Month: November 2016

Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery Mythology Czech Pilsener at 5.3% ABV | 24 IBU (C$2.39 at NLC Stavanger, 355 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 1-Nov-2016, reviewed 1-Nov-2016)

Appearance: clear pale gold with one finger of rocky white head settling rapidly to a thick moderately persistent cap, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: grassy hay, crackery malt, honey, light floral. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, mild bitter, light spice. (7/10) Light crisp body, moderate carbonation, off-dry mildly bitter and lightly spicy finish. (3/5)

A solid Czech-Style Pilsener, with clean aromas, crisp body, and a lightly spicy noble hop finish, but that’s as far as it goes. Decent enough, I suppose, especially for sessioning, but surprisingly (and somewhat disappointingly) normal for Flying Monkeys. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Garrison Brewing Company / Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company Sweet Rye’d Harvest Wheat Ale Rye Beer at 6% ABV | 40 IBU (C$2.26 at NLC Stavanger, 341 ml, bottle date 22-Sep-2016, acquired 31-Oct-2016, reviewed 1-Nov-2016)

Appearance: clear pale to medium amber with one finger of creamy ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: spicy rye, caramel malt, grass, floral, earth. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light spice. (7/10) Medium slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, off-dry bitter and mildly spicy finish. (3/5)

A solid offering from a collaboration between two competent brewers. As usual, I quite enjoy the presence of a bold and spicy rye, and I wouldn’t call it overwhelming here. I’m just a little puzzled by the characterization of this as a “Wheat Ale” when there’s so very little wheat character. A minor quibble, perhaps, but I like the label to reflect what’s in the bottle. Pedantry aside, I can definitely recommend this as worth trying, particularly if you enjoy Rye IPA’s. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com