Shipyard Prelude Special Ale

I picked up a bottle of Shipyard Prelude Special Ale from Al’s of Hampden as part of a mixed- six-pack. The beer pours a brown color with a frothy beige colored head with some lacing on the glass. The aroma consists of caramel, malts, brown sugar, toffee, and a bit of mustiness. The taste is dry and sweet at the same time with caramel, toffee, malts, and brown sugar. Hints of maple syrup and coffee come out as well. The finish has a light musty hoppiness that really compliments the sweetness very well. The alcohol consists of 6.8% ABV. I expected a decent beer, but this one by far exceeded my expectations. There were a nice compliment of spices built upon a great sweet base.