Spring brews are appearing and I’m anxious for warmer weather, but I was happy to come across another winter variety 12-pack during our recent trip to Massachusetts. The winter edition of Shipyard Brewing Company’s Captain’s Collection included (pictured left to right):

• Old Thumper Extra Special Ale, this non-traditional English bitter is my favorite Shipyard brew
• Longfellow Winter Ale, a hybrid between a Porter and a Scottish Ale, I’d call it an excellent American Strong Ale (5.8%)
• Prelude Ale, Shipyard’s winter warmer is a complex English Strong Ale (6.7%)
• Shipyard Export Ale, this straightforward Golden Ale is Shipyard’s flagship beer

Last year, I enjoyed the summer edition of Shipyard Brewing Company’s Captain’s Collection during our vacation to Maine. We only got as far north as Massachusetts on this trip, but I still got a taste of Maine beer.