Category: Reviews

Analog Brewing Digital Dopamine – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$5.17 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 23-Aug-2024, reviewed 29-Aug-2024)

Appearance: clear deep gold with one fat finger of fluffy pale ivory head, good retention and spotty soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: resiny pine, tropical fruit, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

Feature hops Elani, Multi-Head, Salvo, El Dorado, Vic Secret. Yet another “hazy” that, well, isn’t. In fact, nothing here is what the labelling might make you expect: not only is it not hazy, it’s pretty bitter, and redolent of pine resin. That aside, it’s not a bad West Coast-ish offering. (14/20)

This will be my 5,921st unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Polyrhythm Brewing Dream Pop – American IPA at 7% ABV (C$5.26 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 13-Aug-2024, acquired 23-Aug-2024, reviewed 28-Aug-2024)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of creamy pale ivory head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: oats, melon, butyric, tropical fruit. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (6/10) Palate: creamy medium body, soft carbonation, medium duration finish. (4/5)

“Oat Cream IPA”. A swing and a miss from a brewer that I previously had an exceedingly high opinion of, based upon their first few I tried. This one had a butyric note at the outset which only grew as the pint warmed. It never got strong, but it was unmistakeable, and it really ruined the pint. I’m hoping this was just damaged, and will give it another go if I happen to see it on tap, but as it is it’s not great. (13/20)

This will be my 5,920th unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Establishment Brewing Company Ocean View – Pilsner at 5.8% ABV (C$4.86 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 3-Jul-2024, acquired 23-Aug-2024, reviewed 28-Aug-2024)

Appearance: slightly chill-hazed pale straw with one fat finger of fine white head, excellent retention and spotty soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: grass, floral/pine, hints of citrus and tropical fruits. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: light body, lively carbonation, off-dry short duration crisp finish. (4/5)

Unofficial sources indicate this is hopped with Saaz, Strata, Motueka, Citra, and Idaho 7. Definitely getting both traditional Czech notes and New World hop aromas, but it’s not quite as bright as I’d like. On the other hand, it’s completely crushable. Decent, but definitely not the top end for this brewer. (15/20)

This will be my 5,919th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Steamworks Brewing Company Light Lime Lager – American Pale Lager at 4% ABV | 9 IBU (C$4.15 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 25-Jul-2024, acquired 23-Aug-2024, reviewed 26-Aug-2024)

Appearance: clear straw with one finger of fine white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: lime, rice. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: light body,  lively carbonation, short tart finish. (4/5)

Lime, lime, and more lime. Not a complaint, because I love lime. And although the underlying lager is a really light rice lager, it’s clean, with no off flavours at all.  I’m not sure you’re going to find a better lager and lime than this – but at the end of the day, that’s all it is. (15/20)

This will be my 5,918th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Outer Range Brewing Co. In The Steep – American IPA at 6.7% ABV (C$7.95 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 19-Jun-2024, acquired 23-Aug-2024, reviewed 25-Aug-2024)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, spotty soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, dank resiny pine, citrus, cereal grains, melon. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-lively carbonation, medium duration finish with a hint of tart. (4/5)

Citra single-hopped. I’m not entirely sure about this one: there’s a small hint of sharpness here, sort of melon on the nose, and not quite tart, persisting through the finish. That said, I feel like rating it any lower would be a bit unfair. So, somewhat grudgingly, here we are. (16/20)

This will be my 5,917th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

O.T. Brewing Company Five Hundie – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$5.20 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 27-Jul-2024, acquired 12-Aug-2024, reviewed 23-Aug-2024)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one finger of fine pale ivory head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, caramel, pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter finish. (4/5)

I’ve been told this is the first time they’ve brewed this since being fucked by their landlord, losing their taproom, and going into a contract brewing setup with Fahr in Turner Valley. And maybe I’m imagining it, but the yeast profile in particular does seem different than my old notes from having this six years ago – more attenuated and less juicy, with a slightly drier finish. And maybe I’m just older and crankier, but I’m not convinced it’s quite as good. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Small Gods Brewing Co. Rascal King – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$6.20 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 12-Aug-2024, reviewed 23-Aug-2024)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fine pale ivory head, excellent retention and chunky lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, floral, cereal grains, melon. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration finish falling off slightly watery. (3/5)

Hopped with Citra, Mosaic, and Azacca. Pleasant aroma initially, but there’s a slightly vegetal melon note in the back end that manifests through the finish, and I’m not a huge fan of it. It’s not offensive by any means, but it seems to contribute to the finish coming across as very slightly thin or watery. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Burdock Brewing Ducks IPA – American IPA at 6.3% ABV (C$6.00 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 30-Apr-2024, acquired 12-Aug-2024, reviewed 22-Aug-2024)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of loose pale ivory head, good retention and minimal spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, melon/white grape, oats. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration clean finish. (4/5)

Hopped with Citra, Idaho 7, and Eldorado. Not sure where the brewers got the idea that ducks are “chill”, because they’re actually rapey assholes, but that aside this is a decent offering. The aroma is reasonably juicy and bright, with citrus and tropical fruit leading the way over melon or vinous note, on a clean cereal grain base. That vinous note carries through and it finishes almost tart. No complaints. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Canmore Brewing Company Splash Mountain – Session IPA at 4.3% ABV | 40 IBU (C$5.35 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 12-Aug-2024, reviewed 19-Aug-2024)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale straw with one fat finger of fine white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus zest, wheat, coriander. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, short duration slightly spicy finish. (3/5)

Pleasant enough, I suppose. Not really a “white” IPA, though – why is it that so many older brewers have such a hard time actually doing hazy? That’s… about all I have to say here. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Blindman Brewing Drinking – American Pale Wheat Ale at 5.5% ABV (C$5.95 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 12-Aug-2024, reviewed 17-Aug-2024)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale straw with one fat finger of fine pale amber head, good retention and well defined soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: grass, wheat, hint of citrus. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, short duration slightly tart finish. (3/5)

I guess you’re supposed to mix this with Dandy’s Buddies? But there are no details on Blindman’s web site, so I dunno. Not a whole lot going on here, old-fashioned grassy hops dominate what little flavour and aroma there is. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com