Month: September 2021

Port Brewing Co. Mongo – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8% ABV (C$8.85 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 3-Sep-2021, reviewed 28-Sep-2021)

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

The label says this is hopped with Centennial, Columbus, Simcoe, and Cascade, so it’s hardly surprising that this comes across as a big old traditional West Coast-style DIPA. Excellent example of the style, with restrained sweetness and emphatic bitterness. Too bad Mongo only pawn in game of life… (16/20)

This will be my 5,071st unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Almanac Beer Co. Loud! Hazy IPA – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8.0% ABV (C$7.85 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 13-Jul-2021, acquired 3-Sep-2021, reviewed 27-Sep-2021)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of loose white head, good retention and spotty droopy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: doughy yeast, tropical fruit, citrus, cereal grains, pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: smooth slightly creamy medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration bitter finish. (4/5)

The label says this is “obnoxiously dry-hopped” with Mosaic, Cashmere, and Simcoe. It also says “DANK • TROPICAL • SMOOTH”, which is definitely my idea of a good time. And, it’s not bad – but it doesn’t quite cash the cheque it wrote with those descriptions. The aroma, while not exactly mild, is certainly not as bombastic as I’d hoped for, and there’s at least initially a doughy yeast note not unlike a lot of Council beers (or, less generously, cheap home-brew) rather than the promised dankitude. On the other hand, it drinks very easily for its relatively high ABV, so it’s got that going for it. (14/20)

This will be my 5,070th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Church Street Brewing Company Brewcifer – American Double / Imperial IPA at 9% ABV (C$8.75 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 3-Sep-2021, reviewed 24-Sep-2021)

Appearance: hazy nearly opaque pale gold with two fat fingers of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: pine, tropical fruit, sweet citrus, cereal grains. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: smooth slightly creamy medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, medium duration bitter finish. (4/5)

The label says Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy, and Falconer’s Flight, “almost entirely whirlpool and dry hop additions” – yes, please! But, it doesn’t quite deliver on that promise. Maybe it’s just a little faded, but as it is it could stand to be brighter in aroma, and a little less sweet dominated in taste. I could maybe have gone slightly higher on my rating here, but I’m disinclined to give them benefit of the doubt on an undated can. (15/20)

This will be my 5,069th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Blindman Brewing / Field House Brewing Co. West Coast IPA – American IPA at 7.0% ABV | 60 IBU (C$10.95 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 25-Aug-2021, acquired 3-Sep-2021, reviewed 23-Sep-2021)

Appearance: clear pale amber with three fingers of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus zest, resiny pine, caramel. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration bitter finish. (4/5)

The label calls this an old-school West Coast IPA, and I’m inclined to agree, even if it doesn’t have quite the level of dank-ass dankitude sticky-icky nugs I prefer in that style. It’s an interesting counterpoint, if not quite polar opposite, to the much newer style Cold IPA I previously had from this collaboration. I could perhaps have gone a little bit lower on the scoring for aroma and taste, but ultimately it’s a solid example of the style, with no flaws to speak of. (16/20)

This will be my 5,068th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Aslin Beer Co. / Front Royal Brewing Co. Extra Extra Extra – Triple IPA at 11% ABV (C$10.95 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 3-Sep-2021, reviewed 21-Sep-2021)

Appearance: clear pale gold with three fingers of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: red berries, floral, tropical fruit, citrus. (7/10) Taste: high sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, moderate carbonation, sweet building bitter warming finish. (4/5)

Not exactly subtle, but it certainly doesn’t drink as hot as some other double-digit beasts I’ve had in the past. It’s got an interesting aroma, dominated by red berries (or maybe vinous grapes?) but no real warning of the big dose of jolly juice that’s on the way. Not sure I’d want another one, but it’s not without its charms. (15/20)

This will be my 5,067th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Offshoot Beer Co. Drifting – American Pale Ale at 5.5% ABV (C$6.55 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 1-Apr-2021, acquired 3-Sep-2021, reviewed 20-Sep-2021)

Appearance: hazy pale amber with three fingers of rocky ivory head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, pine, citrus. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, sweetish medium duration bitter finish. (3/5)

A malty mess that drinks far heavier than the ABV would indicate. I just recently gushed over an offering from the parent brewer, but this one makes me consider recanting that. I mean, yeah, it’s probably too long in the can, but that doesn’t justify the big sweet caramel presence. The brewer notes say this is hopped with Amarillo, Simcoe, and Citra hops, and “is an ode to classic, crisp hoppy beers.” Well, it might be “classic”, in the sense of old-fashioned, but it’s neither crisp nor hoppy. Drifting off-target, and disappointing. (13/20)

This will be my 5,066th unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Blindman Brewing / Field House Brewing Co. Cold IPA – American IPA at 7.0% ABV | 55 IBU (C$4.81 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 3-Sep-2021, reviewed 20-Sep-2021)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale straw with two fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: resiny pine, zesty citrus, pale crackery malt, hint of tropical & stone fruits. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-lively carbonation, dry crisp finish. (4/5)

Nice one. Not a whole lot going on, but it’s aromatic, light, and dangerously drinkable for a very respectable ABV. Dunno that I’ve encountered the “Cold IPA” style before, which is apparently accomplished by using pilsner malt and lager yeast… which… would… make it an IPL, wouldn’t it? To further confuse things, I’m seeing indications that this one is actually fermented with Cali Ale yeast. Ah, well, it’s not like the label “IPA” means a damn thing anymore, so, so what? Regardless of what you call it, it’s good fun and refreshing. I approve. (15/20)

This will be my 5,065th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Humble Forager Brewing Elevated Perspective – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8% ABV (C$10.60 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 29-Jun-2021, acquired 3-Sep-2021, reviewed 18-Sep-2021)

Appearance: opaque pale gold with two fat fingers of loose fluffy pale ivory head, good retention and spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, floral, resiny pine, cereal grains, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-soft slightly creamy body, moderate-lively carbonation, slightly sticky medium duration finish. (3/5)

The can says this is hopped with Citra, Mosaic, and Strata, but “sweeter than most Hazy IPAs”.  Considering I find most Hazy IPAs verge on too sweet to start with, that’s not really a good thing from my perspective (what little elevation that perspective may have). I’m not very impressed by this one, and have to disagree with the high scores out there. (13/20)

This will be my 5,064th unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Troubled Monk Brewery Summer Wages – American Pale Ale at 6.5% ABV (C$4.50 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 7-Aug-2021, acquired 3-Sep-2021, reviewed 17-Sep-2021)

Appearance: bright clear pale gold with one finger of loose white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap and ring, moderate droopy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: stewed fruits, crackery malt, mild citrus, faint pine. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (3/5)

Almost Lager-like, with a generalized fruit medley on top of crackery malt and undertones of citrus and pine. A bit muddled, and not very interesting. (13/20)

This will be my 5,063rd unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Almanac Beer Co. Love Hazy IPA – American IPA at 6.1% ABV (C$7.20 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 28-Jul-2021, acquired 3-Sep-2021, reviewed 16-Sep-2021)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of loose white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy and zesty citrus, tropical fruit, cereal grains, coconut, hint of vegetal green. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

Hopped with Sabro, Citra, and Mosaic, but I’m getting only a hint of the coconut I usually associate with Sabro. I like it. Love? Well, that might be a stretch. But, I’d have another. Crushable goodness. (16/20)

This will be my 5,062nd unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com