RyansBooze

The Establishment Brewing Company / Brasserie du Bas-Canada Peripheral Vision – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8.2% ABV (C$7.15 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 15-Jul-2026, acquired 24-Jul-2026, reviewed 8-Sep-2026)

Appearance: hazy medium gold with one finger of fine pale ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: dank resin, berries, tropical & stone fruit, citrus. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly creamy body, moderate-soft carbonation, mildly spicy lingering warming finish. (3/5)

“Freestyle Hops Nelson Sauvin, Rakau, Citra and Citra Cryo”. Pungent aroma leapt out upon opening, but it faded somewhat. Bitterness is a little high for the style, carries through to a slightly sharp finish. (15/20)

This will be my 6,511th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Irrational Brewing Company Opacity 33 – American IPA at 6.0% ABV (C$6.00 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 24-Jul-2026, reviewed 7-Sep-2026)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fine pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: dank resin, tropical fruit, citrus. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly creamy body, moderate-soft carbonation, medium duration slightly spicy mildly warming finish. (4/5)

“Triple Dry-Hopped with Nelson, Kohia Nelson, Nelson Amplifire & Nelson Hop Juice”. Nice one. Pleasant dank resin balanced nicely with juicy fruit, restrained sweetness and a solid finish. (16/20)

This will be my 6,509th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Privatbrauerei Ettl Ettl Helles – Helles Lager at 4.8% ABV (C$4.83 at Costco Okotoks, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 1-Sep-2026, reviewed 6-Sep-2026)

Appearance: clear pale straw with one finger of fine white head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: biscuity malt, grassy hay, faint citrus. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, clean short finish. (3/5)

My twelfth from a Costco 12-pack of German festbiers. (I couldn’t resist, since I’m flying to Munich in a couple of days, and will be at Oktoberfest in a couple of weeks.) I mean, you don’t go looking for ”interesting” or “challenging” in a Helles, do you? It’s fine – clean and crisp. Drink it and move on. (13/20)

This will be my 6,508th unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

KALEA GmbH Beery Greetings from Bavaria – Witbier at 5.2% ABV (C$4.83 at Costco Okotoks, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 1-Sep-2026, reviewed 6-Sep-2026)

Appearance: hazy medium amber with two fat fingers of fine ivory head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: banana, wheat, cloves. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium slightly sticky finish. (3/5)

My eleventh from a Costco 12-pack of German festbiers. (I couldn’t resist, since I’m flying to Munich in a couple of days, and will be at Oktoberfest in a couple of weeks.) A little sweeter than I like, carrying through into a slightly sticky finish. Maybe also a little more Belgian than German? In any case, it’s fine, but not much better than that. (13/20)

This will be my 6,507th unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brauerei Rittmayer Hallerndorf  1422 Festbier – Festbier at 5.8% ABV (C$4.83 at Costco Okotoks, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 1-Sep-2026, reviewed 5-Sep-2026)

Appearance: clear pale gold with one finger of loose white head diminishing rapidly to a thin cap, moderate clingy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: honey, doughy bread, grass. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration finish. (3/5)

My tenth from a Costco 12-pack of German festbiers. (I couldn’t resist, since I’m flying to Munich in a few days, and will be at Oktoberfest in just over two weeks.) Fairly generic Festbier without a whole lot to distinguish it. (13/20)

This will be my 6,506th unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Privatbrauerei Ettl Festbier – Festbier at 5.6% ABV (C$4.83 at Costco Okotoks, 500 ml, best before 1-Dec-2027, acquired 1-Sep-2026, reviewed 5-Sep-2026)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with two fat fingers of fluffy white head, excellent retention and moderate clingy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: honey, doughy bread, grass. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration finish. (3/5)

My ninth from a Costco 12-pack of German festbiers. (I couldn’t resist, since I’m flying to Munich in a few days, and will be at Oktoberfest in just over two weeks.) Fairly generic Festbier without a whole lot to distinguish it. (13/20)

This will be my 6,505th unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Radbrauerei Gebr. Bucher Rosa’s Märzen Spezial – Festbier at 5.5% ABV (C$4.83 at Costco Okotoks, 500 ml, best before 1-Dec-2027, acquired 1-Sep-2026, reviewed 3-Sep-2026)

Appearance: clear pale gold with one finger of fluffy pale ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, minimal spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: toasted crackery malt, floral, grass. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration finish. (3/5)

My eighth from a Costco 12-pack of German festbiers. (I couldn’t resist, since I’m flying to Munich in under a week, and will be at Oktoberfest in under three.) Meh. There’s nothing actually off here, but it’s pretty unremarkable. (12/20)

This will be my 6,503rd unique Untappd check-in.

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Privatbrauerei M.C. Wieninger Festbier Bavarian Lager Beer – Festbier at 5.8% ABV (C$4.83 at Costco Okotoks, 500 ml, best before 1-Dec-2027, acquired 1-Sep-2026, reviewed 3-Sep-2026)

Appearance: clear pale gold with two fingers of fluffy pale ivory head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: honey, grass, toasted bread, faint citrus. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration slightly spicy finish. (3/5)

My seventh from a Costco 12-pack of German festbiers. (I couldn’t resist, since I’m flying to Munich in under a week, and will be at Oktoberfest in under three.) There’s nothing specific here that I find problematic, but it doesn’t have a whole lot to recommend it. (13/20)

This will be my 6,502nd unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Hohenthanner Schlossbrauerei Märzen Festbier – Oktoberfest / Märzen at 5.6% ABV (C$4.83 at Costco Okotoks, 500 ml, best before 1-Dec-2027, acquired 1-Sep-2026, reviewed 3-Sep-2026)

Appearance: clear pale gold with two fat fingers of pillowy pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, toasted bready malt, light citrus, grass/floral. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration slightly spicy finish. (4/5)

My sixth from a Costco 12-pack of German festbiers. (I couldn’t resist, since I’m flying to Munich in under a week, and will be at Oktoberfest in under three.) A decent example of the style, albeit without much to distinguish it from other similar offerings. (14/20)

This will be my 6,501st unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Schlossbrauerei Herrngiersdorf Grantler Festmärzen – Oktoberfest / Märzen at 5.6% ABV (C$4.83 at Costco Okotoks, 500 ml, best before 1-Dec-2027, acquired 1-Sep-2026, reviewed 2-Sep-2026)

Appearance: clear pale gold with one finger of fluffy pale ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, spotty soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: toasted almost smoky bready malt, minerality, grass/floral. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration slightly spicy finish. (4/5)

My fifth from a Costco 12-pack of German festbiers. (I couldn’t resist, since I’m flying to Munich in a week, and will be at Oktoberfest in three.) “Grumpy Bavarian Festbier” (“Grantler” literally means “grumpy”.) Is it a festbier for grumpy Bavarians, or a grumpy festbier for Bavarians? Inquiring minds want to know… I’m not suggesting this is a Rauchbier or anything, but for me this invites that comparison, with the toasted malt verging on smoky. Not that I’m complaining – I appreciate the variation, but I’m sure a purist would disagree. (13/20)

This will be my 6,500th unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com