RyansBooze

De Molen _Amarillo (Storm & Bliksem)_ Imperial IPA at 9.3% ABV | 60 IBU _(C$12 at Bottlescrew Bill’s, 330 ml, bottle date 18-Sep-2015, best before bottle date 18-Sep-2017, reviewed 15-Nov-2016)_

Appearance: hazy pale amber with one finger of loose off-white head, poor retention and no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: caramel, tropical fruit, resiny pine, faint citrus. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, warming lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

A bit unimpressive. Despite the BB date, this has definitely turned into the same old malt-forward DIPA that leaves me cold. Kind of a shame, really, and I’d like to try it fresh, but not great as it stands. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Unibroue Grande Réserve 17 (2016) Belgian Strong Ale at 10% ABV | 35 IBU (C$12.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750 ml, bottle date 14-Sep-2016, acquired 8-Nov-2016, reviewed 14-Nov-2016)

Appearance: cloudy deep brown with three fingers of rocky beige head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: mildly boozy dark fruit, toffee and caramel, banana, clove. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, mild bitter, light tart. (8/10) Medium body, lively to moderate carbonation, warming lightly tart finish. (4/5)

For those of you keeping track, yes, this is my third double-digit ABV beer today, a) what are you, my mother? b) don’t you have anything better to do? and c) yes, I am a little drunk. I have a bit of history with this beer: I’ve already reviewed the 2013 twice, once when it was a few months old, and then again after a year’s cellaring. I have one more 2013 in the cellar, and added a 2014 along the way (only one!) without doing a review. Somehow I managed to skip 2015, so when I saw the 2016, I figured I might as well grab a couple and do one review as soon as possible, and cellar the other one for a future long-term vertical – so here it is, at just about exactly two months in the bottle. It’s really quite interesting how much variation there is between fresh and aged: as this stands now, there are hints (but only hints) of the plethora of Belgian flavours I discerned in the cellared 2013. (And can you believe I once thought this was sour, or boozy? Wow… my tongue and throat must be pretty much leather by now…) At this stage, this thing is nearly light in aroma, flavour, and body. (There’s even a hint of hop character!) I can see where it’s headed, but it hasn’t gotten there yet. Actually, this makes me really interested to see how that old 2013 vintage will taste when I vertical it with another two… or three… or six… years’ worth of its brethren. I may or may not continue to do annual vintages as they come out – we’ll see – but at some point I think I’ll do a day-long multi-year vertical, then sleep for a day or two. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Hornbeer Black Magic Woman Imperial Stout at 10% ABV | 113 IBU (C$9.20 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 500 ml, best before 17-Mar-2026, acquired 13-Oct-2016, reviewed 14-Nov-2016)

Appearance: solid black without even a hint of relief around the margins, one fat finger of rocky beige head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: smoky peaty malt, bitter dark chocolate, liquorice, boozy dark fruit. (8/10) Taste: high sweet, high bitter, high alcohol. (8/10) Full slick body, moderate carbonation, smoky warming sticky and bitter finish. (4/5)

Pours a viscous tarry black completely unrelieved by any transmission of light, topped by a rocky beige head that retains well. I initially thought it wasn’t as bitter as the IBU rating implied, but gradually it became apparent that there actually was a significant hoppy bitterness underlying the smoky malt and liquorice. Everything’s turned up to 11 on this: it’s not subtle, but it’s well-balanced and emphatic. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Big Rock Brewery Rum Barrel Aged Barley Wine Barley Wine at 10.8% ABV | 24 IBU (C$5.09 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 330 ml, best before 27-Oct-2017, acquired 8-Nov-2016, reviewed 14-Nov-2016)

Appearance: clear deep amber with one finger of loose beige head retaining poorly with patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: rum, brown sugar, boozy vanilla extract, dark fruit, bready malt. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter, moderate alcohol. (7/10) Medium-full slightly slick body, lively carbonation dropping off to soft, warming sweet and sticky finish. (4/5)

Definitely warm in the finish, but surprisingly mild given the ABV. I was expecting something hotter, but this is well-balanced and even-handed, with strong but not overwhelming sweetness tempered by strong but not overwhelming alcohol heat. Gotta give credit where it’s due here: I’m not a huge fan of rum or barley wine, but this is pretty decent stuff. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Sound Brewery Mortal Kombat X Scorpion American Double / Imperial Stout at 8% ABV (C$10.06 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 18-Aug-2016, reviewed 12-Nov-2016)

Appearance: nearly opaque brown with the merest hints of ruby at the margins, three fingers of rocky beige head, excellent retention and patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: liquorice, milk chocolate, vanilla, hint of chilli. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter, moderate-high peppery spice. (8/10) Medium-full body tending slightly thin, soft carbonation, building warming bitter and spicy finish. (4/5)

Woof – that’s a big, hot beast, in more ways than one. Upon uncapping liquorice immediately leads the way, quite similar to Howe Sound’s Megadestroyer (and how bizarre is that similarity, huh? – beers by “Howe Sound Brewery” and “Sound Brewery” having so much in common?) but after the liquorice fades, and following a brief flirtation with the Madagascar Vanilla, the chillies crash the party and set the mouth on fire. After that, it’s all about damage control: drinking faster initially cools the heat, but then the chilli oils just build and really get entrenched – but slowing down just means dragging out the punishment. (Speaking of punishment, it makes me wonder to what degree it’s inspired by Stone’s Crime and Punishment – which I have yet had the opportunity to try.) I actually like this a lot – draw your own conclusions as to exactly what kind of vague self-loathing and guilt that implies. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

4 Mile Brewing Co. Sweet Potato Harvest Spiced Ale Spice / Herb / Vegetable at 6.5% ABV | 20 IBU (C$7.79 at Quarry Park Calgary Co-Op, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 10-Nov-2016, reviewed 12-Nov-2016)

Appearance: clear medium amber with one finger of fluffy ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: pumpkin pie spices, sweet potato, grainy malt. (5/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, low bitter. (5/10) Medium-thin body tending watery, moderate carbonation, sweet spicy finish. (3/5)

It’s not pumpkin, it’s sweet potato! Completely different! Except, this smells and tastes like pumpkin pie – or, maybe sweet potato pie. Really, really sweet potato pie. I’m intrigued by the differences between this and pumpkin, I really am – but ultimately this is a pie in a glass, except much thinner. Thin and sweet isn’t a recipe for success in my book, sorry. At the end of the day, it’s inoffensive but fairly forgettable, without much to distinguish it. (11/20)

5.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company Jack O’Lantern Pumpkin Ale Spice / Herb / Vegetable at 5.5% ABV | 5 IBU (C$7.29 at Quarry Park Calgary Co-Op, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 13-Oct-2016, reviewed 12-Nov-2016)

Appearance: clear medium amber with one finger of fluffy ivory head, good retention and patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: sweet pumpkin pie, floral, grassy. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, low bitter. (6/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, sweet malty and spicy finish. (3/5)

Yes, I know, another pumpkin beer. You take what you can get up here in the frozen north, OK? And supporting the local guys is important to me. On to the beer! I’ve had worse pumpkin beers, and I’ve had better. This isn’t subtle, by any means, and plays more as canned pumpkin pie filling than real pumpkin. Too sweet for my preference, but that’s offset somewhat by the emphatic spices. I’m intrigued by the suggestion that this gets served with whipped cream and nutmeg, and I think I’d enjoy trying that – but as it stands, it’s not very exciting. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Blindman Brewing 1 Year Belgian Golden Strong Ale at 8.9% ABV | 45 IBU (C$7.29 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 500 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 8-Nov-2016, reviewed 12-Nov-2016)

Appearance: hazy straw with one finger of fluffy white head, excellent retention and patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, stone fruit, Belgian yeast, pale malt, light funk and spices. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Medium body, lively carbonation, drying and warming lightly funky finish. (4/5)

An ambitious anniversary ale by a local brewery I quite enjoy – and in a challenging style I quite enjoy. Definitely many opportunities for failure there, but actually, it turned out pretty darned good. Lots of Belgian character from the Duvel yeast, and a lightly funky dry finish from the Saison yeast. Well-balanced, with a high but not intrusive alcohol presence. Alberta beer geeks who don’t try this are doing themselves a disservice. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Gubernija Brewery Zhiguly Barrel 95 Malt Liquor at 9.5% ABV (C$4.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 500 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 18-Sep-2016, reviewed 12-Nov-2016)

Appearance: hazy medium gold with one finger of fluffy white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, no lacing. (2/5) Aroma: corn, apple, grainy malt, solventy alcohol. (3/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate alcohol, mild bitter. (2/10) Medium-full body, moderate carbonation, hot solvent finish. (2/5)

Smells bad, tastes worse – I actually shuddered at the first sip. And the next one. Gave up after the third – although there’s enough nail polish remover-like alcohol present to cause immediate warming of the throat and stomach, it didn’t numb my taste buds quickly enough to continue. Checked the label and found “Contains sulphites.” Mwah? Why would a beer contain sulphites? What the hell are they spiking this with? Nasty and no doubt favoured by discriminating soccer hooligans and street dwellers everywhere. (6/20)

3/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Gigantic Brewing Company Lustrous Belgian Farmhouse Ale (#46) Saison at 8% ABV | 28 IBU (C$11.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 8-Nov-2016, reviewed 11-Nov-2016)

Appearance: slightly hazy deep gold with two fingers of rocky head, good retention and moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: apples, citrus, caramel malt, peppercorns, perfumy floral. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, mild spice, light funk. (6/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry warming and lingering spicy finish. (3/5)

I liked the idea of scanning the can/bottle with your phone when Collective Arts did it with Blippar, and it’s still fun with the slightly more labour-intensive process Gigantic used with this one – though I’m not entirely sure how the dirty fuzz shoegaze of “The Rule” by bed. is all that relevant to this particular beer. (I’m not going to get into a discussion of how the breast-bound pubescent female on the label pertains to the name.) But, I listened while I drank, so as to enjoy the full experience. And I recommend doing so, if for no other reason than it’s fun to make tasting an experience that engages as many senses as possible – and unless the carbonation is pretty loony, hearing is the only major sense not engaged by the process. So, there’s that. The beer itself, on the other hand, is… well… less impressive than I’ve generally come to expect from Gigantic. As a Saison, this is frankly a heavy mess: the ABV is way too high, the body is too heavy, and the apple-dominant aromas go off to brown apple far too readily. Now, if it had been labeled a “Golden Strong” or something along those lines, well, I might be a bit more forgiving, but Saison is something of a favorite of mine, so I’m gonna hold your feet to the fire on it. I’m a tad disappointed by this failure to deliver, since I thought their Intensify and White Light White Heat indicated a reasonably solid understanding of Belgian styles, but this falls a bit short. TL;DR: semi-good, a bit heavy-handed, pricey. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com