RyansBooze

Brewery Ommegang Saison Rosé (2019) – Blended Saison at 7.7% ABV (C$5.70 at Collective, 355 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 25-Sep-2020, reviewed 14-Oct-2020)

Appearance: reddish-tinted deep gold with two fat fingers of rocky pale pink head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: barnyard funk, grape must, floral, light Belgian esters. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (3/5)

I have to say, what’s in my glass, though perfectly fine in appearance, bears little resemblance to the photos on the brewer’s web site – very curious. It’s an interesting brew, though, with an initial whiff of barnyardy funk that dissipates rapidly and is overtaken by vinous grapes and flowers. Not quite the same as some of the beer-wine hybrids I’ve had, but not far off either. There’s no doubt this is very much an experiment, but I’ll try the ‘Gang’s experiments any time. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Godspeed Brewery Ochame – American IPA at 6% ABV (C$4.90 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 30-Jul-2020, acquired 25-Sep-2020, reviewed 12-Oct-2020)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of dense off-white head, good retention and moderate chunky lacing. (4/5) Aroma: floral, green tea, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration moderate bitter slightly astringent finish. (3/5)

Certainly not a very traditional IPA, but the green tea astringency actually works fairly well with the hop bitterness. Not everyone’s cup of tea (hah!) but it’s kind of interesting. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Zero Issue Brewing Remnant (Issue #24) – American IPA at 6.4% ABV (C$4.85 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 25-Sep-2020, reviewed 11-Oct-2020)

Appearance: hazy deep gold with two fingers of rocky pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, resiny pine, citrus, caramel. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration moderate bitter finish. (4/5)

Pretty similar to Nemesis (Issue #4) and a much appreciated return to style for a brewer I quite like. Not a lot more to say about this: it’s a solid example of the style, and ticks all the boxes. No complaints here at all. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Rainhard Brewing Armed ‘n Citra – American Pale Ale at 5.2% ABV (C$5.08 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 31-Aug-2020, acquired 25-Sep-2020, reviewed 10-Oct-2020)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two  fingers of rocky off-white head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, pale malt, stone fruit, light pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry mild bitter finish. (4/5)

Nice one, especially for the relatively low ABV. Citra definitely leads the way, with mixed citrus over tropical and stone fruits, with a hint of light pine behind. And, another great KMFDM-style propaganda art label. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Kind Brewing Juicy Ale – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$4.35 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 25-Sep-2020, reviewed 9-Oct-2020)

Appearance: clear medium gold with two fat fingers of rocky off-white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: wheaty malt, citrus, herbal/grassy. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium bitter finish. (3/5)

This wasn’t particularly juicy. Or citrusy, for that matter. Pretty  much malt dominant, with a little tart edge in the aroma that doesn’t translate through onto the tongue. Not impressive, but inoffensive. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Establishment Brewing Company Sky Rocket III – American IPA at 7.2% ABV (C$4.50 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 15-Sep-2020, acquired 25-Sep-2020, reviewed 8-Oct-2020)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fat fingers of fluffy pale ivory head diminishing gradually to a thick persistent cap, minimal spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: resiny pine, citrus, tropical fruit, pale malt. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, medium duration finish. (4/5)

Awww hells yes. Resiny piney juicy goodness. I was a little surprised to see this, since I’ve had not only IV, but also V – but I’m not complaining. It’s not quite as pretty as II, IV, or V, so I’ve got to mark it down just a little for that, but otherwise it’s a very strong contender in the series. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

O.T. Brewing Company Rivals Series: West Coast IPA – American IPA at 6.5% ABV | 70 IBU (C$4.50 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 17-Sep-2020, acquired 25-Sep-2020, reviewed 8-Oct-2020)

Appearance: clear pale amber with two fat fingers of fluffy pale ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin cap and ring, minimal spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, pine, bready caramel, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, lingering building bitter finish. (4/5)

This is one of a pair of side-by-side brews. Brewers notes say “Both brews are a blend of Barley oat and wheat, hopped with Chinook, Amarillo, El Dorado and Simcoe.” Again, I ask: how exactly are they brewed differently? I looked this one up ahead of time, and noted that its bitterness, at 70 IBU, is much higher than the East Coast one, at 40 IBU. Visually, they’re clearly different as well: this one is clear, and the other is hazy, and a different colour. The aroma is different, too, with this one having a bit of pine and little or no tropical flirt. And, the taste follows the IBU rating, with this one clearly being much more bitter. I honestly don’t know how they ended up with such radically different results, but there you go – and I’m gonna give the edge to the East Coast. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

O.T. Brewing Company Rivals Series: East Coast IPA – American IPA at 6.5% | 40 IBU ABV (C$4.50 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 25-Sep-2020, reviewed 8-Oct-2020)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fat fingers of fluffy pale ivory head diminishing gradually to a thin cap and ring, minimal spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, bready caramel, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, slightly sweetish medium duration moderate bitter finish. (4/5)

This is one of a pair of side-by-side brews. Brewers notes say “Both brews are a blend of Barley oat and wheat, hopped with Chinook, Amarillo, El Dorado and Simcoe.” So… how exactly are they different? I mean, I assume they’re somehow different, but exactly how? Anyway, it’s OK, easy drinking and fairly mild. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Rainhard Brewing House Band – American IPA at 5.2% ABV (C$4.81 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 25-Aug-2020, acquired 25-Sep-2020, reviewed 7-Oct-2020)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one finger of fluffy pale ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin cap and ring, moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: juicy stone fruit, citrus, bread caramel, coconut. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, slightly sweetish mild bitter finish. (3/5)

Brewed with Sabro, Citra, and El Dorado. The label says to expect tangerine, stone fruit, and coconut, and that’s pretty much exactly what I get. Juicy and lively, this is pleasantly easy to drink and lots of fun. I’d like it just a touch less sweet, personally, but it’s pretty good even so. Much like its namesake, it might not be a superstar, but that’s not to say you can’t have a good time. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Vancouver Island Brewing Misthorn Aurora IPA – American IPA at 6.9% ABV | 75 IBU (C$4.35 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 26-Aug-2020, acquired 25-Sep-2020, reviewed 5-Oct-2020)

Appearance: clear medium amber with two fingers of fluffy amber head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: sweet orange, light cinnamon. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, sweetish lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

I’m not sure I’d call this an IPA, if I’m honest – it’s almost a Winter Ale, with sweet orange and spice reminiscent of mulling. It’s not exactly seasonal yet, either – I played hooky all afternoon to go for a 3 hour drive with the convertible top down, and am actually a little sunburnt right now! But, even if it were seasonally-appropriate, it’s not much in the way of an IPA. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com