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.

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 

WHITE ~ BLACK BELLOWS

Black Bellow’s is a new brewery, presently contract brewing in Ontario beer hot spot, Collingwood. White, a Belgian-style wheat beer, is their debut offering. Sampled on draught the beer pour slightly hazy, bright yellow-gold, with a thin white head. Though the head was small, it did linger and left delicate lacing when it left. Lots of citrus on the nose along with wheat, coriander, hops and light fruit. The aroma has a slight pungency. The taste is a melange of slightly sour, tart, floral hops, spice, citrus and wheat malts. The mouthfeel is crisp and medium bodied. Carbonation was lively and refreshing. This is quite unlike other wheat beers and wits that I have had, a really pleasant summer brew none the less. Hope to see more from this brewery.

5% from Collingwood, Ontario 13 IBU

Photo Courtesy: Black Bellows Instagram