company

Style: Winter Ale

ABV: 4.6%

Pours very clear, chocolate brown color that glows red when held to the light. Pour produced a short white head that settled quickly but never completely disappeared.

The nose is spice forward, molasses, ginger and cinnamon are all noticeable with just a hint of yeasty, bready malt on the back end. No hops to speak of.

Flavor is malty, some roasty notes combined with molasses, ginger and cinnamon I was picking up in the nose. The beer is sweet at first sip with a buttery slick mouthfeel that finishes with a hint of hop bitterness and dry bite from the spices.

Overall not half bad. I’m not a fan of Shipyard “Head” series beers, Pumpkinhead was a favorite of mine in my early days of drinking craft beer but has been relegated to a cooking beer, last year I made waffles with it and I think that recipe would be mighty tasty with GingerBreadHead subbed in as well. This beer does exactly what it intends, it tastes like a liquid gingerbread cookie, the spices are spot on, not overdone and that buttery flavor that Shipyard is known for works in a beer emulating a baked good. I think 1 bottle is my max consumption on this beer, at 4.6% ABV it lends itself to drinking a few but I couldn’t make myself eat 2-3 gingerbread cookies no less drink that many gingerbread beers. Worth a shot if you can get a single bottle and probably a new winter favorite for fans of Pumpkinhead.

Cheers

Chaddah

The 12 Days of Beermas 2014

Day 1: Samuel Adams – Old Fezziwig Ale

Day 2: Goose Island – Festivity Ale

Day 3: Magic Hat Brewing – Snow Roller

Day 4: Shipyard Brewing Company – Gingerbreadhead

Day 5: Traveler Beer Co. – Jolly Traveler

Day 6: SoMe Brewing – Cinnamon Toast

Day 7: Ridgeway Brewing – Reindeer’s Revolt

Day 8: Rising Tide – d’Hiver

Day 9: 21st Amendment – Fireside Chat

Day 10: Southern Tier – 2XMAS

Day 11: Castle Brewery Eggenberg – Samichlaus Classic

Day 12: Anchor Brewing – Our Special Ale 2014

Also check out my Prior Beermas adventures:

The 12 Days of Beermas 2013

The 12 Days of Beermas 2012

 

Chad Lothian

About Chad Lothian

Chad Lothian lives in Old Town, Maine. He is a craft beer enthusiast and homebrewer. Chad has travelled to brewpubs, breweries and brewfests all over New England.