JUPILER ~ BRASSERIE PIEDBOEUF

5.2% from Jupille-sur-Meuse, Belgium

Julpiler is the Molson Canadian/Budwiser of Belgium. Sampled from a bottle on Konigsdag in Amsterdam, when everyone was walking around with travellers. The beer is a light Euro lager in style. It poured a clear golden colour with a thin white head, which did not stick around. The nose was very light and contained mostly grains. The taste is light with grassy, grainy notes along with some caramel and a bitter hop finish. The body is light and thin and the carbonation was average. There are so many better brews to drink than this in Belgium, though in a pinch it is way better than a Bud light.

BERGAMONSTER IMPERIAL WHEAT

7% from Stratford, Connecticut

Bergamonster is a seasonal release (June to August). It is an unfiltered Imperial wheat ale, made with Bergamot Orange peel, raw wheat and both old and new world hops. Sampled on draught, the beer poured a cloudy golden blonde with a thin white head. Cloves, spice alcohol, banana, lemon, yeasts, bergamot, coriander and floral tea were to be found on the nose. The beer was too sweet for my liking, and I could not get past the perfume like quality of the taste. It was quite sweet with banana, yeasty esters, citrus, coriander, bergamot and spice.  The body wad medium and the carbonation was average. Sorry Two Roads, this one isn’t for me.

YUZU ~ RADICAL ROAD BREWING CO.

5% from Toronto, Ontario IBU 40

This brew is a pale ale brewed with yuzu (a Japanese citrus fruit, also known as citrus junos). The yuzu was added in the fermenter to give it it’s citrusy tropical fruit flavour. Sampled on draught the beer poured a slightly hazy light bright honey yellow, with a generous white head, and light lacing. The nose contains fruity hops and a hit of tropical yuzu, along with lime, tangerine and other citrus notes. The flavour has lots of yuzu orange, lime and citrus brightness. Grains follow the initial citrus followed by the tropical hops which are not bitter, but give the beer depth and balance. The body is light, carbonation moderate and the finish is smooth. A lovely quenching summer brew.

GENTSE STROP ~ BROUWERIJ ROMAN

6.9% from Ghent, Belgium

Gentse Strop was named an event in Ghent in 1540. At that time the people of Ghent refused to pay extra war tax so Keizer Karel V (Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor) rounded up notable citizens of Ghent and marched them around the city with a noose around their necks. The noose became a symbol of resistance against tyranny and the nickname of the citizen of Ghent (Gentenaars) are ‘stroppendragers’ (noose bearers). The beer is a Belgian Strong Blond ale that has been top fermented and then had a secondary fermentation in the bottle. Sampled in Ghent from a bottle, the beer poured a slightly cloudy coppery gold with a generous white head that lingered before racing and leaving good amount of lacing. The nose had notes of fruit - banana and some citrus, spice, malts, yeast phenols and esters, and a hint of hops. The palette has sweet malts, spices, yeast, citrus with a little hop bitterness at the end. The beer is medium bodied with average carbonation. A pleasant quaff.

GUAVA SOUR ~ ROUGE RIVER BREWING COMPANY

This brew is a kettle sour made with lots of guava puree (about a pound per gallon). Sampled on draught the beer poured a cloudy amber with a moderate white head that left good lacing. The nose contained guava and lots of tartness. The beer starts off with a touch of grave and other tropicals and finishes up with a refreshing sour citrusy kick. The body is medium light and the carbonation was moderate. This is one of the more successful kettle sours I have had. Quite a nice summer brew.

5% from Markham Ontario 3 IBU

Photo courtesy of Rouge River Brewing

PERSIAN LIME GOSE ~ TWO ROADS BREWING CO

4.5% from Stamford, Connecticut

Sampled at a tap takeover at my Toronto local. This brew is part of Two Roads Tanker Truck sour series (because it is soured in a tanker truck!) and is brewed with the juice from Persian limes (juice from a local juicery), flaked rye and salt. Sampled on draught the beer poured a slightly cloudy light straw yellow with a thin white head that recedes quickly. The aroma has notes of lime and citrus, wheat, and salt. The beer reminded me a little of a margarita. It begins with lots of tart lime, with a little malty sweetness and finishes with a touch of salt. I found this one east drinking, and delicious - an excellent quencher on a hot day. The body is light, and the carbonation was moderate. I really liked this one - good amount of tartness, and very refreshing.

GENSTE GRUUT BLONDE ~ GENTSE GRUUT STADSBROUWERIJ

This gruut (gruit) was sampled in Ghent where the beer is brewed in a microbrewery.It is advertised as a gently barleyed beer with a neutral, light and sweet flavour arrived at by using a special selection of herbs. Sampled from a bottle the beer poured a hazy golden hue with a moderate white head which left lots of lacing. The nose contained notes of fruit, yeast, a sweetness, florals, herbs, spice with gentle malts. The taste was both sweet and bitter. Sweet fruit and yeast phenols with cereal malts and spice and with a bitter and finish The body is medium, the mouthfeel is slightly creamy and the carbonation is on the soft side. Nicely balanced mild blonde ale. Very drinkable.

5.5% from Ghent, Belgium

SKUMMKOPPE ~ TEXELS BIERBROUWERIJ

Skuummkoppe (foam head) is a dark wit beer brewed in the Netherlands. Sampled on draught in a cafe on Spaarndammerstraat, the beer poured a hazy amber with a dense cream coloured head, which left streaky lacing. The nose had notes of sweet malts, yeasts, and wheat with a light citrus, spice, floral and fruit notes. The flavour is not overpowering but has some nice notes of malt sweetness, wheat, bread, florals and subtle fruits, a little yeast and some banana esters. There is a little hop on the finish along with a some tartness happening mid sip. The finish is off-dry and the mouthfeel is smooth and creamy. The carbonation was on the soft side, and the body was on the medium end of light. Quite enjoyed this brew, and beer always tastes better when you are on holiday.

6% from Oudeschild, Texel, Netherlands

STATE OF MIND ~  COLLECTIVE ARTS

 State of Mind is a session IPA. It is packed with taste, but has a light body and a lower alcohol percentage. Sampled on draught, the beer poured a slightly cloudy yellow gold with a white head with good retention and lace. The nose has a ton tropical fruit, especially mango along with some pine resin, citrus. straw, grapefruit and crackery notes. The taste is hop forward, with grapefruit, grassy notes, tropical fruit, bready malts, pine bitterness at end. The body is medium-light and the carbonation is moderate with a crisp finish. This beer is remarkably full flavoured. A great summer sipper.

4.4% from Hamilton, Ontario 38 IBUs
Flavour Hops: Amarillo and Centennial
Aroma Hops: Amarillo and Centennial
Malt: Pale Ale, Crystal, Carafoam, Toasted Wheat Flakes

THE FACE OF TORONTO ( IDES OF MARCH) ~ HENDERSON

The Face of Toronto is Henderson’s Ides of March Beer, a one-off they do every month. It was made to celebrate Toronto’s birthday - many Torontian faces were used on the labels. The beer is a ‘truffle’ saison made with orange peel, cardamom, and chocolate. Sampled on draught the beer poured a dark ruby-brown (much like a porter) with a creamy beige head that lasted several minutes. The nose has notes of chocolate, and spice, with an earthiness and subtle fruits. The taste had notes of dark chocolate, coffee, caramel, spice, roasted malts, and fruit and florals. The beer has a medium full body, average carbonation and low bitterness on the finish. I enjoyed this one, a very interesting brew.

5.5 % from Toronto, Ontario

STONE  ROAD WHITE ALE ~ BENCH BREWING

Stone Road is a witbier made by Bench Brewing in Beamsville, Ontario. Sampled on draught the beer pours a slightly hazy golden yellow with a small white head. The aroma contained spice, banana, fruit with some funk. The taste has some fruity notes, along with some herbals, a touch of funky brett and a little spice. The body is light and the carbonation is average.
Kettle hops: Enigma
Malt: pale wheat malt, german pilsner malt

4.1% from Beamsville, Ontario 15 IBU

BEER 600!

COLLECTIVE ARTS ~ IPA PROJECT #1

This brew is the first in a series of IPA's each showcasing a different combination of hop flavours.This brew features Nelson Sauvin, Simcoe and Citra. The Nelson saurian given the beer tropical fruit flavours and aroma, the Simcoe gives it citrus/pine notes and city imparts a floral citrus flavours. Sampled from a tin, the beer poured a hazy golden amber gold with a good sized frothy head, which left some thick lace. There is lots of tropical fruit on the nose (papaya, mango, tangerine, grapefruit) as well as some resiny pine, earthiness, florals, white wine and crackery malts.The taste is quite hop forward, with a really nice hop complexity - all hops imparting a different flavour - floral, white wine, grapefruit, pine, earthiness. Tropical fruit flavours add a bit of sweetness . The body and carbonation are moderate and the finish has a lingering fruity bitterness. The 7% is quite hidden making this one very drinkable.

7.1% from Hamilton, Ontario

APRICOT ALE ~ BLACK CREEK BREWING

5% from Oakville/Toronto, Ontario

Black Creek’s Apricot Ale is brewed by Trafalgar under contract. Sampled from a 500 ml bottle the beer poured a slightly hazy rust-coppery orange hue with a small off-white creamy head that leaves some adequate lacing. The nose is very aromatic with a ton of apricot up front and fruit, sweetness and a touch of caramel malt in the background. The taste has lots of apricot as well - though not as much as the nose would suggest. Mid sip malts make an appearance, followed shortly by an earth-floral hop bitterness giving it a pleasant balance. The carbonation is on the soft side, the body is medium and the finish is dry. Overall a pleasant quaff.

IPA #2 ~ COLLECTIVE ARTS

7.1% from Hamilton, Ontario 80 IBU

Collective Arts IPA series showcases different combinations of hops, this one uses Mosaic, Simcoe and Waimea hops. Sampled from a tin, the beer pours a hazy golden orange colour with a large off white head,. The retention is quite long and leaves abundant spidery lace on the glass. The nose contains lots of tropical fruit (mango, pineapple, papaya, citrus), earthiness, florals, and resinous piney hops. This beautifully balanced brew also contains a plethora of tropical fruit flavours, followed by a wallop of citrus and piney hops with a lovely rich malt backbone. The carbonation is very active, the beer is full bodied and has a slightly creamy texture. The finish is dry with a slightly lingering bitterness. The beer is bold and has a lovely complexity. Really enjoyed this one! Recommended.
Hops: Mosaic, Simcoe, and Waimea
Malt: Pilsner, 2-Row, Oats, Flaked Oats, Flaked Wheat.

BUZZ ALDRIN ~ BARNSTORMER BREWING

Buzz Aldrin is part of Barnstormers sour series and was a seasonal release. The beer is flavoured with peach. Sampled on draught, the brew poured a slightly hazy golden yellow with a thin white head. The nose is very mild with a little sourness, a tiny bit of funk and very light peaches. The taste has a lingering sour, with a light but detectable tart peach taste. It is not as peachy as I would have expected. Not bad, a nice summer sour.

3.8% from Barrie, Ontario IBU 15

LENTEBOCK ~ KONINKLIJKE BRAND BIERBROUWERIJ

6.5% brewed in Wijlre, Limburg Netherlands

Lentebock, a helles bock, brewed under the Budweiser umbrella, is only available in the spring. Sampled on Draught in Amsterdam, the beer poured a clear coppery amber with a small white head, that receded quickly, and left scant lacing. The nose had sweet malts, Belgian yeast, caramel and cloves, with subtle fruit notes and floral and lemony hops. The flavours on the nose continue on the palate (bread, caramel, fruit, cloves, yeast), with floral lemony hops making their appearance at the finish. The aftertaste is slightly bitter, but also has traces of orchard fruit. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, the body is on the light side of medium and the carbonation was average. Quite a pleasant, drinkable beer after a long day of walking.

CANADIAN SHIELD BERRIES ~ KW CIDER

6.2% from Waterloo, Ontario

Canadian Shield is a cider made from the berries available growing on the Canadian Shield including: Blueberries, Cranberries, Currants, Raspberries and Strawberries. Sampled on draught this cider poured a clear beautiful rose colour with tawny hues. The nose contained a plethora of berry notes with the strawberries and raspberries at the forefront. The lovely refreshing flavour is both tart and sweet with a huge hit of berry goodness. There is a nice complexity as the tartness of some berries balance with the sweet juiciness of others. The finish is slightly tart, but there are no lingering aftertastes. A beautiful summer drink.

BALL’S FALLS ~ BENCH BREWING

4.5% from Beamsville, Ontario 30 IBU

Ball’s Fall is a session IPA. It is names after a historic waterfall in the Twenty Mile Valley. Sampled on draught the beer poured a clear pale golden colour with a lasting generous thick head, which left nice lacing. The nose is fresh and contained notes of lemony and grapefruit citrus, toasted cereal grain, tropical fruit and peaches. The taste is clean with , cereal grains, citrus notes and some subtle fruity sweetness. The finish has a citrus and a little pine hop bitterness. The body is medium-light and the carbonation is lively. There is quite a lot of flavour for a low alcohol beer. Very sessional and rather tasty.

BROWN PLUS ~ BLACK BELLOWS

7% from Collingwood, Ontario 

23 IBU

Brown Plus is a Belgian Dubbel that has been soured and aged in a Collingwood Whiskey barrel. The beer pours a hazy light brown colour. Fruit, malts, sweetness and tart sourness are found on the nose. The taste features notes of tart dark cherries and other fruits, a touch of oak, a little coffee and a moderate malt backbone. The melange of flavours almost give it a sweet and sour quality. The barrel ageing enhances the flavour and lends a little complexity. The finish is clean and the body is moderate-light. The lightness makes this easy drinking, despite the warming alcohol. Worth a try.

RED DRAGON ~ COUNTY DURHAM BREWING

Red Dragon is an Irish Style Red Ale. Sampled on draught the beer poured a light brown-copper colour with an off-white head. The head lasted a good log time leaving some nice lacing as it receded. The nose was very malt forward with notes of caramel, chocolate, biscuits, light fruitiness and some grassy British hops. Notes Caramel malts, some fruit and berries, slight lemoniness, chocolate, sweet grains and delicate grassy hops dance on your tastebuds. This is a rich beautiful balanced, smooth beer. The body is medium-full, the carbonation is medium-soft and the mouthfeel is creamy and lush. A very flavourful brew for low ABV, making it quite sessionable. A lovely brew from start to finish.

4.7% from Pickering, Ontario 

 35 IBU

PARADISE LOST: WHITE LIES ~ BLOOD BROTHERS

6% from Toronto, Ontario

White Lies is one in the Paradise Lost series. It is a golden ale brewed with Sauvignon Blanc grapes and dry hopped with Nelson Sauvin. Sampled on draught the beer poured a fairly clear golden straw colour with a small foamy white head. The nose had a sour quality with, vines notes, fruit, lemony citrus and light grains. The tart flavour, also had some white wine like qualities, with a touch of lemon, and a little cereal graininess. The carbonation was moderate and the body of the brew was almost medium and the finish was dry and tart. Quite refreshing and easy to drink.

GOLD STAR ~ INDIE ALE HOUSE

5% from Toronto, Ontario IBU <10

Gold Star is a lovely saison from Indie Ale House. Sampled on draught it pours a slightly hazy golden hue with a small white head, that left some scant lacing . The nose had some funky brett notes along with citrus, light pepper, biscuity malts, straw and floral hops. The taste also has notes of funk, pepper, spice, light fruity esters, lemon, hops and a grassiness. The brett is not over done and leaves a pleasant taste. The finish is off dry and moderately bitter, the mouthfeel is clean, the body is moderate and the carbonation is on the soft side. A very peasant brew, not overly done, with a slightly sour refreshing quality.

FULL ORCHARD FARMHOUSE IPA ~ OAST HOUSE

6.1 % from Niagara on the Lake    70 IBU

Full orchard is a Farmhouse IPA, fermented with Brett and then barrel aged for one month. Sampled on draught it poured a Hazy golden orange with a small white head that quickly dissipated. The nose contained grapefruit and lemony citrus, tropical fruits, stone fruits and a light spice. The beer did not taste anything close to the 70 IBUs it boasts, though it did have a distinct happiness and bitterness. The flavour also included lots of tropical fruit and stone fruit, providing a great contrast and balance to the bitterness of the hops, and the funky brettiness. The body and carbonation were average. IPA’s are not my ‘go to’ beer usually but this one had some complexity and though it was a little astringent at times, I did enjoy the brew.

KESTRAL IN A COALMINE ~ WELLINGTON BREWERY

75 IBU 

6.5% from Guelph, Ontario

Sampled on draught, Kestral in a Coalmine is a Belgian IPA. The brew combines the juicy hop forwardness of an American IPA with the spicy qualities of Belgian yeasts. The beer poured a cloudy yellow gold with a moderate off white head.
Belgian IPA. The aroma contained spicy Belgian yeast notes, with citrus, floral and resinous hops. The flavour had some notes of Belgian yeasts along with big juicy hops, a moderate malt backbone, citrus and other tropical fruits and some white pepper spice. This is not usually a style that I would gravitate to, but I thoroughly enjoyed this. The brew also merited 3rd place at the Great Ontario-Hopped Craft Beer Competition.

4X4 ~ STACK BREWING

10.5% from Sudbury, Ontario
4 x 4 is a Belgian style quad. It is rich in taste and high in alcohol. Sampled on draught the beer poured a fairly clear brown with ruby and amber highlights and a moderate light brown head. The head left lovely lacing as it receded down the sides of the glass into a cap and collar. The nose had lots of rich malts, caramel, fruit bread, and dried fruit, spice and some subtle yeast and molasses. The palette had notes of plums, dark fruit, treacle, estery banana bread, with subtle spice and yeast. The flavour is quite sweet, with a touch of bitterness at the finish, along with warming alcohol. The body is on the full side and the carbonation was soft. Overall, quite palatable but lacking in some complexity.

20 MILE FARMHOUSE ALE ~ BENCH BREWING

5.3% from Beamsville, Ontario 

 IBU 27

This Brew is named after Twenty Mile Creek that runs through Twenty Valley. Sampled on draught the beer poured a slightly hazy golden colour with a generous white head. The head had good retention and left some lacing as it disappeared. The nose contained some peppery spice, fruit, citrus, pale malts, yeast esters and a grassy earthiness. The taste follows the nose. There is lots of fruits, citrus, yeast notes, peppery spice and pale malts. The hops were a little amped up for a Farmhouse ale giving it a bitter but smooth and dry finish. The beer had medium carbonation and a fun flavoured medium body. Overall quite good, but I prefer my saisons to be a little less bitter.

Yeast: Old World Saison Blend
Kettle Hops : Ella & Enigma
Malts: Bohemium Pilsner, Canadian 2-row and wheat.

WINTER LAGER ~ WELLINGTON 

6.8% from Guelph, Ontario
This winter lager is a helles bock. Sampled on draught the beer poured a very lightly hazed deep golden-orange with a small white head. As the head dissipated, small wispy lacing remained on the glass. The aroma has notes of grainy malts, light caramel, subtle fruit, and earthiness and herbal earthy hops. The flavour followed as expected from the nose (bready malts, caramel, noble hops). The beer had a slightly warming booziness not the finish. The body was medium (on the heavier side) and the carbonation was moderate. Very pleasant.

PASS THE DUBBEL ~ STACK

8% from Sudbury, Ontario
This dubbed was to be had on draught at the Stack Tap take over. The brew was the winner of the 2017 Northern Ontario Microbrew Contest. The beer poured a hazy brown colour with a small off white head., which left some lacing as it receded. The nose was typical of a double with some bread malts, caramel , sweet Belgian yeasts, subtle fruit and an earthiness. The taste follows, again with bread malts, caramel, plums and fruit and candi sugar. The finish had low bitterness and a slight sweetness. Overall a nicely done example of the style.

CUPIDS WINGS HIBISCUS RED ALE ~ BARNSTORMER

6.9% from Barrie, Ontario 

 25 IBU

Cupid’s Wing was a special February Release from Barnstormer Brewing in Barrie. It is a red ale brewed with hibiscus. Sampled in draught the beer poured a rich brown colour with garnet hues and an off white head, which left streaky lacing as it receded. The nose had notes of molasses and malts, with aa subtle hibiscus floridness, coming through. There is lots going on here making the brew slightly muddled. Taste followed the nose: molasses, caramel, malts, red berries, a little tartness with an off dry very subtle floral hibiscus finish. Quite drinkable, just not stellar.

JELLYKING ~ BELLWOODS BREWERY

Jellyking is a citra dry hopped sour. The brew has been soured using a 5 strain house blend of lactobacillus. Sampled on draught the beer poured a hazy yellowy orange colour, with a small white head that a quickly settled into a ring. The nose was tart and sour containing notes of peach, apricot, lemony and grapefruit citrus, bready malts, a little funk and grassy floral hops. The taste was pleasantly sour with lots of stone fruit, lemon, grapefruit and earthy herbal-floral hops. The finish is low in bitterness with a crisp tartness. The beer was medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Very drinkable, quite pleasant.

5.6% from Toronto, Ontario

CHERRY CHOCOLATE STOUT ~ STACK

6.9% from Sudbury, Ontario

This stout is brewed with organic cocao nibs and cherries Sampled on draught this stour poured almost black with a generous beige head. The aroma had notes of dark chocolate, charred malts, and cherry. The flavour was slightly tart with lots of dark roasted malts, chocolate and cherry. The finish had a bitter charred quality to it. Unlike other chocolate fruit stouts, this one retains more of its stout qualities. The mouthfeel was medium and the carbonation was quite soft. Nicely balanced, not over done, very pleasant.

HARRY PORTER AND THE COMPLICATED COFFEE ORDER ~ GREAT LAKES BREWERY

6.5% from Toronto, Ontario 16 IBU

Another delicious riff on the Harry Porter brew. This porter features a small amount of Scotch Bonnet pepper, vanilla, cinnamon and Station Cold Brew coffee. The pour was an opaque black with glints of brown, with a mocha coloured head. The head settled into a cap leaving a ring around the glass. Aromas of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and roasted malts abound. The flavour follows with rich coffee, chocolate and vanilla, a little heat is noted at the end from the Scotch Bonnet peppers, along with some woody notes. The finish has a low bitterness and is quite smooth. The body is medium as is the carbonation. A beautiful brew!

CARIB PREMIUM LAGER

5.2% from Trinidad

Shared with my neighbour, poured out of the bottle. The beer poured a clear bright yellow with an average white foamy head, which left no lacing. The nose is mild with hints of cereal, sweetness Glucose syrup is on the ingredients list) , biscuits with a hint of citrus, sulphur and vegetable quality. The taste is very mild too - light lager to begin and the grassy mild grassy hops to finish. This is like a take on an American Macro beer. The body was light and the carbonation was slightly soft. The finish was smooth, crisp and easy drinking. This isn’t a terrible beer - but I do think that sitting in the hot sun on a beach would make it taste better.

ICE HOLE PALE ALE ~ GREAT LAKES BREWERY

5% from Toronto Ontario 40 IBU

Ice Hole is an American Pale Ale is an part of the Project X series. What began as a brew for the staff of GLB has now become a release available from the liquor store and on draught at bars. Sampled on draught the beer pored a slightly hazy bright golden straw colour with a frothy white head. The nose had notes of lemon citrus, grass, pale malts, oregano? and dill (apparently from the Sorachi Ace hops). The taste follows with cereal grain, light malts and a bit of bitterness on the back end. The carbonation is on the soft side and the beer is medium-light in body. Quite drinkable, but not good enough to seek out.

HAWAIIAN UPPERCUT ~ STACK

7% from Sudbury, Ontario

Hawaiian Uppercut is a Belgian style pale golden ale. Sampled on draught the beer poured a lightly hazy beautiful light golden straw yellow colour with a generous white head. The headed good retention and did leave some impressive lacing. The aroma had a ton of tropical fruit; lots of pineapple, citrus (lemon, and clementines, orange, grapefruit), light vinous notes. Belgian yeasts, and a slight resiny note. The beer is only brewed with four ingredients, it is hard to believe those four packed so much fruit flavour. The flavour is slightly sour and which compliments all the sweet flavours of the tropical fruits and citrus. Belgian yeasts appear mid sip and the finish has a nice citrus/leafy hop bitterness. The alcohol is well hidden - there is no alcohol astringency nor is their much evidence of malts. The mouthfeel was full and creamy and the carbonation was moderate. I really enjoyed this! Well done Stack!

LA CLOCHE ~ STACK

6.9% from Sudbury, Ontario

La Cloche is a Belgian style pale ale. Sampled on draught, the beer pours a slightly hazed pale golden straw yellow with a moderate soapy whitish head. The head stuck around for a while before settling into a cap and collar, leaving some decent lacing. The nose contained cereal grains, wheat malts, citrus - lemon and orange i think, some orchard fruits, a touch of clove and banana, and some fruity easy esters. The flavour followed, with pale malts and orchard fruit (apple and apricot) being the more dominant flavours, and cloves, banana, lemon and some residual sugars in the background. The beer is both tart and sweet. The carbonation when poured was overactive but it did calm to a more moderate level after being left to sit for a little while. The body was medium and the mouthfeel has some creaminess. Overall a passable Belgian Pale, but I would have preferred a little less sweetness.

HOLSTEN MAIBOCK ~ HOLSTEN BRAUEREI

7% from Hamburg, Germany

This maibock (helles bock) was sampled from a 500 mL tin. It is advertised as being brewed under the German purity act and only contains four natural ingredients (water, malts, grain and yeast). The beer poured a clear medium amber yellow with an average size bright white head, which disappeared fairly quickly and left no lacing to speak of. That aroma in mostly pale malts, but there are also traces of cereal, bread, alcohol, corn, hay, honey and a little herbal/floral hop. The taste was somewhat sweet, with lots of malts and cereal. The alcohol makes an appearance mid swig and the finish has a light herbal/floral hoppiness to it. The body is medium as is the carbonation. This beer reminds me of an amped up adjunct lager - perhaps not the best example of the style. That being said, it is cheap and cheerful.

PARADISE LOST: RAZZLE DAZZLE ~ BLOOD BROTHERS BREWING 

6% from Toronto, Ontario

Well this one was trip! Razzle Dazzle is one in the “Paradise Lost” series, and it a sour ale brewed with raspberry and vanilla. Sampled on draught it pours an incredible colour of bright intense pink. The nose is really sweet, with vanilla and berries reminding me of cream soda. I think this beer tastes like cream soda with a little extra added sourness. Lots of vanilla and berries gives it a cream soda - jam - Jolly Rancher flavour. I enjoyed one but by the end it was getting cloying. A unique brew.

photo courtesy of Blood Brothers Brewing.

RASPBEERY COCO LAIT ~ MUSKOKA

4.5% from Bracebridge, Ontario 25 IBU

Raspbeery Coco Lait the Moonlight Kettle offering for Febrewary. It is milk stout with chocolate and raspberry. Sampled on draught the stout poured an opaque deep brown black pour with a creamy beige head and some nice lacing. The aroma contained notes of raspberry, roasted malts, and chocolate. The taste was beautiful, the raspberries make an appearance but the brew still retains its ‘stoutness.’ Notes of raspberry and chocolate provides a nice contrast to the roasted malts. The carbonation is soft, providing a creamy mouth feel. I think this is nicely balanced stout, best drunk after dinner in lieu of a dessert. Well done Muskoka!

LOCK MONSTER ~ BEAU’S & TOOTH AND NAIL

5.7% from Vankleek Hills, Ontario 30 IBU

Lock Monster is a collaboration between Beau’s and Tooth and Nail Brewing out of Ottawa. It is the third in a series of collaborations celebrating Canada’s 150th Birthday. A portion of the proceeds of these brews support charity (this one goes to Children’s Hospitals of Eastern Ontario) The brew is a fairly traditional Extra Special Bitter. Sampled on draught the beer pours a slightly opaque coppery colour with an off-white foamy head, with some nice lacing. Citrus, apricot, caramel and biscuity malts round out the nose of this traditional brew. The flavour is nicely balanced with malt sweetness and light hop bitterness. The flavour is on the mellow side with notes of toffee, fruit and light citrus, biscuity malts, contrasting with an old world hop bitterness. Some oakiness is present in the aftertaste. The carbonation was moderate.on this medium bodied brew. Overall very drinkable and a pleasant example of this style.

INGREDIENTS: Local spring water, organic barley malts, organic hops, brewer’s yeast.
MALTS: Pale Ale, Caramel 60, Acidulated, Caraaroma (all organic)
HOPS: Organic Goldings, Organic Fuggles
YEAST: English Ale Yeast

HIGHER DIMENSION ~ NICKEL BROOK 

7.5% from Burlington, Ontario

Higher Dimension comes out of Nickel Brook’s Funk Lab. It is a dry-hopped Belgian Amber ale with brett. It is also a collaboration with VQH farms - who are Canadian Hop farmers, and breeders. Sampled on draught the beer poured a murky orange brown with a generous sudsy white head. Some tropical fruit, florals, toffee, dark bread, spice, funk and a touch of rubber on the nose. Those flavours are found in this muddled mixture too. Caramel malts mix with grapefruit and other tropical fruits, with bretty barnyard and a little spice. There is a lot going here, bitter and sour and sweet. The finish has a bitter bite, the carbonation was average and the brew was medium bodied. An interesting experiment but this one misses the mark for me, however it raises awareness of a great cause.

DEAD STICK STOUT ~ BARNSTORMER

5.9% from Barrie, Ontario 24 IBU

Dead Stick is a milk stout. Sampled on draught the beer poured an opaque brown-black pour, with a lasting creamy dense beige head. Lacing was on the thin side. The nose was a melange of roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, fruit and some sweetness. The flavour followed suit, with lactic sweetness, coffee, chocolate, roasted malts and a little hop bitterness at the end. The body was medium with a creamy mouthfeel and low carbonation. A smooth stout. Quite drinkable, I would order this again.