RyansBooze

Hop Butcher For The World Meet the Motuekas – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$9.85 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 18-Jan-2022, acquired 10-Mar-2022, reviewed 31-Mar-2022)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: zesty citrus, tropical fruit, vanilla, oats & cereal grains, slight black pepper. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration warming finish. (4/5)

Interesting choice for a single-hop, and I don’t think I’ve had Motueka done this way before. The dominant factor seems to be a lime-like zesty citrus, and there’s also an interesting peppery bite at the end. Nice one, but probably not worth the price tag if we’re honest. (16/20)

This will be my 5,237th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Big Rock Brewery Hop Head Tumbleweed Juicy IPA – American IPA at 4.8% ABV | 30 IBU (C$3.88 at Okotoks Co-Op, 473 ml, packaged on 27-Oct-2021, acquired 28-Mar-2022, reviewed 30-Mar-2022)

Appearance: hazy and particulate-laden pale gold with one finger of fine off-white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, spotty soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: mild, tropical & stone fruit, light coconut. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration finish. (3/5)

Hopped with Sabro and El Dorado, but giving them the benefit of the doubt, this has faded in the can, leaving behind an unimpressive mild fruity aroma with a hint of coconut. Pretty boring, without a lot to recommend it. (12/20)

This will be my 5,236th unique Untappd check-in.

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Big Rock Brewery Hop Head Tropic Haze Micro IPA – Session IPA at 3.5% ABV | 11 IBU (C$3.88 at Okotoks Co-Op, 473 ml, packaged on 26-Oct-2021, acquired 28-Mar-2022, reviewed 30-Mar-2022)

Appearance: hazy and particulate-laden straw with one fat finger of fine off-white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: mild, citrus, tropical fruit, light vanilla. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration slightly astringent finish. (3/5)

I wouldn’t have bought a pack this old, but She Who Must Be Obeyed picked them up for me, so… I thought this was a new brewery to me, but it appears that it’s actually just a series rolled out by Big Rock, and apparently contract brewed in Vancouver by Fireweed. It’s hopped with Lotus and Sultana, but not a whole heckuva lot, given how mild the aroma is. Despite the light hopping, the even lighter malt bill is giving this a bit of a thin feel, tending slightly astringent through the finish. A bit meh. (13/20)

This will be my 5,235th unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

More Brewing Company Morever – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$8.65 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 10-Mar-2022, reviewed 30-Mar-2022)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fat fingers of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy tropical & stone fruit, citrus, oats & cereal grains, mint/herbal, grass. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (9/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

The label says this is hopped with Citra, Motueka, and Simcoe. Very similar to their K.I.S.S., but that’s not a criticism. The biggest difference here seems to be that I might be getting something more herbal or minty, rather than pine. In any case, it’s a nicely juicy and fruity hazy IPA. (17/20)

This will be my 5,234th unique Untappd check-in.

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

More Brewing Company K.I.S.S. Double Dry Hopped – American IPA at 7% ABV (C$8.65 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 10-Mar-2022, reviewed 29-Mar-2022)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fat fingers of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy tropical & stone fruit, citrus, oats & cereal grains, light grass. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (9/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

The label says this is hopped with Citra and El Dorado, and that’s what it smells like. Bright juicy hops on a clean smooth oaty base – what’s not to like? This is how I like to see a hazy IPA done: all about the hops, with a clean malt supporting. My first by this brewer, and I’m definitely approving. (17/20)

This will be my 5,225th unique Untappd check-in.

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Container Brewing Wayward Wild – American Pale Ale at 4.8% ABV (C$3.87 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 9-Feb-2022, acquired 10-Mar-2022, reviewed 25-Mar-2022)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: stone fruit, pithy citrus, light barnyard funk. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light tart. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry slightly tart finish. (4/5)

Well, that’s all right. Brewer notes say it’s dry-hopped with Chinook, Columbus, Citra, and Mosaic, and light wild notes add an interesting twist to an otherwise clean crisp Pale. Plus I listened to Carry On Wayward Son while drinking it. (15/20)

This will be my 5,232nd unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

BeerMKR Cascade SMaSH – American Amber Ale at 5.8% ABV | 39 IBU (Initial Setup 13-Feb-2022, Pitch & Hop 14-Feb-2022, Transfer & Carb 24-Feb-2022, Reviewed 2-Mar-2022)

Appearance: slightly hazy medium gold with one fat finger of soapy white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, caramel, herbal/vegetal. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

My sixth batch from the BeerMKR machine. I’m not sure what isn’t working right here, but it’s just not what I was hoping for. I’m going to hold the malt selection at least partially to blame: the use of Maris Otter is definitely giving a more traditional (i.e. old-fashioned) malt character, instead of the cleaner more neutral results I’d expect from two-row, which I think works better to let the hops take centre stage. Unfortunately, though, that’s not the only shortcoming, and ultimately there just isn’t the bright hop character I wanted. Another “just OK” result. (13/20)

This will be my 5,231st unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company Doctor’s Orders – American Pale Ale at 5% ABV (C$3.78 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 10-Mar-2022, reviewed 19-Mar-2022)

Appearance: clear pale gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, earthy greens, herbal/floral, mild pine, light citrus. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration moderate bitter finish. (3/5)

If you ask me, this name is almost as good as the many bars out there called “The Office”. The beer itself, well, it’s not bad. But, it’s what I consider old-fashioned: malt-dominant with earthy Noble-style hopping. In fact, as the pint progresses I become more and more convinced I’m getting a slight medicinal note. All in all, nothing special. (13/20)

This will be my 5,222nd unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Village Brewery Misheard Lyric – American IPA at 7% ABV | 34 IBU (C$4.90 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 7-Jan-2022, acquired 10-Mar-2022, reviewed 17-Mar-2022)

Appearance: slightly hazy medium gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, caramel, cereal grains, light citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate:  medium body, moderate carbonation, sticky medium duration moderate bitter finish. (3/5)

Hey, I’m a fan of misheard lyrics, Spoonerisms, and malapropisms of all sorts, but I think this is more a case of a misheard malt bill, or maybe a misheard hop order. (Though that being said, the brewer notes say it’s hopped with Galaxy, Citra, and Mosac, so…?) In any case, it’s certainly not the NEIPA the label promises, with sweet tropical fruit and caramel dominating both the aroma and taste. (And not that it matters, but it’s barely hazy.) Just OK. (14/20)

This will be my 5,221st unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Good Robot Brewing Company Tropical Storm El Dorado IPA – American IPA at 7% ABV (C$4.90 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 7-Jan-2022, acquired 10-Mar-2022, reviewed 16-Mar-2022)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head diminishing rapidly to a persistent cap, moderate spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: juicy tropical fruit, pome, wheat, melon. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: smooth medium body, moderate carbonation, slightly sticky medium duration moderate bitter finish. (4/5)

Brewer notes say this is a single-hop NEIPA. Lots of juicy tropical fruit and apple/pear, with just enough bitterness to keep it from becoming overly sweet. There’s also an almost tart wheat note that blends with a bit of melon on the back end. A bit better than just OK. (15/20)

This will be my 5,220th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com