Sierra Nevada tap takeover at Craft Beer Market Calgary
Flight #1:
Vienna Lager – Toasted biscuity and caramel malt, grassy, honey. Light body, medium-low carbonation, low head, no retention or lacing. Clean short finish. 7/10
Kellerweis – Banana, cloves, and wheat. Moderate sweet, low bitter. Cloudy gold with low head, little retention, no lacing. Lightly tart finish. 7/10
Porter – Coffee and toasty malts, light smoke.Moderate-low sweet with surprisingly floral and hoppy moderate bitter. Medium body, short bitter finish. 8/10
Narwhal Imperial Stout – Cocoa, coffee, floral, pine. Moderate-high sweet, mild bitter. Medium-full slick body, low carb, good retention and lacing. Very drinkable. 8.5/10
Hop Hunter IPA – White head, good retention and lacing. Punchy hoppy aroma, pine, citrus and floral. Moderate sweet, moderately strong bitter. Very nice! 8/10
Flight#2:
Close Call Kölsch – Citrus and grass but catty dominant. Moderate sweet, light bitter. Light body, clean and crisp finish. 6/10
Nooner Pilsner – Light citrus, grassy, honey. Moderate sweet, light bitter. Light body, short finish. Pretty standard pils. 6/10
Brown Ale – Coffee and nutty, little or no hop character. Moderate sweet, low bitter. Medium-light body, quick drop-dead finish. Inoffensive but boring. 6/10
Outside Lands Saison – Appleas and pears, stone fruit, light funk. Moderate-high sweet, low bitter, light tart. Quite mild, to the point of being a little boring. 6.5/10
Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywine Style (2015) – Big bourbon, vanilla, oak. Nose hair singing solventy ABV. Moderate strong sweet and not much else. Surprising easy drinking given the nose. 7.5/10
Torpedo Extra IPA – Citrus, resiny pine and grassy, catty. Moderate-strong sweet, moderate bitter. Moderate-low carbonation, short finish. A bit disappointing. 6/10