12oz 2006 bottle shared blind with Muzzlehatch on 3/10/2006.
Typical, overcarbonated, immense amount of off-white head which predictably recedes to cover, with no lacing. Clear and filtered, large bubbles rise in a frenzy throughout the golden-amber (with a hay/straw yellow tinge) liquid.
The nose says, "Magic Hat?" Nope. "Middle Ages?" Nope. "Long Trail?" Nope. Hmmm, who is the brewer with the most diacetyl apparency in their beers? Unfortunately (or rather, fortunately) I wasnt even thinking about Maine, though I don’t know why. Must have been a brain freeze, because this stuff just screams Shipyard. Pretty much all buttercream, some light soap, dry, floral hoppiness (very light) with some mild orange fruits and more caramel corn.
The flavor is dry and buttery, with hard minerals, stale hoppiness (light grass and flowers, rather old tasting). Too much carbonation breaks up any possibility of comforting maltiness, not that there is any there to begin with. I keep getting a soapiness as well, though that must be the "hops" on the end. Dry pale grains, perfuminess and poor malt extraction. Overcarbonated, very hard, lifeless and filtered texture. Gee, Barry, thanks. . . .