Tap Handle #112: Mercury Brewing - Ipswich Original Ale

As I have mentioned previously, I like collecting nautical items. This tap fits that theme with a pier post wrapped with rope and ship on top.

Ipswich Brewing was founded in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1991 by Paul Sylva and Jim Beauvais. They initially brewed Ipswich Ale and Dark Ale, then added an IPA, Outmeal Stout, Porter, and Nut Brown. Ipswich formed an alliance with United States Beverage in 1997 for sales and marketing support, and then United States Beverage purchased Ipswich, running it as a separately owned and operated entity. In 1999, a former employee of the original owners, named Rob Martin, purchased the brewery from Sylva and Beauvais, and renamed it Mercury Brewing. He also purchased the Stone Cat brand, and began brewing sodas as well. In 2002 Mercury started contract brewing with Cisco Brewing, then expanded contract brewing to include Endurance Brewing, Cape Ann Brewing, Z street, Opa-Opa, John Harvard's, Hook & Ladder, Offshore, Sherwood Forest, and Kennebeck River. In 2003 Mercury purchased its Ipswich brand back from United States Beverage and was once again independently owned and operated. Mercury currently brews 47 beers and 19 sodas, and is remodeling an old clam packing plant which will become its new home in June and will double brewing capacity.

Ipswich Ale is an English style pale ale with subtle hoppiness and a malty flavor that Wine Spectator Magazine voted one of the world's 10 best beers. Weighted average on ratebeer.com is 3.2 out of 5.

Ipswich Brewery Official Website