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.

BARNYARD BELGIAN IPA ~ INDIE ALE HOUSE

This beer is a hybrid I have seen more and more of lately. It has the base of an American IPA and the spicy Belgian yeast. Rye malts have been used to give it some extra oomph. Sampled on draught the beer poured a hazy golden amber colour with a persistent off-white head, which left lovely lacing. The nose contained notes of spicy Belgian yeast, citrus and subtle herbals and florals. The flavour follows much as would be expected with Belgian yeast, spice, some citrus, mild malt, florals and grassy hops. It is a little hoppier than one would expect from the nose, but nicely balanced. The finish is a lingering moderate bitterness. The beer was medium bodied with average carbonation. The flavours of this brew work nicely together without one stealing the show. Pretty decent brew!

6% from Toronto, Ontario IBU 80-90
Ingredients: Belgian Yeast, Galaxy Hops, Rye Malt

MUSCLES FROM BRUSSELS ~ MUSKOKA 

Muscles from Brussels is part of the Moonlight kettle series. The Moonlight Kettle series stems form their brewers rendezvous to develop new brews; the ones released are a select few from these rendezvous. Sampled on draught this poured an opaque orangey amber colour with a medium white head. Lots of Belgian yeast on the nose, along with floral hops, clove, banana, citrus and sweet malts. The beer is a bit of a hybrid – the child of a Belgian Ale and an American Pale Ale. The taste begin much like a Belgian ale, with the banana, sweet malts, light citrus and spice, but ends much more like an IPA, with a solid hoppy ending. Interesting combination. Enjoyed this one, I would get this again.

7.2 % from Bracebridge, Ontario 50 IBU