Ringwood Old Thumper Extra Special Ale is a beer belonging to two countries. It's first home is merry old England, where it is the flagship brand for the Ringwood Brewery located in Ringwood, Hampshire, England. Old Thumper was not content to remain in Ringwood, however. Like many of the ancestors of the English who today love the beer, Old Thumper made the journey across the pond to a successful career with the Shipyard Brewing Company of Portland, Maine.

Ringwood is famous for it's distinctive yeast strain that produces beers with a notable buttery character. This is a trait common to many English ales, and is desirable when it does not overpower the beer (and even when it does, it can produce interesting results at times). Ringwood has also had its share of breweries over the years, but all brewing in the town ceased in 1923.

In 1978, brewing was resumed in Ringwood by Peter Austin, a man often referred to in England as the "Father of British Micro-Brewing." A very unique brewing system that bears his name has appeared across America in numerous brewpubs and microbreweries. It is easily recognizable by a wooden-clad mash tun and a brick-encased brew kettle.

Old Thumper was introduced in England in 1979, and first brewed here in America under contract in 1995. Is it surprising that Shipyard brews Old Thumper? Hardly. Shipyard's head brewer, Alan Pugsley, is a former employee of the Ringwood brewery. Shipyard uses Ringwood yeast for all of their beers. They aggressively hop old Thumper with English Goldings, Challengers, and Progress varieties. Original gravity is slightly higher than normal at 1.060, as is alcohol content at about 5.5%.

Old Thumper pours to a burnt orange color with a thick head formation, good bubbly carbonation, and a very buttery nose. The palate is rich and malty, slightly sweet at first, lots of mushroom-like, buttery Ringwood character. The finish is a touch cidery, and becomes increasingly bitter with a hint of mint; the bitterness lingers on the tongue after sipping. Truly classic English style ale.

My bottle tonight accompanied cheese and garlic sausages cooked in olive oil with peppers and onions, and a side dish of mashed potatoes. My own variation on the traditional bangers and mash, if you will.

 

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

 

 



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