Yuengling Brewery has been around since 1829, making it America’s oldest brewery. Known for their lager, they do offer some other flavors including a Yuengling Light and Lord Chesterfield Ale which is up for review today.
Lord Chesterfield Ale pours a clear gold with a fair amount of carbonation rushing to the head. The head itself was thin, standing about one finger at its height and it quickly dissipated. The aroma was a little skunky but not in the bad way but rather in the way that some European beers can have a slightly skunky aroma. There is nothing wrong with the beer if you smell a little skunk. There were also notes of hops and malt that come through. The skunky smell does diminish over time so if the smell bothers you give it a few minutes before sipping.
The first taste was a little underwhelming. Given the aroma and Yuengling’s history you almost expect something extraordinary. Instead you get kind of ordinary. There is a little note of biscuit up front followed by malt and finished with hops. The beer is light in the mouth and finishes dry and refreshing with just the right amount of carbonation. It is a very easy beer to drink, which might be its best quality. Some beers are meant for sipping. This is a session beer, though at 5.4% ABV it has a little more heft than your typical quantity beers. It goes down easily, won’t kill your wallet, and has some complexity in the taste department to keep your taste buds interested. It might not be your favorite beer but it is a very drinkable brew and there is nothing wrong with that.
Overall, this beer is a middle of the road kind of beer. It has a decent taste, goes down easily, and gets better as you drink it. It has a little of that European flavor but at American prices and that is all right with us.