RyansBooze

Phantom Beer Co. Strata Conflict – American IPA at 7.5% ABV | 30 IBU (C$4.36 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 5-Feb-2020, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 19-Mar-2020)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of rocky off-white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: bright juicy citrus, tropical fruit, stone fruit, pale malt, hint of dank pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry short clean finish. (4/5)

That’s very nice. Bright juicy fruit notes dominate, with just a hint of dankness in the background. I can’t find any details anywhere, but I suspect their calling it a “Nordic” IPA refers to the use of a Kveik yeast. Regardless, it’s very pleasant and drinkable. (Edit: for future reference, it looks like Strata is the hop, formerly X-331, and a new one on me, as far as I know.) (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel! Été Indien – Fruit / Vegetable Beer at 5.9% ABV (C$4.65 at Collective, 341 ml, packaged on 2-Oct-2019, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 19-Mar-2020)

Appearance: opaque pale gold with a short, short-lived fizzy head and no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: mango, wheat, lactose, light citrus. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, low bitter. (8/10) Medium body, lively carbonation, short duration tart mildly warming finish. (4/5)

Looks, smells, and tastes like mango nectar, except for the carbonation and mild but nearly immediate boozy warming. So, pretty much exactly like xmas morning beermosas, except without the pulp. I like beermosas. I like this. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Bellwoods Brewery Jelly King Plum – Sour / Wild Ale at 5.6% ABV (C$12.95 at Collective, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 18-Mar-2020)

Appearance: opaque purple with one finger of pillowy pale lavender head, excellent retention and well-defined droopy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tart stone fruit, field berries, light grapefruit. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high tart, moderate sweet, low bitter. (9/10) Medium-light body, lively carbonation, short duration tart finish. (4/5)

I don’t dislike the stone fruit (plum) character, but I find it’s a bit overwhelming when compared to the base version, which has greater complexity. The tartness is also a bit over the top, especially that first sip. Not quite as good as the original, but still pretty good. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Rogue Ales Rogue Rouge Brut IPA with Pinot Noir – American IPA at 7.5% ABV | 25 IBU (C$6.61 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 23-Apr-2019, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 18-Mar-2020)

Appearance: pink-tinged clear medium amber with a short, short-lived off-white head diminishing to a thin skim, minimal spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: grape must, caramel & cereal grains, light pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low tart, low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration lightly tart finish. (4/5)

Slightly less wine character than I was expecting, but I’m not sure that’s a negative, because it makes for a better – or at least more beer-like – balance. Personally, though, I’d’ve preferred a hoppier, less malty, balance for the beer component. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

2 Crows Brewing Run By Night – Grisette / Petit Saison at 3.4% ABV | 12 IBU (C$5.04 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 25-Nov-2019, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 18-Mar-2020)

Appearance: pink-tinged clear pale amber with two fingers of fizzy white head diminishing gradually and loudly to a thin cap, minimal soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tart stone fruit, oak, citrus, mild funk. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, low bitter. (8/10) Palate: light body, lively carbonation, dry crisp tart finish. (4/5)

I know it’s “Run” but I keep thinking “Fly” and humming Rush songs to myself. (Totally not a criticism.) Reminds me a bit of the homemade damson wine me and my cousins used to make as teenagers, although slightly better. Lots of stone fruit and oak foedre character, and a bone dry tart finish. Good stuff. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

S.Y.C. Brewing Co. Relax IPA – American IPA at 6.4% ABV (C$4.81 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 12-Feb-2020, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 17-Mar-2020)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with two fingers of loose white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus, pale crackery malt, stone fruit, light funky yeast. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light funky tart. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration lightly funky finish. (4/5)

Pleasantly fruity Kveik IPA. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Dageraad Brewing Forgotten Future – Saison at 4.2% ABV (C$4.55 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 21-Feb-2020, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 17-Mar-2020)

Appearance: clear pale straw with two fingers of fluffy white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: lime zest, white pepper, floral, clove. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light funky tart. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, lively carbonation, dry tart finish. (4/5)

Pleasantly light, crisp, and refreshing. The lime is emphatic but not quite dominant, and the pepper provides an interesting spicy counterpoint. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Belching Beaver Brewery / Revision Brewing Company Melty Hops – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8.8% ABV | 70 IBU (C$4.86 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 7-Feb-2020, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 16-Mar-2020)

Appearance: clear medium gold with a short, short-lived loose pale ivory head, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: melon, tropical fruit, caramel, resiny pine, earth, citrus. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, moderate carbonation, lingering building warming finish. (3/5)

I flip-flopped back and forth on this one: initially I wasn’t all that impressed, but it started to grow on me after a few sips. And then, the slick sweetness started to get a bit oppressive. But, by the end of the pint the booze makes up for it. Ultimately it’s OK, I guess, but pretty close to the bottom of my list for BB brews. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Nelson Brewing Company Power Leopard IPA – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$3.55 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 16-Mar-2020)

Appearance: clear pale amber with two fingers of loose pale ivory head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, tropical fruit, earth, citrus. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration finish. (3/5)

The admittedly beautiful label is reminiscent of a certain other BC-based brewery – somebody taking a page from Driftwood’s playbook? The beer itself is merely OK – no negatives at all, other than a just slightly disappointing appearance, but nothing very memorable. Which is in itself a bit disappointing, given the presence of two different ANZ hops and a perennial favourite (Rakau, Azacca, and Citra). I was expecting a bright aroma to really pop and, well, it didn’t. A solid, if somewhat conventional, AIPA. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Rural Routes Brewing Company Dem Bones Brut Double IPA – American Double / Imperial IPA at 7.9% ABV (C$4.50 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 27-Feb-2020, acquired 13-Mar-2020, reviewed 15-Mar-2020)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with two fingers of loose pale ivory head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: white grape must, oak, citrus, doughy yeast. (7/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate-low bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, lively carbonation, dry crisp finish with a late mild warming. (4/5)

Maybe I’m a bit of a glutton for punishment, but I figured, what the hell, why not try another one by Rural Routes? I mean, it’s not like a Brut IPA is a hard style to get right, is it? ? And actually, this isn’t half bad. It’s not quite the “amazing” the label promises, but it’s not bad. White wine notes stop just short of completely dominating citrus and yeast, making this almost like a hybrid, and the finish is decently dry and crisp. Most impressive is the degree to which the heavier ABV is integrated, making very little appearance except a mild warming as the pint is essentially complete. All in all, my best one of theirs to date. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com