RyansBooze

Howe Sound Brewing Woolly Bugger (2014) Barley Wine at 10.5% ABV (C$6.53 at Andrew Hilton Wine & Spirits, 375 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 20-Mar-2016)

Appearance: hazy amber-brown with one finger of light beige head, excellent retention and lacing. (5/5) Aroma: sweet toffee, dark fruits, bready yeast, woody. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter, moderate alcohol. (7/10) Palate: full slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, malty warming finish. (3/5)

Alcohol definitely present on the tongue but not so much on the nose. Despite its 75 IBU, the bitterness takes a while to become apparent over the sweet toffee. Aggressive, verging on harsh, but not quite. Like drinking a puréed dark fruitcake. Definitely a big boy beer. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Microbrasserie Les Trois Mousquetaires Dixième Sour / Wild Ale at 10% ABV (C$15.82 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 19-Mar-2016)

Appearance: hazy, nearly murky deep amber-brown with one finger of light beige head, excellent retention and patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: dark cherries, chocolate, woody, yeast, light vanilla. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate tart, light bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry tart finish. (4/5)

First time I’ve ever had a beer that called itself an “Imperial Kriek”. Reminiscent of Black Forest Cake, with a little funky wood in the finish. Alcohol is nearly non-existent, which is a little surprising given the double digit ABV. Another decent Belgian from Quebec. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brewsters Brewing Company Howitzer Winter Warmer at 7% ABV (C$6.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 19-Mar-2016)

Appearance: clear amber-brown with one finger of light beige head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, patchy lacing. (3/5)  Aroma: caramel/toffee, malty, nutty, spices, mild dark fruit. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium slightly creamy body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

OK for what it is – malt dominant, with some typical “winter” spices. Not all that well balanced, though, and slightly harsh on the finish. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Marston’s Plc Marston’s Oyster Stout Stout at 4.5% ABV (C$4.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 500 ml, best before 9-Sep-2016, reviewed 19-Mar-2016)

Appearance: near opaque black with brown highlights, one finger of light beige head settling fairly rapidly to a thin cap, minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: coffee, toasted bready malt, caramel. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium slightly creamy body, moderate-high carbonation, off-dry light bitter finish. (3/5)

Fairly light, somewhat sweet, and easy-drinking. Pretty simple and straightforward, albeit with a somewhat higher than normal carbonation for the style. As far as I can tell, it’s not actually an “oyster stout” (in the sense that it contains oysters or shells), but is intended to accompany oysters? Personally, I prefer a nice IPA with oysters, but hey, whatever floats your (oyster) boat… (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Speakeasy Butchertown India Black Ale Black IPA at 8.2% ABV (C$9.78 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 18-Mar-2016)

Appearance: clear brown with one fat finger of light beige head, good retention and lacing. (4/5) Aroma: pine, citrus, chocolate, liquorice, roasty slightly smoky malt, light mint? (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

Decent Black IPA. The hop character leads the way, but is balanced nicely by roasty malt. A good blend of hoppy IPA aspects and roasty stout character. This seemed to be a bit of a flash in the pan style, but this is a solid example of how it should be done. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Steel & Oak Brewing Co. Dry Hopped ESB Premium Bitter / ESB at 4.6% ABV (C$6.06 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, bottle date 28-Jan-2016, reviewed 18-Mar-2016)

Appearance: clear pale amber with one fat finger of ivory head, excellent retention and patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: vegetal, catty, biscuity malt, pine. (4/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

Tastes quite a bit better than it smells. Actually, the smell settles down after a bit – but the very first whiff is vegetal, and though I don’t know what it’s dry-hopped with, there’s a cattiness suggesting Citra or Mosaic. Definitely not getting the “bright aroma of citrus and grapefruit” in the brewer’s product notes. Although it gets a little more palatable as it progresses, ultimately becoming somewhat drinkable, it’s not great. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Le Trou du Diable Mellifera Honey Beer Saison at 5% ABV (C$6.77 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 600 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 18-Mar-2016)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with a short off-white head diminishing gradually to a medium cap, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: stone fruit, lemon, grainy toasty malt, honey, lactic sour, dry hay funk, white pepper. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, moderate funky tart, light pepper. (8/10) Palate: medium body, lively to moderate carbonation, drying tart and funky finish. (3/5)

An interesting take on the style, with some honey flavour coming through alongside lactic sour and dry funk. Somewhat sweet for the style, and not a lot of peppery spice. Despite being somewhat out of spec, it’s a pleasant, solid performer. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck Bacchus Vlaams Oud Bruin Sour Brown Ale (Flanders Oud Bruin) at 4.5% ABV (C$5.65 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 375 ml, best before 7-Apr-2017, reviewed 18-Mar-2016)

Appearance: clear brown with amber-brown highlights, a short light beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin cap, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: woody, red wine, vinegar, cherries and other dark fruit, caramel. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body tending to watery, lively carbonation, off-dry tart finish. (3/5)

Smells a bit better than it tastes. Disappoints just slightly on the tongue, and the body turns watery fairly rapidly despite the lively-ish carbonation. Not unpleasant, by any means, but there are certainly better examples of the style out there. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck St. Louis Premium Framboise Fruit Lambic at 2.8% ABV (C$3.31 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 250 ml, best before 1-Jun-2017, reviewed 18-Mar-2016)

Appearance: murky deep red with a short fluffy light purple head diminishing rapidly to a thin cap, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tart raspberry, candi sugar, light wood. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, lively carbonation, off-dry tart finish. (3/5)

Not a lot more to this than raspberry, albeit real-tasting and pleasantly jammy. I’m getting a little woodiness, but not really any of the wheat or elderberry the ingredients claim. Simple and authentic, sweet but not cloying. Reminds me of Brussels! (14/20)

7/10  #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com