RyansBooze

Upstreet Craft Brewing White Noize – White IPA at 7.0% ABV | 60 IBU (C$4.55 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 28-May-2021, acquired 2-Jul-2021, reviewed 8-Jul-2021)

Appearance: hazy particulate-laden pale gold with one finger of loose white head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: sweet citrus, cereal grains, floral, banana. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (6/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, slightly sticky moderate bitter finish. (3/5)

Not much like a “true” Belgian-style White, but it’s pretty obviously not supposed to be one, so I’ll make allowances. Not making any allowances for those fugly chunks or the short-lived head, though – it’s not a pretty beer at all, and it hasn’t been in the can long enough to blame age. Sweet and fruity, with a hint of banana from the half wheat in the malt bill. A bit too sweet, really, making it a definite one and done for me. (13/20)

6.5/10 ryansbooze.com #ryansbooze

Cannery Brewing Company HDHC Ekuanot – American IPA at 7% ABV (C$4.36 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 23-Apr-2021, acquired 2-Jul-2021, reviewed 8-Jul-2021)

Appearance: hazy straw with two fingers of fluffy white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy citrus, herbal, pale biscuity malt, pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter slightly spicy finish. (4/5)

My second HDHC (High-Density Hop Charge, for those not in the know) offering from Cannery, this one using Ekuanot as the single hop. I’m a little torn here: on the one hand, it’s probably just as well done as the Mosaic version, but on the other, Ekuanot, though interesting, is not quite as fun a hop in my opinion. In particular, the herbal component I could take or leave. Don’t get me wrong, this is good – but my personal preference would be for the Mosaic, so I’ve gotta score it that way. (16/20)

8/10 ryansbooze.com #ryansbooze

Snake Lake Brewing Company Day Tripper New Zealand Spritzer IPA – American IPA at 6.2% ABV | 20 IBU (C$4.50 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 2-Jul-2021, reviewed 8-Jul-2021)

Appearance: hazy straw with two fingers of loose pale ivory head, good retention and spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: white grape must, tropical fruit, citrus, pale malt, pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Medium-light body, moderate carbonation, short duration lightly tart finish. (4/5)

Loads of fruit adjunct in this, both Sauvignon Blanc grape must and passionfruit – but, it works. I’m not sure if it’s single-hopped with Nelson Sauvin, but using that as a dry hop definitely works with exactly those fruit flavours. Fruity without being sweet, bright and refreshing – I like it. (16/20)

8/10 ryansbooze.com #ryansbooze

Bent Stick Brewing Co. Salinity Now! – American Pale Ale at 4.5% ABV (C$4.55 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 17-Jun-2021, acquired 2-Jul-2021, reviewed 7-Jul-2021)

Appearance: slightly hazy straw with two fat fingers of fluffy white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, brine, pale malt. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Medium-light body, moderate-lively carbonation, short duration lightly briny finish. (4/5)

Weird name. Weird beer. I approve. Pink Himalayan salt, sweet orange peel, and Citra hops – sure, why not? Though, it feels a bit more like lime to me, almost like licking salt and biting a lime when doing tequila shots.  Crisp and refreshing. (15/20)

7.5/10 ryansbooze.com #ryansbooze

High River Brewing Co. Belvedere Punk Rock – Golden Ale at 5.0% ABV (C$4.35 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 2-Jul-2021, reviewed 7-Jul-2021)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fine white head, good retention and spotty soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tropical & stone fruit, caramel, grass, herbal. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, sweetish medium bitter slightly astringent finish. (3/5)

I always like the idea of collaborations between brewers and bands. Personally, though, I’d’ve expected a punk rock band to go with something a little more challenging than a Golden. It’s not bad, though I find it a bit sweet, with muddled fruit notes barely beating out a caramel malt backbone. Despite the sweetness, the finish is just slightly astringent. All in all, pretty forgettable. The album’s not bad, though – shades of Green Day, perhaps, so that gives you some idea of how “punk” it really is. (13/20)

6.5/10 ryansbooze.com #ryansbooze

Blindman Brewing May Long – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8.8% ABV | 66 IBU (C$5.04 at Liquorville Legacy, 473 ml, packaged on 8-May-2021, acquired 5-Jul-2021, reviewed 6-Jul-2021)

Appearance: hazy pale straw with two fingers of rocky white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, pine, biscuity malt. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium bitter finish. (4/5)

Yeah, yeah, I know – I’m a bit late to the May Long. I was actually just looking for something to drink while watching the Habs lose to Tampon Bay, and the ABV was looking up to the task. But, fact is, this is still pretty decent after a couple of months in the can. And, I gotta say, I absolutely love the combination of a QR code and a traceable lot number on this. Being able to see the family whose farm the malt came from (Badry Farms in Heisler, AB) , the malting facility (Rahr Malting in Alix, AB), the hops and their grower (Vic Secret from Bushy Park, TAS), and the brewing details (1048kg malt, 51 kg hops, brewed on 19-Apr-2021, canned on 8-May-2021)? Awesome! My only regret now is not getting it when it was fresher! (16/20)

8/10 ryansbooze.com #ryansbooze

Pile O’ Bones Brewing Co. Black IPA – Black IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$4.36 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 23-Apr-2021, acquired 2-Jul-2021, reviewed 5-Jul-2021)

Appearance: clear brown with two fingers of rocky beige head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: pine, toasted bread, citrus, coffee & dark chocolate. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium bitter finish. (4/5)

The aroma is pleasant: not too much emphasis on the roasty malt notes, which are balanced well against the pine and citrus of the hops. On the tongue, the bitterness and sweetness are similarly balanced, resulting in a finish that’s neither astringent nor excessively sweet. It’s not amazing, but it’s sure not bad either. A decent example of the style. (15/20)

7.5/10 ryansbooze.com #ryansbooze

Steel & Oak Brewing Co. Vibrant Things – American Pale Ale at 4.6% ABV (C$4.65 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 25-May-2021, acquired 2-Jul-2021, reviewed 5-Jul-2021)

Appearance: slightly hazy straw with two fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: grass, bready malt, citrus, hints of tropical fruit. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (6/10) Medium-light body, moderate-lively carbonation, crisp mild bitter finish. (4/5)

I was quite impressed with their Shiny Things a couple of days ago, so I went into this with higher hopes than I otherwise would have. And it’s not bad or anything – but it’s not a “tropical pale ale” the way the can promises, either. It’s actually very Pilsner-like, with only a hint of the green mango adjunct coming through on the back end – and not, I’m afraid, particularly vibrant. (13/20)

6.5/10 ryansbooze.com #ryansbooze

Great Notion Brewing & Barrel House Aura – American IPA at 7.2% ABV (C$8.95 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 2-Jul-2021, reviewed 4-Jul-2021)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy tropical fruit, citrus, oats & cereal grains, green vegetal. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, slightly sweet mildly spicy finish. (4/5)

A new brewer for me, but apparently popular in certain circles. Not sure if the ape tripping balls on shrooms has any relevance? I can’t find brewers notes – their web site is down? – but secondary sources say it’s hopped with Citra, Columbus, and Cascade, which makes sense. I’m getting just a hint of “green” vegetal (sort of like sweet green bell peppers) behind juicy tropical fruit, citrus, and oats & cereal grain malts. The sweetness sort of matches the juicy aroma, but I find it a little excessive, especially through the slightly sticky finish. Ends up being merely good, not great. (15/20)

7.5/10 ryansbooze.com #ryansbooze

Overhop Brewing Co. Mad Manu – Blond Ale at 5.2% ABV | 22 IBU (C$6.07 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 2-Jul-2021, reviewed 3-Jul-2021)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with two fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: grass, stewed fruits, caramel. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, low bitter. (7/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry mild bitter finish. (3/5)

This is apparently a single-hop with Belma, which I think is a new one on me. Hard to tell what my opinion is based on this so far, to be honest. Brewer notes say notes of orange, melon, and strawberry, but I’m getting grass dominance backed up by muddled stewed fruit. It’s OK, but that’s about as far as I’d go. (13/20)

6.5/10 ryansbooze.com #ryansbooze