Ladies and Gentleman … a bold but easy drinking brew that’s sure to turn your hop head. Perfect as we enter the Victoria Day weekend here in Canada, a day that celebrates the Monarch that created this country that largely runs along the 49th parallel. Rating → 85 points Stats: Schwarzbier. 6.5% ABV. 41 IBUs. Vancouver,…
Sunturnbrew (Barley Wine) – Nøgne Ø Brewing Co.
Smoked and then more smoked … there is nothing about this beer that is subtle. Rating → 83 points Stats: Barley Wine. 11% ABV. 50 IBUs. Grimstad, Norway. Size: 500mL bottle Colour: Dark brown with auburn undertones Mouth Feel: Low carbonation — sweet and soft on the tongue. Purchased: LCBO Price: $5.15 Pairings: On it’s own…
“Harvest Ale” (American Pale Ale), Muskoka Brewery
A new offering from a brewery that makes an impression for its limited and season runs. Rating: 88 points Stats: American Pale Ale. 7.0% ABV, Bracebridge, Ontario. Size: 750mL Colour: Thick, dark, perfect amber. Mouth Feel: Medium carbonation; creamy middle. Dry finish. Purchased: LCBO Cost: $8.95 Pairing Notes: n/a So here’s another limited run beer from a brewery that has challenged…
“Side Launch Wheat” (Wheat Beer) Side Launch Brewing Company
Stats: Wheat Beer. 5.3% ABV. Collingwood, Ontario. Size: 473mL can Colour: Muted, unfiltered straw blonde Mouth Feel: Medium carbonation with a spicy but dry finish. Purchased: LCBO Price: $2.70 Pairing Notes: Grilled Chicken → 87 points Third up on the “CAN”-do count-down is a wheat ale from the small Georgian Bay community of Collingwood known more for its spas and shopping and ‘mountain’ vista…
“Kilannan Alt” (Altbier) Kilannan Brewing Co.
Stats: Altbier. 5.2% ABV. Own Sound, Ontario. Size: 473mL can Colour: Brown-Amber (unfiltered) Mouth Feel: Medium carbonation; watery start and creamy but dry finish. Purchased: LCBO Price: $2.90 Pairing Notes: Grilled lamb kebabs → 85 points So in collision of two bits of chance, I thought I’d do series on beers that come in cans — more or less exclusively. That…
“Legendary Oddity” (Spiced Beer), Muskoka Brewery
Finally … a beer from the Muskoka Brewery worth writing about. Having previously reviewed their ubiquitous Mad Tom and Twice as Mad offerings which left me unimpressed, I was hesitant about sticking another toe in their fermented waters. Twice bitten — definitely third time shy. So why did I take the bait? The packaging grabbed…
“Dead Guy Ale” (German Maibock) Rogue Ales
As I’ve written before, when any company can connect their values with mine, it portends a great experience. So with a bottle cap that reads “Dedicated to the Rogue in Each of Us” and with the trilogy of high-power words around the neck, of Dare * Risk * Dream, I was already impressed. I then…
“La Vache Folle Double IPA – Palisade” (Double IPA) Microbrasserie Charlevoix.
Who doesn’t love a laughing cow? I mean really … what’s to hate? I’ve had some amazing beers from Microbrasserie Charlevoix including their Milk Stout (reviewed here) which was one of the highlights of 2013. So when I saw their double IPA (aka “imperial” IPA), I was sold without a whisper. After all, I love…
Ale No. 7 ~ “Corps Mort” (American Barley Wine) À l’abri de la Tempête Microbrasserie
For the final beer in the Ales Bells series, I reached deep into my fridge to pull out a bottle that has sat there for 20 months. Yes, 20 months! Trust me when I say that this wasn’t a mistake and I knew what I was doing … or at least I presumed that I knew…
Ale No. 6 ~ “Pale Ale Americaine” (APA) Brasserie Dunham
So for Ale No. 6 in the Ales Bells series, I’m turning my attention back to Ale No. 4, the English-styled pale ale. Why? Because if I’m going to write about one pale ale, the English version, then I really need to write about the other to make the comparison. Therefore, next up: a new American…