RyansBooze

The Establishment Brewing Company Fat Sherpa – American Porter at 5.8% ABV (C$4.10 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 17-Nov-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 6-Dec-2021)

Appearance: clear ruby brown with one finger of loose beige head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: dark chocolate, coffee, toasted bread, caramel, floral, earth. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, slightly sticky lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

Despite the name this is really not fat at all. I prefer a thicker body for Stouts and Porters, but this is pretty much a medium, with lighter carbonation than I prefer. Clearly not this brewery’s area of expertise, and nowhere near as good an example of the style as their IPAs and DIPAs. Merely good, which for this brewery is pretty much the floor. (14/20)

This will be my 5,147th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Longslice Brewery Hopsta la Vista – English Pale Ale at 6.5% ABV | 69 IBU (C$3.91 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 24-Aug-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 5-Dec-2021)

Appearance: clear medium amber with one fat finger of rocky off-white head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, earthy pine, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly sticky body, moderate-soft carbonation, lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

Hopped with UK Admiral, Comet, Cascade, and Galena, making it almost a hybrid between English and American IPAs. Malt and noble hops do lead the way, but there’s a little brightness, I’d guess primarily due to the Cascade hops. Certainly not my favourite style, but not bad at all. (14/20)

This will be my 5,146th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Coronado Brewing Company Palm Sway – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$4.90 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 10-Aug-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 5-Dec-2021)

Appearance: clear pale gold with two fat fingers of rocky off-white head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: mild, citrus, tropical fruit, pale malt, light floral. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, medium duration finish. (3/5)

Pretty boring for an IPA – really more an APA… actually, you could have convinced me it was a Lager. Just not a lot going on here – but on the other hand, there are no real negatives. Ultimately, a bit disappointing. (14/20)

This will be my 5,145th unique Untappd check-in.

Belching Beaver Brewery Dichotomy Double West Coast IPA – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8.1% ABV (C$5.26 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 10-Sep-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 4-Dec-2021)

Appearance: clear pale gold with two fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, excellent retention and heavy soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: citrus, floral, dank resiny pine, caramel. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, malty sweet medium bitter lightly warming finish. (4/5)

The label describes Idaho 7 and Galaxy as its two predominant hops, sprinkled with Nelson and Citra. Aside from the globe-spanning hop choice, this is very much a throwback WC-style DIPA, with an emphatic malt character vying for position with the big hops. I might be being a little unfair here, given that it’s about three months in the can, but at the end of the day, neither the aroma nor the taste are as bright, juicy, and punchy as I’d like. It’s not bad, but it’s not great either. Pretty, though. (15/20)

This will be my 5,144th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Establishment Brewing Company Picture of Nectar – American IPA at 7% ABV (C$4.90 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 25-Nov-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 3-Dec-2021)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy tropical & stone fruit, citrus, cereal grains, dank resiny pine. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium slightly creamy body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry lightly dank finish. (4/5)

Malts are 2 Row, Flaked Oats, Flaked Wheat, Malted Wheat, and Chit Malt; hopped with Vic Secret, Galaxy, Bru-1, Citra, and Chinook; Foggy London Ale yeast. Almost nectar-like and brightly fruity, without being too sweet. Yeah, I’m getting a bit bored with talking about how much I like this brewer…. NOT. Yet another solid contender from a brewer that just doesn’t know how to make a bad beer – of the something like 22 examples I’ve had, a full 16 were an 8 or better. (17/20)

This will be my 5,143rd unique Untappd check-in.

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Dageraad Brewing / 2 Crows Brewing Murder City – American Pale Ale at 4.2% ABV (C$4.45 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 3-Dec-2021)

Appearance: hazy pale straw with two fingers of fluffy white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, earthy funk, tropical & stone fruit, hint of basil. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light spice. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry lightly spicy & funky finish. (4/5)

This one is made with Norwegian farmhouse kveik yeast, Citra & Motueka hops. I was hoping this would be a bit brighter and crisper than it is, but it’s not unpleasant, with an interesting earthy and herbal note. (15/20)

This will be my 5,142nd unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Long Hop Brewing Co. NEIPA Strata – American IPA at 6.5% ABV | 43 IBU (C$4.50 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 2-Sep-2021, acquired 2-Dec-2021, reviewed 2-Dec-2021)

Appearance: hazy straw with one fat finger of rocky white head, excellent retention and heavy clingy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: field berries, dank resiny pine, citrus, tropical fruit. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lightly spicy finish. (4/5)

Starts off more fruity and berry-like, but there’s a dank pine note that grows as the pint progresses and warms. Not the brightest or juiciest, and sometimes I catch a hint that isn’t all that pleasant, but not bad overall. (15/20)

This will be my 5,141st unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Anchor Brewing Company Merry Christmas & Happy New Year (Our Special Ale) (2016) – Christmas / Winter Specialty Spiced Beer at 6.5% ABV (C$3.37 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 355 ml, best before 31-Oct-2018, acquired 13-Dec-2016, reviewed 29-Nov-2021)

Appearance: clear brown with ruby highlights, one finger of rocky tan head, good retention and moderate clingy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: resiny pine, molasses, banana bread, spices. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, lingering mildly spicy finish. (4/5)

I called the 2018 vintage the best I’d had to date when it was still pretty fresh in early 2019, but this one is up there with it despite being more than three years past its BB. Like that one, there’s a pungent resiny pine at the forefront, but this one is (now?) more molasses than chocolate. Despite that, it’s not excessively sweet, and is quite easy-drinking. (16/20)

This will be my 5,140th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

BeerMKR Redwood IPA – American IPA at 7.3% ABV | 66 IBU (Initial Setup 31-Oct-2021, Pitch & Hop 1-Nov-2021, Dry Hop 6-Nov-2021, Transfer & Carb 16-Nov-2021, Reviewed 29-Nov-2021)

Appearance: slightly hazy medium amber with one fat finger of fine ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, red berries, caramel, earthy pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, slightly sticky mildly warming finish. (3/5)

My second batch from the BeerMKR machine. I had issues with the BeerTap during my first batch, so for this effort I modified the tap with a ball lock post, allowing me to use a proper regulator. However, that new setup initially leaked on the CO₂ side, so I had to make some adjustments, and probably ended up stirring up the settled trub more than was good. As far as the beer itself goes, I’d have to call it a solid “OK”. I’m not sure about the hop profile: it’s a bit muddled, and I’m getting something I’d have to call berries. It’s not objectionable in and of itself, so I’m leaning towards a slightly higher aroma grade. On the other hand, since I know what I hopped it with (Cascade and Centennial bittering, Centennial and Simcoe dry hopped) I’m not sure where that berry note is coming from, so I could go a point lower on aroma, to maybe half a point lower on overall score. It’s not bad overall, definitely no worse than a 6.5, and I wouldn’t hesitate to serve it to someone, but it’s certainly middle of the pack. I’m hoping my new kegging setup will give a better result with future batches. (14/20)

This will be my 5,139th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Goose Island Beer Company Bourbon County Stout (2021) – Imperial Stout at 14.4% ABV (C$29.95 at Wine and Beyond, 500 ml, packaged on 22-Jul-2021, best before 22-Jul-2026, acquired 26-Nov-2021, reviewed 27-Nov-2021)

Appearance: clear deep brown with a short fine medium beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (4/5) Aroma: bourbon, chocolate, oak, vanilla, red berries. (9/10) Taste: high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium-full slick body, moderate carbonation, lingering warming finish. (4/5)

Yes, I know, ABInBev is the devil, and I usually boycott them. But, it’s coming on that time of the year and I felt like a change from the IPAs and Pales I’ve been focussing on lately, OK? This is pretty much the poster child for why Imperial Stouts are stupidly overrated on all the various sites: they’re sweet, sticky, and boozy, and will get you cross-eyed drunk in no time flat. Is this any better than any number of other examples? Nope. Was it worth, not just the ridiculous price tag, but also taking an hour on Friday to go line up and get a couple? Eh… maybe. The bourbon helps, not gonna lie. I’ll leave the other one for a year or five, see what happens. (I’m going to go out on a limb here, and predict: not a whole lot.) (17/20)

This will be my 5,138th unique Untappd check-in.

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com