Cape Ann Brewing Company – Gloucester, MA
Fisherman’s Navigator Special Winter Reserve
Double Bock German Style Lager
7% ABV, 37 IBU, 12 oz
This is really a great beer by Cape Ann Brewing Co. Sarah and I have visited both their old brewery and also their new one, and each time we had at least a sample if not a full pint of the Navigator.
The beer pours a nice, soft and foamy white head that fades pretty quickly. The beer itself has a fantastic ruby and amber color with a medium carbonation level. The initial smell is sweet, but there are caramel tones that shine through with subtle notes of clean malt.
The taste definitely compliments the aroma. It’s sweet with hints of caramel with a malty backbone, yet none of the flavors overpower the beer. I’d say it has a really pleasant balance of malt and sweetness.
While the Navigator packs a nice punch at 7% ABV, it isn’t as heavy as you would expect from a strong beer like this. In fact, it has a moderate mouth feel and goes down incredibly smooth. It’s highly drinkable and you could easily put away a few of these in a row. It’s great at any time; however, it would likely go best as a desert beer or after dinner drink.
I picked up this beer when Sarah and I visited Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet in Melrose, MA last weekend. They also had the Cape Ann Brewing Co. Fisherman’s IPA right next to it, but I opted to go with the Navigator as I hadn’t previously seen it in bottles. Cape Ann actually contracts their bottles to the Olde Saratoga Brewing Co. in Saratoga Springs, NY. They seem to be gaining a wider distribution area, and you can now find the Fisherman’s Mix 12-Pack, which I also hadn’t seen before. The next time I see it though, I will definitely be purchasing it!
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2 comments:
I need to know what the strategy is of putting your beer next to the Buds, bold move Cape Ann :)
I'm going to go out on a limb and say Cape Ann didn't have a choice of where they were placed. In fact, they didn't at all, and likely wouldn't want to be next to the Bud/Coors products. I will say this though, they DEFINITELY stand out next to them though...perhaps it's the craft beer drinker in me, but when I looked at that case, the Cape Ann sixers stood out like a sore thumb.
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