Author: dpatrickryan

Ninkasi Brewing Company Rare & Delicious Series Tripel Tripel at 9.2% ABV | 35 IBU (C$11.89 at Oak & Vine, 650 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 26-Apr-2017, reviewed 17-Aug-2017)

Appearance: clear deep gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head diminishing gradually to a think ring, minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: caramel, Belgian yeast, clove, hint of banana. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, lively to moderate carbonation, off-dry lightly warming bitter finish. (3/5)

Another slightly too enthusiastic Tripel, with all the typical too-sweet baggage that implies. In my opinion, this would be better overall if it were at a shade lower proof, but dryer. But then, I say that about most Tripels, don’t I? And I don’t usually bring price into it, but in this case, for the price, I expect better. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Port Rexton Brewing Company Ten Eighty Belgian Tripel Tripel at 8.2% ABV | 40 IBU (Via trade – thanks Shorlin!, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 28-Jun-2017, reviewed 17-Aug-2017)

Appearance: clear medium amber with a short, short-lived loose off-white head, minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: apple, stone fruit, caramel, floral, light spice. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, lively to moderate carbonation, off-dry lightly warming bitter finish. (3/5)

I’m not entirely sold on this. It tends to the emphatic side for a Tripel, but has the concomitant malt emphasis that I can frankly do without. Ultimately, it ends up being sweeter than I prefer for the style. That being said, it’s a pleasant enough beer on its own merits, if we ignore the label. In fact, since it was obviously intended as a Winter Warmer (brewed in early 2017, hand-numbered bottle #511, “to enjoy during these long cold Newfoundland nights”) I probably would have rated it at least slightly higher had they called it that, instead of a Tripel. As it is, a solid if unmemorable Tripel. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan Straffe Hendrik Wild Tripel (2015) Tripel at 9% ABV (C$9.35 at NLC Howley Estates, 330 ml, best before 6-Mar-2020, acquired 12-Jul-2017, reviewed 16-Aug-2017)

Appearance: clear pale amber with one finger of loose ivory head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: barnyard funk, pome, caramel, citrus zest, floral. (8/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate-high bitter, mild alcohol. (8/10) Palate: medium body, lively carbonation, off-dry bitter lightly warming and funky finish. (4/5)

Third of a three vintage (2017-2016-2015) vertical. It seems like the Brett development has continued in this, the oldest of the three vintages. It’s certainly affected head retention and lacing for the worse, but the aroma and flavour largely makes up for the relatively minor aesthetic penalty. It’s not a large change, by any means, but it’s perceptible, and makes me think three years plus is definitely the sweet spot for this brew. I think I’ll put the other three from the mixed six pack (two each of each vintage) away for another vertical in a couple of years, and maybe add a 2014 if I can find one. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan Straffe Hendrik Wild Tripel (2016) Tripel at 9% ABV (C$9.35 at NLC Howley Estates, 330 ml, best before 29-Jan-2021, acquired 12-Jul-2017, reviewed 16-Aug-2017)

Appearance: clear pale amber with one fat finger of fluffy ivory head,  good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: barnyard funk, pome, caramel, citrus zest, floral. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter, mild alcohol. (7/10) Palate: medium body, lively carbonation, off-dry bitter lightly warming and funky finish. (4/5)

Second of a three vintage (2017-2016-2015) vertical. I want to say this has marginally greater Brett funk going on, and slightly less pome fruit, but I’m not sure I would have caught that had I not done this one in relatively quick succession after the younger 2017 vintage. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan Straffe Hendrik Wild Tripel (2017) Tripel at 9% ABV (C$9.35 at NLC Howley Estates, 330 ml, best before 16-Feb-2022, acquired 12-Jul-2017, reviewed 16-Aug-2017)

Appearance: clear pale amber with one fat finger of fluffy ivory head,  excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: pome, barnyard funk, caramel, citrus zest, floral. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter, mild alcohol. (7/10) Palate: medium body, lively carbonation, off-dry bitter lightly warming and funky finish. (4/5)

First of a three vintage (2017-2016-2015) vertical. Slightly sweeter than I typically prefer for a Tripel, but not excessively so. Apple (or other pome) is initially dominant, with a mild barnyardy funk following close behind and gaining dominance as it warms. I’m looking forward to the older vintages, as I’m hopeful that will temper the sweetness and give the Brett funk a chance to move to the forefront. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Garrison Brewing Company 20th Anniversary XXX (2017) American Double / Imperial IPA at 9% ABV | 100 IBU (C$8.61 at NLC Howley Estates, 650 ml, packaged in 2017, acquired 26-Jun-2017, reviewed 15-Aug-2017)

Appearance: clear medium amber with two fingers of rocky beige head diminishing gradually to a thick creamy cap, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: floral, earth, caramel and toffee, grapefruit, pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter, moderate alcohol. (7/10) Palate: medium-full slick body, moderate carbonation, sweetish lingering and building bitter finish. (4/5)

The label describes this as a hybrid between an Imperial IPA and a Barleywine, and I think that’s actually a fair description. The malt character is heavy and nearly syrupy, but balanced well (and actually very slightly edged out for dominance) by the emphatic hops. However, the hops themselves tend towards floral and earth, instead of the citrus or pine one might typically expect for an American DIPA, suggesting this would actually be best described as a hybrid of American Barleywine and English Imperial IPA. Several media sites call it a “triple IPA” (which is of course a meaningless term) but Garrison’s web site doesn’t have any details at all, so I can’t find any authority beyond the “Extra Strong IPA” on the label. Classification aside, this is a surprisingly approachable beer given its near double-digit ABV and its reported triple digit IBU: the high sweetness is tempered by the high(er) bitterness, resulting in a brew that is emphatic but not overwhelming. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Small Town Brewery Not Your Father’s Root Beer (4.5%) Spice / Herb / Vegetable at 4.5% ABV (C$4.26 at NLC Stavanger, 473 ml, best before 15-Jun-2017, acquired 29-Jul-2017, reviewed 14-Aug-2017)

Appearance: clear deep brown with a short, short-lived white head, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: sugary root beer, mint, cream, grainy malt. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate alcohol, mild bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium slick body, moderate carbonation, cloyingly sweet finish. (2/5)

So, this is the lower-alcohol version that I had previously passed on in favour of the 10.7% version. As with its boozy sibling, there’s a hint of beer-like grainy malt underneath the cloying sweetness and root beer extract, but up front it’s very much a sugary mess, without even the redeeming alcohol heat. Again, not actually terrible, but it’s not even close to something I’d seek out again. (11/20)

5.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Iconic Brewing Dusty Boots Hard Orange Cream Spice / Herb / Vegetable at 5.9% ABV (C$4.26 at NLC Stavanger, 473 ml, packaged on 1-Mar-2017, acquired 29-Jul-2017, reviewed 14-Aug-2017)

Appearance: opaque day-glo orange with a short-lived fizzy head, no lacing. (2/5) Aroma: intensely sweet and artificial orange juice, cream, vanilla. (5/10) Taste: high sweet, light tart, minimal bitter. (5/10) Palate: medium-light body, lively carbonation, cloyingly sweet finish. (2/5)

Tastes like a Creamsicle. If you consider that to be a good thing, you’ll like this. Personally, I don’t know what the hell I was thinking. It’s not beer, that’s for sure. Yes, I drank the whole thing – but I had regrets afterwards: way too sweet for any normal human being. (9/20)

4.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Independent Breweries Ltd. NZ Pure Lager American Pale Lager at 4.7% ABV (C$2.95 at NLC Stavanger, 440 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 10-Aug-2017, reviewed 14-Aug-2017)

Appearance: clear straw with one fat finger of fluffy white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: crackery malt, grass, light citrus, corn syrup. (5/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (4/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (2/5)

Starts off seeming slightly more promising than the average run-of-the-mill lager, but eventually a sweet adjunct-like flavour starts to manifest. I guess if you believe the label it’s not actually corn (or, even worse, rice) but it certainly seems like it. Not even the fact that I was thirsty was enough to rescue this from the doldrums of mediocrity. (9/20)

4.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brasserie du Bocq Gauloise Brune Belgian Strong Dark Ale at 8.1% ABV (C$5.49 at Oak & Vine, 330 ml, best before 14-Jun-2018, acquired 31-Jul-2017, reviewed 8-Aug-2017)

Appearance: clear amber-brown with two fingers of fluffy beige head, excellent retention and soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: caramel & toffee, dark dried fruit, cocoa, red berries, bready yeast, light booze. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body, lively to moderate carbonation, lingering bitter and mildly boozy finish. (3/5)

Nice BSDA, with balanced dark fruit, roasted malt, and even-handed booziness. Not particularly memorable, perhaps, but mild and pleasant, and that’s got to count for something, doesn’t it? Perhaps it’s just slightly too middle-of-the-road, and would benefit from a bit more emphasis, but all in all, I enjoyed it. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com