LON’S ESB ~ BIG RIG

Lon’s ESB is an English inspired ESB, brewed with a whole leaf hops from East Kent, England and using a heap load of Hugh Bairds Crystalized barley to give it its rich colour and caramel flavours. Sampled on draught the beer poured a fairly clear dark amber with garnet hues. It has a small off head head which disappeared quickly, but did leave some patchy lacing. The nose had notes of caramel, bread roasted malts, English herbal hops and a hint of nuttiness. The flavour also has notes of lightly roasted malts, caramel, grainy cereal, nuts and grassy herbal English hops. The beer was medium bodies with moderate carbonation and the finish was mildly bitter. A decent ESB.

5.2% from Ottawa, Ontario

PAVILION PALE ALE ~ MUDDY YORK

Pavilion is an American style pale ale. Sampled on draught it poured a clear golden hue with a small white head. The aroma contains some tropical fruits, bready malts, florals and some citrus hop bitterness. The balance is quite nicely done with some sweetness from the malts complemented by a moderate hop (cascade and centennial) bitterness. The body was medium as was the carbonation. The finish was clean with a decent bitterness. The beer is simple and delicious. I have not been disappointed by the quality of this brewers product yet. East York represent!

5.5% from Toronto, Ontario 35 IBU

LOST CABIN ~ NORTHWINDS

Lost Cabin is a Vienna lager. Sampled on draught this beer poured a golden amber colour with a dense white head. Beautiful sweet caramel malts on the nose along with as spicy hop aroma and a subtle earthiness. The flavour follows the nose with pleasant sweetness compliments by earthy hops. The clean finish has a low bitterness, slight sweetness. Quite a nicely crafted beer, easily sessionable.

Malts: Vienna, Munich II, Caramunich II
Hops: Northern Brewer, Perle, Saaz
Yeast: San Francisco Lager Yeast
5.3 % from Collingwood, Ontario 27 IBU

BROWN ~ BLACK BELLOWS

Sampled on draught this Belgian brown ale poured a hazy medium brown with a minimal bone coloured head. I have seen it billed as both a dubbel and a brown ale, I would place this more in the brown ale category. It is a seasonal small batch release. The nose has lots of sweet toffee and caramel notes along with fruity esters. The taste also had lots of caramel richness along with plums, raisin, toasted malts, with hints of berry tartness and chocolate. The body was medium, the carbonation soft and the mouthfeel was creamy and smooth. Quite a pleasant quaff, worth trying.

6.5% from Collingwood, Ontario

Photo Courtesy of Black Bellows Facebook 

#1 AMERICAN WHEAT ALE ~ EXCHANGE BREWERY

Sampled on draught this ‘American Wheat Ale’ poured a golden yellow with a small white head, which did not last very long. The nose is straight forward and simple has a touch of wheat and hop fruitiness. The taste contains notes of biscuits, orchard fruits with stones, citrus, resin, a touch of pepper and sweet wheat malts. The balance is quite nice with slight malty sweetness and resiny hop finish. The body is medium as is the carbonation, with a piney dry finish. The wheat flavour is very light. A very nice pleasant session beer.
5.1% from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
Hops: Cascade and Mosaic

MONS ABBEY DUBBEL ~ BELGH BRASSE

This was my first experience from Quebec brewery Belgh Brasse, and what a revelation it was. An excellent dubbed! The beer is made with natural Abitibi Esker water in a Belgian style. A blend of Pilsen, Munich and Carafa malts are used along with Styrian Gold hops for bitterness and Hallertau Hersbrücker hops for aroma. The brew is finished with spice and bitter orange peel. Sampled on draught in a tulip glass, the beer poured a slightly opaque deep reddish brown with a foamy light brown head. The head left some lacing as it receded quickly into a thin cap. The aroma had a lovely complexity with a real melange of smells including molasses, liquorice, dark fruit, floral hops, peppery spice, citrus and Belgian yeast. The tastes echoes the nose, with a lovely sweet complex mixture of molasses, dark fruit, spice, citrus, spicy Belgian yeast, anise, caramel and leafy herbal hops. The body is medium full, the carbonation moderate to lively and mouthfeel was slightly sticky with a boozy warmth. This was a fabulous surprise and a delicious beer. What a treat! I look forward to more from this brewery.

8% from Amos, Quebec

UN KIWI EN EUROPE ~ STACK BREWING 

This beer is A Belgian imperial IPA, brewed with New Zealand Nelson Sauvin, and Calypso hops. Sampled on draught the beer poured a slightly hazy bright amber orange with a modest off white head. The nose contained citrus, white wine, yeast and subtle light orchard fruits. The taste followed suit with lovely Belgian flavours along with cereal grains, grassy hops, citrus, light fruits and vinous notes. The body was medium, carbonation was average and the finish had a middling bitterness. I believe this was a test run for a future brew - test run successful!
7% from Sudbury, Ontario

MILK RUN COFFEE STOUT ~ NORTHWINDS

Milk Run is a beautiful Coffee-milk stout, using local Collingwood roasters, Ashanti Coffee Estate. Sampled on draught the beer poured an opaque almost black with a generous tan head. The aroma has notes of coffee, chocolate, cocoa and roasted malts. The flavour is follows the nose with lots of coffee, chocolate notes with a touch of vanilla, lactic sweetness and dark fruit. The body is medium to full, the carbonation is soft and the mouthfeel is creamy. A beautifully crafted milk stout, a perfect way to end an evening.
5.6% from Collingwood, Ontario IBU 29
Malts: 2-Row, Maris Otter, Oats, Chocolate Malt, Carafa, Roasted Barley
Other ingredients: Ashanti Coffee, Lactose Sugar
Hops: Fuggles

VIENNA WHEAT ~ NEUSTADT SPRINGS BREWERY

Vienna wheat is a golden ale, as is either a seasonal brew or a one-off from Neustadt Springs. Sampled on draught the beer pours a cloudy deep amber with a generous cream head. The head leaves patchy lacing before reeding into a collar. The nose had notes of caramel malts, grains, and a distant earthiness. This was quite easy drinking, reminiscent of a Vienna lager. There is little evidence of ‘wheaty’ taste. Very pleasant, very sessional, very smooth, but a little innocuous.

5.5% from Neustadt, Ontario 18 IBU 

 

BAH HUMBUG ~ WYCHWOOD BREWERY

Bah Humbug is a seasonal winter warmer (spiced beer.) Sampled from a bottle the beer poured a slightly opaque coppery mahogany with a thick cream coloured head. The nose contained caramel, nuts, dried fruit, cinnamon, spice, breadiness and a hint of sweetness and leafy hops. The taste had notes of dried fruit, caramel, light toasted malts, cinnamon, subtle banana, bread malts and nuttiness. The finish is leafy maris otter hops along with spice, which leave a drying subtle bitter aftertaste. The body was medium-light and the carbonation on the soft side. A very palatable Christmas beer.

6% from Witney, England

RITUAL MADNESS ~ INDIE ALE HOUSE

Ritual Madness, a Flanders Dark Red Ale,  is another offering in Indie Ale House’s Fates and Furies Series. It is a traditional Belgian Flanders barrelled on grape must in red wine barrels. The final product was blended to achieve the final product. Sampled on drought the beer poured a clear dark coppery-red cola colour with a small off-white head. The nose has some complexity with notes of tart berries, wood, leather, musty and lactic notes. The flavour is a balance of sour, tart fruitiness and rich malts. Notes of cherries, and dark fruit, wood, and wine are also evident. The finish has a lingering tanginess. The body is medium to full, the carbonation was slightly soft and the alcohol is well hidden. A beautiful example of the style!
8% from Toronto, Ontario 20 IBU
Key Ingredients: Flanders Yeast, Belgian Malts, Wine Barrels

Photo Courtesy Of Indie Ale House

HURRY HARD ~ TRIPLE BOGEY BREWING

I have to admit, I picked this up as a joke for a friend who is both a fan of beer and curling. More on that later. Sampled from a can this amber lager poured a deep brownish amber with an effervescent resilient generous cream coloured head. As it receded it left some patchy lace before settling into a cap. The nose had caramel malts, a nuttiness and bready cereal grains. The taste follows as would be expected - simple, malty and pleasant to drink. The body was light, carbonation average and the mouthfeel was a little watery at times. Overall not a bad beer, but not a great one either, sessionable and smooth, but lacks complexity.
I found the marketing by this company more complex than the beer. Triple Bogey Brewing, located somewhere in Toronto, has tinned two beers geared at specific sports - Triple Bogey for golf of course and Hurry Hard for curling. Their first beer was not brewed by them, but was another beer from another micro brewer, rebranded and marketed specifically for the golf course. I wonder what this one actually is.

5% from Toronto, Ontario    25 IBU

IPA ~ GRANITE BREWERY

Sampled on cask, this IPA poured a light golden-orange, with a finger of loose white head. As the head settles into a cap, it leaves some lacing. There are lots of English floral notes on the nose along with a little citrus, some orchard fruit, and light malts. The taste follows the nose with English floral hops, subtle sweetness, biscuits malts, subtle fruits and a light citrus. The brew was medium bodied, with soft fine carbonation. This straight-forward English IPA is quite sessional and easy drinking.

5% from Toronto, Ontario 40 IBU

LA FORMITABLE ~ BEAU’S B SIDE

La Formidable is a hybrid American-Belgian IPA, made with America style hops but retaining the fruity and spicy elements of a Belgian Ale yeasts. Beau’s B-side welcomes breweries from other places in the world produce fresh beer for the Canadian market. This is a collaboration with Gigantic Brewing Company from Portland, Oregon. The recipe was developed exclusively for a B-side brew by the brewmasters at Gigantic. Sampled from a bottle the beer poured an opaque coppery amber with lots of floating sentiment. It had a finger of white head, that left lacing as it receded. The nose contained notes of grapefruit, orange citrus, peppery yeasts, pine resin, subtle fruit and florals. The taste is balanced between bitterness of American hops and the fruitiness of a Belgian style ale. There is lots of grapefruit upfront, with spice, funk, floral, fruit, pine and an earthiness underneath. Bitterness lingers in the aftertaste. The beer is medium bodied, with a dry finish and soft carbonation. This is an interesting melange of the two styles.

6.9% from Vankleek Hills, Ontario

SUNKICKED ANEJO ~ INDIE ALE HOUSE

This brew is a barrel aged imperial wit. This is the second version being barrelled aged in tequila barrels instead of cognac barrels. Sampled on draught the beer poured a hazy laden orange with a finger off- white head. The head left very nice lacing as it receded into a cap. The aroma contained bread grains, tequila, wood, a bit of funk, booziness, and hints of floral and citrus. The flavour had lots of bread grains, sourness from the barrel aging, touch if funk, citrus notes, tequila, pepper, and a tart fruity quality. The finish has a citrusy bite and lots of warming alcohol. The body is medium and the carbonation was average to lively. An interesting treat - I was very pleasantly surprised.

8.1% from Toronto 10 IBU

GOLDEN CHARD ~ FORKED RIVER

Golden Chard is Forked Rivers Belgian Golden Ale (Golden Boy) that has been left to age in Southbrook Chardonnay barrels. Sampled on draught the beer poured a slightly cloudy pale golden hue with lots of effervescent fine bubbles and a small white head. The nose was quite tart with a little spice, notes of vinous grapes, cereal grains, and bretty funk also made an appearance. The taste was pleasantly soured but its aging - but not over done. The Chardonnay barrels lent a vinous quality and a little oakiness. The mouthfeel was a little buttery, and flavours did not disappoint. The carbonation was fine and lively and it had a medium body. The finish was clean and crisp. A complex little number, definitely worth a try.

6.2% from London, Ontario 15 IBU

Photo courtesy: Forked River Instagram

456 MARZEN ~ NEUSTADT SPRINGS BREWERY

Sampled on draught this märzen poured a slightly hazy coppery- amber with an ample dense white head. The bubbles had good retention and a little left lacing as it receded into a cap and collar. The nose had lots of grainy malts, caramel and an earth sweetness, a hint of hops, subtle spice, a touch of citrus and ripe fruits. The taste too, was malt driven with hints of caramel, citrus, fruit and spice. The finish has a lovely balance of piny and grassy earthy hops, going a sweet and bitter aftertaste. The mouthfeel was smooth and medium bodied and the carbonation was average. This is a little happier than märzens usually are, making for a robust and tasty beverage.

5.8% from Neustadt, Ontario

GREAT LAKES BREWERY ~ GRANDPA’S OL’ WHITE EGG NOG STOUT

This was my first time ever having a white stout. I had this seasonal offering on draught. The beer poured a slightly hazy pale golden amber colour with a lasting white creamy head, which left nice lacing. The stout smelled like…egg nog, with lots of nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, sweet malts and a touch of earthiness. The stout itself was quite sweet with lots of vanilla, nutmeg, and other Christmassy spices, a lactic quality and a soupçon of bourbon. The beer almost had a sweet soda like quality to it. The body was medium-full, the carbonation was low and quite fine, and the stout felt creamy on my palette. I liked this to start the evening but I would not want to drink more than one of them, as I think it would easily become cloying.

5% from Toronto, Ontario

100 STEPS STOUT ~ ROYAL CITY

100 Step Stout is a dry Irish style stout and is named for a local landmark (you guessed a 100 step outdoor staircase in Guelph, Ontario). Sampled on draught, the beer was an opaque brown-black with a loose, foamy brown-beige head. The aroma contained roasted malts, coffee, cocoa, smoke and a touch of dark fruits. The flavour followed the nose with notes of cocoa, slightly bitter roast, coffee, a subtle caramel malt sweetness, nuttinesss, touch of smoke and a hint of plums and dried currants. The body was medium light, carbonation was lazy and the mouthfeel was slightly creamy. A pleasant stout, serviceable and tasty.
5.2% from Guelph, Ontario 20 IBU.

BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE ~ WEST AVENUE CIDER

West Avenue has no shortage of interesting and innovative ciders, along with some very good traditional ones. Bizarre Love Triangle was created using molasses, wintery spices and muscovado sugar and aged for a year in bourbon barrels. Sampled on draught the cider poured a slightly opaque rich golden amber. The flapper and the nose had complexity. The nose contained spices (cinnamon, cloves, etc) as well an a rich fruitiness along with the apples. The spice and the sweetness is cut by the tartness of the apples. A lovely woody nuttiness is evident from barrel aging. The cider is not heavily carbonated and has a lovely boozy warmth. A lovely winter bevvie!

7.2% from Flamborough, Ontario

Photo Courtesy of West Avenue Instagram