Author: dpatrickryan

Four Winds Brewing Co. Wildflower Saison at 6.5% ABV | 30 IBU (C$15.99 at Oak & Vine, 750 ml, packaged on 1-Feb-2018, acquired 21-Jun-2018, reviewed 20-Aug-2018)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale straw with three (growing!) fingers of billowy white head, excellent retention and clingy soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: dry funk, lemon zest, stone fruit, bready yeast, floral, tea. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light peppery spice. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-high carbonation, dry lightly spicy finish. (5/5)

This thing desperately wanted to turn into a gusher. That, and the dry funky tart aroma, made me think that it had been inoculated with Brettanomyces, but it appears not. (Though, I suppose unintentional infection is entirely possible, especially since they actually do brew a Brett Saison.) Really, my only complaint about this is my perennial one, of overly-enthusiastic malt bills for Saisons leading to excessive ABV’s: I’m an inveterate boozer and I guarantee you there is zero chance I’d be able to remain vertical after five litres of this a day, let alone work the fields! As far as the name goes, I dunno: yeah, there’s floral notes there, but I’d hesitate to call it “wildflower” – Grandma’s bedroom, more like, with lavender and chamomile carrying the day on the back end. All of those piddly objections aside, this is an exceptional beer, and one that would probably cellar well for a fairly lengthy period – too bad I bought only the one. (17/20)

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brauerei Fahr Fahr Fetched Experiment (Amarillo) Hefeweizen at 5.3% ABV | 20 IBU (C$4.99 at Oak & Vine, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 19-Jul-2018, reviewed 20-Aug-2018)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with three fingers of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and clingy soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: banana, bubblegum, doughy pale malt, clove, floral, grass. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light peppery spice. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry mild bitter spicy finish. (4/5)

Well, it might be Fahr Fetched, but it’s not very far-fetched – certainly not to the point of being classifiable as a Hopfenweisse. On the nose, at least, this is a full-on Hefe: big banana and bubblegum, with not a whole lot of hop character. And, I can’t say I’m surprised, since Fahr is so very traditional German in character. Personally, I would call this a very mild deviation form the normal hop profile, while German purists might be spluttering in indignation. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Evil Twin Brewing IPA Kolata (Batch #003) American Double / Imperial IPA at 8% ABV (C$6.70 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 14-Aug-2018, reviewed 19-Aug-2018)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of rocky white head, good retention and spotty soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: coconut, pineapple, lactose, faint caramel malt and citrus. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, lingering and building bitter warming finish. (4/5)

I have great respect for both Mikkel and Jeppe, but it’s right there in the name: “Evil” Twin. There are some breweries whose products I can safely assume will be predictably good. There are others who generally do very good (indeed, spectacular) things, but occasionally fumble the ball fairly badly – Perfect Matcha, need I say more? Not, I hasten to add, is Mikkel immune to such issues, but if you’re gonna call yourself the evil twin, you’ve gotta expect a certain amount of blowback. (Even more interesting is when collaborations between two such breweries can have both results – I’m looking at you, Rainbownade ?? and Coffeenade ??!) So, fair to say, I had no idea what facet of the evil twin was going to be on display here. And yet, I had reason to hope based on the name alone, being somewhat of a fan of Piña Coladas… And of making love at midnight – or really, any time, while we’re at it – though not so much of getting caught in the rain, but that’s been less of a concern once I started shaving my head.

And yes, all of that nonsense was written before the first sip. We can safely move on to the beer, I guess. Sooo… yeah. Lots of coconut, pineapple, and lactose, precisely as promised by the label. I’m kind of vaguely disappointed, but hell if I could tell you why. Maybe because this so strongly resembles a Piña Colada, without much beer character at all? Though, now that I think about it, it’s about the same strength as a Piña Colada, if not more, for about half the price per volume. Yeah, OK, fine, I approve. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Alley Kat Brewing Co. Periwinkle Dragon American Double / Imperial IPA at 7.5% ABV | 75+ IBU (C$8.70 at Collective, 650 ml, packaged on 7-Jun-2018, acquired 14-Aug-2018, reviewed 19-Aug-2018)

Appearance: clear pale amber with two fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate lacing. (5/5) Aroma: resiny pine, caramel, mint, grapefruit & citrus, herbal. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, lingering and building bitter minty finish. (4/5)

I have the sinking feeling I might have to take the blame for this name. Right about two years ago (almost to the day!) I reviewed Cerulean Dragon and said Seriously? “Cerulean” Dragon? You don’t think that particular well has run dry yet? What’s next, “Periwinkle” Dragon? Then, this June, Lacey Cropley of Alley Kat posted a comment on that review, announcing the release of this.

I’m so sorry.

Well, I am and I’m not. I previously opined that this series was actually getting better, not worse: the prior four I reviewed were, in order, 7, 7.5, 8, and 8.5. While this one isn’t a clear improvement over the last one, it’s at least not fallen off a cliff. This is a pretty old school DIPA, with resiny pine at the forefront, and I have absolutely no problem with that. I haven’t had a lot of Eureka hops, but I have to say, the mint is an interesting little addition. All in all, I’m happy to say this is near the top of the series. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Omnipollo Hilma Vanilla Flippin’ Burgers Fries India Pale Ale American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$8.75 at Collective, 330 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 14-Aug-2018, reviewed 19-Aug-2018)

Appearance: hazy straw with one finger of rocky pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: creamy citrus, pale malt, pine, mild vanilla, vegetal. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly creamy body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

I might be imagining it because I know they actually added burger buns (no meat!) and fries to this, but I find myself wondering if there really is a slightly potato skin-like vegetal note towards the end. Other than that, it’s… well, I was going to say “normal”, but of course it’s not, not really. “More straightforward”, perhaps? Creamy citrus dominates the front end, much like a creamsicle, which is reinforced by the mild vanilla, and extra complexity is added by the pine and previously mentioned vegetal hint. All in all, a pleasant and enjoyable offering, if tending slightly towards the middle rear of the pack when it comes to Omnipollo. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brasserie Dunham Cyclope Thêta IPA American IPA at 5.7% ABV | 60 IBU (C$4.15 at Collective, 341 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 14-Aug-2018, reviewed 19-Aug-2018)

Appearance: hazy pale straw with two fat fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: bright citrus, melon, tropical fruit, pale malt, minerals. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body tending thin, moderate carbonation, dry bitter finish. (3/5)

I had high hopes for this upon first pouring and smelling it – other than a somewhat pale appearance, everything seemed extremely promising, especially the bright citrus aroma buttressed by hints of melon and tropical fruit. On the tongue, however, the flavours seemed, if not muted, nowhere near as emphatic as the aroma. The downward trend continued into the finish, where the medium body fell quickly flat and thinnish despite decent carbonation. Overall it’s not terrible by any means, but I think I’m more disappointed by its failure to be great than I have been by many beers that actually were terrible. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Rogue Ales Combat Wombat American IPA at 7.2% ABV | 49 IBU (C$10.70 at Collective, 650 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 14-Aug-2018, reviewed 18-Aug-2018)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with one finger of loose white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: lactic sour, citrus, tropical fruit, pale malt, melon. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry building bitter boozy finish. (4/5)

That’s gotta be right up there for best names ever – it’s what Kung-Fu Panda should have been. Clearly, the “wombat” moniker refers to the ANZ hops (Vic Secret and Galaxy FTW!!!), and the 7.2% ABV is certainly confrontational enough to constitute combat. Don’t get me wrong: the shine is completely off the apple for me when it comes to kettle sours. This, however, isn’t a a kettle sour, as such, but a citrusy IPA tweaked with a lactic adjunct that plays well to its strengths. It’s not without its flaws, certainly – it’s yet another “Northeast-style” IPA that’s apparently been brewed by (admittedly competent) brewers who’ve never actually had the style they’re brewing – but stylistic pedantry aside, this is a fun, flavourful beer, even if it could stand to be prettier. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Arkose Brewery Mandarina Moose Grapefruit IPA American IPA at 6.2% ABV | 72 IBU (C$10.95 at Collective, 650 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 14-Aug-2018, reviewed 18-Aug-2018)

Appearance: slightly hazy medium amber with one fat finger of fluffy ivory head, good retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel & toffee, citrus, floral, pine, buttery diacetyl. (5/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium oily body, moderate carbonation, off-dry building bitter boozy finish. (3/5)

Was hoping for more Mandarina (and less moose?) to be honest. (Though, y’know, Mandarina is one of those hops that’s never really seemed to deliver, in my experience – it seems like I always expect more citrus than it actually ends up providing.) This has a buttload of caramel and toffee, and bugger all grapefruit, if you ask me. And I’m not one to complain about a warming finish, but it tastes entirely too boozy for its relatively modest 6.2% ABV. Up to that point, one might be forgiven for brewing an old-school malty A/IPA, but the buttery diacetyl (maybe why I’m getting toffee?) is completely unforgivable. It’s entirely possible this is a shelf turd and that it’s better fresh, but I’ve got no way of knowing that, now do I? I’m through giving benefit of the doubt: if you don’t want me thinking your beer always tastes like shit, date the fucking bottles. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Canmore Brewing Company Misty Mountain Hops American IPA at 6.4% ABV | 55 IBU (C$3.75 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 12-Jul-2018, acquired 14-Aug-2018, reviewed 18-Aug-2018)

Appearance: slightly hazy straw with two fat fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, good retention and moderate stringy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus, pale malt, dank resiny pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter finish. (4/5)

A really good beer that isn’t even close to its claimed style of NEIPA. It’s hazy, sure, but only barely, and far more straw in colour than any self-respecting NEIPA I’ve known. Fruit might lead the way on the nose, but there’s also a definite dank pine note that, if not actually inappropriate for the style, is atypical. Most grievously, the bitterness is much higher than appropriate. None of these characteristics are negatives in general, of course, but I’m left wondering how to rank this. Hell with it, I like it. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Sierra Nevada Sidecar Orange IPA American IPA at 6.8% ABV | 45 IBU (C$3.55 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 27-Apr-2018, acquired 14-Aug-2018, reviewed 16-Aug-2018)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with one fat finger of creamy white head, excellent retention and well-defined lacing. (5/5) Aroma: orange peel, citrus flesh, caramel, pine, floral, grass. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, oily lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

Possibly not everyone’s cup of tea, but I like this a lot. The orange peel is clearly present, but doesn’t utterly overwhelm the underlying citrus, caramel, and pine of the base IPA. I’ve called the bitter moderate, which it is, on the front end, but the oily orange peel builds in the finish, and it ends up being more astringent and bitter than you might expect for 45 IBU. Which I like, but again, your mileage may vary. The big citrus presence ends up making this feel almost like a Radler – if you were to make one with an Imperial IPA. (17/20)

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com