Author: dpatrickryan

Alley Kat Brewing Co. Cascadian Dark Ale – Black IPA at 6.0% ABV | 45 IBU (C$5.85 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 26-Feb-2026, acquired 6-Jul-2026, reviewed 15-Jul-2026)

Appearance: clear deep cola red with two fat fingers of fluffy beige head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, spotty soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: pine, cacao, toasted bread, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, dry bitter finish. (4/5)

Been a while since I had one of these – I guess the fad has been over for quite some time. Decent example of the style here, even-handed with a nice balance between the roasty malt and the hops. (15/20)

This will be my 6,453rd unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Establishment Brewing Company / Annex Ale Project Mistadobalina – American IPA at 6% ABV (C$7.15 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 30-Jun-2026, acquired 6-Jul-2026, reviewed 14-Jul-2026)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fine pale ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: brightly juicy tropical fruit, citrus, cereal grains, light dank resin. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, medium duration mildly warming finish. (4/5)

This one exhibits very little Annex character, and it basically a standard The Establishment offering. Not to be overly snotty, but that’s all to the good. (16/20)

This will be my 6452nd unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Born Brewing Co. Down By The Bay – American Pale Lager at 5% ABV (C$5.90 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 6-Jul-2026, reviewed 14-Jul-2026)

Appearance: clear pale straw with two fingers of pillowy white head, excellent retention and moderate stringy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: watermelon flesh and rind, stony minerals, initial faint cattiness. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: light body, moderate-lively carbonation, short crisp finish. (4/5)

This one definitely got better as it progressed. Upon first opening, there was a catty note (fine, a urine note) accompanied by green vegetal, and precious little sweet watermelon flesh. However, sweet watermelon gradually grew, while the less appetizing notes faded, making for an ultimately pleasant finish. Can’t say I’d particularly want another, though. (14/20)

This will be my 6451st unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Establishment Brewing Company Exploding Rainbows – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8.2% ABV (C$7.25 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 18-Jun-2026, acquired 6-Jul-2026, reviewed 13-Jul-2026)

Appearance: hazy medium gold with one finger of fine pale ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin cap, moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus, dank resin, cereal grains, hint of coconut. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry mildly warming finish. (4/5)

“Riwaka, Peacharine, Motueka, Citra Quantum”. I’m getting a hint of Sabra-ish coconut, and I’m not sure from where. Other than that, this is a pleasant blend of mixed fruits, and easy to drink for the weight. That being said, it’s just not wowing me for some reason. Don’t get me wrong: this is good, but it’s not really what I’ve come to expect for “white label good”, and is merely world-class. (16/20)

This will be my 6450th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Irrational Brewing Company Dirtbag – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$6.00 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 6-Jul-2026, reviewed 12-Jul-2026)

Appearance: clear pale straw with a short white head diminishing rapidly to a thin cap, moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: bright tropical fruit, cereal grains, citrus, mild pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

“TDH West Coast IPA  w/ krush, citra, & mosaic cryo” I mean, it’s pleasant, but I dunno that I’d call it a WCIPA. For me, it’s dominated by brightly juicy tropical fruit, as well as some citrus, with any pine coming in as an afterthought, and no cannabinoid notes at all. It’s certainly not a “dank” WCIPA, that’s for sure. (15/20)

This will be my 6449th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Establishment Brewing Company Electric Barbarella (2025) – American Wild Ale at 5.1% ABV (C$22.75 at Collective, 750 ml, packaged on 1-Nov-2025, acquired 23-Jun-2026, reviewed 8-Jul-2026)

Appearance: pale straw with a short, short-lived fizzy head, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: oaky barrel, tart berries and field fruit, mild funk. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, light bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

Release 067. Another lovely barrel-aged Lambic-ish blended Saison from, let’s admit it, my favourite brewer, period. They say it’s rhubarb, but there’s not much to distinguish it from any random assortment of tart fruit. Which isn’t a criticism, just an observation. I like it. (16/20)

This will be my 6447th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Cabin Brewing Company Aerogram – Session IPA at 4.5% ABV (C$5.35 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 5-Jun-2026, acquired 6-Jul-2026, reviewed 6-Jul-2026)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of pillowy pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus zest, cereal grains, light dank. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body tending slightly thin, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

Cryo Mosaic and Ekuanot. The aroma and flavour are both a little light, and an initial slight thinness in the body made it feel just very slightly edgy through the finish – although that diminished pretty quickly. Not their best, but a Session hardly would be, would it? Applying the dreaded “for a Session” qualifier, it’s absolutely fine. That being said, unless I was driving and absolutely needed to keep things on the DL, I’d go for the extra point or two and get something with a bit more oomph. (15/20)

This will be my 6446th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Cabin Brewing Company / Born Brewing Co. Hello Sunshine! – American IPA at 6.7% ABV (C$6.00 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 23-Jun-2026, reviewed 5-Jul-2026)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with one fat finger of pillowy pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus, cereal grains. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

They call this a “Pineapple IPA”, so I was expecting, y’know, pineapple. In fact, I was a bit concerned that it might be overwhelmingly pineapple. However, they were also apparently concerned about this, since they’ve gone the other way, rendering the pineapple so mild so as to be more a generalized tropical fruit note, rather than clearly pineapple. It’s fine, it’s good, there’s nothing wrong with it (15/20)

This will be my 6445th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Backcountry Brewing You’re More Like Sarah Connor & In the First Movie Too Before She Could Do Chinups – American IPA at 6.5% ABV | 30 IBU (C$7.55 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 23-Jun-2026, reviewed 4-Jul-2026)

Appearance: hazy deep gold with two fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: stone & tropical fruit, citrus, cereal grains, mild dank resin. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

Nelson, Motueka, and Citra. Pleasant fruit character without being too sweet, easy-drinking despite the slightly high ABV. Not much else to say here – it works. (16/20)

This will be my 6444th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Establishment Brewing Company Rare Hearts (2025) – American Wild Ale at 5.6% ABV (C$24.00 at Collective, 750 ml, packaged on 1-Nov-2025, acquired 23-Jun-2026, reviewed 30-Jun-2026)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale amber with a short fizzy head diminishing rapidly to nothing, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: oak, strawberries, funk. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, sweetish warming finish. (5/5)

Release 062. This is a pretty faithful adaptation of the Wild or Lambic style, though aesthetically raspberries might be the more traditional fruit choice. But, overall this balances well the barrel, fruit, and funk aspects, with neither really overwhelming the others. So, it would appear that, not satisfied to merely dominate one style (the American IPA and its derivatives), The Establishment is now bound and determined to crush the far more challenging one of the barrel-aged wild. Oh no, don’t threaten me with a good time! (17/20)

This will be my 6441st unique Untappd check-in.

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com