Month: February 2023

S.Y.C. Brewing Co. Fiesta – Session IPA at 4.5% ABV (C$4.95 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 15-Nov-2022, acquired 29-Dec-2022, reviewed 20-Jan-2023)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fluffy pale ivory head, good retention and spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: mild, tropical fruit, pale malt, floral. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry short duration slightly astringent finish. (3/5)

The label says this is dry-hopped with Azacca, but doesn’t specify that it’s actually a single-hop. Regardless, I don’t think they used a whole heck of a lot of them. It’s a bit disappointing, to be honest: even though it’s not actually all that light in ABV, it has a severely curtailed flavour profile. I’ve had beers that were lower ABV than this one but kept a nice hoppy punch. As well, although the body never really tails off as watery, it does finish slightly astringent in the way that I’ve noted in some other lower-ABV offerings. Overall, it’s not actually terrible, but it’s an awful lot of compromise for a very modest reduction in ABV. (13/20)

This will be my 5,472nd unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Omnipollo Fantom – American IPA at 6.1% ABV (C$5.35 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 12-Oct-2022, acquired 29-Dec-2022, reviewed 19-Jan-2023)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, good retention and spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: juicy zesty citrus, dank pine, cereal grains, tropical fruit, hint of onion. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate carbonation, dry medium bitter finish. (5/5)

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I am just tickled that Omnipollo is now brewing in Canada. Brewer notes ay this is dry-hopped with Citra and Nelson Sauvin. I might have graded it slightly higher, but I do note just a hint of onion in the profile. On the other hand, I do like the combination of juicy aromas with restrained sweetness and a moderate bitter finish. (16/20)

This will be my 5,471st unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Evil Twin Brewing Walking Down The Streets of NYC With A Christmas Tree Is Completely Normal. Because Who Has A Car? – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$10.90 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 17-Nov-2023, acquired 29-Dec-2022, reviewed 17-Jan-2023)

Appearance: hazy medium gold with two fingers of dense pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, cereal grains, resiny pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

What an obnoxiously stupid name for a beer. Almost as stupid as paying more than $10 for an import when there are local beers that are just as good for less than half the price… Yeah, OK, fine, it’s a really good beer – doesn’t change the truth of those comments, though. (16/20)

This will be my 5,470th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

SuperBière Super Légère – Session IPA at 2% ABV (C$5.35 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 29-Jun-2022, acquired 29-Dec-2022, reviewed 16-Jan-2023)

Appearance: slightly hazy straw with two fingers of loose white head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, spotty stringy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, biscuity malts, citrus, grass. (7/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: light body, lively carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (4/5)

I’m kind of amazed that such a light beer even comes close to working. And to be fair, there’s not really any way to get around the fact that it does tend a little to the bland side – but come on, for such a low ABV, a little bland is a pretty good accomplishment. Definitely a good one for a mid-summer patio, as opposed to a mid-winter hunker down during an ice fog. My first time trying this brewery, but maybe I’ll get another chance when I go to Montréal next month. (14/20)

This will be my 5,469th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com