Categories
Reviews

Driftwood Brewery Son of the Morning – Belgian Golden Strong Ale at 10% ABV

Driftwood Brewery Son of the Morning Belgian Golden Strong Ale at 10% ABV (C$7.74 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 25-Apr-2017, reviewed 30-Apr-2017)

Appearance: clear medium gold with one finger of fluffy white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: honey, yeasty, hot booze, apples & pears. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter, alcohol edge. (6/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, lively carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter and boozy hot finish. (3/5)

OK, Driftwood, I think you’ve overstepped here. “Son of the Morning”? As in “Lucifer”? As in “Devil”? As in “Duvel”? Yeah, no. I know Duvel, and you, my friend, are no Duvel. Points lost for overweening arrogance. (No, I don’t subtract points when it’s justifiable arrogance, duh.) Another gorgeous label, I’ll give you that, but we’re talking beer, not labels. Doesn’t hit the numbers on the style guidelines, which makes me a little sad because it seems to be happening all to frequently with Driftwood lately. This is drinkable, but it’s not what I was hoping for. Damned with faint praise: OK. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Categories
Reviews

Phillips Brewing Company Scythe Matters Imperial Hefeweizen – Hefeweizen at 7.2% ABV

Phillips Brewing Company Scythe Matters Imperial Hefeweizen Hefeweizen at 7.2% ABV (C$9.99 at Quarry Park Calgary Co-Op, 650 ml, best before 1-Aug-2017, acquired 25-Apr-2017, reviewed 30-Apr-2017)

Appearance: clear medium gold with one fat finger of rocky white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: clove, banana, wheat, grass. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter, alcohol edge. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter and warming finish. (3/5)

Shouldn’t that be “Scythe Matterth”? Now I need to find their Wheatking and compare – for SCIENCE! Actually, speaking of comparing, this reminds me a lot of their Crookeder Tooth, which is a pumpkin ale with nearly the same ABV. This isn’t as good, though, mostly due to a very slightly harsh alcoholic, solventy edge. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com