Month: January 2016

Tofino Brewing Co. Kelp Stout American Stout at 6% ABV (C$8.50 at Sundance Wine Market, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 15-Jan-2016)

Appearance: nearly black with clear brown margins, one fat finger of dense beige head, excellent retention and good lacing. (4/5) Aroma: cocoa, coffee, dark roasty malt, light brine. (6/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate bitter, light umami, light salt. (6/10) Palate: medium-full body, moderate carbonation, short duration finish. (3/5)

There’s actually a short-lived briny note of, yes, kelp upon decapping. Overall, though, it’s a quite mild stout with only a hint of umami and brine. A bit of a one-trick pony, nothing exciting. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Two Sergeants Brewing Inc. Passion d’Ale Witbier at 5.2% ABV (C$4.49 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 15-Jan-2016)

Appearance: cloudy pale gold with two fingers of rocky off-white head, excellent retention and lacing. (4/5) Aroma: heavy coriander, white pepper, wet cardboard, smoke. (3/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate bitter. (3/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, spicy finish. (3/5)

OK, on the one hand, that’s a seriously impressive, really authentic Belgian-style head. Seriously, you can cut that thing off with a knife, just like they do in Belgium. On the other hand, that’s pretty much the high point for this beer. To be fair, it’s a brand-new, small-scale local brewer – but it’s still not good. At all. Undrinkable, sink pour. (6/20)

3/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Lagunitas Brewing Company Born Yesterday American Pale Ale at 6.5% ABV (C$8.96 at Andrew Hilton Wine & Spirits, 946 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 15-Jan-2016)

Appearance: clear deep gold with two fingers of fluffy white head, excellent retention and lacing. (5/5) Aroma: bright citrus, tropical fruit, pine resin, onion, pale malt. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, strong bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

Well, it wasn’t born yesterday, but they told me it was born in December when they filled the growler, so that’s close enough. I was initially really excited by this, but the onion note just keeps growing… and growing… and growing… The video on Lagunitas’ web site admits to Equinox, Mosaic, Amarillo, Simcoe, and Citra, but I’m not sure which one is the onion/garlic culprit – usually it’s Summit, but that doesn’t appear to be present in this one. Regardless, there’s a definite onion/garlic character. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a world-class beer, but it’s not quite the paragon I initially thought it might be. (And can anyone explain to be how a 6.5%, 65-ish IBU pale qualifies as an “APA” and not an “IPA”? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?) (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Driftwood Brewery Black Stone Porter English Porter at 6% ABV (C$6.75 at Sundance Wine Market, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 14-Jan-2016)

Appearance: nearly sold black with clear brown margins, one finger of dense beige head, excellent retention and lacing. (4/5) Aroma: coffee, chocolate, dark roasty malt, tart red berries, light lactic. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, mild bitter, very light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium-full body, moderate carbonation, off-dry finish. (4/5)

Nice. Smooth and chocolatey, dark and rich. Nice dark roast flavours, while staying pleasantly mild – a solid implementation from a solid brewer. In the background, I’m getting a near-lactic smoothness along with an almost raspberry-like tart – which, considering they’re pretty much opposites, is no mean feat. Can’t go (too badly) wrong with Driftwood in my experience, and this is another solid performer, if not quite world-class like Fat Tug, Pilsner Doehnel, or Naughty Hildegard. (Even if it doesn’t make me want to spank a nun. Aw, hell, who’m I kidding? I still want to spank a nun.) (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Category 12 Brewing Unsanctioned Saison Saison at 6.9% ABV (C$8.25 at Sundance Wine Market, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 14-Jan-2016)

Appearance: hazy medium gold with one fat finger of pure white fluffy head, excellent retention and lacing. (4/5) Aroma: yeast, pale malt, orange peel, cloves, earthy. (5/10) Taste: moderate sweet, mild bitter. (5/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry finish. (3/5)

Pretty simple, and frankly boring, saison. Sweetish, with no funk to speak of. Can’t say I’m liking this one a whole heckuva lot. I mean, sure, it’s better than a macro lager, but what isn’t? (11/20)

5.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Alley Kat Brewing Co. Unity Brew Premium Bitter / ESB at 5.4% ABV (C$6.79 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 14-Jan-2016)

Appearance: clear pale amber with a short ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: caramel malt, grassy, metallic, bready. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-low carbonation, lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

Fairly typical ESB, without much to recommend it. A bit metallic on the nose and in the finish. OK, but don’t knock yourself out trying to find one. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Nelson Brewing Company Bent Pole American IPA at 6% ABV (C$7.75 at Sundance Wine Market, 650 ml, best before 10-Apr-2016, reviewed 13-Jan-2016)

Appearance: clear pale amber with two fingers of fluffy ivory head, excellent retention and good lacing. (4/5) Aroma: pine, citrus, caramel malt. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, lingering bitter and very slightly catty finish. (3/5)

Decent enough A/IPA. A little clumsy, and not as clean as I’d like to see it, but pleasant enough. I’d like to see more definition in the hops – crisper and brighter would make me happier. I’m also noticing a hint of cattiness in the finish that I think is coming from the Simcoe. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Tofino Brewing Co. Tuff Session Ale American Pale Ale at 5% ABV (C$8.50 at Sundance Wine Market, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 13-Jan-2016)

Appearance: clear medium amber with two fingers of growing rocky light beige head, good retention and lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, nutty, toast, apples. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-low bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, short duration finish. (3/5)

Not bad, but not what I was expecting at all. More like an ESB, really, than an APA. Certainly darker and maltier than I prefer APA’s. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Türk Tuborg A.Ş. Tuborg Gold Pale Lager at 5.5% ABV (C$4.37 at Quarry Park Calgary Co-Op, 500 ml, bottle date 16-Jul-2015, best before 16-Jul-2016, reviewed 13-Jan-2016)

Appearance: clear pale straw with one finger of fluffy off-white head, moderate retention and patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: grainy malt, weedy grassy hops, wet cardboard. (4/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (4/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry sweet and sticky finish. (2/5)

A Turkish-brewed license of a Danish Beer? What could possibly go wrong? Yeah, it’s piss, but I was thirsty and it was literally the only thing in my work fridge that wasn’t 9% or 750ml – or both – and I have to drive. It quenched my thirst. If you find yourself needing it for the same reason, do yourself a favour and don’t let it warm up. Drink it fast and it’s not too bad. Well… OK, it is, but at least it’s over with faster. (And hey! Yet another beer with “Premium” on the label that, well, isn’t. This is fast becoming a truism.) (8/20)

4/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com