Yes, I know – once or twice is accidental, three times is a habit. Oh well. Another batch of reviews (41, this time) with no photos.
Cabin Brewing Company / Untitled Art / Mikerphone Brewing Big Puffy Clouds – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8.1% ABV (C$6.35 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 20-Jul-2023, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 2-Aug-2023)
Appearance: hazy straw with one fat finger of fine off-white head diminishing gradually to a thick persistent cap, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: bright zesty citrus, tropical fruit, resiny pine, oats. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium pillowy body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration mildly warming finish. (4/5)
Aww hell yeah. The label says “hazy IPA with Nectaron hops”, while the web site also indicates HBC 586. The aroma is the real standout here, brightly zesty and juicy tropical with just the right balance of resiny pine backing it up, on a clean oat base. I’ve noted a phenolic edge with 586 in the past, but that’s completely absent here, so maybe it was the yeast or some other issue there. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this, and as far as I’m concerned Cabin has completely crushed another one that can stand alongside pretty much any other brewer. (17/20)
This will be my 5,608th unique Untappd check-in.
8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Parkside Brewery Humans: An IPA For The People – American IPA at 6.3% ABV | 30 IBU (C$5.62 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 3-Aug-2023)
Appearance: hazy straw with one fat finger of fine pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, cereal grains, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)
Brewer notes say Cashmere, Mosaic, Ahtanum, and warm dry hopped with Citra. Decent, no off notes or complaints – but nothing really stands out, either. Drink it and forget it. (15/20)
This will be my 5,609th unique Untappd check-in.
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Canmore Brewing Company Cheeky Peak – Cold IPA at 6.5% ABV | 52 IBU (C$5.35 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 4-Aug-2023)
Appearance: clear straw with one fat finger of loose white head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: biscuity malt, grassy/floral, hints of tropical fruit and citrus. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-low carbonation, sweetish medium duration finish. (3/5)
I still can’t figure out the difference between a Cold IPA and an India Pale Lager, and this one isn’t helping clarify matters, being very corn-y and lager-like. The label says it’s hopped with Chinook, Azalea, and Citra, but it’s very much malt dominant and a lot like a Pils. There’s a little fruit way in the back, but largely this hits like a sweetish lager. (13/20)
This will be my 5,610th unique Untappd check-in.
6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Blind Enthusiasm Brewing Company How Many Corners? – American Pale Ale at 4.6% ABV (C$5.00 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 1-May-2023, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 4-Aug-2023)
Appearance: clear slightly brown-tinged pale straw with one fat finger of rocky white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: mild, pale malt, grass, light citrus and tropical fruit, hint of wet cardboard. (5/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (3/5)
The label says “German & British malt, American, French & South African hops”, “including Sabro, Mosaic, Barbe Rouge, and Southern Passion.” I debated whether I’m actually getting a wet cardboard oxidation aroma, or whether I just think I am because of the slight brown tinge. In any case, it’s bland at best, possibly damaged, and I didn’t bother to finish it. (11/20)
This will be my 5,611th unique Untappd check-in.
5.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Burlington Beer Co. Beekeeper – American Double / Imperial IPA at 9% ABV (C$8.90 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 2-Jun-2023, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 5-Aug-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale amber with one fat finger of pillowy pale ivory head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: stone fruit, citrus zest, dank resin, faint honey. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-full body, moderate carbonation, sticky lingering warming finish. (4/5)
Brewer notes say this is hopped with Simcoe, Cascade, and Amarillo, along with “an absolutely absurd quantity of Vermont honey”. I met a beekeeper the other day, who was utterly contemptuous of the various beers people had created with her honey. Her comment about one in particular was “This is what you did with twenty pounds of my honey?” I dunno how she’d feel about this one, but I feel just fine, especially after a pint of near-double-digit ABV. (16/20)
This will be my 5,612th unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Beere Brewing Co. Smile & Nod – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$6.65 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 9-Jun-2023, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 6-Aug-2023)
Appearance: hazy straw with two fingers of rocky pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, grapefruit, mild pine, cereal grains. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, slightly sticky medium duration finish. (4/5)
Brewer notes say that this is hopped with HBC630, El Dorado, and Citra. I quite like the zesty grapefruit note, which becomes more apparent – largely retronasally – as the pint progresses. It’s quite good overall, but needs a little more bombast to push it to the next level. (15/20)
This will be my 5,613th unique Untappd check-in.
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Alley Kat Brewing Co. / District Brewing Co. Hoppy Collaboration Wheat Ale – American Pale Wheat Ale at 5.3% ABV (C$4.85 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 24-May-2023, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 7-Aug-2023)
Appearance: clear pale gold with two fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: grass, wheat, bread yeast, mild fruit. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration slightly tart finish. (3/5)
Pretty, but disappointing. When “Hoppy” is the first word in the name, I expect it to be, well, y’know – hoppy. I mean, there’s some hopping, sure, but it’s mostly traditional, grassy, and mild, not New World and hop-forward. That makes this a bit tough to score, since although there’s really nothing wrong with it, it completely misses the mark in terms of style characteristics – at least, what I consider to be the style characteristics. (14/20)
This will be my 5,614th unique Untappd check-in.
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Blindman Brewing Long Weekender Series: Stone Fruit Double IPA – American Double / Imperial IPA at 7.4% ABV | 80 IBU (C$5.26 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 11-Jul-2023, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 8-Aug-2023)
Appearance: slightly chill hazed pale gold with two fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: mild, stone & tropical fruit, cereal grains. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter, light tart. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter slightly tart finish. (4/5)
I was initially a bit disappointed by the mild aroma – “Stone fruit? What stone fruit?” Then I took a sip. Yep, that’s stone fruit! (It’s a little bit of a cheat, though, since they do it with purée, not exclusively hops.) The aroma does grow a little as it warms up, but never really does get to where I’d like. Still, pretty easy-drinking and pleasant. (16/20)
This will be my 5,615th unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Brasserie Dunham / L’Ermitage Nanobrasserie Le Jugement – India Pale Lager at 5% ABV (C$7.75 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 31-May-2023, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 9-Aug-2023)
Appearance: slightly chill hazed straw with two fat fingers of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: herbal, crackery pale malt, citrus, grass. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-lively carbonation, dry lingering bitter finish. (4/5)
I might be a bit enthusiastic in my scoring here, but this is really quite interesting, if not likely to be to everyone’s liking. I particularly like the bitter bite on the front end, followed by a dry highly attenuated finish that verges on astringent, but doesn’t quite get there. It doesn’t quite have Belgian aromas as such, but it’s definitely got character along the same lines, reminiscent of a hoppy saison. I’ve never heard of L’Ermitage, but will have to make a point of visiting on my next trip to Brussels.(17/20)
This will be my 5,616th unique Untappd check-in.
8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Polyrhythm Brewing Double Kick ddh dipa – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8% ABV (C$5.26 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 12-Aug-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of creamy pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus, cereal grains. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: creamy medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration mildly warming finish. (4/5)
The label says this is dry-hopped with Citra Lupomax, Lotus [a.k.a Hopsteiner Experimental #06297], and Tango. Pleasant and fruity, this isn’t quite as juicy or in-your-face as I’d like for a DDH DIPA, but on the other hand it drinks very easily for the weight. All in all, a very nice offering. This is only my second from this brewery, but they continue to impress. (16/20)
This will be my 5,617th unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Parkside Brewery Dreamboat – American IPA at 6.3% ABV | 35 IBU (C$6.25 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 1-Jun-2023, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 15-Aug-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of creamy pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: melon, citrus, oats, tropical fruits. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body tending slightly thin, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration slightly astringent finish. (3/5)
Brewer notes say this is double dry-hopped with Citra and Azacca. This starts off fairly decent, with an aroma, that although a bit mild, is pleasant. The flavour isn’t quite as good, but the bigger problem is that it finishes a bit thin, with a tendency towards astringency. Not bad overall, but not great. (14/20)
This will be my 5,618th unique Untappd check-in.
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Flying Boats Brewing Test Pilot Series: Evil Lover – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8% ABV | 82 IBU (C$6.40 at Collective, 473 ml, best before 13-Mar-2024, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 16-Aug-2023)
Appearance: clear pale gold with two fingers of fine off-white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: stone fruit, bready caramel, berry, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body tending slightly thin, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry medium duration mildly warming finish. (3/5)
A new brewery for me, and not a particular auspicious beginning. The aroma and flavour are a bit muddled, with some slightly indeterminate fruit character battling somewhat unsuccessfully with a bready caramel malt for dominance. Despite the high ABV, the finish ends up tending just a little thin, if not quite astringent. (13/20)
This will be my 5,619th unique Untappd check-in.
6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Flying Boats Brewing Juice Box East Coast Hazy Ale – American IPA at 5.6% ABV (C$6.20 at Collective, 473 ml, best before 16-Dec-2023, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 18-Aug-2023)
Appearance: hazy/murky pale gold with two fat fingers of loose pale ivory head, good retention and spotty soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, cereal grains, light herbal/grassy. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (4/5)
You might argue the murky appearance matches the somewhat muddled fruit profile, but all in all it’s decent enough. Tends maybe just a little thin towards the end, as the pint warms, but it’s not a bad little East Coast-ish IPA. (14/20)
This will be my 5,620th unique Untappd check-in.
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Eighty-Eight Brewing Playback – American IPA at 5.5% ABV (C$4.95 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 18-Aug-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fine pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: mild, citrus, resiny pine, pale malt. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, dry medium duration slightly astringent finish. (3/5)
No date code, but it was brewed for the Sled Island festival in late June, so I presume it can’t be all that old. There’s nothing really wrong here, other than perhaps a little sharpness or astringency in the finish, but it’s not blowing me away. It’s certainly not bad, and not even the worst I’ve had from this generally pretty reliable brewer, but I’d call it a little below average, maybe lower quartile. (14/20)
This will be my 5,621st unique Untappd check-in.
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Brasserie Dunham / Twin Sails Brewing Le Quenche du Soif – American Wild Ale at 7% ABV (C$15.95 at Collective, 750 ml, packaged on 1-Mar-2023, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 19-Aug-2023)
Appearance: hazy deep gold with two fat fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus, stone fruit, mild horseblankety funk, hint of black pepper. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, mild tart. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, dry medium duration slightly tart finish. (4/5)
I can’t find any brewer notes, but secondary sources say this is brewed with Citra and Galaxy. There’s a nice balance of the fruity notes from the hopping with the wild Brett funk. Two very solid breweries in my experience – Dunham (n=28, μ=7.7 & σ=0.57) Twin Sails (n=22, μ=7.8 & σ=0.43) – join forces to combine two of my favourite styles: Wild and IPA. If I have a complaint, I think I’d like a bit more both both: bigger hops and bigger Brett. Still, I like this a lot as it is. (16/20)
This will be my 5,622nd unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Folding Mountain Brewing Collab Series: Summer Collective IPA – American IPA at 6.5% ABV | 90 IBU (C$4.95 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 6-Jul-2023, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 19-Aug-2023)
Appearance: clear deep gold with one fat finger of fine pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: herbal, melon, mint, dank resin. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration mildly warming finish. (4/5)
As far as I can tell, the only collaboration here is the label art, so I’m just calling this a Folding Mountain brew. I’m also not sure I believe the “almost too bitter to taste any more” IBU claimed by the brewery, but maybe I’ve just got shoe leather for a tongue these days? Brewer notes say “hops Strata and Paradigm bring dank flavour and aroma with underlying notes of strawberry, bubble gum, grapefruit, and sage”. …yyyes? Maybe? I don’t know that I’ve encountered Paradigm hops before, but they come from Michigan’s Great Lakes Hops, with designation GLH-49584. Their description is “Herbal, Stone Fruit, Tropical, Spice, Melon, Candy, Bright” and I guess I’d have to agree with a lot of that, feeling only the need to add “mint” to the mix, particularly in the finish. I dunno – I don’t love this, but I don’t hate it, either. (15/20)
This will be my 5,623rd unique Untappd check-in.
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Eighty-Eight Brewing Moon Boots – American IPA at 7% ABV (C$4.90 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 11-Jul-2023, acquired 1-Aug-2023, reviewed 19-Aug-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with one finger of creamy pale ivory head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: dank resin, vinous, citrus, stone fruit, cereal grains. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)
Brewer notes say “Key ingredients: Oats, Wheat, Nelson Sauvin, Simcoe”. I never had Moon Boots as a child – yet another facet of my poverty-stricken upbringing, I suppose (I also never went to Disney World as a child, or had a school trip or a Ski-Doo) but I never actually realised we were poor, so that’s something I guess? Childhood privation aside, this is a stonking good’un. Utterly dominated by the dank sticky icky on the front end, but balanced out by a pleasant mélange of fruit and cereal grains, this is dangerously easy to drink. Hardly surprising given my track record with this brewery (for n=30, μ=7.6 & σ=0.61) but I rate this as very nice indeed. (16/20)
This will be my 5,624th unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Blood Brothers Brewing The Inner Eye – American Pale Ale at 5.5% ABV (C$5.31 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 7-Aug-2023, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 8-Sep-2023)
Appearance: hazy brown-tinged straw with two fat fingers of fine white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: grapefruit, light tropical fruit, cereal grains. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, dry slightly attenuated finish. (4/5)
I was a little concerned by this one’s appearance, which had a slightly brownish tinge making me think it could be damaged. However, there were no off elements in the aroma or flavour, both of which were quite pleasant. It also finished nicely, dry and slightly attenuated. A definite success, even if it did start a little shaky. (15/20)
This will be my 5,644th unique Untappd check-in.
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Firestone Walker Brewing Company Hopnosis – Cold IPA at 6.7% ABV | 45 IBU (C$5.75 at Collective, 568 ml, packaged on 16-Jun-2022, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 9-Sep-2023)
Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, cereal grains, light pine & citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)
The hell? I certainly wouldn’t have bought this if I had seen the date code in the store. That being said, it doesn’t really taste like it’s over a year in the can, so maybe the date code is wrong? Anyway, according to the brewer notes, they pretty much throw everything at this, with Simcoe, Talus, and Callista in the kettle, followed by drop hopping with Mosaic Cryo, Idaho 7, El Dorado, Cashmere, Nelson Sauvin, and Riwaka. I dunno – it might have been interesting a decade or so ago, but right now it just seems a little unfocused. Good, but not great. (14/20)
This will be my 5,645th unique Untappd check-in.
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Sloop Brewing Co. Fresh Pressed Juice Bomb – American IPA at 7.2% ABV (C$4.00 at Collective, 355 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 11-Sep-2023)
Appearance: hazy deep gold with two fingers of fine white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus juice & zest, tropical fruit, cereal grains, light pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (4/5)
Pretty similar to the base version, though the extra half point on the ABV was both unexpected and welcome. The added orange peel certainly comes through as an oilier citrus zest bite all the way through from the aroma to the finish, but again is certainly not unwelcome. I think I like this a little more than the base version (which is never a guaranteed outcome) but not really enough to bump the score in any significant way. (16/20)
This will be my 5,646th unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Destihl Brewery Haze of the Dead – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8.5% ABV | 83 IBU (C$5.08 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 3-Aug-2023, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 12-Sep-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus, dank pine, oats. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (9/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (4/5)
The label says double dry hopped with Citra & Simcoe hops, and brewed with flaked oats, wheat, and pilsner malt. I’m not getting much (if any) wheatiness or crackery pils notes, but there’s a solid smooth oaty cereal backbone that does a great job of supporting the well-balanced hops. The most impressive part, though, is how easily this drinks for a fairly emphatic ABV. All in all, a pretty masterful clinic in how to do this style right. (17/20)
This will be my 5,647th unique Untappd check-in.
8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Superflux Beer Company Montserrat – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$6.90 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 10-Aug-2023, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 13-Sep-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of loose pale ivory head, good retention and minimal spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, dank pine, oats. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry short duration astringent finish. (3/5)
Brewer notes say “dry hopped with a large dose of Eclipse, Galaxy, and Citra.” Smells pretty good, completely in keeping with that kind of hops bill, and the taste follows suit, although slightly less emphatically. However, there’s an unwelcome nearly sharp astringency developing through the finish that quite surprised me. Perhaps not a swing and a miss from a very reliable brewer, but certainly not up to their normal standards of excellence. (14/20)
This will be my 5,648th unique Untappd check-in.
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Dandy Brewing Company Escape Plan – American IPA at 6.9% ABV (C$5.35 at Collective, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 13-Sep-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fine pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, cereal grains, mild dank pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)
Pleasant, but could definitely stand to be more emphatic in both aroma and flavour. Not much more to say than that. (15/20)
This will be my 5,649th unique Untappd check-in.
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
S.Y.C. Brewing Co. Hair of the Dog – American IPA at 7% ABV (C$4.72 at Collective, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 13-Sep-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fine pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: stone fruit, citrus, cereal grains, coconut. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)
The label calls out Galaxy and Talus hops. Upon first pour, there appeared to be a sharp, almost vegetal note, but it dissipated very quickly, leaving behind a blend of stone fruit and citrus, with a hint of… coconut? on the back end and through the finish. Coconut isn’t really typical of Galaxy or Talus, is it? Huh… Anyway, I couldn’t make out the date code, but I presume that a (sorta) local brewery from a pretty high turnover shop is going to be reasonably fresh. I flip-flopped several times on this one but ultimately decided that, although it’s a little interesting, it’s not next-level. In fact, it’s pretty much dead straight down the middle typical of this brewery in my experience (for n=33, μ=7.5 & σ=0.53). (15/20)
This will be my 5,670th unique Untappd check-in.
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
The Establishment Brewing Company Evergreen Daydream – American IPA at 6.6% ABV (C$6.00 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 2-Aug-2023, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 14-Sep-2023)
Appearance: crystal clear pale gold with one fat finger of rocky white head, good retention and moderate droopy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical & stone fruit, pale malt, light pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)
Recently, I’ve been noticing this phenomenon more and more, but this has to be the most emphatic example yet of a “Haze craze? What haze craze?” return to the oughties that I’ve seen yet. Except for the hopping, of course, which according to Untappd is “Strata, Cryo Mosaic, Cryo Citra, Amarillo, and Simcoe.” It’s definitely not your father’s WCIPA, since the pine is mild – milder than I’d like, if I’m honest – and definitely takes a back seat to tropical and stone fruits. All things considered, I can’t really rave about this one, but it’s certainly excellent, and for my second review in a row, dead average for the brewer (albeit a better brewer: for n=36, μ=8 & σ=0.54). (16/20)
This will be my 5,671st unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
The Establishment Brewing Company Breezeblocks – American IPA at 6.4% ABV (C$6.00 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 18-Aug-2023, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 14-Sep-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with one finger of creamy white head, good retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: melon, citrus, dank pine, floral, cereal grains. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (4/5)
So, a completely different beer than the last one I tried from this brewer (all of thirty minutes ago) but pretty much the same score. This one feels like a return to form, in that I generally expect The Establishment’s offerings to be hazy and dank. Pleasant an approachable. (16/20)
This will be my 5,672nd unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
The Establishment Brewing Company Such Great Heights – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8.0% ABV (C$6.35 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 23-Aug-2023, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 18-Sep-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, grape, berry, pale malt. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry mildly warming finish. (4/5)
I consider the bigger malt bill for Imperial IPA’s to be an opportunity to support more emphatic hopping, but I’m not really getting that here. I do get the creamsicle and vinous/gooseberry notes the brewer describes on their web site, but overall the aroma and flavour just don’t pop the way I was expecting. Mind you, I’ve been coughing and snotty today, so my palate might be off…? (15/20)
This will be my 5,673rd unique Untappd check-in.
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Stillwater Artisanal Filson Gold Rush Rustic IPA – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$6.65 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 8-Sep-2022, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 20-Sep-2023)
Appearance: slightly hazy and particulate-laden pale gold with two fingers of rocky pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, floral, pale crackery malt, faint dank pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)
Meh. I don’t know that this thing’s lack of oomph is intrinsic or due to its exactly one year in the can (I have GOT to start checking date codes in the store!) but either way this just isn’t all that exciting. (14/20)
This will be my 5,674th unique Untappd check-in.
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Bear Republic Brewing Co. The Fool – American Pale Ale at 5.4% ABV (C$5.25 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 14-Aug-2022, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 20-Sep-2023)
Appearance: slightly hazy deep gold with one finger of loose white head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: mild, caramel, citrus, vanilla. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, sweetish medium duration finish. (3/5)
For fuck’s sake… another date code I REALLY should have checked in the store. I dunno – this is quite frankly a boring malty mess, but that might well be age. (12/20)
This will be my 5,675th unique Untappd check-in.
6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Alley Kat Brewing Co. Hazy 2.0 – American Double / Imperial IPA at 7.5% ABV | 70 IBU (C$5.80 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 25-Jul-2023, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 20-Sep-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale amber with one finger of loose white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: stone fruit, melon, citrus. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (4/5)
The label reports this to be hopped with Eclipse, HBC 586, and HBC 1019. I’ve had a few with 586 and generally liked them. As far as I can tell, I’ve only had one other experience with 1019, but quite liked that as well. This one also doesn’t disappoint, and in fact it’s an interesting combination of new-fangled hazy dry hopping and lingering old-school bitter bite. Add the enthusiastic ABV and you’re coming perilously close to checking all of my boxes. I approve. (16/20)
This will be my 5,676th unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Apex Predator Brewing (Bench Creek Brewing) Pale Horseman – American Pale Ale at 5% ABV (C$5.15 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 21-Jul-2023, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 21-Sep-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale straw with one fat finger of fluffy white head, excellent retention and moderate droopy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus, cereal grains. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (4/5)
I flip-flopped a little on this, and could probably have scored it slightly lower in a couple of areas – but ultimately I like it, so there you go. (16/20)
This will be my 5,677th unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Anchorage Brewing Company The Chopper – American IPA at 6.4% ABV (C$9.35 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 3-Feb-2023, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 2-Oct-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head, excellent retention and moderate droopy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: stone fruit, citrus, bready caramel. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)
Brewed with Strata, double dry hopped with Strata, Riwaka and Motueka subzero hop kief. Lots of sweet fruit aroma on the front end makes me think Jolly Ranchers, and I keep expecting it to be sweeter than it really is. Nicely done. (16/20)
This will be my 5,679th unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Blindman Brewing Cascadian Double IPA – American Double / Imperial IPA at 7.6% ABV | 64 IBU (C$6.15 at Collective, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 2-Oct-2023)
Appearance: clear deep cola red with two fingers of fluffy light beige head diminishing gradually to a thin cap and ring, moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: dark roasted malts, resiny pine, citrus. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, dry medium bitter mildly warming finish. (4/5)
No date, but it’s a late summer release, the last of the Long Weekend Series, so not all that old. Rocky Mountain and Chocolate 500 malts, Centennial, Northern Brewer, and Simcoe hops. This appears to be just (a term I use advisedly) a doubled version of their Cascadian Dark Ale, which I quite liked, so what’s not to like here? Trick question, the answer is, nothing. Stout-like roasty malts lead the way over citrus and pine, IPA character through the middle, with a dry slightly warming finish make this a study in contradictions. Which I, as an engineer who reads Walt Whitman, embrace: “Do I contradict myself? / Very well then, I contradict myself. / (I am large, I contain multitudes.)” (16/20)
This will be my 5,680th unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Old Yale Brewing Co. Eclipse Juicy Pale Ale – American Pale Ale at 4.5% ABV | 30 IBU (C$5.08 at Collective, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 4-Oct-2023)
Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with two fingers of fluffy white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: mild, citrus, stone fruit, coconut, cereal grains. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry short duration finish ending slightly thin. (3/5)
Hopped with Eclipse and Sabro. I mean, it’s fine? I guess? But it’s definitely one of the Pales that feels like a watered-down IPA, particularly in the slight thinness of the finish. (14/20)
This will be my 5,681st unique Untappd check-in.
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Stillwater Artisanal Shoegaze Pale – American Wild Ale at 6% ABV (C$6.50 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 21-Sep-2022, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 8-Oct-2023)
Appearance: hazy straw with a massive fluffy white head diminishing gradually to a thick cap and moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: horseblankety funk, citrus, grass. (8/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-lively carbonation, dry short duration moderately funky finish ending thin. (3/5)
Brewer notes say “fermented with our unique blend of farmhouse ale yeast and cultured brettanomyces and heavily hopped with a mixture of motueka, citra, simcoe, and nz cascade. featuring our proprietary controlled chaos 001 yeast blend.” It’s wild all, right – is in, pretty much unpourably so. Lots of Brett character here, and a year in the can seems to have… angered it. I don’t actually dislike this, but I’m a sucker for Brett Wilds, so there’s that to consider. Credit where credit’s due, this is a true Wild, with barnyardy funk front and centre and bone-dry attenuation in the back end. However, the aroma’s a bit on the mild side, with very little of the alleged hop load being apparent, and that body finishes way too thin, even considering the expected attenuation. (15/20)
This will be my 5,682nd unique Untappd check-in.
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Cabin Brewing Company Belgo Pop – Belgian Pale Ale at 5.5% ABV (C$5.10 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 21-Aug-2023, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 9-Oct-2023)
Appearance: clear pale amber with one finger of fine pale amber head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: grass, caramel, light Belgian esters. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (3/5)
A surprisingly uninteresting offering from a brewer that normally never fails to impress (for n=35, μ=7.8 & σ=0.55). I mean, it’s not terrible or anything, but it’s at least one standard deviation below average. (14/20)
This will be my 5,683rd unique Untappd check-in.
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Blind Enthusiasm Brewing Company Nice – American Pale Ale at 4.5% ABV (C$5.00 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 31-Jul-2023, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 10-Oct-2023)
Appearance: slightly hazy straw with two fat fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: biscuity malt, grass, lemon. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry short duration astringent finish tending thin. (3/5)
The label says this “is dry-hopped with Galaxy and Sladek” but I’m getting much more of the grassy Czech notes from the Sladek than anything ANZ-like. In fact, it’s as much or more about the biscuity malt as it is about the hops, almost Pilsner. Which I could live with, but there’s also a tendency to thinning and astringency in the finish. All in all, it’s a bit muddled and directionless, and it feels like it’s struggling because of the low ABV. Not really doing it for me. (13/20)
This will be my 5,684th unique Untappd check-in.
6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Annex Ale Project It’s Kismet – American Pale Ale at 4.6% ABV (C$5.26 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 16-Aug-2023, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 10-Oct-2023)
Appearance: hazy straw with two fingers of fluffy white head, good retention and moderate chunky lacing. (4/5) Aroma: zesty citrus, melon, cereal grains, light dank resin. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (4/5)
Nice one – balanced juicy hops and a clean malt, with no “for less than five percent” qualifier required. (16/20)
This will be my 5,685th unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Barrel House Z Bamboozled By Hops – American IPA at 6.7% ABV (C$8.00 at Collective, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 8-Sep-2023, reviewed 10-Oct-2023)
Appearance: clear pale amber with two fingers of creamy pale ivory head, good retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, caramel, pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration finish. (4/5)
What is this haze craze of which you speak? Super traditional in structure, but definitely not in the hopping. Brewer notes say “Dry hopped with Citra, Mosaic & Simcoe” and there’s certainly a fair bit of the expected citrus coming through. It’s not quite as bright as I’d like it to be, though, so the score reflects that. (15/20)
This will be my 5,686th unique Untappd check-in.
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Meta Brewery Nucleus – American IPA at 6.5% ABV | 40 IBU (C$5.00 at Econo Liquor Okotoks, 375 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 16-Oct-2023, reviewed 16-Oct-2023)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of rocky white head, excellent retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy, citrus, tropical fruit, cereal grains, hint of pine resin. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration bitter slightly tart finish. (4/5)
My second by this brewery, still hate the name. Short-filled can so I was a bit leery, but it doesn’t seem to have been harmed by it. Label says Citra, Galaxy, and Amarillo hops, and that’s pretty much the aroma. Malts are well-behaved, with cereal grains (oats) throughout and just a hint of wheaty tartness in the finish. Not bad at all, but it’s pretty hard to rate it any higher because it doesn’t really adhere all that well to the style – which is to say, it’s hazy and juicy, sure, but it’s also fairly strong and surprisingly bitter. Neither of which are unwelcome or excessive, but I don’t really consider them appropriate to a claim of being an NEIPA. (15/20)
This will be my 5,687th unique Untappd check-in.
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Meta Brewery Dynamic – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8% ABV | 80 IBU (C$5.00 at Econo Liquor Okotoks, 375 ml, packaged on 14-Jul-2023, acquired 16-Oct-2023, reviewed 16-Oct-2023)
Appearance: clear pale amber with one fat finger of rocky pale ivory head, good retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, pine, muted fruited /s. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate carbonation, lingering building bitter finish. (3/5)
My third by this brewery, and the name still isn’t growing on me. A very traditional DIPA dominated by malt. The label says “Old and New World hops”, but doesn’t specify which. Not that it matters, because there isn’t all that much of ‘em in any case. I mean, there’s nothing really wrong here, but I feel like the state of the art has moved on – so if you’re gonna be traditional, don’t be boring. (13/20)
This will be my 5,688th unique Untappd check-in.
6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com