Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale from the D.L. Geary Brewing Company (Portland, Maine) is one deserving of the name “special.” Far too often, brewers promise something special in their offerings and then fail to deliver. Made since 1989, Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale is an ale that noted beer expert Michael Jackson rated highly years ago; one that I’ve looked for without success many a winter season. It was a seasonal offering for many years. Until recently, it was only brewed and available 8 months out of the year. Now it is brewed year round and I finally got some, just in time for the chill in the air and the suffering brought on by being a member of the Red Sox Nation.

Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale is an ale that beckons one to sit with it by the fire and read Robert Frost. Or, you could sit by the TV and rant and rave as your team continues to rip your heart and hopes out, fiber by fiber, strand by strand. [If they win, this ale will be especially welcome as it will signify I've done something to offset the curse.]

Style Notes
There are ales and then there are ALES: the kind of malted barley concoction that beckons one over and over again. Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale is in the “Strong Ale” style, which denotes an ale with certain characteristics (full body with a malty base) and a stronger taste profile than that of other types of ales. Strong ales are usually prevalent in the winter months when drinkers look for something with “warming” qualities (higher alcohol content, spiciness, etc.). Other writers have characterized this ale as an “Old Ale” which also denotes a certain winter ale characteristic. Geary’s does not use either term to describe its ale, but Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale certainly qualifies as a Winter Warmer that many beer geeks will savor.

Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale has a 7-percent alcohol by volume (ABV) rating and is brewed using two row English malts (pale, crystal and chocolate); and three hop varietals (Cascade, Mt. Hood and East Kent Golding ). [More about the brewery and this ale can be found at the www.drinkmainebeer.com site or at www.gearybrewing.com which is currently under construction.]

Tasting Notes
Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale pours out to a tawny, red tinged amber color with a frothy head. There’s a kind of grassy note to the aroma with a scent of spice. The taste is immediately pleasant, a blend of dryness at first mouthful and then a strong sweetness at the finish with a spicy note of licorice or some other ingredient (fruit cake like flavors). The sweet, spicy, malt taste predominates. The hop dryness is present throughout but recessive, very subtle in the taste mix of the ale.

Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale (five stars) is a dangerously drinkable ale, a real “session” ale in that regard. It’s virtually impossible not to like this ale. I’m not sure I would drink it year round but it will certainly be my beer fridge for the Fall/Winter months when a spicy, fruit tinged ale is called for. At $7.25 a six-pack in my area, it’s a real bargain. This is an ale I’ll have a hard time sharing, but one I will encourage all to try in the upcoming holiday season. I love this ale. Others mileage may vary.

At the time of this review, Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale boasted art-centric packaging, illustrating once again that Geary’s takes quality considerations to a level other brewers ignore. The artwork depicts a New Hampshire inspired scene: high pines shadowed by the sun/moon with lake and mountain in background.

It has since reworked the label into something a bit more generic as the ale is available year-round.

Sources
www.gearybrewing.com


Recommended: Yes