Chamberlain Pale Ale Revisited (Warning: History Lesson)

When I first tried Chamberlain Pale Ale, I made a commitment to drink it again on the anniversary of the 20th Maine’s big fight at Gettysburg. Today, I’ve done just that and I'm glad I did, because it reminds me of two things: this is an outstanding beer, and history is an amazing thing.

July 2nd dawned hot and the ridge lines and hilltops near the little town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania must have been heavy with the smoke from scattered Union and Confederate encampments, and thick with the smell of gun powder and blood.

By day’s end, the 20th Maine under the able leadership of scholar-turned-soldier Joshua Chamberlain would distinguish itself through its efforts to preserve the Union line at an as yet unknown spot on Little Roundtop.

History records the mass act of daring and heroism that occurred on that second day of battle outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. History also notes that Joshua Chamberlain was awarded the Medal of Honor for the bravery and leadership he displayed on that day.

Fading into history are those who didn’t survive much beyond the battle. Sergeant William S. Jordan of Company G was shot through the lung at some point during the battle. History does not record at what point during the battle Sergeant Jordan received his mortal wound, but he lingered until July 24th, fading slowly over the course of over twenty days. Sergeant Jordan died and was buried near the Trostle Farm south of Gettysburg. He was later moved to the National Cemetery where he lays in the Maine section, resting in honored peace.



The sun set blood red here in the desert southwest today, drawing a smoky curtain on a nearly 114 degree day. I imagine the sun was blood red at Gettysburg as well.

Chamberlain Pale Ale (Warning: History Lesson)

Shipyard Brewing Company. Chamberlain Pale Ale

If you’d asked me last week to name an American beer that honors a Medal of Honor recipient, I wouldn’t have been able; but today I know.

On the advice of Johnny Southside, the wife and I visited Total Wine near Arrowhead Mall a week ago, and found a veritable cornucopia of beers from around the world. We headed first down the six-pack aisle and the very first beer to catch my eye was the handsomely labeled Chamberlain Pale Ale. Joshua Chamberlain is a hero of the Battle of Gettysburg and a personal favorite of my wife. When we got ‘round to the singles aisle, I made a point of picking up two of the Chamberlain Pale Ale’s for my mix and match six pack. (By the way, the Total Wine is flippin’ awesome! If you don’t have one in your neighborhood, write your congressman and demand on NOW!)

I tried the first bottle of Chamberlain Pale Ale this afternoon and I’m so very impressed with this beer, I think I’ll go back and pick up a six-pack to have for the anniversary of the Gettysburg Battle in early July. I think this will be a terrific beer to enjoy in our Arizona heat over the July 4th weekend. But I digress. Who is Joshua Chamberlain?

Amazingly, 63 men were awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of heroism during the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania between July 1st and July 3rd, 1863. Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, commander of the 20th Maine is one of those heroes. Gettysburg is now known as the high water mark of the Confederacy, but in the first days of July 1863, Union success was hardly a foregone conclusion. The battle of Gettysburg erupted as the result of an almost accidental encounter between Union forces and Confederate foraging parties who had moved toward the town of Gettysburg in search of supplies – especially shoes, which were in short supply in the rebel military. The initial contact developed into a delaying action as Union forces were pushed back through the town of Gettysburg and into the high ground adjacent to the town. (Ironically, Gettysburg is the only battle of the Civil War in which Confederate forces attacked from the north, while Union forces fought from the south to the north.)

On the second day of the battle, Colonel Chamberlain’s 20th Maine, composed of 358 men, were arrayed to the left of the Union line in defensive positions on Little Round Top. Chamberlain’s small unit protected the whole left flank of the Army of the Potomac. Late in the afternoon of July 2nd, the unit withstood repeated attacks from the 15th and 47th Alabama. By evening, stretched further and further along the ridge, their ranks diminished by combat casualties, the 20th Maine was in an untenable situation. At about 6:30, rebel forces launched a final attack on the 20th Maine’s lines. If successful, this attack would have given Confederate forces control of high ground from which to attack the remaining Union forces. With his ammunition nearly depleted, his forces sapped by combat casualties, Colonel Chamberlain knew his unit would not be able to repulse yet another attack. Chamberlain ordered his men to charge into the advancing enemy with bayonets fixed. This daring charge so surprised and unnerved the Confederate forces that many of them dropped their guns and surrendered. The remaining Confederate forces were successfully repulsed and the Union lines were secured for another day.

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was truly a renaissance man; a scholar and soldier, he even served as governor of Maine and passed away in 1914. While I’m no judge of greatness or of great beer, I’d say this beer is as fine a tribute to the man as will be found anywhere.

The Tasting
Smells faintly of grass in the bottle and mildly of wine or alcohol in the glass. Pours with a thin head, a dark amber color. Tastes of fruit. Light. This one’s a terrific beer and an excellent example of the style.

Don’t take my word for it.

Here’s what the troops at Beer Advocate had to say about this one:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/139/1382

Here’s a nice news piece from Beer Advocate, marking the mass-market release of Chamberlain Pale Ale. Some useful background and links here:
http://beeradvocate.com/news/1002281

Here’s a link to the website of the artist who painted the beautiful image for the label on Chamberlain Pale Ale:
http://www.civilwarartist.com/

Finally, here’s a link to the brewer’s website. Go there and buy a Chamberlain pint glass or t-shirt, NOW! (Drink from it, or wear it for the Gettysburg anniversary in July.)
http://www.shipyard.com/