Brew Review: Offshore Ale Company, Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, MA

The Offshore Ale Company is the sole microbrewery on the island of Martha's Vineyard.  It has a 10 barrel system, with great looking copper kettles and is walking distance from the Oak Bluffs ferry landing.  They do not offer a sampler flight but do sell half pints of their beer.  I tried eight of their offerings and was not disappointed.

Let the review begin!

A growler'll do ya good

East Chop Lighthouse described as:
A MEDAL WINNER, CRISP STRAW-COLORED BREW WITH A SLIGHT MALTINESS AND LOW BITTERNESS. PART OF OUR “PINTS WITH PURPOSE” FUNDRAISING PROGRAM WITH THE COAST GUARD FOUNDATION, A PORTION OF ALL SALES OF EAST CHOP GOLDEN ALE SUPPORT THE COAST GUARD FOUNDATION ENLISTED GRANT FUND. 4.2% ABV / 8 IBU
This beer is indeed straw colored with great head retention.  This is your typical light lager type beer.

Amity Island Ale described as:
GOLDEN COLORED ENGLISH SUMMER ALE WITH A HINT OF FRUITY CHARACTER AND MEDIUM-LOW BITTERNESS.  THE OFFICIAL BEER OF JAWSFEST TRIBUTE 2012 5.2% ABV / 29 IBU
This beer is light gold in color with good head retention.  There is a slight malt with hint of hops aroma, with a hop forward flavor and a mild finish.  I really enjoyed this beer and hope they brew it again.

Offshore Blueberry Ale described as:
A SEASONAL FAVORITE, THIS BEER IS STRAW IN COLOR WITH JUST A HINT OF BLUBERRIES. 4.2% ABV / 8.9 IBU
This beer is straw colored with a strong blueberry aroma and good head retention.  It has a light forward flavor with a slight blueberry finish with a hint of bitterness.

Offshore Amber Ale described as:
OUR FLAGSHIP BREW. LIGHT AMBER IN COLOR, MEDIUM BODIED WIHT HINTS OF CARAMEL & CITRUS ZEST, WITH A PERFECT BALANCE OF MALT AND SUBTLE HOPS.  THIS BEER WAS DESIGNED TO BE VERY APPROACHABLE FOR OUT PATRONS AT THE PUB WHO WERE MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE DOMESTIC LAGER STYLE BEERS.  AS A RESULT, THE AMBER ALE OFFERS ATTRACTIVE ALE STYLE FLAVORS, BUT HAS GREAT DRINKABILITY.  5.0% ABV / 25 IBU
This beer is golden amber in color with good head retention.  It has a slight hop aroma, with a hint of malt forward and a bitter hop finish for flavor.

Offshore IPA described as:
THE SECOND PACKAGE RELEASED FROM OFFSHORE HAS DEVELOPED A STRONG FOLLOWING IN THE CRAFT BEER COMMUNITY. OUR VERSION OF THE POPULAR INDIA PALE ALE STYLE IS LIGHT COPPER IN COLOR WITH A BOLD HOP BITTERNESS YET STILL APPROACHABLE, WITH A CRISP FRESHNESS AND BALANCED MALT CHARACTERS.  6.0 % ABV / 60 IBU
This beer is golden amber in color.  It has a hoppy aroma, and hops upon hops with a hint of malt for flavor

Hop Goddess described as:
A LUCIOUS ALE WITH MANY LAYERS, HAZY ORANGE COLOR, GENEROUSLY HOPPED, NOTES OF EARTH, SPICE & MALT SWEETNESS LIKE NO OTHER. 6.9% ABV / 69 IBU
This beer is golden amber in color with a hoppy aroma, but less so than the IPA.  It has an all around bitter hoppy flavor.

Steeprock Stout described as:
ROASTED, SMOOTH AND DELICIOUS WITH A DEEP BLACK COLOR AND AN EASY, DRY FINISH. 4.6% ABV / 29 IBU
This beer is dark brown in color with a roasted malt aroma.  It has a malt forward with a roasted coffee finish.  This beer also has lots of body with a very creamy mouthfeel.

Black & Blue
This is a half and half Steeprock Stout and the Blueberry ale offering a blueberry aroma and a coffee finish.

All in all, this brewery offers a great variety of flavors for every palate.  I would like to come back and try some of the other seasonal offerings.  If you visit the Vineyard, or find their beers on tap, give them a try.