Month: November 2021

Fremont Brewing Field to Ferment Fresh Hop Pale Ale – American Pale Ale at 6% ABV | 50 IBU (C$6.03 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 16-Sep-2021, acquired 4-Nov-2021, reviewed 11-Nov-2021)

Appearance: hazy particulate-laden pale gold with two fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: oily citrus, tropical fruit, pale crackery malt, lightly dank resiny pine, grass. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration finish. (4/5)

Brewer notes specify 2-Row Pale, Munich Malt, White Wheat, and Acidulated Malt; fresh Centennial and Simcoe hops, Centennial and Simcoe dry hop. Definitely all about the hops, with zesty citrus and dank pine intermixed with almost-vegetal notes (which I presume are from the Simcoe, but definitely no garlic or catty notes). The malt is very unobtrusive, and strictly in a supporting role. I don’t know why they call this a Pale instead of an IPA, but whatever you call it, it’s good stuff that pretty much just straight up pretends the haze craze never happened. (17/20)

This will be my 5,115th unique Untappd check-in.

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Firestone Walker Brewing Company Double Mind Haze – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8.3% ABV | 35 IBU (C$6.14 at Collective, 568 ml, packaged on 6-Aug-2021, acquired 4-Nov-2021, reviewed 8-Nov-2021)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy tropical fruit & citrus, cereal grains, coconut, light pine, floral. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (9/10) Palate: creamy medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, medium duration mildly warming finish. (4/5)

Huh…. I thought for sure I had had the single version of this, but can’t find any records, so I guess not. (That, or I had so many that I forgot to record them?) Anyway, this is pretty damn fine, right down to the no-fuckin-around proper pint can. It’s a total kitchen sink of a brew, with lots of hops and malts: Mandarina and Cascade in the kettle; dry hopping with Azacca, El Dorado, Mosaic, Chinook, Cashmere, Callista, Idaho 7, Strata, Sabro, Idaho Gem, and Motueka; and a similarly long laundry list of malts, with Two Row, Wheat, Munich, Torrified Wheat, Blonde Roast Oat, and Oats. Rather than being confused or muddy, though, everything works well together, giving an end product that’s juicy and bright up front, with some coconut and pine behind, on a clean cereal grain core. Totally my speed. Doesn’t happen often, but I wish I had another one… or two… or four… (17/20)

This will be my 5,114th unique Untappd check-in.

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Revival Brewcade Polybius – American Pale Ale at 4.9% ABV (C$4.85 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 4-Nov-2021, reviewed 8-Nov-2021)

Appearance: hazy muddy medium gold with one finger of loose off-white head diminishing rapidly to a thin cap, spotty lacing. (2/5) Aroma: citrus, coconut, grass, light pine, hint of wet cardboard. (5/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (4/10) Palate: medium body, low carbonation, medium duration slightly astringent finish. (2/5)

The labels says Sabro and Belma hops, and I’m getting some coconut consistent with the former, but not a lot of the melon or berry I’d expect for the latter. However, this thing appears to be oxidized and/or infected, giving it a muddy appearance, low carbonation, and generally poor character overall. Hardly my first swing and a miss from these guys – I’m looking at you, Pineapple Princess! – but definitely their worst so far, and again compounded by an undated can. (9/20)

This will be my 5,113th unique Untappd check-in.

4.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Border City Brewing Company Pale Ale – American Pale Ale at 5% ABV (C$3.00 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 7-Oct-2021, acquired 4-Nov-2021, reviewed 5-Nov-2021)

Appearance: slightly hazy straw with one finger of fluffy white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, grass, biscuity malt, light earthy pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration slightly astringent finish. (3/5)

A pretty straightforward traditional APA without a whole lot to talk about, positive or negative. Grass competes with citrus for dominance, but neither are particularly emphatic, nor do they overwhelm the biscuity malt. Finishes fairly clean, with a mild, almost-tart astringency. (14/20)

This will be my 5,112th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Odin Brewing Company Odin’s Quest – American Pale Ale at 5.2% ABV (C$2.85 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 12-Jul-2021, acquired 4-Nov-2021, reviewed 4-Nov-2021)

Appearance: hazy straw with one fat finger of rocky white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, biscuity malt. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry short finish. (4/5)

Nice one: juicy citrus and tropical fruit on a clean malt base. Just a tiny bit sweeter than I’d like, but still crushable and refreshing overall. My biggest complaint here is the baby-sized can – after the day I’ve had, I could use a real pint! (16/20)

This will be my 5,111th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Annex Ale Project Loud Hailer – American IPA at 6.6% ABV (C$4.99 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 28-Sep-2021, acquired 19-Oct-2021, reviewed 3-Nov-2021)

Appearance: slightly hazy straw with two fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, oily citrus, pale malt, resiny pine, melon. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly creamy body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

Secondary sources say this is hopped with Mosaic, Cryo Citra, Strata, and Eclipse. Slightly more bitter, and dryer in the finish, than a typical NEIPA – which I appreciate. Actually, I pretty much appreciate everything about this one, and like it a lot. (16/20)

This will be my 5,110th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Hypha Project The New Normal – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$5.35 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 24-Sep-2021, acquired 19-Oct-2021, reviewed 2-Nov-2021)

Appearance: hazy straw with two fingers of loose white head, good retention and spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical & stone fruits, biscuity malt, light pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

Hopped with Citra, Mosaic, Columbus, and Simcoe. A good example of, yeah, what can reasonably be called the new normal: big dry hopped-derived aromatics on a neutral malt while maintaining restrained sweetness, a soft body, and semi-dry finish. There’s certainly nothing about this one that I don’t like. Yes, it could stand to be juicier, but that’s almost always associated with more sweetness, which I’d consider a negative. All in all, I like this one. (16/20)

This will be my 5,109th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Microbrasserie Charlevoix Dominus Vobiscum Hibernus – Belgian Strong Dark Ale at 10% ABV | 10 IBU (C$15.41 at Beer Club Offering #12, 750 ml, packaged on 21-Mar-2014, best before 21-Mar-2019, acquired 11-Oct-2014, reviewed 1-Nov-2021)

Appearance: clear cola red with two fingers of rocky beige head, excellent retention and heavy well-defined lacing. (5/5) Aroma: complex, candi sugar, dates, vinous grapes and red berries, banana, caramel, mild spice, faint earthy funk. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, slightly sticky warming finish. (4/5)

We’re now more than 7 years in the bottle, and over a year since my review of my second-last one of these. It’s still pretty good, but there’s a hint of an almost mildewy earthy funk that wasn’t present last time. Fair to say at this point, it’s past its peak and on a downward slide. (15/20)

This will be my 5,108th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Great Notion Brewing & Barrel House Are We Safe In Here? – American IPA at 6.8% ABV (C$8.95 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 14-Jun-2021, acquired 19-Oct-2021, reviewed 1-Nov-2021)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, good retention and spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: resiny pine, juicy citrus & stone fruit, cereal grains, hint of floral. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

Secondary sources say this is hopped with Strata, Vic Secret, and Citra – and that seems legit. Probably a little faded due to its age, but still pretty solid even so. I’d like to try it fresher. (16/20)

This will be my 5,107th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Arcadia Brewing Co. Go Back to The… West Coast IPA – American IPA at 6% ABV (C$4.50 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 28-Sep-2021, acquired 19-Oct-2021, reviewed 1-Nov-2021)

Appearance: clear medium goldwith two fingers of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: resiny pine, caramel, citrus, hint of floral. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, lingering building bitter finish. (4/5)

A very straightforward traditional West Coast-style IPA, with oily resiny pine on a caramel backbone, with a little citrus (and maybe a hint of floral?) behind. Literally exactly what it says on the label, and done sufficiently well to escape out-and-out boredom – but not sufficiently interestingly to kick it to the next level. (15/20)

This will be my 5,106th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com