Big Rock Brewery Hibernation Ale Spice / Herb / Vegetable at 6% ABV | 18 IBU (C$2.83 at Quarry Park Calgary Co-Op, 330 ml, best before 25-Nov-2017, acquired 2-Aug-2017, reviewed 8-Oct-2017)
Appearance: clear pale amber with one finger of creamy ivory head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, minimal patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: butterscotch, pome, mild spice, hints of juniper and strawberry. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (6/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration mildly spicy finish. (3/5)
I’m not quite sure how best to categorize this: it starts off smelling a bit like a Wee Heavy, and really ends up as a fairly unremarkable spiced Amber – but the brewer says it’s a “Herb and Fruit Ale”, so… Definitely doesn’t get any better as it warms, with the butterscotch becoming slightly more butyric in nature. OK, I guess, but not much better than that. (12/20)
6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
