Cisco Brewing Whales Tail

[le qwak]

I stumbled across this fine ale when on a trip to Baltimore.
An excellent English Style pale. I did a little research online and
checked out their website. Looks like a true "micro". Hard to believe they cap their bottles by hand! The site claimed you could not get there brew outside of Mass. But obviosly I found it in
Baltimore. Just wondering where else this could be found.
(I reside in western PA) I also noticed they brew several different styles and I'm guessing they are as good as the Whale's Tail and well worth a sampling. On another note I wanted to throw in my
hat for the much maligned Sam Adams. One of my favorite winter
warmers is the S.A Winter Lager. Though it claims to be a wheat
beer I don't get a prominent wheat taste but a good beer none
the less and a winter/hoilday tradition brew for me.:)

[newportstorm]

Funny - I think I referenced Cisco at least twice yesterday in different posts. Anyway, their website is a little outdated, at least on the beer side. They are available in RI & I think in CT as well. Why they are in Baltimore, I have no idea. Maybe they struck a distribution deal or maybe a shop owner decided to sell some of his stash - it happens, just look at Westy.

Was it a 12 oz. bottle or 750ml? They seem to have an issue with overcarbonation in many of their bottle-conditioned beers. It works well in their Whale's Tail, Bailey's Blonde and Farmhouse Ale - just adds to the refreshing nature of those beers. But imo, it adversely affects their Moor Porter and Cap'n Swain Extra Stout (not as much as in the Porter). Last time I had their Celebration Libation, it had a slight sourness that didn't seem like it belonged. They don't date their bottles, but I have a suspicion that bottle was at least a year old. They also released a couple of beers not listed on their site.

Harvest Ale (AIPA)
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/rate_results/261/20474/

Island Fest (Dubbel - not sure if this is their Dubbel Felix, renamed):
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/rate_results/261/15479/

Their Baggywrinkle Barleywine is hit or miss and very pricey - usually at least $12/bottle.

The brewery/winery/distillery is a neat little place to visit. Easy to ride your bike there from the ferry docks on Nantucket. Samples, tour and beer to go. The Whale's Tail is all over the island on draft and a few stores sell most of the line, but I'd hit the brewery for a better selection.

Cheers!

[sallad]

i've come across it here in southern nj. a 4-pk of whale's tail for like $8-9. naturally, i bought it just to try, but was disappointed. it tasted old to me. just a lot of carmel malt sweetness with not enough hop profile to back it up.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by sallad
i've come across it here in southern nj. a 4-pk of whale's tail for like $8-9. naturally, i bought it just to try, but was disappointed. it tasted old to me. just a lot of carmel malt sweetness with not enough hop profile to back it up.

Yeah, it looks like several recent reviews on BA are from NY, NJ, PA and VA. Guess they are distributing to the mid-Atlantic now. Prices are high as getting supplies to and beer from the island is expensive. The 750ml bottles were about $5.50 at the brewery and cost $8+ here on the mainland.

Cheers!

[chazwicke]

I'll look for it here in No. VA.