Ringwood Double Thumper is twice the rainy day medicine

It's been POURING all and night, and there is nothing better after a long and glorious but rainy Sunday Funday than coming home to an 11.2% beer. It warms the body and nourishes the soul. Even better, we had this guy's little brother last week and it was delicious (Ringwood Old Thumper ESA). Double the trouble?! 

The best rainy day solution is a really strong boar...I mean beer

Stone essentially made their Double Bastard the bigger, meaner, bolder brother of the Arrogant Bastard. Shipyard follows suit with the Double Thumper and the result is a brew that becomes closer in style to an English Barleywine than an ESB. The caramel notes are more noticeable, with hints of toffee and for such strong alcohol, this beer is too easy to drink. The Double Thumper isn't as delicious as the original Thumper, but I loved it nonetheless for its boldness and ...medicinal properties...so I'm bestowing THE ROCK rating.

Also, saw BATTLE LA today and it was a trip to watch aliens invade the coastline I live on. The police station Aaron Eckhart's team has to rescue and the street of Lincoln that is the first major defense line, are all part of my daily life. And I hate to say it, but if aliens invade, I AM TOAST. David and I will probably have to make a great escape in his kayak; make a run through their blockade. Right...Well, at least we'll probably be drunk on good home brew. Party.

Ringwood Old Thumper Extra Special is simply that

David picked this up from Beverage Warehouse. It's an English Extra Special Ale that is brewed on American soil under an unwavering British eye of a Ringwood brewery (UK) employee. Why not brew it in England with the rest of their batch? Because they're sticklers for quality and the time it takes to ship is across the pond would drastically reduce it. It's the same reason why Stone is planning to unveil a European brewery in Belgium later this year. Apparently Old Thumper here is on the forefront of the British revival of traditional ales. I haven't tasted a many English ales so this is kinda exciting. Clearly, I'm a huge nerd. 

The closest remnants of a thumper I own are in the form of Kangaroo Testicles. Judging by the jewels I'm sure he was a handsome fella...

I would love to be in England and order this from a pub (since I'm an ill-informed American tosser, I can only assume this style of beer is served in pubs). I think it's delicious. It smells of vanilla, however, their website says apples, but who are you gonna believe; me or a professional? It has a tasty creamy malt (poorly phrased Walker) and has a low but well balanced hop finish. It's smooth and rich and never overwhelms you. The perfect English gentleman. Taking David's rating system, I'd say this is Michael Caine.

The brew is exceptionally British - and that's a great compliment. Pick this up to drink with your bros. THE ROCK rating.

Isn't the boar's stare on label is pretty intense AND hilarious? That boar is sinister as hell, and I'm pretty sure he was serial killer during his life. Good riddance