Author: dpatrickryan

Black Market Brewing Co. The Tradecraft Series Sour Ale With Cherries Berliner Weisse at 3.8% ABV (2015 Craft Beer Advent Calendar Day #17, 355 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 17-Dec-2015)

Appearance: clear red-tinged pale amber with one finger of loose light pink head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: sour cherries, light cheesy funk and butyric, possible slight diacetyl. (5/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, minimal bitter. (6/10) Palate: light body, moderate carbonation, clean tart finish. (4/5)

Bit disappointing compared to both the base 1945 Berlinerweisse, and to the blackberry variant. The cherries don’t come across as artificial, as such, and I’m not getting the dreaded cough syrup effect, but there’s something else going on there that doesn’t make me happy. I don’t know whether it’s the cherries themselves, or whether there’s an age or contamination issue, but the funk isn’t “clean” – there’s a cheesy or butyric (vomit) tone present that, although slight, is adverse. I’m halfway convinced there’s some buttery diacetyl there as well, just to top off the negative column. However, these are all relatively small problems, and don’t render the beer undrinkable – just not as good as I had been hoping. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Persephone Brewing Company Rum Runner Red Ale American Amber / Red Ale at 6% ABV (C$8.49 at Quarry Park Calgary Co-Op, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 16-Dec-2015)

Appearance: clear reddish deep amber with three fingers (and growing) of fluffy light tan head, excellent retention and heavy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: pine, citrus, caramel/toffee, bready yeast. (8/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate-strong bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate to low carbonation, lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

A somewhat strange beer. I was initially intrigued by the hoppy aroma, but ultimately a bit disappointed by the final overall effect. Despite the initial redonkulously enthusiastic head, the carbonation rapidly drops off to low, causing the flavours to fall somewhat flat. The net effect of this is that it smells better than it tastes. Still, pretty interesting for a red ale. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Pfungstädter Brauerei Hildebrand 1831 Schwarzbier Schwarzbier at 5.3% ABV (C$3.09 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 500 ml, best before 29-Aug-2016, reviewed 16-Dec-2015)

Appearance: clear amber-brown with one finger of dense light tan head, good retention and patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: muted, caramel, roasty grain, grassy, nutty, light smoke, metallic. (5/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate bitter. (5/10) Palate: medium-light body tending to watery, moderate-low carbonation, off-dry slightly smoky and metallic finish. (3/5)

As usual, a schwarzbier that leaves me less than impressed. It’s just not a very interesting style at the best of times, and this isn’t the best, by a long shot. It’s drinkable, just not exciting. (11/20)

5.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery Baltic Porter Baltic Porter at 9% ABV (2015 Craft Beer Advent Calendar Day #16, 355 ml, best before 1-Jul-2016, reviewed 16-Dec-2015)

Appearance: opaque deep brown /black with only the faintest hints of lighter brown around the margins, short, short-lived beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (4/5) Aroma: dark chocolate, toffee, dark roasty grains, boozy cherries, hint of smoke and leather. (9/10) Taste: moderate-strong sweet, moderate bitter. (9/10) Palate: full oily body, soft carbonation, medium duration slightly boozy finish. (4/5)

I usually find baltic porters a bit too sweet for my preference, but this one has the body and presence to pull it off. Alcohol doesn’t significantly affect the flavour, but is definitely present in the finish and a pleasant warming. Definite slow sipper for savouring. (17/20)

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Wells & Young’s Brewery Banana Bread Beer English Strong Ale at 5.2% ABV (C$5.79 at Quarry Park Calgary Co-Op, 500 ml, best before 28-Jun-2016, reviewed 15-Dec-2015)

Appearance: clear pale amber with a short, short-lived head, no lacing. (2/5) Aroma: banana, toffee, bready yeast. (4/10) Taste: moderate-strong sweet, mild bitter. (4/10) Palate: medium-light body tending to watery, moderate carbonation, off-dry slightly metallic finish. (2/5)

Yes, it sort of tastes like banana bread. Extremely sweet and artificially-flavoured banana bread. I suppose it’s OK as a one-time alternative to a macro lager, but that’s about it. (8/20)

4/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Alley Kat Brewing Co. / Big Rock Brewery Big Brown Kat American Brown Ale at 4.8% ABV (C$7.50 at Sundance Wine Market, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 15-Dec-2015)

Appearance: clear deep amber with one finger of rocky light tan head, good retention and lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, chocolate, pine, citrus, nutty. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry finish. (4/5)

Not a bad brown ale – decent pine and citrus hops provide an interesting added dimension to a mild brown ale. Still not exactly thrilling, but an OK collaboration between two decent brewers. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

West Sixth Brewing Christmas Ale Christmas / Winter Specialty Spiced Beer at 9% ABV (2015 Craft Beer Advent Calendar Day #15, 355 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 15-Dec-2015)

Appearance: opaque brown with hints of clear deep amber-brown around the margins, thin beige head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, minimal patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: ginger and nutmeg, cloves/cardamom, orange peel, other dark roasty malt tones. (7/10) Taste: moderate-strong sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-high carbonation, shortish duration slightly boozy finish. (3/5)

Not a bad little warmer for a cold winter night. Carbonation is higher than I’d like for the style, making the body feel lighter than I’d prefer, and the strong spice mixture is for all intents and purposes identical to any number of “pumpkin” ales I’ve had. The spice is actually just about the entire story: although there’s a little citrus and malt lurking in the background, it’s a long way behind the aggressive spices. But, that said, it’s not unpleasant. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brasserie Artisanale de Rulles La Rulles Saison XIII Saison at 5.3% ABV (C$7.91 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750 ml, best before 1-Jan-2017, reviewed 14-Dec-2015)

Appearance: cloudy pale amber with two fingers (and growing!) of fluffy ivory head, excellent retention and lacing. (4/5) Aroma: berries, caramel malt, hay, nuts, dried fruit. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, mild tart and funk. (6/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry earthy funky finish. (3/5)

Not entirely certain what they were going for here. Earthy? Rustic? Whatever it is, I was initially unconvinced, but it grew on me. An interesting beer despite its rough edges. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Jester King Brewery / Brasserie Thiriez La Petite Princesse Saison at 2.9% ABV (C$7.46 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750 ml, best before 1-Sep-2019, reviewed 14-Dec-2015)

Appearance: cloudy pale straw with one finger of fluffy white head, excellent retention and spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: lemon zest, brett funk, hay, apples and pears, very light crackery malt, faint catty. (7/10) Taste: mild sweet, moderate tart, mild bitter. (7/10) Palate: light body, moderate carbonation, crisp tart finish. (4/5)

I gotta say, the weirdest thing about this is that it cost me pretty much the same number of Canadian dollars, in Canada, as it did to buy its brother Le Petit Prince, in US dollars, in Texas! Very similar, of course, but I think a little less sweet. Also, perhaps a very little (and by no means unpleasant) catty tone due to the different hop selection? Much as with the Prince, my major objection to this is that it could stand to be more… well… everything. Sweet, in particular. Good, though. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com