REVIEW - Narragansett Innsmouth Old Ale

TL;DR summary : A damn good beer. Get some before it's gone!

Beer style: Old Ale

ABV 7%

What I paid: 11.99

How it came (packaging): six 16 oz cans

Brewery link: http://www.narragansettbeer.com/beer/innsmouth-olde-ale

About the Beer: This is the second beer in ‘Gansett’s Lovecraft series. Unlike my last review of a Lovecraft beer, if you hurry you’ll probably still find it on the shelves. It’s also another Sean Larkin collaboration. The inspiration for the beer is Lovecraft’s story “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”, and an old ale is really a good fit. It’s a dark, somewhat uncommon style with a very familiar feel. If you’ve read the story, you’ll understand what I mean.  “Gansett says the beer is toasty and robust, bold yet balanced.

Color/appearance: dark amber to brown creamy head

Aroma:  malt, hint of orange, bourbon

Mouth feel: medium bodied, sticky

Flavor: malty, finishes slightly bitter toasty, smoky

Notes: leans toward the malty side but the hops even it out and keep it from being sweet. Darker malt flavors come through, a little smoky. Very easy to drink, a little on the heavy side for after dinner.

Summary:

Take one of my favorite stories, and pay tribute to it with a dark, malty, flavorful beer. I was pretty sure I was going to like this stuff before I even got my hands on a six pack.  This is just a really good beer, Lovecraft tribute or not. It’s perfect for a cool, rainy New England evening or cloudy afternoon. It is a little on the heavy side, but not so bad that you couldn’t have two back to back in one sitting, as long as you take it slow.

Rating : 4.5

1 – avoid

2 – if it’s the only choice, I guess

3 – a decent beer. Drinkable.

4 – good beer – hard to turn down

5 – great beer - One of my favorites, pour me another.

Style: 3.5