Rising Tide Brewing Company -Ishmael American Copper Ale

September 28, 2011

Not too long ago, we asked our visitors to consider guest posting here at The Brew Club, and I’m happy to report that several people have expressed interest!  The following beer review is from Cecily, who lives up in Maine and runs a cool site called Mom’s Malt Barley Blog.

Its a great site that has a nice focus on beers and events in the Maine area, but not exclusively.  In the following review, Cecily is checking out “Ishmeal”, an American Copper Ale from Rising Tide Brewing Company in Portland, Maine.

Thanks Cecily for taking the time to share this with us!

Brewery: Rising Tide
Location: Portland, Maine
Website: http://www.risingtidebrewing.com
Twitter: @risingtidebeer

On the back of the above bottle, Ishmael is described as: “Our richly-flavored American copper ale. This American interpretation of the altbiers of Düsseldorf is brewed with continental Munich malt, American-grown hops, and a clean-fermenting ale yeast to produce a slightly sweet and malty beer balanced by a firm bitterness.”

Here are my reactions after drinking the above pictured pint:

Style: Altbier
Taste: Malt overtones & aroma with a mildly bitter finish.  Very fresh, hops come through lightly & smooth complimenting the bready malt flavors; a combination that encourages you to drink more.
Color: Faded browns with reddish hues creating the copper tones you detect in the glass.
Thickness:  Medium mouthful with an abundantly fluffy, off white head which slowly fades and leaves delicate lacing along the sides of the glass.
ABV: 5.10%
Overall: Ishmael is very tasty & enjoyable beer and one that I would recommend if you can find it.  I would give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars (except I don’t usually do that type of a system).

Mom Factoid: I had the opportunity to meet with Nathan Sanborn, the co-owner & brewmaster of Rising Tide Brewery, at the end of August.  We spent time chatting about the ‘rising’ craftbeer scene in Maine & specifically in Portland.

He shared with me that he has a close connection with, and gets feedback from, both the Maine Beer Company & the Allagash Brewing Company; as all are located in the same neighborhood as Rising Tide.  Of special interest to me, during our conversation, was finding out, that prior to brewing, Nathan was a stay-at-home dad.  He now works around the clock at his brewery, where he brews his beers in 90 gallon batches & bottles them by hand.

The other beers (of which I’ve tasted & enjoyed) that Rising Tide produces are: Daymark Ale, Ursa Minor Weizen Stout and a black ale that is coming out soon named Atlantis.  Currently, Rising Tide is only distributed in Maine but according to Nathan he anticipates growth in distribution in 2012.  Here’s hoping he’s right!

Related Posts:

• McNeill’s Dark Angel Imperial Stout
• A Brewery and two Brewpubs in Southern New Hampshire
• Craft Beer Variety Packs
• Samuel Adams White Ale Review

Posted in 3 Star Reviews, Ales, American Beers, Guest Reviews