Category: Reviews

Ninkasi Brewing Company N10 Anniversary Imperial Blended Ale American Strong Ale at 10% ABV | 100 IBU (C$25.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 8-Nov-2016, reviewed 10-Nov-2016)

Appearance: near-opaque deep brown with two fingers of creamy light beige head, excellent retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, pine, citrus, wood, tobacco. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (8/10) Medium-full slightly slick body, moderate carbonation, dry and warming (verging on hot) building bitter finish. (4/5)

There’s a whole heckuva lot going on in this thing – there are vastly differing elements from wildly differing styles co-existing side by side here, and it’s tempting to call this a kitchen sink. Ultimately, though, it works reasonably well: the roasted malt stout aspects lead the way, augmented by the boozy imperial character, while there are hints of the IPA contributions in the finish. It’s kind of surprising that there isn’t more IPA character here, since they represent a quarter of the mix, but the fact that it’s 75% stout and barleywine makes me think that there might be some good aging prospects here. A bit pricey to take that flyer on, though, especially since I already have so much dark stuff laid down for aging. We’ll see how charitable I’m feeling the next time I see it on a shelf. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brewsters Brewing Company Beer Clouds Anti-Hail Ale American Pale Ale at 5% ABV | 19 IBU (C$6.79 at Quarry Park Calgary Co-Op, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 10-Nov-2016, reviewed 10-Nov-2016)

Appearance: crystal clear pale straw with two fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: grassy, honey, light citrus, hint of sulphur. (5/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, mild bitter. (6/10) Medium-light body, moderate carbonation, sweetish mildly bitter finish. (3/5)

Lagers that taste like ales? Generally good stuff – or at least moving in the right direction. Ales that taste like lagers? Not quite so great. I’m tempted to conclude they stripped all the flavour out by overfiltering, given the crystal clear appearance. Starts off somewhat less than impressive – and gets less nice as it warms, with a hint of sulphur coming out. Not one of their better efforts, and more like a macro lager than an APA. (11/20)

5.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan Brugse Zot Dubbel Abbey Dubbel at 7.5% ABV | 27 IBU (C$4.79 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 330 ml, best before 9-Sep-2017, acquired 11-Oct-2016, reviewed 10-Nov-2016)

Appearance: opaque amber-brown with two fingers of loose light beige head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: dark dried fruit, toasted bread, nutty, earthy. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry warming and mildly bitter finish. (4/5)

A decent, if somewhat unimaginative, Dubbel. Pleasant dried fruit and toasty malt flavours dominate over mild earthy hops. However, this is a very competitive style, dominated by some of the greatest beers in the world (Westmalle, Westvleteren 8°, Maredsous 8 and Rochefort 6, just to name some of the best I’ve had), so this suffers somewhat by comparison. OK, but not worth making a special effort to locate. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Alley Kat Brewing Co. Amarillo Dragon American Double / Imperial IPA at 7.5% ABV | 75+ IBU (C$7.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 8-Nov-2016, reviewed 9-Nov-2016)

Appearance: clear deep gold with two fingers of fluffy off-white head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: pithy grapefruit, floral, caramel malt. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Medium slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, off dry warming and lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

Yes, Alley Kat, we get it – “Amarillo” is not only a type of hop, but also Spanish for “yellow,” which ties well into the whole colour dragon series. It would be almost amusing, were it not for the fact that the brewer is desperate enough for new colour ideas to offer beer in recompense. Just let it die, already. Pretty good beer, though. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Postmark Brewing Fresh Hop Pale Ale American Pale Ale at 4.8% ABV | 34 IBU (C$7.29 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 8-Nov-2016, reviewed 9-Nov-2016)

Appearance: clear pale amber with one fat finger of loose off-white head diminishing fairly rapidly to a thin skim, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: floral, anise, pale malt, grassy, earthy. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Medium body, moderate-low carbonation, off dry medium duration bitter finish. (3/5)

Huh… that’s actually not bad. Kind of an interesting flavour profile, with floral leading, but followed immediately by an almost anise-like note that lingers. It’s really not much like the “fantastic clean earthy aroma” the label promises, but it’s not bad. It’s not great, either, mind you. (But that seems to be pretty much par for the course with Postmark: the best I’ve ever had by them was their IPA, at 7.5/10, but other than that they seem to wallow around 6.5/10 – or lower.) (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Tree Brewing Co. Frick’n Fresh Hop American Pale Ale at 5.2% ABV | 50 IBU (C$7.79 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, best before 23-Apr-2017, acquired 8-Nov-2016, reviewed 9-Nov-2016)

Appearance: clear pale amber with one fat finger of fluffy ivory head, good retention and well-defined lacing. (4/5) Aroma: grassy, earthy, caramel malt, citrus, pine. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, off dry medium duration bitter finish. (3/5)

Well, the hops might be fresh, but they sure aren’t all that interesting. I can’t find out what it’s hopped with, but they’re more earthy and grassy, than bright and citrusy. Nugget? Cluster? Tettnang? Regardless, it’s not unpleasant – but it’s not exactly bright or exciting, either. I’m a little unconvinced by the alleged 50 IBU (other sources say 42, but Tree’s web site says 50) as well – it doesn’t smell or taste that bitter to me. OK, but that’s about as far as it goes. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Yellow Dog Brewing Co. Chase My Tail Pale Ale American Pale Ale at 5.2% ABV | 50 IBU (C$4.62 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 473 ml, best before 1-Oct-2017, acquired 8-Nov-2016, reviewed 9-Nov-2016)

Appearance: clear pale amber with two fingers of fluffy off-white head, good retention and moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: pale sweet malt, orange juice, pine, floral, lightly dank green vegetal. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Medium body tending slightly watery, moderate carbonation, sweetish short duration bitter finish. (3/5)

They call this a “West Coast Style Pale Ale”, but it’s really not all that dank. It’s a touch too sweet for my preference, and with an almost-catty, almost-oniony vegetal edge. I can’t find out what they hopped it with, but I’m guessing Citra or Simcoe, given that almost-but-not-quite cattiness. It’s not bad, but it lacks the bright and clean citrus aromas I prefer for this style. On the other hand, I’ve been told their IPA is excellent, and this is good enough to convince me to keep an eye out for it. Plus, I love the name. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Powell Street Craft Brewery Hopdemonium American Double / Imperial IPA at 7.2% ABV | 70 IBU (C$8.49 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 8-Nov-2016, reviewed 8-Nov-2016)

Appearance: clear medium amber with two fingers of rocky ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: sweet pulpy citrus, grapefruit pith, tropical fruit, caramel malt, resiny pine, floral. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Medium-full body, moderate carbonation, building and lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

So, the jury seems to be out as to whether this is a DIPA, or “merely” an IPA. I mean, they themselves call it an IPA, but at 70 IBU and more than 7% ABV, let’s be clear: it’s obviously a DIPA (which meets with my whole-hearted approval). The flavour profile is right up my alley as well – I’ve had more emphatically “West Coast” ales, but this is decent, with both citrus flesh and pith, as well as fruit and pine tones. Not quite as dank as a full-blown West Coast – which, yes, I’d prefer – but pleasant enough. It tastes reasonably fresh, and certainly hasn’t become malt-forward, but I’ll still repeat my desire for bottle dating – it would be nice to know if this is brighter (and better!) when fresher. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Powell Street Craft Brewery Ode to Citra Pale Ale American Pale Ale at 5.5% ABV | 40 IBU (C$8.49 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 8-Nov-2016, reviewed 8-Nov-2016)

Appearance: clear pale amber with two fingers of rocky ivory head, excellent retention and moderate chunky lacing. (4/5) Aroma: pine, tropical fruit, citrus, caramel and pale malt, earthy, grassy. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

I’d bet good money that the only difference between this and Old Jalopy is the hopping – I’m guessing the malt bill is essentially identical. And, come right down to it, there’s not all that much difference in the hopping: many of the same elements are present, just in differing intensities. On the other hand, the differences are all to the good, so I’ve got high hopes for the next Powell Street beer in my rotation (the Hopdemonium IPA). (15/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Powell Street Craft Brewery Old Jalopy Pale Ale English Pale Ale at 5.5% ABV | 40 IBU (C$8.49 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 8-Nov-2016, reviewed 8-Nov-2016)

Appearance: clear medium amber with two fingers of rocky ivory head, excellent retention and moderate chunky lacing. (4/5) Aroma: earthy, caramel malt, floral, citrus, pine. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

Not quite a true English Pale, given the North American hop presence, but certainly English-dominant. The bitterness is also a bit higher than typically for the EPA style, but not to the point of becoming unbalanced. Maybe you could almost call this an EPA/APA hybrid? Not my favourite style overall, but still a pleasant and well-balanced ale. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com