Review - Jump/Ship
Jump/Ship is the beer that could! A small startup from Edinburgh that beat the best in the competition. In 2021 Jump/Ship submitted Yardam to the world beer awards and won best no and low alcohol lager. Since then they have grown and now brew various styles but have maintained their vision and small business ideals. The founders’ love for the sea and sailing inspires their cans and the brand, any keen vexillologists will be able to spot the flags from at least a mile out.
Yardam (6.9) is their flagship, a lager I found to be a little all over the place. Starting strong with fresh citrus flavours on the nose which beckon you in and delight the palate you are somewhat stunned by an odd lactic and almost chocolate milk-like flavour. The milkiness continues through the finish and hands over to a much more palatable biscuity and yeasty end. I don’t know enough about their specific brewing practices to say where the odd flavours come from but find it a strange choice for a lager that presents so well. Jackstaff (7.7) is their IPA and again has a nose that makes you want to drink, delightfully bready and super barley forward with a honey note I can’t get enough of. I was let down on the palate where the acidity felt flat and flavours became very one note, quaffable but rather unspectacular though thanks to the tannin and delightfully bitterness on the finish I found myself returning for more! An oddball for me was their Ocean Drift (7.5) a Gooseberry Gose, a style I’m not a massive fan of so went in sceptical. My fears were partly confirmed on first sniff and being met with a waft of Heinz beans had me recoilling and wary of my first sip but under it was a subtle elderflower and green grape. Surprisingly on the palate, any fear of beans was quashed, a lovely acidity carried flavours of yuzu, lime, lemon pith and elderflower which all lingered on the finish. I don’t know if it’s just me or what it is about Gose styles of beers that means I get a hint of beans but I would take my score here with a pinch of salt as it may not be what you smell at all. Finally the Stoker’s (1) a stout I have little to say about, I think the stout style is really tough to do at 0% and I’ve only found one or two doing it well, this isn’t one. Acrid and watery I didn’t finish it, I would like to revisit it in six months and see if I feel the same way.
Overall I would recommend Jackstaff as a refreshing option that’s ultradrinkable and Ocean Drift for anyone looking to try something a bit different. I love seeing people try new things but what I love more is doing the old things really well, Jump/Ship does both to varying degrees. I want to try their other beers as I think they could be just what I’m looking for based on what I’ve seen.
Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are my own and are in no way intended to harm or cause harm to the business. My taste is personal to me and I hope you also take the time to try all these beers and form your own ideas. This is here solely to help guide you and give you an idea of what you may experience when drinking these products
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