Author: dpatrickryan

Quidi Vidi Brewing Company Fogtown Lager American Pale Lager at 5% ABV (C$3.65 at NLC Stavanger, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 9-Aug-2018, reviewed 9-Aug-2018)

Appearance: clear straw with one finger of fluffy white head diminishing gradually to a thin smirk and ring, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: bready yeast, apples, grass, band-aid, faint diacetyl, hint of peat. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-high carbonation, short clean finish. (4/5)

I can’t say I had a lot in the way of expectations here – I mean, it’s a Lager. And bearing none of the qualifiers that might pique my interest, like “Hoppy” or “Dry-Hopped”. No, I bought this more out of a sense of obligation to try everything locally produced that I possibly can, combined with curiosity whether the new “craftier” brewery management would result in this being more than just a plain old Lager. Long story short: it doesn’t. In fact, I was less than impressed to detect both a phenolic band-aid note and a faint buttery diacetyl. Neither are excessive, but they certainly serve to keep this thing from being a breakthrough success in my opinion. On the up side, there’s decent robustness to the flavour, and it finishes well. Very much a “it’s cold and wet” situation – drink it quick and move on. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Deschutes Brewery Black Butte XXVIII Imperial Porter at 11.8% ABV | 51 IBU (C$23.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, packaged on 13-Jun-2016, acquired 18-Sep-2016, reviewed 8-Aug-2018)

Appearance: clear deep brown with one finger of loose beige head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: complex, smoke, chocolate, oak, citrus, bourbon, vanilla, dark fruit. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium-full slightly viscous body, moderate-low carbonation, dry building bitter warming finish. (4/5)

Yes, this might be kind of an odd choice for one of the hottest days of the year, but I’m enjoying my nicely cool basement media room, and figured, why not? Like my sticker says, life is short so drink good beer – and they’ve taken a lot of swings at getting this one right, so I figured it should at the very least qualify as “good”. It took a bit of hemming and hawing for me to zero in on this particular one, since I have multiples of multiple vintages of the birthday reserve in my cellar, but I figured this could be the sweet spot for tasting, and if the mood takes me I can try one of my two one-year-older ones in quick succession to compare, or give them another year in the cellar before splitting one out, while still continuing to build on my four-year-plus run of vintages for a future vertical. (Yes, I actually plan tastings years ahead. Sad, huh?)

Anyway. Beer. This is interesting, all right, and lots of fun. I noted smoke as my first aroma note, which it was, but in a relatively short-lived fashion. Fairly early into the glass, the chocolate, woody bourbon, and citrus notes take the helm, and the peated malt retires gracefully to the background. It’s tempting to say there’s a milk chocolate note there, but I think that’s more a function of the combination of vanilla and cocoa, than any real lactose aspect. Orange peel and dark fruits are buried fairly deep and never really come to the forefront, but provide a nice background for the aforementioned. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable slow sipper, complex without being overly busy. I’m looking forward to several years of comparing differing flavour and ageing profiles. (17/20)

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brasseur de Montréal Série l’Amer IPA American IPA at 6.8% ABV | 60 IBU (C$3.83 at NLC Stavanger, 473 ml, packaged on 6-Jun-2018, acquired 5-Aug-2018, reviewed 6-Aug-2018)

Appearance:  slightly hazy pale amber with one fat finger of pale ivory head, good retention and heavy, soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: mild, grainy caramel, resiny pine, earth, faint citrus. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, dry moderate bitter finish. (3/5)

Ask and ye shall receive, apparently: just a couple of days ago I said I’d like to try a cleaner, less adjunct-heavy product by this brewer, and lo and behold but what should show up at the store? (Maybe I ought to speculate about how I should try Brazilian supermodels, or a life of leisure after winning the lottery?) So, yeah… seems a bit churlish of me to complain about this now now, but that’s exactly what I’m gonna do. It’s not bad, but if you consider this an American IPA (I’m not sure I do, because to be honest, the hop character is much more English, even if the high bitterness isn’t), it’s a “old-school” one, heavy on the malt, with what little hop aroma there is dominated by a resiny pine instead of the “bright citrus overtone” promised by the label. It’ll do, especially after a day climbing a ladder and working over my head, but it’s definitely an unremarkable, middle-of-the-pack kind of offering. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Deschutes Brewery The Abyss (2015) American Double / Imperial Stout at 12.2% ABV | 70 IBU (C$22.16 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, best after 8-Dec-2016, acquired 17-Feb-2016, reviewed 4-Aug-2018)

Appearance: opaque deep brown with one finger of creamy beige head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: chocolate, bourbon, roasty malt, vanilla, molasses, leather. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (8/10) Palate: full slick body, soft carbonation, off-dry lingering and building bitter warming finish. (4/5)

Lots of the bourbon barrel coming through in this, but not so much the wine barrel – the closest I’m getting to vinous character is a leather-like note. Not a complaint, mind you, simply an observation. Definitely no regrets on the cellaring period for this one, as even at three years old, it’s still emphatically warm, if not actually hot. All in all, an excellent high-gravity barrel-aged beer. (18/20)

My 264th from the 2010 Edition of 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die, 254th from the 2013 edition, and 278th combining both editions.

9/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Central City Brewers + Distillers / NWT Brewing Co. Across the Nation Collaboration: Midnight Ember Smoked Beer at 6% ABV | 40 IBU (C$2.47 at NLC Stavanger, 355 ml, packaged on 21-Mar-2018, acquired 13-Jul-2018, reviewed 4-Aug-2018)

Appearance:  clear deep ruby brown with one finger of loose beige head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, no lacing. (4/5) Aroma: smoke, caramel, cocoa, roasty malt. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter, hint of umame. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, dry moderate bitter ashy finish. (4/5)

Smoked beers can be a challenge to get right – too much smoke, and it overwhelms everything, but too little, and you’re left with the vague impression someone stubbed a ciggie in your drink. This one? Well, I’ve had better – but I’ve also had worse. It strikes a decent balance between smoke and roasty malts, and gives an almost bacon-like note on the tongue. I would’ve thought a heavier body and lower carbonation was more appropriate to the style, but it’s not bad as-is. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Central City Brewers + Distillers / Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks Across the Nation Collaboration: Ruby Sunset Sour / Wild Ale at 6% ABV | 7 IBU (C$2.47 at NLC Stavanger, 355 ml, packaged on 3-Apr-2018, acquired 13-Jul-2018, reviewed 4-Aug-2018)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale amber with one finger of loose off-white head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: artificial fruit punch, grainy malt, faint grass & earth. (5/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, low bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry mild bitter and tart finish. (3/5)

I was a little taken aback the first time I saw a brewer wearing “kettle sours suck” T-shirt, thinking that seemed a bit of an extreme reaction to a style that, though admittedly lacking in depth and complexity, seemed at least OK – but, y’know what? I’m getting there, and fast. And, yes, it’s due to beers like this, which smell and taste like slightly malty kool-aid. (11/20)

5.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Central City Brewers + Distillers / YellowBelly Brewery Across the Nation Collaboration: Me Ol’ Trout Cream Ale at 5.2% ABV | 20 IBU (C$2.47 at NLC Stavanger, 355 ml, packaged on 21-Mar-2018, acquired 13-Jul-2018, reviewed 3-Aug-2018)

Appearance: clear straw with one fat finger of loose white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim and ring, minimal spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, berry, tropical fruit, melon, light grass. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, crisp mildly bitter finish. (3/5)

I had this, or something highly similar, back in May, but as far as I can remember it wasn’t labelled as a collaboration. Plus, it was 4.8% ABV, not 5.2%, so I’m not quite sure what they did here – possibly their own version following or concurrent with the collaboration? Will have to ask Liam next time I see him. In any case, I think my biggest complaint here – other than the dismal retention and lacing – is the fact that it’s not really a Cream Ale at all, but would make quite a serviceable APA or S/IPA. Quite good, but nothing like the style it purports to be. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Central City Brewers + Distillers / Upstreet Craft Brewing Across the Nation Collaboration: Singing Sands American Amber / Red Lager at 5% ABV | 15 IBU (C$2.47 at NLC Stavanger, 355 ml, packaged on 12-Apr-2018, acquired 13-Jul-2018, reviewed 3-Aug-2018)

Appearance: clear medium amber with two fingers of loose white head diminishing rapidly (and loudly!) to a thin skim, minimal spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: bready caramel, toffee, faint floral. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-low bitter. (5/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, sticky cloying finish. (2/5)

Meh. Sweet, slightly salted lager. Whee. (11/20)

5.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

St. James’s Gate (Diageo) Guinness Irish Wheat Hefeweizen at 5.3% ABV (C$3.65 at NLC Stavanger, 500 ml, best before 20-Mar-2018, acquired 13-Jul-2018, reviewed 3-Aug-2018)

Appearance: hazy straw with two fingers of creamy white head, good retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: banana, clove, wheat, light citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light peppery spice. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium bitter lightly spicy finish. (3/5)

Somewhat surprisingly, a decent implementation of the style. The appearance isn’t perfect, but it’s darned close, and although the aroma is mild, it’s in-spec with banana, clove, and wheat, with the citrus coming through only faintly and retronasally. The flavour is OK as well, with just a hint of peppery spice. That carries through to the finish, which is a touch too sweet for my preference, but otherwise serviceable. Not the most exciting, but I didn’t have great expectations, so I wasn’t disappointed. Slàinte! (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Creemore Springs Mad & Noisy Orange Pale Ale American Pale Ale at 4.8% ABV | 32 IBU (C$3.60 at NLC Stavanger, 473 ml, packaged on 3-May-2018, acquired 29-Jul-2018, reviewed 2-Aug-2018)

Appearance: clear pale amber with two fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, good retention and spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: orange zest & flesh, caramel, resiny pine, earth. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium slightly oily body, moderate-low carbonation, off-dry medium bitter slightly astringent finish. (3/5)

The brewer’s description says they’ve combined “bright and bold citrus hops with real orange peel” for an “appealing bright orange twist.”, which I guess is sort of true, as far as it goes. They go on to say that it has “a traditional caramel malt backbone”, and is “enhanced with hints of pithy orange peel” – and there, I think, lies the real story. Yes, there’s some real orange flavour there, but its brightness is dulled somewhat by the fairly emphatically malty caramel base. Worse, after the beer just kind of flops onto the tongue with minimal carbonation, the oily bitterness of the orange peel causes the finish to be slightly astringent. Good idea in theory, perhaps, but a slightly dubious implementation. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com