Author: dpatrickryan

Amager Bryghus Linda The Axe Grinder Imperial IPA at 9% ABV (C$11.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 500 ml, best before 1-Dec-2019, acquired 4-Aug-2017, reviewed 19-Aug-2017)

Appearance: ruby-tinged amber-brown with one fat finger of creamy beige head diminishing gradually to a thin cap and ring, spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: resiny pine, toffee, citrus, oak, vanilla. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-full slightly slick body, moderate-low carbonation, sweetish lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

Reminds me of Arrogant Bastard, particularly the oaked version: big resiny and citrusy hops barely dominate over a sweet bready toffee, with a little bit of barrel coming through as wood and vanilla notes. Sure, they call this an “Oaked Imperial Red IPA”, and Arrogant Bastard is generally classified with the fairly non-specific “American Strong Ale” moniker, but in terms of actual flavours (and appearance) they’re pretty similar. Except, this one is emphatically higher in ABV, which (almost) never hurts, right? I’m actually starting to feel really annoyed that I didn’t try anything by this brewery when I was in Denmark – I have a vague memory of seeing them in a couple of places, but never really noticed them enough to actually buy anything. Funny that I then bought three in Alberta less than a week after being in Denmark, but hey, I’m glad I did. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Amager Bryghus / Prairie Artisan Ales Tulsa Twister Saison at 7.5% ABV (C$10.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 500 ml, best before 1-Jan-2019, acquired 4-Aug-2017, reviewed 19-Aug-2017)

Appearance: opaque medium gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head, excellent retention and chunky soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: lemon zest, floral, hay funk, grainy pale malt. (8/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate bitter, light funky tart. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-high carbonation, dry bitter finish. (4/5)

Another very nice Saison collaboration from Amager, this time with Prairie. Not quite as funky as Chad, but still has some Brett character going on, albeit somewhat behind pleasant hoppy citrus and floral notes. I waffled a bit on some of the scores here – for example, the finish isn’t quite as astringent as Chad, but that different character is neither clearly better nor worse, just different. Not as challenging, perhaps, and more approachable, but just very slightly lacking some oomph. Ultimately I think it’s just a shade better overall, and certainly more polished, but just a little less fun, if that makes sense? (17/20)

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Amager Bryghus / Crooked Stave Chad King of the Wild Yeasts Saison at 5% ABV | 41 IBU (C$9.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 500 ml, best before 1-Nov-2018, acquired 4-Aug-2017, reviewed 18-Aug-2017)

Appearance: opaque medium gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: dank funk, lemon zest, leather, floral, grass, light cattiness. (8/10) Taste: low sweet, moderate bitter, light funky tart. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, lively to moderate carbonation, dry bitter and mildly astringent finish. (4/5)

Boo-yah! That’s the way to do a Saison/Farmhouse. Brett definitely dominates here with a dry musty funk, but doesn’t overwhelm, and there’s a load of citrus coming from “a motherf#&@ of hops” (Simcoe, Mosaic, Citra, and Amarillo) according to the label. The hops (probably the Simcoe or the Citra, in my experience) also bring a hint of cattiness, which doesn’t detract but actually works with the overall barnyard theme. Definitely not a beer for those who haven’t learned to appreciate wild yeasts, but a gem for those who have. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

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