Shipyard Brewing Company Toasts its English Heritage with Royal IPA: 2008 Selection for Brewer's Choice

PORTLAND AND KENNEBUNK, MAINE (November 30, 2007) - Each year, Brewer's Choice features a new beer recipe created by Shipyard Brewing Company's award-winning brew house team. Shipyard announces the release of its new 2008 Brewer's Choice Royal IPA. This limited edition India Pale Ale will be available in January 2008 while supplies last.

Royal IPA was selected as the 2008 Brewer's Choice customer favorite at Federal Jack's Restaurant and Brew Pub in Kennebunk and the Shipyard Brew Pub in Eliot.

Co-created at Federal Jack's by Mike Haley and Nick Murray, Brewer's Choice 2008 Royal IPA will now be distributed nationwide in 6-packs, 12-packs, and on draft. Haley lives in Kennebunk and Murray lives in Kittery.

"Going from making five gallon batches of beer in my kitchen, to getting paid to brew 216 gallon batches for Federal Jacks, to having 10,000 cases brewed for national distribution is incredible," said assistant brewer Nick Murray.

Murray and Haley decided to brew an IPA because they both enjoy this style of beer and find there aren't many IPA's with the earthy flavors and aromas British hops provide.

"It seems 'imperial' this, and 'double' that are all the rage these days," noted head brewer Mike Haley. "We found the 'big' IPA's we tried were all pretty one dimensional and very similar within the realm of 'extreme' hoppiness. That's where the use of the British hop varieties differentiates this beer from others of the same style. We also followed the design philosophy of Shipyard's other beer recipes, placing the emphasis on balance and drinkability.h

Named for its copious use of hops, the strength of this beer is 6.5% alcohol by volume. Challenger and Target hops provide the bitter quality and East Kent Goldings hops lend the aromatic character.

New recipes for 2009 Brewer's Choice will be offered to customers at Federal Jack's in Kennebunk and the Shipyard Brew Pub in Eliot during the first quarter of 2008.

Shipyard's master brewer Alan Pugsley hails from England and apprenticed at the world famous Ringwood Brewery in Hampshire before moving to Maine 20 years ago.