AWAKENING ~ BIG RIG

5.8% from Ottawa, Ontario
Awakening is a red IPA. Sampled on draught this beer poured, a slightly hazy reddish amber with a moderate off white head. The froth left lovely lacing as it receded. Nice aroma containing caramel malts and herbal grassy hops, with a hint of fruity esters. The beer was had lovely malty flavours with a hoppy kick (herbal with a hint of grapefruit), and some fruit flavours in the background. The finish was moderately bitter, which complemented the caramel malts. The mouthfeel was slightly creamy, the body was medium and the carbonation was moderate. IPAs are not my favourite style, that being said, I really liked this one. Well balanced with a decent amount of hoppiness.

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