HAZELNUT BROWN NECTAR ~ ROGUE 

RED, WHITE & BREW ~ Rogue has finally had the opportunity to redeem itself to me. Previous to this the only Rogue I’d had had been a Voodoo Doughnut creation, and that went down the sink. Sampled on draught, this beer poured a slightly opaque reddish dark brown with an off white head. There was little retention and lacing. Hazelnuts dominate the aroma, but there are also notes of coffee, caramel, cocoa and sweet malts (kind of like Nutella in a beer). Huge syrupy hazel-nutty flavours hit you right off the bat. I found this brew very sweet, as praline, caramel, sweet malts and chocolate follow the nuttiness. A slight hop presence finishes the beer, but the aftertaste is all sweet hazelnut. The carbonation was in the medium low range and the body medium. The mouthfeel was smooth but seemed to coat the palette giving it a stickiness. This definitely was not a sink pour but not a session beer for me either. I felt like I was drinking dessert – a little too sweet for me.

11 Ingredients: Great Western 2-Row, Brown, Carastan 13/17, Crystal 70/80, Crystal 135/165, Beeston Pale, Chocolate Malts; Perle & Sterling Hops; Hazelnut Extract, Free Range Coastal Water & Pacman Yeast.

6.2 % from Newport, Oregon 33 IBU

HENNEPIN SAISON ~ BREWERY OMMEGANG  

RED, WHITE & BREW ~ My local bar managed to secure 21 American micro/craft beer taps – or pretty close too it. I was excited to taste some of the brews I have often seen reviewed. Ommegang is a an American Brewer of Belgian ales. This saison is brewed with: Grains of paradise, ginger, coriander and sweet orange peel. This showstopper was sampled on draught. The poured a beautiful rich golden yellow, with a slight haze and a small white head. The nose contained scents of hay and orchard fruits, Belgian yeasts, peppery spice and citrus (lemon and orange). The taste is has slight malt sweetness with notes of fruit (apple, pear and citrus), spice (pepper and clove), bread, hay and funk. The finish is crisp dry and has a slight floral bitterness. The carbonation was moderate and slightly prickly. The mouthfeel was medium-full bodied. This was a fabulous introduction Ommegang brews and American craft beers. Loved this, wish it was more accessible.

7.7% Cooperstown, New York     24 IBU

BROOKLYN LAGER~BROOKLYN

RED, WHITE & BREW ~ New York in the 1800’s was a hub of brewing. Vienna style lager was a favourite among the locals. This beer is brewed in the Vienna style but has been dry hopped (a more English technique) to increase its aromatic qualities. Sampled on draught, this Lager poured a clear coppery amber colour with a good head. It had good retention and left some frothy lacing. The nose contained citrus, grainy malts, orange and other citrus peel and some floral hops. I found this beer to be on the sweet side. The beer starts with sweet malts and honey with citrus brightness and finishes with a herbal/floral taste followed by a slight toasty bitterness. The beer has medium-light body and slightly higher than average carbonation. Though a little sweet for me, I found this beer to be easily drinkable, smooth and refreshing, but lacked complexity.

5.2 % from Utica, New York 33 IBU

Malts: American Two-row Malts
Hops: Hallertauer Mittelfrueh, Vanguard and Cascade

VANILLA JAVA PORTER ~ ATWATER

RED, WHITE & BREW ~ Vanilla Java Porter is Atwater’s bestseller. Sampled on draught, this porter poured a very dark brown with a thin tan head that dissipated very quickly. Roasted coffee and vanilla extract dominate the nose. My first impression of the taste was that I was drinking an ice cream float. I found this to be very sweet. The coffee flavour was not of strong brewed coffee, but more of a watery coffee with vanilla extract. The mouthfeel was watery and I was expecting much more of a hop presence at the finish. I was expecting much stronger flavours and complexity from this one. If you like a drinkable dessert this would be it. Pleasant enough but in small quantities.
Ingredients: Brewed 2 row malt, Cara-80, Coffee and Black malt and Magnum hops.

4.5% from Detroit, Michigan 12 IBU

Reviews to follow!

BEER 300!

Here is the list of the last 100 beers.

1. Hoegaarden ~ Hoegaarden ~ Hoegaarden, Belgium
2. Coyote Hole with Juniper ~ Innocente ~ Waterloo, Ontario
3. Jubilee Amber Lager ~ Thornbury ~ Thornbury, Ontario
4. Farm Table 80 Shilling ~ Beaus ~ VanKleek Hills, Ontario
5. Traditional Lager ~ Yuengling ~ Pottsville, Pennsylvania
6. Blue Buck ~ Phillips Brewing ~ Victoria, British Columbia
7. Dubbel Cherry ~ West Avenue Cider ~ Hamilton, Ontario
8. Muskoka Cranberry Mead ~ Trafalgar ~ Oakville, Ontario
9. Hughey’s Golden Ale ~ Junction Craft Brewery ~ Toronto, Ontario
10. Harry Porter ~ Great Lakes Brewery ~ Toronto, Ontario
11. Brakeman’s Session Ale ~ Junction Craft Brewery ~ Toronto, Ontario
12. Screamin’ Beaver ~ Beau’s ~ Vankleek Hils, Ontario
13. Lions Grass ~ Highlander ~ South River, Ontario
14. Framboise ~ Lindmans ~ Vlezenbeek, Belgium
15. Dogbolter ~ Amsterdam ~ Toronto, Ontario
16. Les Portes d E’nfer ~ Stack ~ Sudbury, Ontario
17. Dead Elephant IPA ~ Railway City ~ St. Thomas, Ontario
18. Tom Green Beer ~ Beau’s ~ Vankeek Hill, Ontario
19. 2015: A Spice Odyssey ~ Wellington ~ Guleph, Ontario
20. Black Forest IPA ~ Beau’s ~ Vankleek, Hills
21. True Grit ~ Rainhard ~ Toronto
22. Or thoughts of Good and Evil ~ Sawdust City ~ Gravenhurst, Ontario
23. La Résolution ~ Unibroue ~ Chambly, Quebec
24. Best ~ Henderson’s ~ Toronto, Ontario
25. Cranberry Holiday Hefeweizen ~ Big Rig ~ Kanata, Ontario
26. Premium Lager ~ Creemore Springs ~ Creemore, Ontario
27. Yuletide Cherry Porter ~ Barley Days Brewing ~ Picton, Ontario
28. Idleschwein ~ Neustadt Brewing ~ Neustadt, Ontario
29. Apfelgose ~ Revel ~ Hamilton, Ontario
30. Cousin Abbey’s Dubbel ~ Oast House ~ Niagara, Ontario
31. Wellington SPA ~ Wellington ~ Guelph, Ontario
32. 10w30 ~ Neustadt Springs Brewing ~ Neustadt, Ontario
33. Impact ~ Stack ~ Sudbury, Ontario
34. Pitchfork Porter ~ Oast House ~ Niagrara, Ontario
35. Belgian Blood Orange Porter ~ Northwinds & Brimstone ~ Collingwood, Ontario
36. I, the mountain and… ~ Sawdust City ~ Gravenhurst, Ontario
37. Double Chocolate Raspberry Stout ~ Muskoka ~ Bracebridge, Ontario
38. Tyrannosaurus Gruit ~ Beau’s ~ Vankleek Hills, Ontario
39. Bog Father ~ Beau’s ~ Vankleek Hills, Ontario
40. Chimay Blue ~ Chimay, ~ Chimay, Belgium
41. Sofie ~ Goose Island ~ Chicago, Illinois
42. Sweet Jesus Mocha Stout ~ Left Field ~ Toronto, Ontario
43. Winter Ale ~ Great Lakes ~ Toronto, Ontario
44. Guy on a Buffalo ~ Block 3 ~ St. Jacobs, Ontario
45. Winter Weiss ~ Muskoka ~ Bracebridge, Ontario
46. Pitsch Perfect ~ Pitschfork ~ Toronto, Ontario
47. Chimay White ~ Bières de Chimay ~ Chimay, Belgium
48. Chimay Rouge ~ Bières de Chimay ~ Chimay, Belgium
49. Purgatory ~ Innocente ~ Waterloo, Ontario
50. Déesse Nocturne ~ Dieu de ciel! ~ Montreal, Quebec
51. Naughty Neighbour ~ Nickel Brook ~ Burlington, Ontario
52. Wheat ~ Sidelaunch ~ Collingwood, Ontario
53. Dark Horse Coffee APA ~ Louis Cifer ~ Toronto, Ontario
54. Natterjack Toad ~ Muskoka ~ Bracebridge, Ontario
55. Nox Aeterna ~ Black Oak ~ Toronto, Ontario
56. Shagbark Stout ~ Sweetgrass ~ Toronto, Ontario
57. Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout ~ Kiuchi ~ Naka-shi, Ibaraki Japan
58. Yeah Its Belgian ~ Innocente ~ Waterloo, Ontario
59. Brew Mountain ~ (Centennial) Northwinds ~ Collingwood, Ontario
60. 1st & 3rd ~ Left Field ~ Toronto, Ontario
61. Midnight Kissed the Cow ~ Big Rig ~ Ottawa, Ontario
62. Bridge over the River Chai ~ Covered Bridge Brewing ~ Stittsville, Ontario
63. Early Grey Marmalade Saison ~ Dominion Brewing ~ Ottawa, Ontario
64. Dartmouth Common ~ Kichesippi Brewing ~ Ottawa, Ontario
65. Grisette ~ Beau’s ~ Vankleek Hills, Ontario
66. Blackberry Peach Cider ~ County Cider Company ~ Waupoos, Ontario
67. 3rd Annivesary Saison ~ Left Field Brewery ~ Toornto, Onatrio
68. Bavarian Breakfast Wheat ~ Silversmith Brewing ~ Toronto, Ontario
69. Embittermint ~ Beau’s ~ Vankleek Hills, Ontario
70. Midnight Mass ~ Brimstone ~ Ridgeway, Ontario
71. Pils ~ Beau’s ~ Vankleek Hills, Ontario
72. Gateway Kölsch ~ Sawdust City ~ Gravenhurst, Ontario
73. Elephant Monsoon ~ Beau’s ~ Vankleek Hills, Ontario
74. Red Fox Summer Ale ~ MacKinnon Bros ~ Bath, Ontario
75. Cranberry Cider ~ KW Craft Cidery ~ Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontariio
76. Roasted Walnut Bourbon Age Porter ~ Oast House ~ Niagara on the Lake
77. Equilibrium ESB ~ Nickel Brook ~ Burlington, Ontario
78. Koru ~ Beaus’ ~ Vankleek, Hills
79. Basilisk ~ Brewfist & Flying Monkeys ~ Codogno, Italy
80. Strong Patrick ~ Beau’s ~ Vankleek Hills, Ontario
81. Moroccan Brown Spearhead ~ Toronto, Ontario
82. Homegrown Saison ~ Amsterdam ~ Toronto, Ontario
83. No 13 ~ Duggan’s ~ Toronto, Ontario
84. Irish it was more Red ~ Flying Monkeys ~ Barrie Ontario
85. Affligem Blonde ~ Affligen ~ Opwijk, Vlaams-Brabant Belgium
86. Brett Pale Ale ~ Nickel Brook ~ Burlington, Ontario
87. Wit’ner Toque ~ Flying Monkeys ~ Barrie, Ontario
88. Undercover Brother ~ Brimstone & Bros. ~ Ridgeway, Ontario
89. Fireside ESB ~ Collingwood ~ Collingwood, Ontario
90. La Fin Du Monde Maudite ~ Unibroue ~ Chambly, Quebec
91. Maudite ~ Unibroue ~ Chambly, Quebec
92. Eisbock ~ Oast House ~ Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
93. Hibiscus Saison ~ Royal City ~ Guelph, Ontario
94. Leffe Blonde ~ InBev Belgium ~ Dinant, Belgium
95. Original Gruit ~ Beau’s ~ Vankleek Hills, Ontario
96. Wrigley ~ Left Field ~ Toronto
97. Duggan’s No 18. ~ Duggan’s ~ Toronto, Ontario
98. Love Fuzz ~ Black Oak ~ Toronto, Ontario
99. Pink Hefe’n Bomb ~ Big Rig ~ Ottawa, Ontario
100. Pale Ale ~ DeKonnick ~ Antwerp, Belgium

DE KONINCK PALE ALE ~ BROUWERJI DE KONINCK NV

MACRO BELGIAN ~ Sampled on draught in a De Koninck tulip glass. This beer poured a very clear golden orange colour – much closer to amber in colour. It has a small fizzy cream head, with moderate retention, that left spotty lacing. The aroma was very mild and contained bready grains, mild yeast and berries. A hint of caramel and other fruits and floral hops were subtle but present. Like the nose, I found the taste to be very mild too. It had notes of cracker malts and bread with light caramel and citrus before giving way light floral hops and a dry finish. I found the mouthfeel to be thin and the beer lacked body. The carbonation was moderate and the aftertaste has a faint metallic taste. A simple Belgian brew, not bad, but nothing outstanding either.

5.2% from Antwerp, Belgium

HOEGAARDEN ~ BROUWERIJ VAN HOEGAARDEN

MACRO BELGIAN ~ I remember a number of years ago when I had my first Hoegaarden; it was poured in a heavy glass that looked at large as a fish bowl.  The glass was rinsed with its very own beer bidet before pouring.  It was my introduction to wit beer. 

Sampled from a bottle the beer poured a cloudy light yellow (fermented twice but not filtered).  Aroma has lots of sweetness and wheat, with a smidgen of citrus..  Taste has tons of wheat, with a trace of citrus and spice.   It is an easy drinking summer beer, not bad, but not stupendous either.  I’ve heard this called a lawnmower beer, something to quench your thirst on a hot day.

Hoegaarden (the location near Flanders) had been the site of a brewery from the mid 1400’s.  The tradition had died out in the 1950’s with most of the breweries shuttering their windows.  In the late 1950’s Pierre Celis (who had been a milkman) decided to purchase the brewery and make ago of it.  His new brewery was called Celis; they used the traditional ingredients of wheat, hops, yeast, coriander and dried orange peel in their brew.  By the 1980’s he could not keep up with demand and expanded.  After a fire in 1985, several brewers offered their help, Interbrew (now InBev) the largest brewer lent him the money to purchase other buildings to keep up with production.  He felt that they corporate brewery pressured him to adjust the recipe in order to ‘mass market’ the beer.  Celis then sold InBev the brewery and moved to Texas, US, where he set up Celis Brewery, and continued to make the original wit beer.  Miller, who later sold the equipment and name to Michigan Brewing Co, which went bankrupt and also sold the name, later acquired that brewery.  Since the InBev takeover, the original brewery in Hoegaarden was threatened with closure, sparking many protests among the locals.  InBev has kept the brewery in Hoegaarden and invested to upgrade facilities.  Multinational Anhauser Busch now owns the beer company.

4.9% from Hoegaarden, Belgium

LEFFE BLONDE ~ INBEV BELGIUM

MACRO BELGIAN ~ Leffe Blonde, a Belgian Pale Ale, is probably the second most mass-produced and exported beer from Belgian, though far less advertised. Although it is advertised as an Abbey beer, multinational Anheuser Busch brews it in massive qualities. Sampled from a bottle this beer poured a filtered golden yellow with a thick white head. The head was lasting and left a ring of suds and lacing as it disappeared. Streaming carbonation animated the glass. The aroma had notes of Belgian yeasts, fruit (orchard fruit), spice (clove and coriander) and malts. The flavour had notes of lemon citrus, lots of yeast, spice, toasted malts and a hint of banana. The beer had a medium body and a slightly creamy texture. For a mass produced beer this is not bad at all, in fact much nicer than North American mass-produced brews.
6.6% from Dinant, Belgium or Leuven, Belgium

Caveat Emptor: Abbey beers aren’t always what the name would suggest. Though Leffe did have an Abbey (established in the 12th Century) and the priests did brew beer their, the monastery and Abbey had long disappeared. Priests returned to Leffe at the turn of the twentieth century and made a deal with a commercial brewery, where they would be paid royalties. That brewery was than bought out by larger companies. Leffe is brewed now in the massive Stella Artois brewery. There are several “Abbey beers” that have you believe that they have closer ties to God, than they actually do.

PINK HEFE’N BOMB ~ BIG RIG 

This brew was a most delicious spring treat. It was advertised as A North American Pale Wheat with grapefruit – I think it delivered as a wheat, and as a pale ale and as a fruit beer as well – great combination. Sampled on draught from the cask – hand pulled with natural carbonation. The beer poured a murky golden apricot colour with a small off white head. The head left nice lacing as it dissipated. Orange, grapefruit and grains were predominant on the nose but there were also subtler banana hefe notes in there as well. The taste was chocked full of flavour, fresh and tart pink grapefruit and orange appear at first sip. The middle has a lovely citrusy sweetness and other tropical fruit notes before finishing off with bitter grapefruit and Pale ale hoppiness.

5.4 % from Ottawa, Ontario 40 IBU

LOVE FUZZ ~ BLACK OAK

Love Fuzz is a Red Pale Ale, initially made in the spring of last year as a one-off. Black Oak rereleased this limited edition spring season beer. Sampled on draught this beer pours a rich dark orangey brown with bright ruby highlights. The beer had a decent amount of off white head that lingered then left lots of lacing and ring of suds around the glass. The aroma was mild with roasted malts and citrusy hops being the most predominant. The brew was much more flavourful then the nose. It had a strong roasted malt backbone with caramel and burnt sugar and a citrusy hop finish. Legacy, Galaxy and Simcoe hops were used in the brew creating a primarily citrusy finish with hints of pine and berries. The body was medium but on the fuller side and the carbonation was moderate. Really well balanced, very enjoyable.

6.2% from Toronto, Ontario 40 IBU

WRIGLEY ~ LEFT FIELD BREWERY

Wrigley is a new one-off brew from Left Field Brewery. Wrigley is the name of the adorable brewery mascot pictured on the bottle tag and a portion of money from the sales of this brew go to improving the local dog park. This Oat Pale ale was sampled on draught. It poured a slightly opaque bright golden yellow colour with a white head, which left lacing. Aromatic right citrus orange hops and grains on the nose. Initially quite hoppy this beers flavour changed flavour from the initial sip and then slightly as beer warmed. My first impression was of the hops, but the second sip was fruitier as some honey sweetness and tangerine and orange shone through – lots of lemon too. The oats seem to give it a slight creaminess and a full mouthfeel. The finish is bold in this hop forward brew has hints of orange peel and pine. Very drinkable.

5.5 % from Toronto, Ontario 40 IBU

Picture courtesty of LEFT FIELD INSTAGRAM

MIKE DUGGAN’S NO. 18 ~ DUGGAN’S

NO. 18 is a Raspberry Berliner Weisse. Sampled on draught, it poured a cloudy light apricot with a decent off white head, which left some spotty lacing. The nose contained lots of lactic sourness and subtle raspberry and cereal graininess. The sourness did not translate into the taste as much as I would have expected. I personally like my Berliners to be a little sourer, than this one. The beer starts with a mild sour sharpness, the berries (organic raspberry puree was used) are very understated, but do lend a gentle flavour. There is lots of graininess and malts mid sip. I found cereal - graininess to be too sweet at times. The beer ends with a malts and hints or raspberry again. The beer was medium bodied, with moderate carbonation. 5.4% from Toronto, Ontario 24 IBU

ORIGINAL GRUIT ~ BEAU'S

This beer is part of Beau’s Gruit series, began in 2015. Gruits date back many years, long before the Bavarian Purity Act that declared that beer can only be brewed with four ingredients (water, yeast, malt and hops) and were popular when hops were unavailable or taxed too heavily. Gruits are brewed using a variety of herbs and plants to replace the dominant hop flavours of the beer. This gruit contains three popular historical ingredients: bog myrtle, yarrow and Labrador tea. Labrador tea is the common name for three plants in the Heath family that are used to make herbal tea. This tea is well known to the Inuit and Athabascan Peoples. Sampled from a bottle, this brew poured a clear intense gold with an apricot hue, with a small foamy off white head. The aroma had fruity and herbal notes, along with malts, herbs and spice. The flavours were a nice balance of citrus and fruit, herbal and floral notes and grainy malts. This is a much subtler gruit than their Bog water, which features myrtle much more predominantly. The finish features tannins from the teas and a slight bitterness. The mouthfeel was medium bodied and carbonation was moderate. I look forward to other herbal experiments and new versions in this series.
6.3 % From VanKleek Hills, Ontario

INGREDIENTS: Local Spring Water, Organic Malts, Wild-harvested Labrador Tea, Organic Bog Myrtle, Organic Hops, Organic Yarrow, Brewer’s Yeast.
MALTS: Pilsner, Vienna, Carahell, Carafoam, Acidulated (All organic)
HOPS: Perle (Organic)
YEAST: German Ale Yeast

EISBOCK ~ OAST HOUSE

Bocks are a traditional German dark lager, brewed since the 1700’s. There are several sub groups: maibock (a lighter and hoppier version), doppelbock (maltier and higher in alcohol) and Eisbock (the strongest of the group.) Eisbock was traditionally made by freezing doppelbock and removing the ice crystals, therefore making it a more concentrated in alcohol. Sampled on draught this beer poured a deep brown with coppery highlights. There was a small beige head that left a collar and nice lacing. The nose was quite mild, with hints of malts, fruit and alcohol. The taste was full of flavour and quite boozy, which lends itself to sipping. Dark fruit and rum soaked candied peel emerge first followed by coffee, dark chocolate, roasted malts, burnt sugar, Belgian yeast, and caramel. Some may find this too sweet, but on an unseasonably cold April night, this sipper was super.

10.1% from Niagara, Ontario
PHOTO: Courtesy of OAST instagram

HIBISCUS SAISON ~ ROYAL CITY

This tea infused saison was sampled on draught. The beer poured a slightly foggy golden colour with a pinkish hue; due to hibiscus tea leaves being added to the boil. There was very little head and no notable lacing. The nose contained lots of tart fruit, floral and citrus, with a hint of clove spice and Belgian yeast. The beer starts with a tart floral hibiscus character with fruit and lemon citrus. There are also grainy malts and a slight grassiness. The hibiscus permeates the whole brew not unlike a very mild Roseé de hibiscus from Dieu de Ciel. There is a slight hop bitterness to the finish as well as a spicy clove. The finish is clean and dry. The body was light and I found the carbonation to be a little lacking. This beer is nicely balanced and easy drinking, it would be easily sessionable. A fabulous quaff for hot weather.

4.8% from Guelph, Ontario 17 IBU

AFFLIGEM BLONDE ~ AFFLIGEM BROUWERIJ

Affligem Blonde is Belgian Abbey ale. Sampled on draught the beer poured a slightly hazy golden yellow colour with a dense head. Sticky lacing was left as the head slowly disappeared. The nose was made up with banana spice, fresh bread, citrus and other tree fruits. The taste was smooth and mild with notes of bread, spice, sweet malts, citrus, and other fruits. A mild slightly drying earthy hop bitterness compliments the sweetness of the malts. The beer had a slightly creamy texture with sparkling carbonation. Easy to drink and refreshing – just be careful the alcohol content is well hidden.
6.8% Opwijk, Vlaams-Brabant Belgium

NO. 13 HEFEWEIZEN ~ DUGGAN'S

Sampled on draught, No. 13 from Duggan’s brewery is made in the traditional German style. It poured slightly murky light amber colour with orange inflections. It was darker than I expected from a hefe. It had a good whitish head that left spotty lacing as it disappeared. There was mild wheat, lots of banana, fruity esters and spicy phenols. The taste is much of what I would expect from a hefe, but really full flavoured - Lots of bananas and clove, with bready malts and spicy yeast. The finish has little bitterness but does have a drying finish (with hints of bubble gum). The beer which is slightly sweet is sweet but dry and does not linger on the taste buds. I really enjoyed this and think it is a superior example of the style.
6% from Toronto, Ontario 14 IBU

FIRESIDE ESB ~ COLLINGWOOD BREWERY

Tried this British style Extra Special Bitter on draught. The beer poured a clear coppery hue with a resilient off white head, which left some webby lacing. There was little visible carbonation. It had a typical ESB nose with caramel and biscuity malts up front and plum and dried fruit in the background. A little spice and earthy floral hops were also evident but buried. The taste contained lots of malt, grains, with a mild bitterness and plum and other orchard fruit in the background. The finish was drying. The brew was smooth with a moderate body and medium-low carbonation. Very nicely crafted, a safe bet to those who like the British beers.

5.8% from Collingwood, Ontario

BRETT PALE ALE ~ NICKEL BROOK

This is a Pale Ale made with Brett and a Belgian yeast strain. Sampled on draught this Brett pale ale poured a murky golden colour with a small off white head. It was chocked full of flavour. Farmyard funk, stone fruit, mango and lots of citrus were on the nose. The flavour followed much as would be expected. The funk swirled with grapefruit and lemon and orange citrus. There was a very subtle sweetness before it ended with a pine resin hop finish that was crisp and dry. The pine and grapefruit mellowed as it warmed, letting more of the subtle sweetness and earthiness emerge. The carbonation and body were medium. Though this is brewed with Belgian yeast, it tasted more like complex American Pale ale to me.

5.5 % From Burlington, Ontario 42 IBU

WIT'NER TOQUE ~ INDIE ALE HOUSE

This most interesting brew is seasonally available winter wheat ale. The beer is the winter version of their summer wheat ale but uses much darker malts, and includes some winter spices. I ordered it on draught not knowing what to expect and was first really surprised by its colour. The beer poured a deep amber coppery colour with an off white head, which left some lacing. The nose is primarily toasted malt and fruit (some tropical, some orchard), but spice, caramel and a little smoke are also evident. The beer had a nice complexity to it. It began with fruit especially plum, and caramel malts, dried fruit and spices also made an appearance. Very subtle chocolate makes an appearance, as does a restrained sweetness. A little hop bitterness and smoke are found on a slightly tart finish. I thought this wasn’t entirely unlike an ESB, but contained much more carbonation. For a darker beer, I found this easy drinking and quite refreshing. The body was light to medium and the carbonation was bright and effervescent. An interesting beer from people who make some great products. Definitely worth a try.
5% from Toronto, Ontario IBU 30
Key Ingredients: Midnight wheat, Belgian yeast, orange.

MAUDITE ~ UNIBROUE

Brewed since 1992, Maudite (Cursed, in English) is Strong Red ale, sometimes categorized as a Belgian dubbel. Sampled on draught, the beer poured an ever so slightly cloudy deep amber colour with red highlights. The beige head had fantastic retention before leaving rings of lacing. The nose like the taste had lots of complexity. Toasty Malts, orange peel, floral hops, honey, dark fruits and coriander and cloves, all swirl around in the nose. The taste has notes honey sweetness, caramel and bready malts, nuttiness, dark fruit, yeasts and spice. Crisp hop bitterness finishes the beer, along with warming alcohol. The body was medium heavy and syrupy, this was counterbalanced with lively fine carbonation. This is a complex ale, packed with a plethora of flavour. Very drinkable!
8% from Chambly, Quebec IBU 22

LA FIN DU MONDE ~ UNIBROUE

Brewed since 1994, La Fin Du Monde (End of the World) is a Belgian style tripel. It has won more medal and awards than any other Canadian brew to date. Sampled on draught the beer poured a slightly cloudy orangey-golden colour with a generous bone-white head. The ale retained the head for quite a while before it dissipated and left a generous amount of lasting lacing. The nose contained florals, bready malts, spicy Belgian yeast, coriander and clove, fruit (especially banana) and alcohol. The flavour was comprised of spicy Belgian yeasts and fruit, spice and bready malts. The finish was dry and smooth with a warming alcohol sensation. The carbonation was moderate with pinpoint carbonation. The body too was is the medium range. Overall this beer is a great Belgian tripel (without actually being Belgian). It has a lovely complexity to its flavours. A rich treat.

9% Chambly, Quebec IBU 19

IRISH IT WAS MORE RED ~ FLYING MONKEYS

To me the Flying Monkeys Brewery has always been associated with taste bud shredding very hoppy ales. They seem to be rebranding a little and spreading their wings so to speak and expanding their repertoire. I have had some really interesting things from this brewer in the past year, from a basil saison to a sour ESB, this brew is a small pilot batch Irish Red Ale. Sampled on draught the beer poured an orangey amber colour. There was little carbonation in the beer (I’d say it was flat) and had almost no head. The nose contained lots of fruitiness, some caramel malt, and a grassiness. Carmel malts and fruit were on the forefront of the taste, along with a subtle earthiness, and very little hop bitterness. A light fruity aftertaste lingered for short time. I found the taste to be quite light, and the mouthfeel to be watery at times. Drinkable but meh.
5.3% Barrie, Ontario 18 IBU

MOROCCAN BROWN ~ SPEARHEAD

Sampled on draught, Moroccan Brown is an American-Style Brown Ale. It is inspired by the flavours of the Maghreb region of Morocco and is brewed with cinnamon, dates, raisins and figs. The beer poured a hazy dark brown colour with coppery highlights and a creamy off white head that left some good lacing after lingering for quite a while. Dried fruit, dark tree fruit, caramel and Demerara sugar, and dark malts make up the nose. The taste is similar to the nose with dark malts, fruit, Demerara sugar spice and a mild hop bitterness, which gives the brew a dry finish. The beer has a medium carbonation and body and is very nicely balanced. I enjoyed this brew and would love to sip on it while sampling from a cheese plate.

6% from Toronto, Ontario