Month: September 2017

Bellwoods Brewery Wizard Wolf American Pale Ale at 4.8% ABV | 44 IBU (C$5.00 at Bellwoods Brewery, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before but fresh from brewery, acquired 11-Sep-2017, reviewed 12-Sep-2017)

Appearance: opaque pale gold with a short white head diminishing gradually to a thin persistent cap, moderate patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus zest, floral, bready malt, grass. (8/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry bitter and slightly spicy finish. (4/5)

I last had this more than two years ago, at which time I pronounced it inferior to other Bellwoods brews. Well, that might actually have been true – and, indeed, might still be – but it’s still one heckuva beer. I’m tempted to suggest they’ve changed the recipe, actually, going more NE-style on the structure, because this is far more opaque than the “hazy” I described it as then: it flat-out looks like orange juice now. Plus, the citrus dominates over the bready malt, rather than the other way around. No way around this – I’m gonna have to re-rate it a smidge higher. (And yes, that’s a disposable hotel cup. It’s that or not drink at all, OK? Desperate times, and all that…) (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Driftwood Brewery Belle Royale Kriek 2017 Kriek at 7.6% ABV (C$13.59 at Oak & Vine, 650 ml, packaged on 27-Mar-2017, acquired 26-Apr-2017, reviewed 10-Sep-2017)

Appearance: slightly hazy deep ruby with a short, short-lived fizzy off-white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tart cherries, balsamic vinegar, red wine, oak, floral. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, minimal bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, lively to moderate carbonation, slightly sweet moderate tart finish. (3/5)

All things considered, not a bad little Kriek. Decent depth and complexity, including real-tasting cherries, and some red wine barrel notes. Has some Flanders Red characteristics, perhaps – particularly with the slightly umame balsamic vinegar notes – but I don’t really consider that a negative. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Robinsons Brewery Iron Maiden Red & Black Porter English Porter at 6.8% ABV (C$3.72 at NLC Stavanger, 500 ml, packaged on 20-Jun-2017, acquired 6-Sep-2017, reviewed 8-Sep-2017)

Appearance: clear ruby brown with one fat finger of creamy pale beige head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: bready and roasty malts, nuts, light toffee. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, moderate carbonation, slightly sweet moderate bitter finish. (3/5)

Well, it’s a pretty beer, I’ll give it that: a clear ruby brown, with a decent head that falls just a touch fast for my preference, but leaves a nice lacing behind. Flavours are pretty much what one would expect for the style, too: all bready malt, with some roastiness, light nuttiness, and a hint of toffee. The gravity is a bit of a sticking point, well beyond what one would ever have found in the 1850’s style beer the label claims. However, I find it hard to get too worked up over a slightly too high ABV – I mean, at least it’s not “Imperial” or some such foolishness, right? And it’s certainly at least as good as Trooper and 666 Trooper, so, well done, I guess? (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Goat Locker Brewing Company Fainting Bock Bock at 5.6% ABV | 20 IBU (C$3.83 at NLC Stavanger, 473 ml, packaged on 29-Mar-2017, acquired 6-Sep-2017, reviewed 8-Sep-2017)

Appearance: slightly hazy medium gold with one fat finger of fluffy light ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, leafy and weedy hops, light citrus, earth. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, lively to moderate carbonation, medium duration moderate bitter finish. (3/5)

Bocks aren’t really my thing. I assume they’re going for Maibock/Helles Bock here, since it’s way too light for a Traditional or Dunkles Bock, but that’s about as far as my knowledge of the field extends. However, referring to the BJCP description, this thing is fairly in-spec. Basically it’s a beefy Lager, but decently well done. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Goat Locker Brewing Company Pale Session Ale American Pale Ale at 4.5% ABV | 30 IBU (C$3.83 at NLC Stavanger, 473 ml, packaged on 24-May-2017, acquired 6-Sep-2017, reviewed 8-Sep-2017)

Appearance: hazy pale amber with one finger of loose off-white head settling to a thin cap, moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, leafy and weedy hops, hints of apple and pine. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration moderate bitter finish. (3/5)

So… this beer is by a Calgary brewery, but contract-brewed in BC. And I bought it here in Newfoundland, but I’m leaving for BC in a couple of days, before heading back to Calgary…  my world really is a strange place. As far as the beer goes, well, I guess it’s OK. It’s not really in-spec for an American Pale, if you ask me – almost more of an English, when you get right down to it, with a somewhat malt-dominant character, and grassy weedy hops (although, granted, somewhat more bitter in the finish than typical for that style). Decently well-done, pleasant enough, and thirst-quenching, but it’s not exactly blazing any trails. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Ale Apothecary Sahalie American Wild Ale at 9.32% ABV (C$40.44 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750 ml, packaged on 24-Mar-2016, acquired 13-Oct-2016, reviewed 7-Sep-2017)

Appearance: hazy pale amber with one finger of loose off-white head settling to a thin cap, minimal lacing. (4/5) Aroma: complex, red wine, oak, stone fruit, caramel, malt vinegar, earthy funk. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high tart, moderate sweet, low bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium body, lively carbonation, short tart finish. (4/5)

Big and complex. Similar to El Cuatro, but more red wine barrel notes than white. Truly and stupidly overpriced, like all their beers, but closer to worth it than some. (17/20)

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Microbrasserie Le Castor Farmhouse Cerise Saison at 6.5% ABV (C$10.19 at Oak & Vine, 500 ml, packaged on 16-Oct-2016, acquired 26-Apr-2017, reviewed 7-Sep-2017)

Appearance: slightly hazy red-tinged medium amber with one finger of loose off-white head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: sour cherry, light funk, caramel. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, low bitter, moderate funky tart. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry mild tart and funky finish. (3/5)

Nowhere near as impressive as their Colorado Farmhouse. Cherries dominate, but come across as slightly bruised or past their best-by, instead of brightly tart like I prefer. OK, but nothing special. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Microbrasserie Le Castor Colorado American Wild Ale at 6.2% ABV (C$9.34 at Oak & Vine, 500 ml, packaged on 6-Jan-2017, acquired 26-Apr-2017, reviewed 7-Sep-2017)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with two fingers of loose white head diminishing gradually to a thick persistent cap, moderate clingy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: stone fruit, lemon zest, pale malt, light barnyardy funk, hint of black pepper, floral. (8/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, low bitter, moderate funky tart. (8/10) Palate: light body, moderate carbonation, dry lightly tart and funky finish. (4/5)

Oh yeah – Le Castor nails another one. With its bone-dry finish and barnyardy funk, this definitely isn’t for everyone – but I’m not everyone. (“Thankfully!” says everyone…) On the front end, a definite but not overwhelming Brett character contributes to the body and the flavours, but there’s still some hop character at the party as well. If Wilds are your thing, you’ll enjoy this one – and maybe it’ll start to make Wilds your thing if they’re not! (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Heretic Brewing Company Petit Rouge Belgian Pale Ale at 5.4% ABV | 15 IBU (C$9.99 at Oak & Vine, 650 ml, packaged on 2-Jun-2017, acquired 31-Jul-2017, reviewed 6-Sep-2017)

Appearance: clear pale ruby with one fat finger of pale mauve head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: cranberry, wheat, light plastic/band-aid, floral, hint of black pepper. (6/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, low bitter, moderate tart. (6/10) Palate: light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lightly tart finish. (3/5)

I wouldn’t have identified the floral note as hibiscus, if it weren’t on the label – if anything, I’m getting store-bought cranberry sauce. Unfortunately, there’s a phenol band-aid note that just as pronounced, whether it’s cool or warmed. Don’t bother. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Blindman Brewing Kettle Sour #1 Sour / Wild Ale at 4.5% ABV | 7 IBU (C$3.75 at J. Webb Wine Merchant, 355 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 30-Apr-2017, reviewed 6-Sep-2017)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of loose white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate clingy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: white grape must, lemon, stone fruit, grainy pale malt, lactic sour, floral. (8/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, low bitter, moderate tart. (8/10) Palate: light body, moderate carbonation, dry lightly tart finish. (4/5)

I’ve almost completely given up on kettle sours, simply because they’re so painfully, well, simple. But when I saw this re-release, I figured it was worth trying, based upon word of mouth. Was not disappointed. The best thing about this one isn’t the rather plain and mild kettle souring, but the Mosaic and Galaxy hops, which impart a pleasing white wine character in addition to zesty citrus and stone fruit. Far better than the later versions I’ve tried, mostly because it’s so hop-centric. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com