Author: dpatrickryan

Firestone Walker Brewing Company Bretta Rosé Berliner Weisse at 5.3% ABV (US$15.25 at Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House, 375 ml, packaged on 13-Feb-2017, acquired 21-Jun-2017, reviewed 28-Dec-2017)

Appearance: clear pinkish amber with one finger of fizzy light pink head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: raspberry, vinous wood, dry funk, citrus, light wheat. (9/10) Taste: high tart, moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (9/10) Palate: light body, lively carbonation, off-dry tart lightly funky finish. (4/5)

Pretty much what it says on the label: a slightly funky Brett Weiss with loads of tart raspberry. Quite tart, but not unpleasantly so, and the raspberry is intensely flavourful without being excessively sweet. I could stand more funk, but as it stands it’s an interesting little flourish on a very pleasant beer. (17/20)

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

New Belgium Brewing Company / Anne-Francoise Lips of Faith Spiced Imperial Dark Ale Belgian Strong Dark Ale at 9.5% ABV | 25 IBU (C$6.49 at Oak & Vine, 355 ml, best before 28-May-2017, acquired 27-Mar-2017, reviewed 28-Dec-2017)

Appearance: clear amber-brown with one finger of loose beige head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: toasty malt, spruce, citrus, black pepper, cedar, dark stone fruit, herbs, leather. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry mildly warming finish. (4/5)

I assumed it was a pretty safe bet to ignore the BB date for this thing, and I certainly detect nothing to suggest that was an error on my part. (I got it late last winter, and was desperate for summer – and IPA season! – to start, so into the cellar it went.) Today, on our third day of 100km/h+ winds sounding like a freight train outside my window, I felt in need of some warmth. I was slightly hesitant about this, since New Belgium’s track record with some of these LoF collabs has been less than impressive (e.g. the Hof Ten Dormaal Golden Ale, or any number of the Fat Tire collabs). This, however, is quite nice, especially once it warms. Its aroma is fairly atypical, and took some getting used to, but eventually grew on me. There’s a fair degree of complexity, with a variety of spice and fruit notes against a toasted bready malt background. Definitely a seasonally appropriate slow sipper to take one’s time in appreciating. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Les Brasseurs RJ Cheval Blanc Witbier at 5% ABV (C$6.44 at NLC Howley Estates, 750 ml, best before 2-Oct-2019, acquired 8-Nov-2017, reviewed 27-Dec-2017)

Appearance: hazy medium gold with one finger of loose white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, minimal spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: wheat, citrus, coriander, very slight hint of rubber/band-aid. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, mild bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body, lively to moderate carbonation, off-dry slightly tart finish. (4/5)

Not bad – decently refreshing, with a spice profile that’s balanced well against the wheat base. I’m actually not entirely sure that I’m getting a hint of rubber, or whether it’s just the coriander, but in any case it’s mild enough that it’s not really a factor. Easy drinking and refreshing. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brouwerij De Brabandere Petrus Rood Bruin Sour Red/Brown at 5.5% ABV | 17 IBU (C$3.39 at NLC Howley Estates, 330 ml, best before 30-May-2019, acquired 8-Nov-2017, reviewed 27-Dec-2017)

Appearance: clear deep amber with one fat finger of fluffy tan head diminishing gradually to a thin creamy cap, moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: sour cherries, candi sugar, red berries, woody, vinegar. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, mild bitter, moderate tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body, lively to moderate carbonation, dry tart finish. (4/5)

I last reviewed this three or four vintages ago, when it was still called Oud Bruin, and the only real change I’ve noted is the head appears much creamier, retaining better and generating more lacing. I’m wondering if it’s because the last one had been longer in the bottle, but the flavours don’t appear significantly different in any case: it remains a mellow sour, balanced and even-handed. Berries, wood and vinegar present in the aroma, and follow through on the tongue. A mild sour for those who aren’t sure they like sours, perhaps. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Iconic Brewing Dusty Boots Hard Chocolate Orange Malt Liquor at 5.9% ABV (C$4.26 at NLC Howley Estates, 473 ml, packaged on 23-Aug-2017, acquired 8-Nov-2017, reviewed 26-Dec-2017)

Appearance: muddy deep amber with a short, short-lived fizzy head, no lacing. (2/5) Aroma: sickly sweet chocolate orange. (3/10) Taste: high sweet, minimal bitter. (3/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-high carbonation, short sticky finish. (2/5)

Just plain nasty: far too sweet and artificial. I drain poured it after one sip. “Limited Holiday Edition”? Should’ve been far more limited, if you ask me. (6/20)

3/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Greene King Festive Pudding Ale Winter Warmer at 6% ABV | 32 IBU (C$3.63 at NLC Howley Estates, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 8-Nov-2017, reviewed 26-Dec-2017)

Appearance: clear deep amber with one fat finger of fluffy beige head diminishing gradually to a persistent cap, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: bready caramel, spices, stone & dark fruits. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration slightly sticky finish. (3/5)

Not unpleasant, but pretty simple. Smells a lot like standard Greene King fare (e.g. Speckled Hen) with the addition of some “winter warmer” spices. OK, but not much better than that. (I’m just glad it’s not skunked, actually, given the clear glass!) (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Boxing Rock Brewing Co. Stayin’ Alive Bock at 6.8% ABV (C$5.68 at NLC Stavanger, 650 ml, packaged on 3-Nov-2017, acquired 25-Nov-2017, reviewed 25-Dec-2017)

Appearance: clear amber-brown, one finger of rocky tan head diminishing gradually to a persistent cap, decent lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, toasted malt, chocolate, grass & herbs. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body tending slightly slick, moderate carbonation, medium duration slightly sticky finish. (4/5)

Bock is one of the styles that I continue to at least subconsciously assume I’m not going to like, because they’re all about the malt. But the fact is, I’ve had plenty of decent Bocks – and this is another one. Completely malt-driven, but fairly easy drinking for the beefy ABV, and with an appropriately middle-tending-heavier weight in the body. An enjoyable sipper on a leisurely Xmas afternoon. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Anchor Brewing Company Our Special Ale (2017) Christmas / Winter Specialty Spiced Beer at 6.7% ABV | 40 IBU (C$29.99 at Quarry Park Calgary Co-Op, 1.5 l, best before 31-Oct-2019, acquired 17-Nov-2017, reviewed 24-Dec-2017)

Appearance: clear brown with ruby highlights, one finger of rocky tan head, good retention and spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: toffee, molasses, coffee, dark chocolate and fruits, spices, woody spruce. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-full body, moderate carbonation, lingering slightly sticky finish. (4/5)

After last year’s Xmas Eve debacle (don’t ask) the brother-in-law and I were on notice to behave. So, when we showed up at his place I said we could only have two beers… and then produced this one, and another 1.5 litre magnum, of Grolsch. The wives were suitably unimpressed. Mission accomplished! As far as the beer itself goes, very similar to last year: traditional midwinter spices and dark, molasses-y malt, with a hint of spruce. I’ve called it “fruitcake in a glass” before, and that remains my assessment. (And yes, we were good… ish…) (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Õllekunsti OÜ (Põhjala Brewery) Jõuluöö Imperial Porter at 8% ABV | 40 IBU (2017 Craft Beer Advent Calendar #24, 330 ml, best before 1-Jul-2018, acquired 20-Nov-2017, reviewed 24-Dec-2017)

Appearance: unrelieved black with no hint of relief, one finger of loose light beige head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, minimal patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: chocolate, coffee, vanilla, oak, roasty malts, molasses, liquorice. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium-full body, moderate carbonation, off-dry warming finish. (4/5)

OK, at the very least I no longer think the decision not to have Sweet Baby Java! as the Christmas Eve beer was sheer lunacy. I was tickled to see a new Põhjala, with even more gratuitous tildes and umlauts in the name. Typographic glee aside, this is a damn fine porter. The only complaint I can really make is that, for all its dark appearance and full-tending body, the carbonation strikes me as being too enthusiastic for the style. This would be absolutely stellar with a soft carbonation and a slick, heavy body, but as it is, is merely very good. (17/20)

8.5/10 #craftbeeradvent2017 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Port Rexton Brewing Company T-Rex Porter American Porter at 5.8% ABV | 19 IBU (C$5.74 at Port Rexton Brewing Company, 473 ml, packaged on 20-Dec-2017, acquired 22-Dec-2017, reviewed 23-Dec-2017)

Appearance: near complete black, with only the merest hint of brown relief at the margins, one fat finger of rocky beige head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: toasted bread, chocolate, coffee, hint of red berries. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, dry medium duration slightly tart finish. (3/5)

A solid enough porter, if tending just slightly light for the style. This slight thinness is exacerbated by the higher-than-typical carbonation, which I think is also contributing to a very slight sharpness or tartness in the finish. Not unpleasant, by any means, but I prefer a porter to be more mellow, smooth, and chocolatey, while this is slightly edgy and tart. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com