Sea Dog Blueberry Beer
July 2, 2010
I usually end up trying at least one new blueberry beer every summer for The Brew Club, and this year is no different. Today, I’m getting to try Sea Dog Bluepaw, which is a “Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale”. Digging a bit, it seems the Sea Dog line of beers is tied to a microbrewery and restaurant in Maine and they also produce things like an Apricot Wheat Beer and a Raspberry Wheat. Seems they like their fruity ales!
Sea Dog’s Blueberry Ale pours nicely enough into my glass. I’d say its a light-amber color, perfectly clear without any sediment and with seemingly little carbonation. Didn’t seem to be any weird blueish coloring either. The head it light and foamy as you might expect from a wheat beer, but it doesn’t last very long. Also, there wasn’t much in the way of lacing with this 4.7% ABV veggie-beer.
I could pick up a scent of blueberry while I was pouring the beer! Letting the beer sit and breathe a little, I’ll say that blueberry is the main thing you’ll notice. No hops, no malt, none of that stuff. The smell is all blueberry, but interestingly enough, its not a blueberry blitzkrieg. The blueberry smells real and not artificial which is a good thing.
Taste is on par with the smell. Blueberry is the main flavor, but there is also a bit of hop bitterness in the finish as well as what I would describe as a bready type of malt flavor. Weird, but I’m thinking blueberry pancakes or blueberry muffins here! The beer is slick feeling in the mouth, has an acceptable fruity aftertaste, and has me going for the next sip rather quickly! On a hot day, I’m actually enjoying this blueberry beer!
Looking back at the other blueberry adult beverages I’ve tried, I see I’ve given the Blue Point Blueberry Ale a 4-star rating as a top rating, and Wild Blue got a well-deserved 1-star rating. I remember not being impressed with the offering from Bar Harbor which purports to be from Maine but is actually contract-brewed in Wisconsin I think. That one wasn’t too good.
This one from Sea Dog is really from Maine, and uses real Maine blueberries to flavor the beer. While I don’t think I’ll find myself drinking this beer on a regular basis, I would say that for a blueberry beer, it’s pretty good and worth a try. It would make an interesting beer to have a few of for guests at the summer BBQ because it does the blueberry thing well, and you won’t be embarrassed as the host for offering it.
Rating: 
Posted in 3 Star Reviews, Ales, American Beers, Wheat Beers
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July 2nd, 2010 at 10:05 am
This is one of my older cousins favorite beer. He brings it to Thanksgiving every year. It really does smell like blueberry muffins and smells fresh. I’m generally not a fan of fruit beers but this one is acceptable. Seadog is actually owned by the Shipyard Brewing Company in Portland Maine. My only problem with this beer is that I burp blueberries for hours after drinking it.
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:17 am
@Nate, that’s funny. I didn’t notice a lingering blueberry action after having this beer, so I’m happy about that. I didn’t know they were owned by Shipyard either – thanks for the tip. I’d have to agree, this beer seemed very natural and fresh tasting – nicely done for a fruit beer.
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Sunny and 75 – Rock Art Brewery
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:31 pm
I haven’t had this beer, but I have recently gone gaga over a fruit beer – Founders Cerise. It’s amazing. That is all.
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Indeed they are a Shipyard label. This is maybe the only blueberry beer I’ve ever had, and I like it. The girls I know think this beer is fantastic, so gentlemen out there keep that in mind if you need to get some beers that the ladies will enjoy also.
Royce´s last blog ..Happy Friday- Desktop Tower Defense
July 3rd, 2010 at 10:33 am
@Royce, good point! Still, I don’t think this beer will offend the guys either.
@Jim – If I happen to see any Cerise, its on my list. I know how it warped your mind and all.
Cheers, and have a happy and safe Fourth of July!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Dale’s Pale Ale – A Beer Review
July 6th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
I find it hard to get behind fruited beers. I love blueberries, but if it aint sour I’m just not loving it. It either doesn’t have enough fruit qualities for me or it is so fruited there is no beer left. So, I’ve kinda just given up on the whole style. Scott once you find a five star one, then I’ll try it!
Peter at Simply Beer´s last blog ..Tyranena Benji’s Smoked Imperial Porter with Chipotle Peppers
July 7th, 2010 at 6:58 am
@Peter, people have suggested a few that I haven’t had yet so there is still hope! Hey, why don’t you develop your own ’sour’ blueberry beer? Might turn out to be something cool. Jersey blueberries are in season right now ($1.25/pt) so you could even do the locally-grown thing if you wanted to!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Dundee Summer Wheat Beer Review
August 7th, 2010 at 7:23 am
Just tried the Wachusetts Blueberry and the Blue Point Blueberry this weekend. Decent, good beer taste, but I still rate Sea Dog and EBC a bit higher.
August 8th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
@Clarkie – I’d have to revisit the Blue Point, and even though I rated that one a little higher when I reviewed it a couple years ago, I also think the Sea Dog is a better blueberry ale.
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Mi Chelada