Month: March 2020

Hawk Tail Brewery Hawktail NEPA – American Pale Ale at 6% ABV (C$4.18 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 27-Feb-2020, reviewed 5-Mar-2020)

Appearance: slightly hazy straw with two fingers of fluffy white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: mild/muted, lemongrass, crackery pale malt, light catty/pissy. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body tending slightly watery, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium bitter slightly astringent finish. (3/5)

I was a bit surprised that this could be as light (verging on watery) and muted in character as it was, while simultaneously having a (relatively) high ABV. I started to get a mild warming only after most of the pint was gone, and it had to struggle to make itself known over the bitterness and astringency. Not terrible, and arguably both refreshing and more-ish, but certainly not one to drink specifically to appreciate aromas and flavour. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Twin Sails Brewing Sack Lunch – American IPA at 6% ABV | 33 IBU (C$5.35 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 27-Feb-2020, reviewed 5-Mar-2020)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, pale malt, light funk. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry medium bitter lightly boozy and funky finish. (4/5)

It’s “Sack Lunch” because it’s brewed with Sacch Trois, geddit, geddit? I bet nobody else thought of that name! (Checks untappd.) Ooo… oh, well. I’m a little surprised at how there’s a bit of a boozy edge given the relatively restrained six percent joy juice factor, but that’s not a criticism by any means. Nor is the observation that the carbonation is slightly elevated for the style, since I think that acts to keep this refreshing and not overly sweet despite the emphatic fruit flavours. Honestly, these guys don’t know how to make a bad beer. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Twin Sails Brewing Good Clean Fun – American IPA at 6.4% ABV | 55 IBU (C$5.35 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 27-Feb-2020, reviewed 4-Mar-2020)

Appearance: clear pale gold with two fat fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: dank resiny pine, citrus, caramel. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry building lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

I don’t have a lot to say here, not because it’s not good (it is) but because it’s pretty much a textbook example of how to do the style – no more, no less. There’s not much above and beyond, but everything is done properly. You could certainly do a lot worse for a go-to beer for the hockey game! (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

O.T. Brewing Company American Mild – Mild Ale at 4.3% ABV (C$3.82 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 8-Nov-2019, acquired 27-Feb-2020, reviewed 3-Mar-2020)

Appearance: clear amber-brown with one finger of fluffy beige head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: toasted bread, light coffee, hint of pine and nuts. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry mild finish. (4/5)

A nice example of the style, and pretty approachable despite its dark appearance. The body is surprisingly light for the colour, and in fact the carbonation tends slightly to the lively. Definitely lots of English influence in the toasty bread aroma, but the hint of pine brings an American twist. Easy-drinking fun. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Bellwoods Brewery / Revel Cider Co. Spontaneous Coolship Beer – American Wild Ale at 6.7% ABV (C$22.32 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 1-Apr-2017, acquired 13-Feb-2020, reviewed 3-Mar-2020)

Appearance: clear pale gold with one fat finger of rocky white head, excellent retention and no lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tart apple, oak, dry hay funk. (8/10) Taste: moderate tart, moderate-low sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light crisp body, moderate carbonation, off-dry tart lightly funky finish. (4/5)

Pretty much exactly what I was expecting: there’s a distinct tart apple note that merges seamlessly with the dry hay Wild Ale funk and woody oak barrel ageing. The apple dominates to the point that there’s not a whole lot of depth or complexity here, but it’s dry, crisp, and tart – and that counts for a lot! (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

E9 Brewery Black Helmet – American IPA at 6.4% ABV (C$5.22 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 27-Feb-2020, reviewed 2-Mar-2020)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with a huge and growing rocky pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, floral, bready caramel, pithy citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly creamy body, moderate carbonation, sweetish medium duration slightly sticky finish. (3/5)

Given the name, I was expecting a Black IPA, so now I’m vaguely disappointed. Actually, most of the metrics here leave me feeling vaguely disappointed: the uncontrolled head, the perfumey floral note in the aroma, the heavy-tending sweetness and bitterness on the tongue, and the slightly sticky sweetish finish. In every case, there’s nothing actually wrong, but taken as a whole, it’s just a bit… meh. A slightly pedestrian and plodding West Coast IPA. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com