VINTAGE ALE 2016 ~ COLLINGWOOD BREWERY

Vintage Ale (a golden harvest ale) seems to be an annual autumn tradition, this is its third release and according to the brewmaster, the best to date. The beer is made using local and all natural ingredients, including same-day fresh hops from Meaford, Ontario (Chinook and Cascade added after fermentation) and 60 kg per brew of local wild flower honey. Sampled from a bottle the beer poured an unfiltered hazy coppery amber with an average off-white frothy head. The head lasted a while before leaving nice lacing on the glass. The nose contained notes of caramel, honey, roasted malts, spicy herbals, bread, a little fruit and earthy hops. The flavour follows: bread and roasted malts, honey sweetness, spicy yeast, soft bitterness from earthy and leafy hops. The body was medium, carbonation was average and the mouthfeel was creamy and smooth. I thought the sweet and bitter were nicely balanced, and the warming alcohol is a reminder that cold nights to come.

6.9% from Collingwood, Ontario ABV  35 IBU