Month: August 2025

Backcountry Brewing See You, Space Cowboy – American IPA at 6.4% ABV | 30 IBU (C$7.45 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 24-Jul-2025, reviewed 2-Aug-2025)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one finger of loose white head diminishing gradually to a thin skim and ring, spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy tropical fruit, citrus, cereal grains, resiny pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, sweetish medium duration finish. (3/5)

“Brewed with Nectaron and Citra.” Opens with a pleasantly juicy aroma and decent flavour, but tends just a little too sweet through the finish for my preference. It’s fine, and there are no big negatives, but overall there’s not a whole lot to distinguish this in an extremely crowded field. (14/20)

This will be my 6,172nd unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Establishment Brewing Company / Long Hop Brewing Co. Tidal Wave – American IPA at 7.1% ABV (C$6.15 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 4-Jul-2025, acquired 24-Jul-2025, reviewed 2-Aug-2025)

Appearance: clear straw with one finger of fine white head, excellent retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, dank resin, berries, pale malt. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-lively carbonation, crisp lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

Nice example of the style: bright and crisp, yet bitter with dank piney undertones. This is how you do the style. I have nothing further to say. No notes. (16/20)

This will be my 6,171st unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Bellwoods Brewery Goosehead – Pilsner at 4.8% ABV (C$7.75 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 24-Jul-2025, reviewed 31-Jul-2025)

Appearance: slightly hazy straw with one fat finger of pillowy white head, excellent retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: grass, citrus, honey malt, light minerality. (8/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-lively carbonation, crisp short duration finish. (4/5)

I don’t often say this about Pilsners, but: that’s seriously good stuff. That being said, it’s hardly surprising that it’s Bellwoods that’s causing me to say it. And it turns out there’s this thing called the “Canadian Pilsner Project” aiming for 100% Canadian ingredients, which this has: Alberta malt, Escarpment Labs Isar yeast, and Saaz from BC’s Myrtle Meadows. I call that a bonus! (16/20)

This will be my 6,170th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com