Author: dpatrickryan

Bellwoods Brewery Jelly King Boysenberry & Plum – Sour / Wild Ale at 5.6% ABV (C$13.00 at Collective, 500 ml, packaged on 29-Aug-2023, acquired 30-Oct-2023, reviewed 4-Dec-2023)

Appearance: hazy purple-pink with two fingers of fine pinkish head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: stone fruit, field berries, oats, hint of cream. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high tart, moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly creamy body, moderate carbonation, short tart finish. (4/5)

This is an interesting variation, and at least as good as any of the other plum variants I’ve tried. Boysenberries are one of my absolute favourite fruits, so I was probably predisposed to like this, but the blend of plum and boysenberry is doing interesting things to the base beer. I’m getting an almost lactic creamy note in addition to faint cereal grains on the front end, and through the finish it reminds me of nothing so much as damson pie. Definitely a good one. (16/20)

This will be my 5,691st unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Coronado Brewing Company Fossil Beach – American IPA at 7.3% ABV (C$7.00 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 14-Sep-2023, acquired 30-Oct-2023, reviewed 3-Dec-2023)

Appearance: hazy pale amber with two fingers of loose fluffy pale ivory head, good retention and heavy chunky lacing. (4/5) Aroma: stone fruit, melon, zesty citrus, pale malt. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration mildly warming slightly astringent finish. (3/5)

Hopped with Waimea, HBC 586, and Idaho Gem. I almost scored the aroma higher on this, but ultimately while what’s there is fine, it just doesn’t pop enough to merit a higher score. The taste, on the other hand, I very nearly scored lower, mostly due to the melon note turning a little sharp and lime-like as it finished. This does many things right, or very nearly so, and nothing really wrong – but ultimately it’s just good, not great. (14/20)

This will be my 5,690th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Zero Issue Brewing Uncanny: Kerrow (Issue #95) – American IPA at 5.9% ABV (C$5.10 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 30-Oct-2023, reviewed 2-Dec-2023)

Appearance: slightly hazy straw with two fingers of pillowy white head, excellent retention and heavy chunky lacing. (4/5) Aroma: mild, citrus zest, pine, cereal grains. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, medium duration off-dry slightly astringent finish. (3/5)

I mean, it’s not quite “meh”, but it’s not far off. Certainly it’s not what I look for in a WCIPA, and it’s not (quite) up to par for my experience with this brewery (for n=32, μ=7.3 & σ=0.49). So, yeah: not quite “meh”, but not far off. (14/20)

This will be my 5,689th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Bellwoods Brewery Ratclops – American Pale Ale at 5.6% ABV (C$8.65 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 15-Aug-2023, acquired 30-Oct-2023, reviewed 18-Nov-2023)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one finger of loose white head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, minimal stringy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: mild, stone & tropical fruits, pine, cereal grains. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration slightly tart finish. (3/5)

I’m just not feeling this one. The aroma is fine, but relatively mild for the brewery and style. The taste is fine, but finishes a little sharp – tart, maybe, or even a little astringent, and that carries through into the finish. Certainly not as good as Jutsu or Monogamy, and in fact maybe not quite as good as Wizard Wolf. Just not up to snuff for my favourite Canadian brewery.(14/20)

This will be my 5,688th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Robinsons Brewery Trooper: Fear of the Dark – English Stout at 4.5% ABV (C$4.48 at Econo Liquor Okotoks, 330 ml, best before 31-Aug-2022, acquired 12-Nov-2023, reviewed 12-Nov-2023)

Appearance: clear dark cola red with one fat finger of loose beige head diminishing gradually to a thin cap and ring, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: mild, roady malts, chocolate. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration slightly ashy finish. (3/5)

Nothing much to fear here: mild aroma and flavour on a light-tending body. I think I slightly prefer their Red ’n’ Black Porter, but maybe that’s only because that one has a higher ABV. (14/20)

This will be my 5,678th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Cannery Brewing Company Fresh Hop Extra Pale Ale – American IPA at 6.0% ABV | 45 IBU (C$4.95 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 18-Sep-2023, acquired 30-Oct-2023, reviewed 10-Nov-2023)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with two fat fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and well-defined stringy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: earthy pine, grass, caramel, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration finish. (3/5)

Brewed with fresh Cascade and frozen fresh cryo Simcoe. Not as bright as I like, with an earthy grassy note dominating. It’s OK, but nothing memorable. (14/20)

This will be my 5,677th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Category 12 Brewing Fresh Hop West Coast IPA – American IPA at 6% ABV | 58 IBU (C$6.25 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 26-Sep-2023, acquired 30-Oct-2023, reviewed 4-Nov-2023)

Appearance: clear medium gold with two fat fingers of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and well-defined stringy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: pine resin, citrus, tropical fruit. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry building bitter spicy finish. (3/5)

Single-hopped with fresh Chinook – which is a dual-purpose hop that I’m not convinced has the character to pull off single-hopping, at least not for this style. This one has all the traditional elements of the style, sure, but it’s just not as punchy as I like, especially in the aroma. (14/20)

This will be my 5,676th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Bellwoods Brewery Brettal Head – American Pale Ale at 6% ABV (C$8.25 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 24-Jul-2023, acquired 30-Oct-2023, reviewed 4-Nov-2023)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger (and growing) of fine white head, excellent retention and heavy well-defined lacing. (4/5) Aroma: barnyard funk, citrus zest, oak, light tropical fruit. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (9/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, dry attenuated finish. (4/5)

I know not everyone will like this, but it’s very much my speed. For me, the earthy funk hits first. That’s not to suggest it’s overwhelming or excessive, because it’s not, but that aroma just cuts through everything else (at least for me). Everything else pretty much follows suit, with a nicely balanced hint of tartness though the mid, leading to a dry attenuated finish. I like it a lot. (17/20)

This will be my 5,675th unique Untappd check-in.

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Establishment Brewing Company Switched On – American IPA at 6.7% ABV (C$6.00 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 18-Oct-2023, acquired 30-Oct-2023, reviewed 1-Nov-2023)

Appearance: slightly hazy straw with one fat finger of loose white head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: sweet tropical fruit, caramel, mild dank pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (3/5)

I’m actually a bit disappointed, if I’m honest. I mean, it’s fine – but “fine” is not really up to par for this brewer, is it? Plus, the writeup on the web site made me think we were going to see a throwback WCIPA with loads of resiny pine – and this is definitely not that. Sorry, guys, you know I love you, but this is merely adequate. (14/20)

This will be my 5,674th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Establishment Brewing Company Vapours – American IPA at 6.7% ABV (C$6.00 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 19-Oct-2023, acquired 30-Oct-2023, reviewed 1-Nov-2023)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of rocky white head, good retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy citrus, cereal grains, light pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, short duration finish. (4/5)

Nice one. Made with Citra, Simcoe, and Mosaic, and that’s exactly what it smells and tastes like. Not really much more to say than that. Yeah, it’s “only” dead average for this brewer, but that’s pretty rarefied atmosphere since for n=38, μ=8 & σ=0.53. I’m always happy when The Establishment drops a new brew, but to drop two side-by-side is extra fun, so I’m looking forward to its brother from another mother. (16/20)

This will be my 5,673rd unique Untappd check-in. (Yes, it’s gone down – Untappd seems to have done another consolidation.)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com