RyansBooze

Zero Issue Brewing Carnage (Issue 12) India Red Ale at 5.9% ABV (C$3.91 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 12-Jan-2019, acquired 15-Jan-2019, reviewed 24-Jan-2019)

Appearance: slightly murky reddish-tinged amber-brown with one finger of rocky ivory head, good retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: grainy caramel, resiny pine, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

Predominantly malt on the front end, making it feel like more of a Red or an Amber than an IPA, except in the lingering bitter finish. Perhaps not malt dominant, but certainly malt forward, though one might argue the bitter finish is a form of malt/hop balance. Decent enough, regardless of what you call it. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Hi-Wire Brewing Hazy & Juicy & Hoppy & Fresh. American IPA at 7.5% ABV (C$6.34 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 10-Sep-2018, acquired 15-Jan-2019, reviewed 23-Jan-2019)

Appearance: hazy straw with two fingers of rocky white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap and ring, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus, caramel, resiny pine, white pepper. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter finish. (4/5)

Well, I guess I can’t exactly blame it for not being fresh, since they did date the can. (Though in a cryptic xx/yy/zz nomenclature that I strongly suspect is that godless heathen US-unique mm/dd/yy way of dating.) In my defence, it arrived in the province only a week ago, so I did buy it as early as reasonably possible. It’s definitely past its best-by, though, so there’s every likelihood it’s better fresh. On the other hand, other than being a bit hazy, it’s not really all that much like an NE-style – much more like the other coast, in fact. Decent enough, despite not really being in-spec. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Rogue Ales Outta Line IPA American IPA at 6.9% ABV | 66 IBU (C$3.64 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 26-Nov-2018, acquired 15-Jan-2019, reviewed 23-Jan-2019)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale amber with two fingers of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and heavy chunky lacing. (5/5) Aroma: citrus, floral, caramel, resiny pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering building bitter warming finish. (4/5)

“Outta line”? I beg to differ: at 6.9% and 66 IBU, this is precisely in line with what I expect for a modern West Coast IPA. Not that I mean that as a criticism at all – unless you’re going for a low-bitterness hazy style, that’s a good thing. Structurally, this is great: excellent head retention and lacing on a bright body, and a clean bitter warming finish. It’s in between those two experiences that things are somewhat less impressive. There’s nothing really wrong with the aroma and flavour, but neither are very exciting. Not the first time I’m made this observation about a beer, but if it was ten years ago, this would be amazing. As it is, it’s just solid. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Rogue Ales Batsquatch Hazy IPA American IPA at 6.7% ABV | 54 IBU (C$3.64 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 23-Nov-2019, acquired 15-Jan-2019, reviewed 23-Jan-2019)

Appearance: opaque medium gold with one finger of rocky pale ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim and ring, moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: mild, tropical & stone fruits, oats, citrus, caramel, pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly creamy body, moderate-low carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter mildly warming finish. (3/5)

No real negatives to report here, other than the absence of any real positives. It tastes fine, but the aroma is mild almost to the point of boredom. I don’t have any objections to its opaque juicy appearance, but I would like better retention and lacing. And the body is smooth and creamy with a mild finish, but by that time I’m almost asleep. You won’t go wrong here, but no more should you suffer from FOMO if you don’t stumble across it. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Outcast Brewing Make That A Double American Double / Imperial IPA at 7% ABV | 40 IBU (C$4.23 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 12-Dec-2018, acquired 15-Jan-2019, reviewed 22-Jan-2019)

Appearance: clear pale gold with two fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, caramel, dank pine, melon. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body tending slightly watery, moderate carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter slightly astringent finish. (3/5)

“Make that a double” – good advice in just about every situation, if you ask me. Mind you, I’m not entirely clear how one distinguishes an Imperial APA from an Imperial IPA, but I’m not exactly complaining, either. Well… not much, anyway. To the extent I have a complaint, it’s in the finish, where it seems to drop off just a touch watery, with an associated thin astringency. Maybe a reflection of the lighter malt bill? Good, and I’m pleased to get the chance to sample an early effort that I had previously missed, but not as good as some of his more recent efforts. (15/20)

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Twin Sails Brewing Vapor Wave American IPA at 6.7% ABV | 41 IBU (C$5.85 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 14-Dec-2018, acquired 15-Jan-2019, reviewed 22-Jan-2019)

Appearance: hazy straw with one fat finger of rocky white head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus zest, caramel, tropical fruit, brine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light salt. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry mild bitter lightly briny finish. (4/5)

I can’t make up my mind whether the acidulated malt and sea salt are actually in conflict with the fruit and boozy warmth, or whether it’s actually providing balance to the sweetness and making it more drinkable. Either way, it’s drinkable and pleasant. (15/20)

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Cabin Brewing Company Sunshine Rain IPA American IPA at 6.7% ABV | 60 IBU (C$4.09 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 7-Dec-2018, acquired 15-Jan-2019, reviewed 21-Jan-2019)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of rocky white head, good retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus, vanilla, caramel, pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

Big fruit on the front end, with just a little resiny pine on the back end, and a big bitter that tastes even more than the 60 IBUs claimed by the brewer. The combination of juiciness and dry finish make this extremely crushable. I could drink a lot of this. (15/20)

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Cabin Brewing Company Super Saturation American Pale Ale at 6% ABV | 40 IBU (C$4.09 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 27-Dec-2018, acquired 15-Jan-2019, reviewed 21-Jan-2019)

Appearance: hazy straw with two fingers of rocky white head diminishing gradually to a thin persistent cap, moderate chunky lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, oats. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, sweetish moderate bitter finish. (3/5)

Another first for me from another brand-new Calgary brewery. I initially classified this as an IPA (NEIPA), but think given its mild character it’s more appropriately considered an APA (NEPA). Decent, if not particularly emphatic, particularly in the aroma. Which I’d be OK with, except it’s a bit too sweet to call the finish clean and refreshing. I think I’d’ve liked this more if it were either boozier and more emphatic, or less sweet, but as it is it’s just a little tiny bit neither fish nor fowl. I’m guessing it might be a tad better on tap, and will probably darken their doorstep sooner rather than later. Still and all, a strong first effort, and I’m looking forward to their IPA with the hopes it’s not quite as on-the-fence. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Three Ranges Brewing Co. Sidehill Gouger American Double / Imperial IPA at 8% ABV (C$2.79 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 13-Nov-2018, acquired 15-Jan-2019, reviewed 18-Jan-2019)

Appearance: hazy pale amber with one fat finger of rocky pale ivory head, good retention and minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: bready caramel, pine, citrus, floral. (7/10) Taste: high sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly oily body, soft carbonation, sticky lingering building bitter finish. (4/5)

Total old skool, big caramel barely compensating for even bigger bitter (I’m guessing 80+ IBU, but can’t find a solid reference). No surprises with the hop selection: all the old starts-with-C usual suspects (Ca, Ce, and Ch – I shouldn’t need to add any more letters there, should I?). Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing, but it means this is very much what it is: a recipe from several years ago. If that’s your thing, have at it. Me, I’m more of an “onward and upward” kind of guy. No big complaints here, but not one I’ll go back to. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Scuttlebutt Brewing Company Mosaic IPA American IPA at 8% ABV | 73 IBU (C$2.56 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 25-Sep-2019, acquired 15-Jan-2019, reviewed 18-Jan-2019)

Appearance: hazy pale amber with one fat finger of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: resiny pine, citrus, bready caramel, melon. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, sticky lingering building bitter finish. (4/5)

Pretty heavy-duty for a plain old IPA, and probably better characterized as a DIPA (in addition to being DDH) in both ABV and IBUs. Kind of bridges the gap between old-skool and new hotness, what with its unfiltered haziness and ANZ hop selection offset by its big malty caramel. It’s not without its charms, but no more is it an unqualified success. At the end of the day, what I can say is: it’ll do. (15/20)

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