Tasting flights are becoming more common these days and the reason for this is because it is a good way to understand how their beer range differs through aroma and flavour. It brings you, the drinker into a world of discovery and how to approach the different beers when conducting your flight.
The Cask Connoisseur with thanks to Adnams Southwold have recently led their own tasting flight as part of Adnams Ghost Ship Series. The three flight beers sampled were: Ghost Ship 0.5% ABV Pale Ale, Ghost Ship 4.5% ABV Beyond The Pale Ale and Double Ghost IPA 5.2% ABV.
Below, you’ll find out what both Luke and Chris thought of each beer and which one came out as the overall winner of the flight. Alternatively, you can find the Youtube video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP5uYMv1940&t=466s
Preparation steps to consider for a Tasting Flight
Certain factors to take into account in preparation include some of the suggested ideas below, some are priority steps, whereas others are only required in limited circumstances.
- The order of any tasting flight is key, it’s pointless starting with the strongest beer and finishing off with a low ABV, this will mess up your palette and tasting instincts.
- Does the beer require to be chilled before consumption? Not all beers are advised to be served at room temperature. It’s advisable to check the label for instructions on how to store your beer.
- Are you planning on matching each beer with a food, researching about each beer will give you a headstart on whether light snacks or substantial food is necessary.
- Having a supply of water to hand is important, this ensures your palette is refreshed between each tasting to avoid any confusion on flavours when sampling each beer.
- Finally, having the correct amount of glasses is of greater importance, there is nothing worse than sampling different styles of beers out of the same glass. Again, this will mess up your taste buds and your palette will have no understanding of any flavours that your mind can reconcile.
Tasting Flight 1: Ghost Ship 0.5% ABV – The Low-Alcohol Alternative
To start the Adnams Southwold Tasting flight we kicked things off with the Ghost Ship 0.5% ABV, a great option for those who want to enjoy a beer but still be able to drive home afterward.
Appearance: Golden and lightly pale.
Aroma: Very hoppy on the nose with zesty notes of lemon and lime.
Taste: Light-bodied with a slightly bitter, citrusy profile. It has that typical low-alcohol beer texture, similar to other low and non alcohol drinks like: Doom Bar Zero, Guinness Zero, or Shipyard Low Tide. While it’s a solid alcohol-free option, it does miss some of the depth of a full-strength beer.
Our reactions: If you’re looking for a sessionable beer without the alcohol, this is a good option to go for especially if your palette responds well to hops.
Official Tasting Notes
Appearance – A vibrant golden hue
Aroma – Enormous amounts of Elderflower, Gooseberry and bold citrus.
Taste – Warming rye spices, a complex amount of Citrus.
Tasting Flight 2: Ghost Ship – The Classic Pale Ale 4.5% ABV
Next up was the flagship brew of the Ghost Ship range. This beer is an utmost favourite for many beer drinkers and can be found widely in many pubs and supermarkets.
Appearance: Compared to the Ghost Ship 0.5% that we sampled first, the classical Ghost Ship appeared more amber in colour.
Aroma: Slightly more balanced than the low-alcohol version, with less intense hops and a smoother scent, making this manageable to enjoy if you’re looking for a drink to enjoy for a session.
Taste: Malty and bitter with a touch of elderflower, citrus, and gooseberry flavors. There’s also a hint of rye spice that gives it some complexity.
Final Thoughts: A definite step up from the 0.5%. The balance between hops and malt makes it a great go-to pale ale. If you enjoy classic, well-rounded beers, this is certainly a beer to buy and try.
Official Tasting Notes
Appearance – A glorious golden colour which pours remarkably.
Aroma – Bold Citrus and dazzling amounts of elderflower
Taste – Heavily citrus flavours which are balanced against a hoppy rye texture.
Tasting Flight 3: Double Ghost Ship IPA 5.2% ABV – The Standout Favourite
To conclude the flight tasting we finished on a “high tide” beer that both Chris and I were really looking forward to sampling. Also, this was a new release so it was interesting to find out how this beer compares . This one had us both excited, with a higher ABV of 5.2% and a promise of bold flavors.
Appearance: On the pour the colour certainly looked similar to the standard Ghost Ship, with a rich amber hue.
Aroma: A shift from the traditional pale ale scent—less hoppy, more balanced, and smoother with tropical fruit notes.
Taste: This beer delivers everything that you can dream of in one glass! Smooth, well-bodied, and featuring a wonderful mix of tropical fruit flavors, white grape, and a lingering rye spice.
Final Thoughts: This was the clear winner for both of us. If you’re an IPA lover, this beer is a must-try. The balance of flavors and smoothness makes it incredibly moreish.
Official Tasting Notes
Appearance – Strong amber in colour
Aroma – Tropical fruits, flashes of pine, white grape and citrus
Taste – A cracking amount of rye spice on the finish
Final Ranking on The Adnams Southwold Ghost Ship Tasting Flight
After sampling all three beers, here’s how we ranked them: From the Overall Winner to the beer that is a good starter for something to sample.
- Double Ghost Ship IPA – A bold, smooth, and flavorful IPA that stood out as the best.
- Ghost Ship Pale Ale – A classic, well-balanced beer with great drinkability.
- Ghost Ship 0.5% – A good low-alcohol alternative, but not quite as exciting as the other two.
To round off this flight tasting, inevitably the Double Ghost Ship came out on top and sailed its way through to victory. Tastings are a fantastic way to understand beer in many ways, it’s not just the style or colour of the beer that makes it special, it’s the story it brings to your eyes. We are certainly looking forward to taking part in another tasting flight in the near future.
