I don't know what you're doing tonight, but I'm getting smashed. Certainly, I've been smashed before, the first time with Smashed Pumpkin Ale, then later Smashed Blueberry Ale, both from the Shipyard Brewery of Portland, Maine. Tonight, in the dog days of August, I'm getting smashed with watermelon: Shipyard Smashed Watermelon Imperial Watermelon Ale.
It was early August when I saw this in pint cans, packs of four, at Total Wine. Being such a fan of the other two, I immediately added one to my cart. There were only a few left, and I did not want to miss out on this one. My carton has a sticker indicating it was checked in on 5/23/26, so had been here almost two and a half months.
This is, although very strong, definitely a summer ale; watermelon may well be THE official fruit of summer. My cans say Brewed by Shipyard Brewing CO LLC Portland, Maine on them, but are stamped on the bottom 0996 13:14 NY CF2, meaning they were contract brewed at Genessee in Rochester, New York.
Ingredients from the website:
Hop Varieties Saphir, Williamette
Malt Varieties Pale Ale, Wheat, Light Munich
Shipyard Smashed Watermelon Imperial Watermelon Ale has an alcohol content of 9% by volume.
About Shipyard Brewery
Shipyard Brewing Company is a family-owned brewery based in Portland Maine since 1992 rooted in tradition and brimming with innovation. Our award-winning beer is handcrafted by our team of brewers who learned their art from world-renowned master brewer, Alan Pugsley.
Shipyard Smashed Watermelon in a Shipyard Glass
Tasting Notes
Shipyard Smashed Watermelon Imperial Watermelon Ale pours to a brilliant orange red color with a thick creamy head of foam and a nose of bright juicy watermelon. Taking a sip, the beer is medium in body, more than I expected for a fruit beer (even one as potent as this). It screams bright, juicy watermelon fruit, a bit like a bite out of a fresh slice, a bit like a jolly rancher candy. It finishes dry with balancing bitter hops and a kiss of warming alcohol.
Value & Verdict
I paid $16.99 for my 4-pack at Total Wine. That's about $4 more than I think the price should be, and a quarter star demerit for that.
It is delicious, and I might rate it higher but for the price. As it is though I am enjoying it very much.
