Month: March 2020

Troubled Monk Brewery Get In Loser, We’re Going Brewing – Witbier at 5.3% ABV (C$2.95 at Collective, 355 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 22-Mar-2020)

Appearance: slightly hazy pink-tinted amber with a short loose white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap and ring, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: floral, zesty lime. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low tart, low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry oily lime zest finish. (4/5)

The floral (hibiscus) and lime are roughly the same intensity on the nose, which is good, but combined they completely overwhelm any base Witbier character that might’ve been present. On the tongue and through the finish, the lime completely dominates with an oily zest that is neither excessively sweet nor (surprisingly) overwhelmingly tart. Pleasant, I suppose, particularly due to the restrained sweetness, but not one I’d want to drink much more of. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Rural Routes Brewing Company Happy Travels Lemon Chiffon Saison – Saison at 6.1% ABV | 19 IBU (C$4.50 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 27-Feb-2020, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 21-Mar-2020)

Appearance: opaque pale gold with one finger of loose white head that retains poorly, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: lemon zest & juice, coriander, banana, yeasty funk. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, low bitter, light funky tart. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lightly spicy finish. (4/5)

I was initially a little uncertain with this one – the savoury spice notes aren’t exactly what one might expect as an accompaniment to the lemon top note – but it sort of grew on me after a bit. Ultimately, it ends up being reasonably refreshing and easy to drink. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

New Level Brewing Spell Bound Lavender IPA – American IPA at 7% ABV (C$4.86 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 20-Mar-2020)

Appearance: slightly hazy deep gold with one fat finger of loose off-white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: overwhelming lavender. (5/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

Like drinking Nan’s perfume. I honestly thought it was going to be a sink pour with the first couple of sips, but it eventually grew on me. Slightly. To the point where I didn’t sink pour it. (Civilization’s ending, after all, so gotta make every beer count!) I honestly can’t smell anything other than lavender, which smacks you in the face as soon as the can is opened. The taste is a little more balanced, and the finish is surprisingly bitter, but good god that’s a lot of lavender! (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Phantom Beer Co. Strata Conflict – American IPA at 7.5% ABV | 30 IBU (C$4.36 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 5-Feb-2020, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 19-Mar-2020)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of rocky off-white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: bright juicy citrus, tropical fruit, stone fruit, pale malt, hint of dank pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry short clean finish. (4/5)

That’s very nice. Bright juicy fruit notes dominate, with just a hint of dankness in the background. I can’t find any details anywhere, but I suspect their calling it a “Nordic” IPA refers to the use of a Kveik yeast. Regardless, it’s very pleasant and drinkable. (Edit: for future reference, it looks like Strata is the hop, formerly X-331, and a new one on me, as far as I know.) (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel! Été Indien – Fruit / Vegetable Beer at 5.9% ABV (C$4.65 at Collective, 341 ml, packaged on 2-Oct-2019, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 19-Mar-2020)

Appearance: opaque pale gold with a short, short-lived fizzy head and no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: mango, wheat, lactose, light citrus. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, low bitter. (8/10) Medium body, lively carbonation, short duration tart mildly warming finish. (4/5)

Looks, smells, and tastes like mango nectar, except for the carbonation and mild but nearly immediate boozy warming. So, pretty much exactly like xmas morning beermosas, except without the pulp. I like beermosas. I like this. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Bellwoods Brewery Jelly King Plum – Sour / Wild Ale at 5.6% ABV (C$12.95 at Collective, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 18-Mar-2020)

Appearance: opaque purple with one finger of pillowy pale lavender head, excellent retention and well-defined droopy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tart stone fruit, field berries, light grapefruit. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high tart, moderate sweet, low bitter. (9/10) Medium-light body, lively carbonation, short duration tart finish. (4/5)

I don’t dislike the stone fruit (plum) character, but I find it’s a bit overwhelming when compared to the base version, which has greater complexity. The tartness is also a bit over the top, especially that first sip. Not quite as good as the original, but still pretty good. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Rogue Ales Rogue Rouge Brut IPA with Pinot Noir – American IPA at 7.5% ABV | 25 IBU (C$6.61 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 23-Apr-2019, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 18-Mar-2020)

Appearance: pink-tinged clear medium amber with a short, short-lived off-white head diminishing to a thin skim, minimal spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: grape must, caramel & cereal grains, light pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low tart, low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration lightly tart finish. (4/5)

Slightly less wine character than I was expecting, but I’m not sure that’s a negative, because it makes for a better – or at least more beer-like – balance. Personally, though, I’d’ve preferred a hoppier, less malty, balance for the beer component. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

2 Crows Brewing Run By Night – Grisette / Petit Saison at 3.4% ABV | 12 IBU (C$5.04 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 25-Nov-2019, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 18-Mar-2020)

Appearance: pink-tinged clear pale amber with two fingers of fizzy white head diminishing gradually and loudly to a thin cap, minimal soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tart stone fruit, oak, citrus, mild funk. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, low bitter. (8/10) Palate: light body, lively carbonation, dry crisp tart finish. (4/5)

I know it’s “Run” but I keep thinking “Fly” and humming Rush songs to myself. (Totally not a criticism.) Reminds me a bit of the homemade damson wine me and my cousins used to make as teenagers, although slightly better. Lots of stone fruit and oak foedre character, and a bone dry tart finish. Good stuff. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

S.Y.C. Brewing Co. Relax IPA – American IPA at 6.4% ABV (C$4.81 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 12-Feb-2020, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 17-Mar-2020)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with two fingers of loose white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus, pale crackery malt, stone fruit, light funky yeast. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light funky tart. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration lightly funky finish. (4/5)

Pleasantly fruity Kveik IPA. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Dageraad Brewing Forgotten Future – Saison at 4.2% ABV (C$4.55 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 21-Feb-2020, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 17-Mar-2020)

Appearance: clear pale straw with two fingers of fluffy white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: lime zest, white pepper, floral, clove. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light funky tart. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, lively carbonation, dry tart finish. (4/5)

Pleasantly light, crisp, and refreshing. The lime is emphatic but not quite dominant, and the pepper provides an interesting spicy counterpoint. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com