Month: December 2021

Vaycay Brew Co. Tangerine Speedo – American IPA at 5.8% ABV (C$4.81 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 1-Nov-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 8-Dec-2021)

Appearance: hazy straw with two fingers of loose white head, good retention, minimal spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: zesty citrus, coconut, tropical fruit, cereal grains, earth. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, medium duration slightly spicy finish. (4/5)

I’ve been told this is the first from a new contract setup by a chef-turned-brewer, with the intention of doing vacation-themed beers. To that end, this one is hopped with Mandarina Bavaria, Vic Secret, and Sabro, and yeah, it’s got a certain piña colada thing going on. To be honest, though, I was expecting more coconut, given the “You like Sabro, right?” Warning I got when I bought this one. Overall, though, it’s a fun one, and definitely an impressive first offering. (15/20)

This will be my 5,152nd unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Fuller, Smith & Turner PBC Vintage Ale 2018 – Old Ale at 8.5% ABV (C$10.49 at Crowfoot Liquor Heritage Pointe, 500 ml, best before 31-Dec-2028, acquired 3-Dec-2021, reviewed 7-Dec-2021)

Appearance: clear deep amber with one fat finger of fine ivory head, good retention, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: toffee & caramel, raisins, dark fruit, nuts, earth, pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, moderate-high carbonation, sticky building bitter warming finish. (3/5)

Bottle #045667 – don’t I feel special. The little card in the box says this is brewed with all-English Olicana, Ernest, Target, Goldings, Challenger, and Northdown hops; Maris Otter and Crystal malt. It also makes claims about fruit notes that might be considered “New World”, but I have to say that anything of the sort that might have existed is long gone by now. What’s left is toffee malt on some dark fruit and earthy pine, much like several previous incarnations, with some other complexity that comes out if you take your time and let it warm. I suppose I should try one of these fresh at some point, in order to actually get some hop character? My perennial complaint about this one is that I find the body a bit thin and the carbonation a bit excessive, and think the overall experience would be improved if it were thicker and softer. (15/20)

This will be my 5,151st unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Growlery Beer Company Turbo Prop – American IPA at 5.8% ABV (C$4.50 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 7-Dec-2021)

Appearance: hazy slightly muddy straw with two fat fingers of fluffy pale ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thick cap, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus zest, biscuity malt, tart wheat. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration lightly tart finish. (4/5)

Not terrible. I mean, the aroma is almost as muddy as the appearance, but there’s some decent zesty citrus in there, that works well with the slightly tart wheat notes. Fairly easy drinking and reasonably refreshing. (15/20)

This will be my 5,150th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

DuClaw Brewing Company Hopportunity Awaits – American IPA at 7.6% ABV | 22 IBU (C$6.10 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 10-Aug-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 6-Dec-2021)

Appearance: hazy muddy medium gold with one fat finger of loose pale ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: sharp red berries, vinous grapes, tropical fruit, lemon zest, cereal grains. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, moderate-low bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-low carbonation, mildly tart lightly warming finish. (3/5)

Well that’s a bit shit, innit? These guys rock a Porter or a Brown Ale, but it seems like the lighter the style, the more they struggle. I’m assuming this is infected, but it’s a weird infection if so. Well… I say it’s weird, but it’s not actually offensive. Unless, of course, you compare it to other NE/Hazy AIPAs, in which case, yeah, maybe a little. (12/20)

This will be my 5,149th unique Untappd check-in.

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Coronado Brewing Company Universal Love – American IPA at 7.2% ABV (C$5.08 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 27-Jul-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 6-Dec-2021)

Appearance: clear pale gold with two fat fingers of rocky pale ivory head, good retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, honey, dank pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, lingering bitter lightly warming finish. (4/5)

Clearly I need to stop being in such a rush and start allowing myself more time in the store to check packaging dates. I suspect I’m not giving this a fair shake: it’s hopped with Nectaron, Galaxy, Vic Secret, Simcoe, Mosaic, and Chinook, but I’m pretty sure I’m not getting the full gamut of flavour. On the other hand, it’s still pretty drinkable, and a pleasant enough WCIPA. (15/20)

This will be my 5,148th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Establishment Brewing Company Fat Sherpa – American Porter at 5.8% ABV (C$4.10 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 17-Nov-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 6-Dec-2021)

Appearance: clear ruby brown with one finger of loose beige head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: dark chocolate, coffee, toasted bread, caramel, floral, earth. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, slightly sticky lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

Despite the name this is really not fat at all. I prefer a thicker body for Stouts and Porters, but this is pretty much a medium, with lighter carbonation than I prefer. Clearly not this brewery’s area of expertise, and nowhere near as good an example of the style as their IPAs and DIPAs. Merely good, which for this brewery is pretty much the floor. (14/20)

This will be my 5,147th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Longslice Brewery Hopsta la Vista – English Pale Ale at 6.5% ABV | 69 IBU (C$3.91 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 24-Aug-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 5-Dec-2021)

Appearance: clear medium amber with one fat finger of rocky off-white head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, earthy pine, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly sticky body, moderate-soft carbonation, lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

Hopped with UK Admiral, Comet, Cascade, and Galena, making it almost a hybrid between English and American IPAs. Malt and noble hops do lead the way, but there’s a little brightness, I’d guess primarily due to the Cascade hops. Certainly not my favourite style, but not bad at all. (14/20)

This will be my 5,146th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Coronado Brewing Company Palm Sway – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$4.90 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 10-Aug-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 5-Dec-2021)

Appearance: clear pale gold with two fat fingers of rocky off-white head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: mild, citrus, tropical fruit, pale malt, light floral. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, medium duration finish. (3/5)

Pretty boring for an IPA – really more an APA… actually, you could have convinced me it was a Lager. Just not a lot going on here – but on the other hand, there are no real negatives. Ultimately, a bit disappointing. (14/20)

This will be my 5,145th unique Untappd check-in.

Belching Beaver Brewery Dichotomy Double West Coast IPA – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8.1% ABV (C$5.26 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 10-Sep-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 4-Dec-2021)

Appearance: clear pale gold with two fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: citrus, floral, dank resiny pine, caramel. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, malty sweet medium bitter lightly warming finish. (4/5)

The label describes Idaho 7 and Galaxy as its two predominant hops, sprinkled with Nelson and Citra. Aside from the globe-spanning hop choice, this is very much a throwback WC-style DIPA, with an emphatic malt character vying for position with the big hops. I might be being a little unfair here, given that it’s about three months in the can, but at the end of the day, neither the aroma nor the taste are as bright, juicy, and punchy as I’d like. It’s not bad, but it’s not great either. Pretty, though. (15/20)

This will be my 5,144th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Establishment Brewing Company Picture of Nectar – American IPA at 7% ABV (C$4.90 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 25-Nov-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 3-Dec-2021)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy tropical & stone fruit, citrus, cereal grains, dank resiny pine. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium slightly creamy body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry lightly dank finish. (4/5)

Malts are 2 Row, Flaked Oats, Flaked Wheat, Malted Wheat, and Chit Malt; hopped with Vic Secret, Galaxy, Bru-1, Citra, and Chinook; Foggy London Ale yeast. Almost nectar-like and brightly fruity, without being too sweet. Yeah, I’m getting a bit bored with talking about how much I like this brewer…. NOT. Yet another solid contender from a brewer that just doesn’t know how to make a bad beer – of the something like 22 examples I’ve had, a full 16 were an 8 or better. (17/20)

This will be my 5,143rd unique Untappd check-in.

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com