Author: dpatrickryan

Cameron’s Brewing Company 12 Mile India Pale Lager at 5.2% ABV (2018 Craft Beer Advent Calendar #22, 473 ml, packaged on 5-Sep-2018, acquired 20-Dec-2018, reviewed 22-Dec-2018)

Appearance: hazy straw with one finger of rocky white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, floral, crackery pale malt. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Medium-light body, lively carbonation, off-dry medium duration bitter finish. (4/5)

I guess it had to happen: today’s Advent beer is the same as one that I had waiting in my cellar to try. And the cost was a whopping 1¢ different. Except my cellar one was three months newer, so that’s the one I’m reviewing. Not a bad example of the style, but brighter hops would be welcome. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Coal Harbour Brewing Co. Cosmic Fusion India Pale Lager at 5.2% ABV (2018 Craft Beer Advent Calendar #21, 473 ml, packaged on 3-Aug-2018, acquired 30-Nov-2018, reviewed 21-Dec-2018)

Appearance: hazy deep gold with one finger of fluffy off-white head diminishing gradually to a persistent cap, spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: pine, citrus, tropical fruit, caramel. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Medium body, lively carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

I suppose if one absolutely must have a Lager, this is one of the best types to go with. One sure way to win my approval is to go nuts with the hops, even if it is a Lager. On the down side, seriously? This is now the fourth instance of a second beer by the same brewer in this year’s calendar. I suppose I shouldn’t be confusing the calendar with the beer, but I’m getting pretty cranky with the former… (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Port Rexton Brewing Company Tibb’s the Saison Saison at 6.6% ABV (C$7.83 at Port Rexton Brewing Company, 950 ml, packaged on 20-Dec-2018, acquired 20-Dec-2018, reviewed 20-Dec-2018)

Appearance: hazy pale amber with one finger of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: clove, gingerbread, wheat, rye, light sulphur. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-low carbonation, lingering spicy mildly warming finish. (3/5)

Not merely a pun, but a double pun, playing off “’Tis the season” with references to both Tibb’s Eve (in Newfoundland, the day before Christmas Eve) and Saison. Definitely more a Christmas-style beer than a Saison, with the usual suspects of spices dominating and very little farmhouse-style funk, but not quite a Winter Warmer. Decent, if not exactly exciting. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Black Bellows Brewing Co. White: Witbier with Elderflower Witbier at 5.0% ABV (2018 Craft Beer Advent Calendar #20, 473 ml, packaged on 1-Aug-2018, acquired 30-Nov-2018, reviewed 19-Dec-2018)

Appearance: opaque pale straw with one finger of fine white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: floral, banana, wheat. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, low bitter, light tart. (7/10) Medium-light body, moderate carbonation, lightly tart short duration finish. (3/5)

Meh. Perfumy floral on a light-tending-to-bland banana Witbier base. Adding grandma’s perfume to a boring beer doesn’t really make it better. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Bridge Brewing Company Side Kick Session IPA at 4.2% ABV | 32 IBU (2018 Craft Beer Advent Calendar #19, 473 ml, packaged on 30-Jul-2018, acquired 30-Nov-2018, reviewed 19-Dec-2018)

Appearance: opaque pale amber with a massive loose pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus juice and pith, melon, pale malt, stone fruit, dank pine. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light tart. (9/10) Medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

I guess this one must’ve gotten whacked pretty good in my luggage during the trip home, but at least there was no loss of pressure. On the up side, the swirl recommended by the can was already complete, so no harm done, I guess. Nice NE interpretation of the SIPA style, flavourful yet light, without being watery. Really good stuff. (17/20)

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Mikkeller Hoppy Lovin’ Christmas IPA American IPA at 7.8% ABV (C$6.75 at Collective, 330 ml, packaged on 5-Mar-2019, acquired 17-Nov-2018, reviewed 18-Dec-2018)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of rocky ivory head, excellent retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy citrus, pine, caramel, ginger. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, lingering spicy finish. (4/5)

Some pine needles on the front end, but not a lot of ginger. There is, however, a definite lingering spice warmth in the finish. Christmas-ish, without being overly Christmas-y, if you see the distinction. Which isn’t a bad thing, by any means. This is hints of Christmas, without being full-blast. More hops, less Christmas, all the lovin’ – works for me! (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company Larch Valley Porter Porter at 5.7% ABV (2018 Craft Beer Advent Calendar #18, 473 ml, packaged on 10-Aug-2018, acquired 30-Nov-2018, reviewed 18-Dec-2018)

Appearance: clear ruby brown with one finger of fine beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin cap, spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: cocoa, nuts, smoke, light metallic. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Medium-full body, soft carbonation, dry moderate bitter slightly watery finish. (3/5)

Not bad, with a pleasant blend of dry cocoa, nuts and smoke on the front end, but a definite metallic, especially in the slightly watery finish. The metallic note fades slightly as it warms but doesn’t completely disappear. I’m really starting to think cans might not be the best transport mechanism for dark beers, especially if they’re going to be more than a couple of months old when drunk. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Anchorage Brewing Company Bitter Monk Belgian-Style Double IPA (Batch #5) Belgian IPA at 9% ABV | 100 IBU (C$14.76 at Collective, 750 ml, packaged on 1-Nov-2016, acquired 17-Nov-2018, reviewed 17-Dec-2018)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of rocky ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin cap, minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: powerful & complex, wild funk, chardonnay, citrus zest, stone & tropical fruit. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet & tart, high bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium body, lively carbonation, tart massively bitter funky finish. (4/5)

I savoured the aroma for quite a while, fully expecting the complexity to be reflected on the tongue – but holy crap, that first sip is a serious kick in the teeth! Big citrusy tart and vinous notes lead the way but are rapidly replaced by a massive lingering bitterness and wild funk. Given the significant Brett character in the aroma and flavour, I’m quite surprised at the relatively weak head retention and lacing, which is the only real flaw (though admittedly a relatively minor one) in this otherwise impressive beast of a beer. (17/20)

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

2 Crows Brewing Dare to Dream Saison at 5.4% ABV | 21 IBU (C$5.27 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 28-Sep-2018, acquired 4-Dec-2018, reviewed 17-Dec-2018)

Appearance: slightly murky brown with one fat finger of rocky ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin cap, moderate stringy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: lime leaves, coriander, doughy wheat, citrus, coffee. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry mildly tart finish. (4/5)

Not your typical Saison, and the darkness and spice load certainly make it less refreshing than I would look for in the prototypical style. However, for a closing-in-on-Christmas brew, it works reasonably well. A solid offering from 2 Crows, if not quite at the top of their range. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Zero Issue Brewing Shackleton Space Saison (Issue 9) Saison at 5.2% ABV (C$3.47 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 27-Aug-2018, acquired 4-Dec-2018, reviewed 17-Dec-2018)

Appearance: opaque pale straw with one fat finger of rocky white head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: coriander, bright citrus, banana. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-high carbonation, off-dry slightly funky finish. (4/5)

“Space Saison”, huh? OK, sure, why not? Not a lot to report here, but there doesn’t really need to be: it’s just a solidly well-done Saison, refreshing and flavourful without being too sweet or boozy. Mostly clean, but with jut a hint of farmhouse funk. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com