Tofino Brewing Co. Hoppin’ Cretin American IPA at 7.5% ABV (C$7.15 at Hume Hotel Liquor Boutique, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before)
Appearance: clear pale amber with two fingers of rocky ivory head, excellent retention and well-defined lacing. (5/5) Aroma: woody pine, floral, citrus, caramel. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderately strong bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium to full body, moderate carbonation, lingering and building bitter finish. (4/5)
“Nunc est bibendum” indeed. The hops are all the usual starts-with-C varietals that I know and love so well. And it’s such a pretty beer, with pretty much perfect colour, retention and lacing. While we’re talking appearance: the label, I’m more than halfway convinced, is a backhanded compliment to our lovely neighbours south of the border, or at least their passports – so there’s that. Bottom line? I’ll bibendum this all day long. (Hold on – ain’t “Bibendum” the Michelin Man’s name? Another tick in the “pro” column!) (16/20)
