Ipswich Winter Ale

Ipswich. A gorgeous, north shore town on beautiful Cape Ann (the other Cape) in Massachusetts. Ipswich is a town that is known for clams, but it could also be known for its delicious Ipswich craft beers produced by the Mercury Brewing Company. Yes marketing geeks, the branding is confusing. The Ipswich Brewing Company was purchased in 1999. The beers are bottled under the Ipswich brand. Mercury is a line of micro-brewed sodas (which, you bet we will be exploring Q1 of next year when we expand into sodas and teas).

Back to the beer. Ipswich Winter Ale pours a deep, dark red berry color (maroon?) with almost a purple tone. The head is substantial and the taste is thick like an English muffin or a piece of pound cake that instantly melts away. The dried berry smell threw me, but made sense even though I did not find the beer to be all that fruity or spicy. I give this effort high marks for its taste, but the balance is a little off. I would have liked some of the scents to come through in the flavor. I do, however envision myself drinking this again before the winter is over. I had Ipswich last season and I think this season is improved. Get your hands on some if you can this season.