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.

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.

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.

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.

ABBEY’S ADVICE (ABBEY SINGLE) ~ GREAT LAKES BREWERY

This is one of the brews in celebration of Great Lakes Brewery 30th anniversary. It is an Abbey single. Sampled on draught the beer poured an opaque coppery red with a generous beige head. The head had great retention before receding to a cap leaving some lacing. The aroma was comprised of sweet caramel, plums, apricot, and other orchard fruits, dried berries and dried fruit. The flavour had a lovely sweetness, perfect for an after dinner sipper. Flavours of caramel, orchard and dried fruits about, with some light spicy Belgian ale characteristics. The finish is clean, body was medium light and the carbonation was moderate. A lovely light Belgian style beer.

LEFT FIELD ~ MAGNUS FORCE

7.7% from Toronto, Ontario 30 IBU

Magnus Force is a Belgian Strong Pale Ale. Sampled on draught, the beer poured a hazy golden colour with an average white head. The nose has lots of Belgian yeast, and sugar, a few floral and spice notes, and fruit (banana and light orchard fruits). The rich taste follows the nose to a tee. The body is medium, carbonation average and the finish has a real warming booziness. Overall quite a good Belgian strong ale, but would have preferred it to be a little less sweet. By the way all of Left Field’s names are baseball related, this is no exception. Magnus force is the force exerted on a quickly spinning ball, which causes it to veer from its original trajectory. Pitcher’s use it when throwing curve balls, sliders, fastballs, etc.

Photo courtesy of Left Field Brewery

&FLANDERS RED ~ EXCHANGE

Flanders Red is yet another in the exchange breweries delicious sours. Sampled on draught the beer poured a deep opaque coppery colour with a generous beige-white loose head. The nose was vinous and tart, with some subtle fruit. The taste was not as sour as expected, but rich none the less. Notes of tart orchard fruits, tannins and oak added complexity. The finish had an off dry oakiness. The body was medium and the carbonation was moderate. Quite a pleasant version of the this Traditional Belgian West Flanders ale.
7% from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario

TRICERATOPS TRIPEL ~ BEAU’S

9% from Vankleek Hills, Ontario

Triceratops is a triple gruit was made for the 5th annual International Gruit Day day and Beau’s Fe’brew’ary. This gruit is a marriage between a Belgian style triple and a great, which were flavoured with a variety of botanicals. This one includes bog myrtle, lavender and heather flowers. Sampled on draught this brew poured a hazy orangey yellow with a modest light white head. The head stuck around before settling into a cap and leaving lacing behind. The nose is quite floral with hints of fruity Belgian yeast. Notes of grass, lemon, lavender, pepper, fruit and grains are present. The flavour is a melange of spicy, fruity, herbal, sweet, floral, earthy and lightly bitter. The finish is off dry and has a warming boozy quality. The beer was medium bodied with moderate carbonation. This is an interesting hybrid recommended to the adventurous.

MONS ABBEY BLONDE ~ BELGH BRASSE

This is another beautiful brew from Amos, Quebec. It is brewed with esker spring water, using Pilsen and Pale malt, Styrian Gold hops, Saaz hops for aroma, and a classic Belgium yeast. Sampled from a caged and corked bottle, the beer poured a slightly hazy golden-copper with white head. There was some left sediment in the bottom of the bottle. The head lasted several minutes before fading into a cap, leaving impressive lacing in its wake. The nose is quite sweet with notes of florals, European hops, caramel, spice, orange peel, bread, and orchard fruit (especially apple and pear), and possibly some banana bread. The beer is sweet, but not as much as the nose would suggest. Flavours include light orange, banana, orchard fruit, breadiness, spice with hints of pepper and coriander. Grassy herbal hops are present in the finish. Overall, I think this is a very acceptable example of a Belgian style blonde (the brewmaster is apparently originally from Belgium). Worth trying.

7% Amos, Quebec

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 

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

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

MOONLIGHT KETTLE BIERBUIK ~ MUSKOKA BREWERY

Bierbuik is Belgian strong dark ale. The name means beer belly in Dutch. Sampled on draught the beer poured a rich amber with garret highlights and a moderate off white head. The aroma was primarily biscuity malts and caramel, with a touch of fruitiness. The flavour has lovely caramel maltiness, with more subtle flavours of dried fruit (raisins, fig), plums and spicy Belgian yeast. The finish has a dry bitterness and the alcohol is remarkably well hidden. On a cold night these can catch up with you.

7.5% from Bracebridge, Ontario 28 IBU

SILVER FERN ~ BEAU’S

Silver Fern is part of Beau’s Greener Futures Project and is usually only available to Beau’s beer Club members. It was a nice surprise to find it on draught at my local, thought it is a bit of a treat at $8 for 300 ml. The beer is Beau’s ‘Koru’ beer (a Belgian style pale and made using New Zealand nelson sauvin and rakau hops) aged in white wine barrels for four months. Sampled on draught the beer poured a slightly hazy dark golden colour with a dense white head. The aroma has a nice complexity to it: lemony citrus and tropical fruit mix with vinous and oaky woody notes from the barrel aging. More subtle notes of berries and nuts lie just underneath. The flavour is bright and fruity with a tart and slightly spicy peppery yeast. The mouthfeel was medium bodies, the carbonation was average and the finish was clean, refreshing and dry. The hops are nicely balanced with the brightness of the fruit and the oakiness. I really enjoyed this, it shows complexity but also restraint. I wish it were more available.
INGREDIENTS: Local spring water, organic barley malts, organic hops, brewer’s yeast.
6.3% from VanKleek Hills, Ontario

HERBE À DÉTOURNE ~ BRASSERIE  
DIEU DU CIEL!

This brew is a boozy Belgian tripel made with new world hops (citra). Sampled on draught this beer pours slighty opaque golden orange apricot with an average white head that left sticky lacing as it receded slowly. The nose has lots going on: stone fruit (peaches) tropical fruit (pineapple and mango), spice (pepper and clove), floral notes, candi sugar, citra hops and alcohol. The taste follows the smell, with lots of bitter citra hoppiness as a first impression. After the first impression, notes of tropical and stone fruit, Belgian yeast phenols and esters, and spice, abound. The finish is dry with a little lingering bitterness and a warming booziness. The bitterness next to the fruity sweetness make for interesting and complex flavour combinations. The body was medium with a slightly syrupy mouthfeel, and the carbonation was very gentle. I guess you could call this hybrid beer a new world tripel. Definitely worth a try – a really interesting complexity of flavour compliments and contrasts happening here.

10.2% from Montreal, Quebec 56 IBU

ROYAL CITY ~ BELGIAN BROWN

Well done Royal City!  This is difficult to compare to their Belgian counterparts, because usually the Belgian Oud Bruin, has been aged and in the bottle for quite a while at the time of consumption.  It would be interesting to see what this lovely brew does when aged.  Sampled on draught the beer pours slightly hazy reddish brown with a modest cream head that quickly dissipated into thin cap.  The nose contained some vinous notes, dark fruit and ripe berries, and light vinegar sourness.  The flavour has a plethora of flavours, beginning with a little sour vinous/balsamic vinegar notes, with lots of fruit, dark fruitcake, a touch of molasses and toasty sweet malts.  The beer was full flavoured, medium in body and soft in carbonation.  I quite enjoyed this one – good job Royal City!

7.5% from Guelph, Ontario

photo courtesy of Royal City Twitter

WALKERVILLE WIT ~ WALKERVILLE BREWERY

Sampled on draught Walkerville Wit poured a hazy opaque yellow gold with a small white head. The head had little retention, and diminished to a film, leaving some lacing behind. The nose contained notes of citrus, Belgian yeast, wheaty grains, with hints of orange and coriander. The taste, which was slightly sweet, contained light malts, yeasty esters, light coriander, doughy graininess, a pinch of pepper, and orange and lemon citrus. The finish had a lingering citrus and little bitterness. The body was on the light side the beer was carbonated moderately with fine bubbles. This is quite a serviceable example of the Wit style – thirst quenching and refreshing but a little on the safe side.

4.9% from Windsor, Ontario

BEER SNOB ~ SHILLOW BEER CO.

“Beer Snob” is Shillow’s brewery second flagship beer. It is Belgian Rye Ale. Sampled on draught, it poured orangey amber with a good-sized white head, which left nice lacing. The aroma contained spicy rye, and a fruit, with floral hops and estery Belgian yeast. I really like the combination of the spice in the rye malts (It’s brewed with pale malt base with rye malt and a touch of Abbey malt) and complexity of the Belgian yeasts. The English floral hops provide a nice finish and complement the spiciness of the beer. The carbonation and body were both medium. A very pleasant beer, I will return to this one!
5.6% from Toronto, Ontario