Month: November 2017

Saltbox Brewing Holy Mackerel! English Pale Ale at 5.7% ABV (C$3.91 at Liquid Assets YHZ, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 12-Nov-2017, reviewed 13-Nov-2017)

Appearance: hazy pale amber with one finger of fluffy off-white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: caramel malt, melon rind, earth, pine, citrus. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter slightly astringent finish. (3/5)

Definitely an English-style Pale, with a hop profile that might charitably be described as “earthy”. (If one were feeling less charitable, one might describe it as being as muddy as the appearance.) There are definitely hints of pine and even citrus in the back end, but the front is dominated by caramel malt and melon rind. Nothing offensive, but nothing exciting, either. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Tatamagouche Brewing Deception Bay American IPA at 6.2% ABV | 63 IBU (C$4.13 at Liquid Assets YHZ, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 12-Nov-2017, reviewed 13-Nov-2017)

Appearance: slightly hazy deep gold with one finger of fluffy white head diminishing gradually to a persistent cap, moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, pine, pale malt, floral, tropical fruit. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, dry moderate bitter finish. (4/5)

Unexpectedly good, ticking all the boxes on appearance, aroma, flavour, and body. The hop blend is well done, with solid bittering coming from the Magnum, and an even-handed blend including Citra providing a pleasant mélange of citrus, pine, and assorted fruits. (And, hey, look at that, another example of my theory that the IBU should be ten times the ABV!) Malt is precisely where it should be, providing decent support without intruding. The body is a solid medium-weight elevated by slightly higher-than-moderate carbonation, and the finish the clean and dry. I have no reservations in recommending this one. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

St. James’s Gate (Diageo) Guinness Hop House 13 Euro Pale Lager at 5% ABV (C$3.65 at NLC Stavanger, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 9-Nov-2017, reviewed 9-Nov-2017)

Appearance: clear medium gold with one finger of medium head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: biscuity malt, caramel, floral, fruit. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light spice. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter finish. (3/5)

Frankly, I was expecting this to be terrible… but it’s not. It’s not great, either, mind you, but it’s quite drinkable. Yeah, I know, “What’s Guinness doing making a lager?” but you could do a lot worse. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Cameron’s Brewing Company Motörhead Röad Crew American Pale Ale at 5% ABV | 45 IBU (C$2.76 at NLC Howley Estates, 330 ml, packaged on 5-May-2017, best before 30-Nov-2018, acquired 8-Nov-2017, reviewed 9-Nov-2017)

Appearance: clear pale gold with a thin white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, berries, pale malt, noble hops. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter finish. (3/5)

Yeah, if you went into his expecting an actual APA, you’d be bitterly disappointed (somewhat literally, as well as figuratively, given the biggish bitter). Then again, if after seeing that this was brewed by Cameron’s, you still expected an actual APA, you pretty much deserve what you get. There’s nothing actually wrong with this, but it’s a pretty typically English interpretation of an APA, and not very interesting. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg GmbH Max Glaner’s IPA American IPA at 5.8% ABV | 45 IBU (C$4.06 at NLC Stavanger, 330 ml, best before 4-Jan-2018, acquired 6-Nov-2017, reviewed 7-Nov-2017)

Appearance: clear pale amber with one fat finger of rocky white head, good retention and moderately heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, pine, pale malt, tropical fruit. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter finish. (4/5)

Wow – look at Stiegl, upping their game yet again! I have to say, I really enjoyed this one. This is a nicely balanced American-style IPA, with a pleasant hop aroma and emphatic (but even-handed) bitterness, without sacrificing drinkability. There’s no question that this is the best thing I’ve ever had by Stiegl, and it’s quite impressive to see a large(r) commercial operation accomplish this kind of change. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg GmbH Columbus 1492 American Pale Ale at 4.7% ABV | 25 IBU (C$3.19 at NLC Stavanger, 330 ml, best before 10-May-2018, acquired 6-Nov-2017, reviewed 7-Nov-2017)

Appearance: slightly chill hazed pale gold with one finger of creamy white head that retains well, moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: grapefruit, tropical fruit, hint of onion/catty. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (4/5)

This might be the best Stiegl beer I’ve had – fairly clean, easy-drinking, and refreshing. I’m assuming, given the name, that Columbus was the primary hop, but can’t find any confirmation that it’s a single-hop. Definite American-style hopping provides grapefruit and tropical fruit aromas, with a not-inappropriate hint of onion or cattiness that suggests something in addition to Columbus hops were used – maybe some Citra or Simcoe? Either way, definitely a decent interpretation of an American style by an Austrian brewery. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Garrison Brewing Company Borg Ale American Strong Ale at 5.6% ABV | 25 IBU (C$6.01 at NLC Stavanger, 650 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 6-Nov-2017, reviewed 6-Nov-2017)

Appearance: hazy brown with one finger of creamy beige head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: molasses, toasted malt, hint of dark fruit. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-full body, moderate carbonation, sweetish medium duration finish. (3/5)

I continue to be fairly unimpressed by these Federation of Beers offerings, which (except for Red Shirt) have been at best forgettable, and at worst actively offensive (yes, I still harbour a seething hatred for 50th Anniversary Golden Ale). This one tends to the better end of the FoB spectrum, but that’s not exactly a high bar. Get it if your beer store has nothing else you haven’t tried, I guess, but don’t expect to be impressed. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg GmbH Max Glaner’s Wit Witbier at 5% ABV | 16 IBU (C$3.71 at NLC Stavanger, 330 ml, best before 2-Feb-2018, acquired 6-Nov-2017, reviewed 6-Nov-2017)

Appearance: opaque and slightly muddy pale gold with one finger of fizzy white head that retains poorly, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: mild, bready wheat, coriander, orange peel, light floral. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, mild bitter, light tart. (6/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (4/5)

A decent little Witbier, but nothing too exciting or memorable. About what I’d expect from Stiegl, actually. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales Oro de Calabaza Belgian Strong Ale at 8% ABV | 30 IBU (US$9.99 at Specs Main Houston, 750 ml, packaged on 22-Jun-2016, acquired 8-Mar-2017, reviewed 5-Nov-2017)

Appearance: clear straw with one fat finger of rocky white head diminishing gradually to a persistent cap, moderate soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: vinous white wine & oak, apples & pears, yeasty funk, bready malt, white pepper, hints of stone fruit & floral. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, mild bitter, mild peppery spice. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, prickly carbonation, dry crisp tart mildly spicy lightly astringent warming finish. (4/5)

Regardless of whether you call this a Belgian Strong or a Bière de Garde, it’s very nice. The flavours deliver on precisely what the nose promises: a whole bunch of vinous and fruity notes without a lot of concomitant sweetness, while the finish is crisp, dry, and welcoming of the next sip. I’ve called it a warming finish, but truth be told one might as well attribute that to the mild spiciness as to the very well-masked ABV. My only complaint (if it is one) is the fact that the tartness does seem to turn just very slightly astringent in the finish. (16/20)

My 250th from the 2010 Edition of 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die, 240th from the 2013 edition, and 264th combining both editions.

8/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Bruery Terreux Humulus Terreux with Motueka Hops Sour / Wild Ale at 6.3% ABV (US$10.99 at Specs Main Houston, 750 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 8-Mar-2017, reviewed 4-Nov-2017)

Appearance: clear pale gold with a fat rocky white head (hi, Brett) that retains well, patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: complex, funky Brett, lemon zest, coriander, tropical fruit, white pepper, earth. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, moderate funky tart. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-high carbonation, dry mildly funky finish. (4/5)

They call this a Wild Ale, but it’s pretty Saison-ish, if you ask me. (Which is absolutely not a criticism, since Saison is one of my favourite styles.) Very Brett dominated, whether appearance (typical Brett head), aroma (big funky Brett), taste (funky tart) or finish (bone dry and mildly funky). There’s also citrus and tropical fruit, which I’m attributing to the Motueka hops. All in all, a very enjoyable brew. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com