RyansBooze

Revival Brewcade Conceptual Continuity – American Pale Ale at 5.5% ABV (C$4.09 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 13-Dec-2021)

Appearance: slightly hazy deep gold with two fat fingers of fluffy pale ivory head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: resiny pine, caramel, oily citrus. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

The label says Amarillo, Zappa, and Exp 07270 hops. The web site description drops the Amarillo, and another description claimed 100% Zappa. So much for “continuity” I guess? I mean, it’s not terrible, and I presume they’re going for a throwback / WC style here, but in my opinion if you’re going down that road, you’d better nail it to distinguish yourself from a very crowded field. Which this doesn’t. (13/20)

This will be my 5,157th unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

S.Y.C. Brewing Co. Bacchanalia Sauvignon Blanc IPA – Belgian IPA at 6.0% ABV (C$4.90 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 10-Nov-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 12-Dec-2021)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale straw with two fat fingers of loose white head, good retention, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: vinous grape, citrus, gooseberry, light earthy funk. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light tart. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-lively carbonation, short duration mildly tart finish. (4/5)

I probably wouldn’t have come up with “gooseberry” on my own, but having seen it on the label, I’m inclined to agree. Light, crisp, and refreshing, and drinks easier than the moderate ABV would suggest. I’ll go with the “Belgian IPA” classification since the brewer indicates they’ve used Belgian yeast, but it’s really almost a hybrid. Pretty decent overall, and different, which generally goes a long way with me. (16/20)

This will be my 5,156th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

T&R Theakston Old Peculier – Old Ale at 5.6% ABV (C$4.00 at Collective, 440 ml, packaged on 15-Jul-2021, best before 31-Jul-2022, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 11-Dec-2021)

Appearance: clear amber brown with one finger of loose light beige head diminishing rapidly to nothing, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: toasted bread, caramel, red fruit, earth. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, medium duration mild bitter finish. (4/5)

More malt than hops, with toasted bread and caramel leading the way over dried fruit or red berries. Decent enough, especially considering the relatively low ABV. (14/20)

My 269th from the 2010 Edition of 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die, 258th from the 2013 Edition, 254th from the 2018 Edition, and 290th combining all three editions.

This will be my 5,155th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Container Brewing Origin NEIPA – American IPA at 6.4% ABV (C$3.82 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 2-Jun-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 10-Dec-2021)

Appearance: hazy medium gold with two fat fingers of rocky pale ivory head, good retention, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, cereal grains, resiny pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, medium duration slightly spicy finish. (4/5)

Nice one. I’ve never encountered this brewery before, but this is a nice first experience. Despite the age, this is still bright, fruity and juicy, with a nice underpinning of resiny pine. Might be one to try fresher, but pretty fine just as it is. (16/20)

This will be my 5,154th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

BeerMKR Chubby Stout – American Stout at 7.3% ABV | 64 IBU (Initial Setup 16-Nov-2021, Pitch & Hop 17-Nov-2021, Transfer & Carb 27-Nov-2021, Reviewed 9-Dec-2021)

Appearance: hazy brown with one fat finger of fine beige head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: toasted bread, dark chocolate & coffee, nuts, red berries. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, slightly sticky medium finish. (4/5)

My third batch from the BeerMKR machine, and my first with my new kegging transfer setup. This one is a very straightforward American Stout: the malt bill was 1000g 2-row, 200g flaked oats, 100g caramel-120, 100g caramunich 3, 100g roasted barley, 100g chocolate malt, 100g Munich; and the hops were 6g CTZ-30 and 6g CTZ-60 “steam” hops, 6g Cascade “dry” hop. I like to think that I’ve done enough tastings that I’m not deluding myself how good my own product is. The fact is, with a little better clarifying, carbing, and head retention, I’d consider this good enough to stand proudly next to almost anything. This is actually good enough that I’m unhappy I lost so much figuring out my keg transfer setup, and will almost certainly do this one again. (Possibly with some modifications like dry hopping or adjuncts – chocolate and coconut, anybody?) (15/20)

This will be my 5,153rd unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Vaycay Brew Co. Tangerine Speedo – American IPA at 5.8% ABV (C$4.81 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 1-Nov-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 8-Dec-2021)

Appearance: hazy straw with two fingers of loose white head, good retention, minimal spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: zesty citrus, coconut, tropical fruit, cereal grains, earth. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, medium duration slightly spicy finish. (4/5)

I’ve been told this is the first from a new contract setup by a chef-turned-brewer, with the intention of doing vacation-themed beers. To that end, this one is hopped with Mandarina Bavaria, Vic Secret, and Sabro, and yeah, it’s got a certain piña colada thing going on. To be honest, though, I was expecting more coconut, given the “You like Sabro, right?” Warning I got when I bought this one. Overall, though, it’s a fun one, and definitely an impressive first offering. (15/20)

This will be my 5,152nd unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Fuller, Smith & Turner PBC Vintage Ale 2018 – Old Ale at 8.5% ABV (C$10.49 at Crowfoot Liquor Heritage Pointe, 500 ml, best before 31-Dec-2028, acquired 3-Dec-2021, reviewed 7-Dec-2021)

Appearance: clear deep amber with one fat finger of fine ivory head, good retention, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: toffee & caramel, raisins, dark fruit, nuts, earth, pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, moderate-high carbonation, sticky building bitter warming finish. (3/5)

Bottle #045667 – don’t I feel special. The little card in the box says this is brewed with all-English Olicana, Ernest, Target, Goldings, Challenger, and Northdown hops; Maris Otter and Crystal malt. It also makes claims about fruit notes that might be considered “New World”, but I have to say that anything of the sort that might have existed is long gone by now. What’s left is toffee malt on some dark fruit and earthy pine, much like several previous incarnations, with some other complexity that comes out if you take your time and let it warm. I suppose I should try one of these fresh at some point, in order to actually get some hop character? My perennial complaint about this one is that I find the body a bit thin and the carbonation a bit excessive, and think the overall experience would be improved if it were thicker and softer. (15/20)

This will be my 5,151st unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Growlery Beer Company Turbo Prop – American IPA at 5.8% ABV (C$4.50 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 7-Dec-2021)

Appearance: hazy slightly muddy straw with two fat fingers of fluffy pale ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thick cap, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus zest, biscuity malt, tart wheat. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration lightly tart finish. (4/5)

Not terrible. I mean, the aroma is almost as muddy as the appearance, but there’s some decent zesty citrus in there, that works well with the slightly tart wheat notes. Fairly easy drinking and reasonably refreshing. (15/20)

This will be my 5,150th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

DuClaw Brewing Company Hopportunity Awaits – American IPA at 7.6% ABV | 22 IBU (C$6.10 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 10-Aug-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 6-Dec-2021)

Appearance: hazy muddy medium gold with one fat finger of loose pale ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: sharp red berries, vinous grapes, tropical fruit, lemon zest, cereal grains. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, moderate-low bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-low carbonation, mildly tart lightly warming finish. (3/5)

Well that’s a bit shit, innit? These guys rock a Porter or a Brown Ale, but it seems like the lighter the style, the more they struggle. I’m assuming this is infected, but it’s a weird infection if so. Well… I say it’s weird, but it’s not actually offensive. Unless, of course, you compare it to other NE/Hazy AIPAs, in which case, yeah, maybe a little. (12/20)

This will be my 5,149th unique Untappd check-in.

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Coronado Brewing Company Universal Love – American IPA at 7.2% ABV (C$5.08 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 27-Jul-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 6-Dec-2021)

Appearance: clear pale gold with two fat fingers of rocky pale ivory head, good retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, honey, dank pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, lingering bitter lightly warming finish. (4/5)

Clearly I need to stop being in such a rush and start allowing myself more time in the store to check packaging dates. I suspect I’m not giving this a fair shake: it’s hopped with Nectaron, Galaxy, Vic Secret, Simcoe, Mosaic, and Chinook, but I’m pretty sure I’m not getting the full gamut of flavour. On the other hand, it’s still pretty drinkable, and a pleasant enough WCIPA. (15/20)

This will be my 5,148th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com