Sooner or later, we were going to have to tackle the question of what the heck is sur lie (which translates as “on the lees” in English). You’ve undoubtedly seen in as I have on some European labels and it is an even more common description on the labels of Quebec beers. So, what does it…
“Cascade India Pale Americaine” (American Pale Ale), Brasseurs Illimités
An interesting tale of two beers, same family, same brewery, but very different. Right from the pour, the differences sprang (see previous post “IPA Classique”). Cascade is as pure a filtered beer as you’ll see and it fills the glass with a deep, reddish brown … almost a dark “apple juice” in colour. The carbonation…
“IPA Classique” (India Pale Ale), Brasseurs Illimités
Here’s a very good brewery from Quebec that has provided a number of interpretations on the “pale ale” and this is but one of their half-dozen creations. As such, it seemed right to start with their “Classique.” A first taste reveals a ton of carbonation which was only accented more by how relatively little carbonation…
“St –Ambroise India Pale Ale” (IPA), McAuslan Brewing
Ok – so enough with winter beers for a bit, or at least until I attend Festibière d’hiver (WinterBeerFest) next weekend. We’re back to tasting new IPAs. Here’s a beer I picked up awhile back as well when, as I previously mentioned, I went in search of St-Ambroise Citrouille (Pumpkin Ale). I have long been…
“Desérables” (Maple Ale), Microbrasserie Le Grimoire
Wow – so this is a bit of a fortuitous moment. I’ve had this beer from BroueHaHa in my fridge for going on 3 months waiting for the mood to strike me. At 8% alcohol and 660ml, I figured I needed to be ready to open this one. The label will certainly catch the eye of…
“L’Érabière” (Maple Pale Ale), Brasserie Schoune
Yummy. Oh, yeah … yummy, all the way. I could end it there – but I won’t. Brasserie Schoune out of Quebec has nailed this maple-beer, so much so that they’ve cleverly inserted the word itself (érable) into the name. And I must say, they have also very cleverly achieved a pure insertion of maple…
“Black IPA” (American Black Ale), Brasserie DunHam
It’s been awhile since a beer really made me go “Hmm … interesting” and then want another long sip. Dunham’s Black IPA, however, is definitely a palette surpriser … and pleaser. Even with the word “black” on the bottle, I was totally surprised at how this beer poured which you can tell from the overly…
“la Messe de Minuit” (Seasonal/Christmas Beer), Les Brasseurs du Temps (BDT)
In homage to the seasons (just passed) here’s a delicious brew that, admittedly, I’m a few weeks late in reviewing. I bought it at BroueHaHa with the best of intentions, but it was a busier season with less imbibing than I forecast … and cross-country ski season has arrived, so hours are in shorter supply. First,…
“West Coast Pale Ale” (Pale) by Church-Key Brewing Company
I chanced across this beer on tap at the Wellington Gastropub before Christmas and I quite enjoyed it on tap, so when I saw it in the LCBO a few weeks later, I bought a 6-pack with the promise to review it. I’ve since drank it twice and my conclusion of this beer remains the same…
“Boréale” (IPA) by Brasseurs Du Nord Inc.
In a word, Boréale is “balanced.” Indeed, it’s probably the most balanced IPA I’ve tasted thus far. The first taste is not what I’ve come to expect in an IPA. The carbonation is immediately present – which would make you think, “Wow – too much.” But that’s not the case – sure, there is more…