GRAMMA’S STRAWBERRY RHUBARB ALE ~ OAST HOUSE

I love the seasonal summer brews made with fresh Ontario fruits. Gramma’s Strawberry and Rhubarb ale was sampled on draught. The beer poured a hazy orangey apricot colour with a small frothy bone coloured head. The head receded quickly leaving a cap and some lacing. The nose was subtle and simple: light strawberry and fruits, and a bready graininess. Taste follows the nose. The strawberry and rhubarb are not too over powering neither are they too subtle. There is a lovely fruity flavour mid sip, beginning with sweet strawberries, followed by a little rhubarb tartness and mild biscuit yeasts. The flavour is fresh and quenching. The body s medium-light and the carbonation was moderate. Love this one for summer patios! Thanks Oast!

4.8% from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario

CERES CUCUMBER LIME GOSE (LAB SERIES 5 – 2016) ~ NICKLEBROOK

This most interesting brew is from Nickel Brook’s “Funk Lab”, which is at their original brewery site in Burlington. (Nickel Brook has moved some production to Hamilton now). Sampled on draught, this beer poured a light golden colour with lots of visible effervescence. The nose had lots of cucumber and tart citrus, with cereal grain too. I really liked this one, but perhaps it is not for everyone. The brew is a gose brewed with Himalayan sea salt and coriander, cucumber, lime (juice and zest) with a wheat base. It is a sour, tart and refreshing beer with bursting with cucumber and lime, with no bitterness. There are some great contrasts between the sweet, salty and acidic. It did not taste all that beer like at all, but a good descriptor escapes me at the moment. It does have a pickle brine/house salad quality too it (I know that sounds weird). I found this satisfyingly quenching on a day that was incredibly hot. A most unique brew…but perhaps not for everyone.

4% from Burlington, Ontario

COLLECTIVE ARTS ~ HEFEWEIZEN

Collective Arts has released three seasonal brews including this hefeweizen, which is a fabulous example of the style!! Sampled on draught, the beer poured a rich hazy golden colour, with fizzy off white head. The head had lots of snap and crackle before receding and leaving scant amounts of lace. The nose contained tons of banana, some bubble gum, wheaty malts, clove, pepper and spiciness along with a faint orchard fruits. The flavour also had lots of banana, some sweet peach, sweet wheaty malt, cloves, yeasty spices and a little citrusy acidity. The body was medium-lights and the carbonation was fine and lively. A fine beer for a summer’s day, I look forward to trying their gose and saison.
5.5% 27 IBU Hamilton, Ontario
Hops: German Magnum hops
Malt: pilsner and wheat

ROOT DOWN ~ WELLINGTON BREWERY 

Root Down is a small batch one-off Ginger Beer (brewed with ginger and Bee balm leaves) in the Welly one-off series. Sampled on draught, the beer poured clear orange-golden amber with a small white head. The nose and the flavour are both very ginger forward. The ginger is on the sweet side and less the heat side, there is no burn as it slips down your throat – reminds me at first of ginger ale. Subtly hidden behind all the ginger are a nice sweet malt and some other spicy notes. The taste is smoother than expected, but is not a session beer (as advertised) for me. I would have been better off with a half pint, as I began to find the ginger a little cloying as the beer warmed. The carbonation was lively and the body was medium. Pleasant drinking, worth a try.

5% from Guelph, Ontario

ROCKWELL PILSNER ~ 

COLLINGWOOD BREWERY

Sampled on draught, Rockwell Pilsner - which is inspired by the great Czech pilsners, poured a clear golden colour with a small white head. The head receded quickly and left some scant lacing. The nose contained lots of cereals, grains and grassy hops; floral and fruit notes were present but very subtle. Taste follows: mild hops, crackery grains and malts. Sweet caramel and roasted malts emerged as the beer warmed. The finish is clean and crisp. The carbonation is average and the body is medium light. This is a simple but well crafted, very quaffable brew.

4.6% from Colllingwood, Ontario

GORDON HILL HEFEWEIZEN ~ ROYAL CITY BREWERY

This hefeweizen is a summer seasonal. Sampled on draught the beer poured a slightly hazy golden amber, with lots of visible effervescence. Sitting atop my beer was a large off white head, which receded fairly quickly, leaving a cap and collar. The nose contained lots of ripe banana and other fruits, yeast, grassy straw, vanilla, clove and other spicy notes. This beer begins with malty sweetness followed by fruity esters, banana, with a subtle grassy bitterness throughout, and a spice at the end. The finish is dry but lingers. The carbonation was lively and the body was medium. A decent hefe.

5.2% from Guelph Ontario

GUINNESS DRAUGHT ~ GUINNESS

The first time I ever had Guinness (a very long time ago) I did not like it and avoided stouts for many years. It wasn’t until I had Dieu de Ciel!’s Aphrodisiaque that a new appreciation of the style began to develop. Sampled from a tin with a widget, (imported from Ireland) on a hot afternoon, the beer poured a dark brown-black, with a classic pillowy creamy beige head. The nose was quite mild with roasted barley/lightly charred toast, perhaps a little coffee, and a touch of malt. The taste was much lighter than I had remembered and followed the nose closely (mostly roasted malted barley and light hop bitterness). The beer is smooth and creamy, thanks to the nitro, but I still found it thin and watery. One of the best-known beers in the world – certainly not unpleasant, but doesn’t knock my socks off either.
4.2% from Dublin, Ireland

BUENOS DIAS ~ BEAU'S

Buenos Dias is the latest offering in Beau’s Gruit Series – though it does contain hops. It is brewed with organic lime juice, orange and lime peel, and sea salt (sounds like a gruit-gose baby to me) Sampled from a bottle the beer poured a hazy pale straw colour with a small white foamy head. The head settled quickly but lively carbonation stuck around. The gentle nose contained notes of citrus – the lime being more dominant than the orange), with subtle spice. This beer is really refreshing – the lovely lime is accented with a slight saltiness at the end – just like a margarita. There is some subtle spice and grains and malts tucked in there too. The finish is clean and dry and the mouthfeel is slightly creamy. Really enjoyed this beer – great summer refresher!!! Will pick up a few more bottles of the for sure!

4.5% from Vankleek Hill, Ontario

LE TROIS MOUSQUETAIRES ~ BRETT SAISON

This was my first introduction to Le Trois Mousquetaires Brewery; I will be on the hunt for more! Sampled on draught this saison poured a slightly cloudy golden-orange amber colour with a moderate white fizzy head that left lovely lacing. The nose was fairly complex with the Brett being a major player. The aroma contained notes of acidic lemon and other citrus fruits, hay, barnyard funk, sour bread, orchard fruits, oakiness, and sweet malts. Like the nose, Brett is at the forefront of the taste too. Tart acidic lemon begins the palette, but is quickly followed by a plethora of other flavour: floral and grassy notes, barnyard funk, orchard fruit, oaky wood, vanilla, pepper, earth, and spicy rye malts. The finish is quite dry and moderately bitter (it was dry hopped with Chinook hops). The beer is medium-full bodied and the carbonation is on the soft side of moderate. A complex, yet puckeringly refreshing beer. I’m impressed.

7.5% from Brossard, Quebec

CATALYST ~ WEST AVENUE CIDER

Yet another amazing Ontario Cider.  The cider community has really taken off this year and had produced some outstanding and creative ciders.  This little dangerous drink is no exception.  Catalyst is a barrel-fermented, dry hopped farmhouse cider with strawberry and elderflower.  Sampled on draught the cider pours a light golden colour with a pink blush.  The aroma contains fresh apples, berries, floral notes and mild hops.  The cider begins with sweet strawberries and subtle florals.  The sweet berry tastes like summer, and not artificial at all.  The cider, mid sip, loses its sweetness and becomes crisp and finishes with very mild hop bitterness.  I would not categorize the cider as sweet or as dry, but somewhere in between.  I could drink this all night, refreshing and tasty.

6.5% from Flamborough, Ontario

THURSTY PIKE ~ GANANOQUE BREWING CO.

Thursty Pike (aka Thirsty Pike) is a pilsner. Sampled on draught the beer poured a slightly hazy straw amber colour with a generous white head, that left quickly. The aroma was straightforward and contained notes of barley, malts, and hints of fruit and hops. For a beer with low ABV, this was remarkably full flavoured. Breadiness and grains start off the sip, melding into malts and a citrus bite - finishing with a crisp mild hop. The carbonation was medium and the body of the beer was light. This is quite a nice, a very sessionable, summertime beer. Straightforward, refreshing and crisp.

4.1% from Gananoque, Ontario

CREEMORE SPRINGS ~ KÖLSCH

Sampled from a tin this beer poured a clear golden yellow with a moderate foamy white head. The head did’t last very long but did leave some scant lacing. A moderate level of carbonation was noticeable. The nose was comprised of crackery cereals, mild earthiness, dry grass and light floral hops. The flavour follows the nose, with lots of grains and a mild bitterness, and grassy and floral flavours. The finish is dry, lightly bitter and crisp. The body is medium light and the carbonation is lively. Overall a simple, clean and well balanced session beer.

4.7% from Creemore, Ontario

NIAGARA PEACH MEAD ~ TRAFALGAR ALES AND MEADS

Trafalgar has explored different Ontario terroirs with their meads. This one explores the flavours of the Niagara Region and uses local peaches. Sampled from a caged and corked bottle the mead poured an opaque vibrant golden-bronze colour, with little visible carbonation and no head. The aroma is largely peach, with notes of honey, florals, very subtle hops and a definite booziness. The taste has huge juicy peach flavour, with subtle woodsy-spicy notes - it is rich and reminds me almost of a liqueur. The finish is a mix of sweetness (but not artificial) from the honey, sweet peaches, and a lingering booziness. The body is medium-full, the carbonation was soft and the mouthfeel was oily/syrupy. Overall ad decent mead, I think it would make a lovely digestif or aperitif served with some sharp old cheddar.

8.5% from Oakville Ontario

ALL NATURAL BLONDE ~ AMSTERDAM

All Natural Blonde is one of Amsterdam Brewery’s original brews, first brewed in the brewpub in 1986 – they have been making it ever since. It has won Canadian and Ontario Brewing Awards. It is a blonde lager made with all natural ingredients and is cold filtered. Sampled from a tin, the beer poured a golden honey colour with a foamy white head. The head lasted a short while before leaving a little lacing. Visible effervescence rose from the bottom of the glass leaving a small cap. The smell was simple and contained mostly malts, bread and a mild hint of floral noble hops. The taste is smooth and mellow, barley malts in the middle; a hint of citrus and a mild dry hop finish. The carbonation is prickly and the body is light. This is a simple, very drinkable beer. It would be great to take to a Bar-b-q where you don’t know what people’s tastes are, as it pairs well with many foods and could bridge between micro and macro drinkers. Cheap and cheerful, very sessionable, good on a hot day with friends.

5% from Toronto, Ontario 14 IBU
Malts: Canadian 2 Row (Barley)
Hops: Vanguard
Yeast: Amsterdam Danish Yeast Strain

BLACK SOW’R STOUT ~ OAST HOUSE

This is a bit of a crazy and daring brew…I have never had anything quite like this before. This beer is a sour stout aged in red wine barrels! Sampled on draught the beer poured a very dark brown –black with almost no head. The nose had quite a lot of complexity: roasted malts, red wine, wood, tart acidity, and dark fruits. The taste is really busy with tons going on. The first sip was very sour – a really tart sour. Dark fruits, currants, raisins, chocolate, caramel, licorice and coffee then follow the sourness. The finish returns to tart. The sourness from the first sip fades a little and the complexity of flavours emerges as the beer warms. The carbonation is soft and the body is on the thin side. A very interesting and innovative brew, but I would not want more than one. I think I would like this more if accompanied by food, perhaps some creamy blue cheese or Brie.

5.5% from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario

CARDINAL ~ REVEL CIDER

This year seems to have a bumper crop of great ciders this one is no exception! Cardinal is a wild fermented cider using Cortland apples, with hibiscus and citra hops. The cider contains no added sugar – just the sweetness of the apples is all that’s needed. Sampled on draught the cider is the most beautiful rich reddish-coral blush. The nose has floral notes along with tart apples, hay, a bit of funk and hops. The cider has a full mouthfeel, with lots of fruit, sweet hibiscus, and flavours of berries and white wine. There is a lovely sour lambic tartness and subtle hops. Very refreshing, and flavourful!

6.9% from Hamilton, Ontario

OAST HOUSE ~ BIERE DE MARS 

SWEET'N SOW’R

A bottle of this at my local bar was my celebratory drink for starting summer holidays. The price is quite steep, so this was a once in a blue moon treat. The beer is one of Oast house’s bottle conditioned saisons. This one is a Biere de Mars, because traditionally this beer would be brewed in March to be ready for the farm hands in the summer. The bottle we enjoyed had been aging in the bottle since March 2015. Sampled for a 750mL caged and corked bottle, the beer poured a hazy orangey amber colour with plenty of creamy head, and lots of snap and crackle. The head left impressive lacing as it receded into a cap. The nose had lots of sherry, orchard fruits, especially peach, lemony citrus, Belgian yeasts, peppery spice, and tartness with a little astringency. The beer had a nice complexity and funky peach and other orchard fruits, melon, brown sugar, some herbals, slight sourness, and a hint of oak. Sweet fruits and mild caramel malts developed as the beer warmed. The sweet and sour were well balanced as was the dry mouthfeel at the end. The finish reminded me of champagne or cider. The carbonation was fairly lively and the body was medium. This a very approachable beer, lovely to sip on in the warm summer months, when you are feeling like a splurge.

5.5% from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario

QUEEN OF TARTS ~ JUNCTION CRAFT BREWING

Queen of Tarts is a hefeweizen with raspberries. Sampled on draught, the beer poured a hazy pinky-peach red hue with a small pale peach head. There is lots of tart raspberry on the nose. The raspberry is present but not overpowering, though there is a subtle tartness, I would have liked to see this amped up a little. The raspberry flavour is not overpowering and there is grain and fruit on the back end, before a gentle hops. A refreshing summer sipper.

4.8 % from Toronto (Junction area), Toronto 10 IBU

RYE~IT PUNCH ~ BIG RIG

Rye-It Punch is a new seasonal offering from Big Rig Brewery. It is a Roggenbier, a traditional German style beer that contains a large amount of rye (roggen). It was a traditional Medieval Ale that are unfiltered, bottle or keg conditioned and are lightly hopped to allow for the rye spiciness to show through. Roggen biers lost popularity when rulers of the day decreed that certain grain only be used to bake with. The motive behind this was so that the poor would eat rather than imbibe. The Bavarian Purity law that states only Barley could be used in beers. Barley was not suitable for baking and more suitable for brewing. Rye became the grain for the masses and wheat, being expensive, was limited to only the rich.
Sampled on draught the beer poured a very murky golden orange with a generous cream head, that dissipated to a cap. The nose contained sour notes, along with grains, banana, cloves and spice, bubble gum and fruit. The taste was very similar to the nose with refreshing citrus, orchard fruit, spice, doughy grains, and slight sourness. The hefe yeast gives distinct notes of banana and clove; the rye spices things up and gives an earthy finish. The carbonation is fine and soft, and the body is medium-light.

4.5% from Ottawa, Ontario 

DISTILLERY ROOT BEER ~ MILL STREET BREWERY

I have to admit, Root beer is a guilty pleasure. I am long since a teenager, but still love a cold root beer on a hot day. This was my first foray into hard root beers. I know, I know, this is not really a beer, but a hard soda, but I am going to review it anyway. It is made by Mill Street Brewery who has combined their own non-alcoholic Root Beer (which they have been making for quite a while) with Vanilla Porter Bierschnaps, which is also made at their brewery in Toronto. The ingredient list looks far more like a commercial pop than a ‘naturally brewed’ distillery drink. Sampled from a bottle the beer poured a clear, medium dark brown with lots of snap and crackle from the carbonation. It smelled much like root beer, with a lot of vanilla, sassafras, cola, licorice and spice. It tasted like….root beer…but a very sweet root beer with vanilla and licorice, and subtler woody notes. I did not get much of an alcohol taste at all. Overall way too sweet for me, I would have liked a pricklier carbonation (after initial opening carbonation was soft), less sweetness and more of a bite. Glad I tried it, but won’t be returning to it any time soon,

5.2% from Toronto, Ontario

SHINY APPLE PEACH CIDER ~ SMALL TALK CIDERY & VINEYARDS

I am not usually a cider person, but there have been lots of new offerings and cideries to try this year. Sampled on draught Shiny Apple Peach cider poured a very clear pale peachy colour. There were lots of green apples on the nose (made from 100% Ontario grown apples), with a touch of peach. The cider is more sweet than tart. The tartness of the apples, however, and the sweetness of the peaches meld to make a refreshing and smooth summer drink summer drink. The mouthfeel is a little syrupy due to the nature of peach nectar and the carbonation is on the soft side.

5% from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario

IRISH STYLE BROWN ALE ~ TRAFALGAR ALES AND MEADS

Sampled from a bottle the beer poured beautiful reddish brown amber, with a slight cloudiness and a good-sized sudsy beige head. The head dissipated fairly quickly leaving a cap and lacing. The nose was mild but did contain a nuttiness, grains, an earthiness and caramel malts. Taste too has lots of caramel malts and biscuity grains, finishing with a mild old world hop bitterness. The body is on the thin side of mediums and was a little watery at times. The beer is smooth and has soft carbonation. The finish is bitter sweet with roasted malts and mild hops. Over all a simple approachable brown ale. I would have liked a little more body but this is decent and easy to drink.
5% from Oakville, Ontario

CROSS BORDER CITRUS PORTER ~ MUSKOKA & ELLICOTTVILLE

Muskoka Brewery celebrates it’s 20 year anniversary this year, as part of their special year they have released more Moonlight Kettles than ever before and are working on four collaborations with other North American micro breweries. This porter is a collaboration with Ellicottville Brewing Company in New York State. Sampled on draft this beer poured an opaque dark brown with a thin slightly beige head. Dark malts, molasses, burnt toast and citrus and citra appear on the nose. The flavour is also very roasty – with notes of dark roasted malts, citrus, citra hops, chocolate, and herbs. The body is medium-light and the mouthfeel is slick. This wasn’t as porter-y as I thought it would be – almost reminiscent of a Black IPA. Surprisingly fresh and possibly sessionable for a dark brew. Overall a nice mélange of flavour, worth trying.

4.5% from Collingwood, Ontario 33 IBU

BRIMSTONE BREWING CO ~ LAST RIDE LOGANBERRY SAISON

Last Ride Loganberry Saison is a beer inspired by the once famous summer destination Crystal Beach Amusement Park. The park ran for more than one hundred years before shuttering in 1989. Crystal Beach served a legendary Loganberry drink, the flavour that inspired this brew. Logan berries are a cross between blackberries and raspberries. Sampled on draught the beer poured a hazy dull pinkish amber colour with a generous creamy head, that left lots of lacing before reducing to cap. Ripe berries, raspberry jam and a hint of rhubarb dance on the nose, along with saison spiciness, slight funk, and light toast. There is a pleasant balance of tartness and fruit flavour complementing a traditional saison. The berries lend a ripe fruit sweetness and tartness, and give it a slight astringency. There is some graininess at the back end along with saison spiciness (clove, coriander), before giving way to a mild hop. The carbonation is lively and refreshing. A great summer sipper; hope to see more of this one!

5.6% from Ridgeway, Ontario 24 IBU

OUD BRUIN ~ EXCHANGE BREWERY

I think this new Brewery from Niagara on the Lake may be one to watch out for. I have really enjoyed both Belgian style offerings I have had thus far. The Oud Bruin is a Flanders style Brown ale, aged in red wine barrels. Sampled on draught it poured an opaque rich mahogany colour with a thin cream head. The nose had lots of red wine with black currants, balsamic vinegar, barrel oakiness, rich malts and sourness. The taste fills your mouth with complex flavours: red wine and touch of sweet balsamic, dark fruits, sherry, and rich sourness. The sourness is not overpowering and lends some complexity to the brew. The beer was made with Chilean malts and fermented in pearl Morrisette red wine barrels for five months with Brett and lactobacillus. The carbonation is quite soft and the body is on the cusp of medium and full. An impressive first sour from this brewery, in fact one of the best domestic examples of this style. Bravo Exchange.

6.5% from Niagara on the Lake 27 IBU

MUDDY YORK ~ PORTER

Sampled of draught this beer poured an opaque very dark brown with garnet highlights, and a generous creamy bone white head. The head left quickly but did leave some nice lacing. The nose has notes of nuts, smoke, roasted malts, coffee and chocolate. The flavour has quite a large chocolate presence, along with dark roasted malts, nuttiness, and slightly bitter coffee near the end. As the beer warms a slight dark fruit presence and malts make a greater appearance. The carbonation is on the softer side ad the body is in the fuller side of medium. A decent take on the style - worth trying. East Toronto represent!

4.7% from East York, Toronto IBU 21
Malts: 2 Row Pale, Wheat, Brown, Crystal 57L, Chocolate Wheat
Hops: Willamette

HACKER-PSCHORR ~ MÜNCHENER KELLERBIER ANNO 1417

Kellerbier is an unfiltered naturally carbonated lager. Sampled from a swing top bottle this beer poured a slightly cloudy golden orange colour with minute particles. There was lots of visible carbonation and a good sized off white head, which left lacing and then a ring as it died down.   Spicy yeast, sweet grass and bready dough comprised the aroma along with green apple, citrus and leafy hops. The taste had a hint of earthiness, honey, very light orchard fruit, bready malts, spicy yeast and a touch of fresh hops. The beer had some nice body and average carbonation and an off-sweet finish. A very nice flavourful lager for a hot day.

5.5% from Munich, Germany 15 IBU

MUSKOKA EQUINOX ~ MUSKOKA BREWERY

Muskoka Equinox is part of Muskoka’s Moonlight Kettle Series. It is American Pale Wheat ale brewed with Black cherries and Jim Beam bourbon soaked vanilla beans. Sampled on draught the beer pours a clear golden colour with a moderate creamy off white head. The nose contains sweet cherries, a touch of vanilla, dough bread. The taste follows as expected: doughy breadiness, black cherries, grass, and hints of vanilla. The cherries are not over done but do lend some sublime fruitiness. The carbonation was soft and the beer was medium-light bodied. A lovely refreshing fruit beer.

4.6 % from Bracebridge, Ontario 20 IBU

LUCY IN SKY ~ REVEL CIDER

I am not usually a cider person, but this one is superb. Lucy in the Sky is a citra and Perle hopped sour apple cider, made with a wild fermented Cortland base. Fermentation happened outside in the spring when the temperatures began to climb. A bit of brett was also added too giving it a bit of complexity. Sampled on draught the cider poured a pale yellow with hints of green. Both sourness and citra hops hit you on your first sip, this mellowed as I continued to sip. The nose contained citra hops, fresh green sour apples and lots of farmyard funk and earth. The taste is quite sharp and sour at first with lots of green apple, funk and notes of green grapes and grapefruit. Mid glass I began to get some gose –like salty notes. A recommended summer sipper - Look for it!

6.9% from Hamilton, Ontario

Photo: Revel Instagram

12 MINUTES TO DESTINY ~ 

FLYING MONKEYS

Sampled on draught this beer poured an intense ruby red with a soft brown undertone. The think bubbly head is pink. The nose is quite strong with hibiscus, raspberry and sweet fruits. Subtle notes of caramel malts, florals citrus and leafy hops are also present. The taste is intense fruity, sweet raspberry and citrus abound. It tastes like a raspberry soda accompanied by subtle malts, hints of citrus and rosewater also adds nuance. The brew is light bodied with crisp carbonation and a lingering fruit sweetness and astringency the finish. This went down like Kool-Aid. A refreshing summer drink, but not for those who don’t have a sweet tooth.
4.1% from Barrie, Ontario IBU 8

Malts: 2-row pale malt (Copeland and Metcalf)
Hops: Saaz (bittering and late hopping)
Other: Hibiscus flowers rose hips, fresh raspberry and orange peel.

AMBEAR ~ CAMERON’S

Ambear Ale (an Amber Ale) is Cameron’s most awarded beer. Sampled on draught this beer pours a clear dark copper with a generous off white head. The head had great retention and left lovely lacing as it dissipated. Lovely toast, roasted malts and caramel aroma abound along with citrusy-grapefruit hops and dark stone fruit. This brew had a nice complexity to it starting with rich caramel, roasted malts, and a little nuttiness, transitioning to a an American grapefruit-citrus–pine hops and finishing crisp and dry. The bitterness was mild but nicely balanced with the malts. The beer is medium bodied with a creamy and smooth mouthfeel. A pleasant brew, very sessionable.

5% from Oakville, Ontario