Impressive, I say impressive, pale ale from this Massachusetts brewer. The malt in this beer is easily overshadowed by the yeast fruitiness and the in-your-face bitter hop finish. Definitely on the high end of the pale ale scale for hop bitterness, perhaps just straddling the lower limits of an IPA. Reminds me of a fresh pint of cask ale. easily the best effort I have tasted to date form Middlesex.
Update 10/20/1998: Massachusetts' Middlesex brewing is in trouble, and may soon be history. That’s a shame really, as they brew some great beers, their Baldwin Pale Ale being my personal favorite. A deal is in the works that may save them, Trinity Brewhouse of Rhode Island is attempting to buy in as a partner and bottle their brands. Let's hope the deal goes through, as I'd hate to see Middlesex go under.
Update 2/10/1999: I just poured my last bottle of Baldwin Pale Ale, the wonderfully hoppy beer from Middlesex Brewing in Massachusetts. It may be my last ever, as the brewery closed a few months ago. I'm sipping it slowly, but I know that like all good things, it's going to end. We've heard a lot about the shakeout recently, but right now it's hitting home. And it sucks.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft