SAISON DE NUIT ~ COLLINGWOOD BREWERY

This brew is a black saison. Sampled from a tin, the beer poured a cloudy deep amber brown with an average off white head. The nose had notes of wheat malts, spicy yeast, caramel, roasted malts, dark fruit, and a touch of chocolate. It had a lovely maltiness to it along with dark fruit, cocoa, spice, clove and a slight citrus sourness. The finish was crisp and dry with a mild hop bitterness. The carbonation was lively and the mouthfeel was on the light side. I liked this and look forward to trying another. In a way it felt to new, I wonder what a little cellaring would do.

4.5% from Collingwood, Ontario   15 IBU

VINTAGE ALE 2016 ~ COLLINGWOOD BREWERY

Vintage Ale (a golden harvest ale) seems to be an annual autumn tradition, this is its third release and according to the brewmaster, the best to date. The beer is made using local and all natural ingredients, including same-day fresh hops from Meaford, Ontario (Chinook and Cascade added after fermentation) and 60 kg per brew of local wild flower honey. Sampled from a bottle the beer poured an unfiltered hazy coppery amber with an average off-white frothy head. The head lasted a while before leaving nice lacing on the glass. The nose contained notes of caramel, honey, roasted malts, spicy herbals, bread, a little fruit and earthy hops. The flavour follows: bread and roasted malts, honey sweetness, spicy yeast, soft bitterness from earthy and leafy hops. The body was medium, carbonation was average and the mouthfeel was creamy and smooth. I thought the sweet and bitter were nicely balanced, and the warming alcohol is a reminder that cold nights to come.

6.9% from Collingwood, Ontario ABV  35 IBU

ROCKWELL PILSNER ~ 

COLLINGWOOD BREWERY

Sampled on draught, Rockwell Pilsner - which is inspired by the great Czech pilsners, poured a clear golden colour with a small white head. The head receded quickly and left some scant lacing. The nose contained lots of cereals, grains and grassy hops; floral and fruit notes were present but very subtle. Taste follows: mild hops, crackery grains and malts. Sweet caramel and roasted malts emerged as the beer warmed. The finish is clean and crisp. The carbonation is average and the body is medium light. This is a simple but well crafted, very quaffable brew.

4.6% from Colllingwood, Ontario

SAISON ~ COLLINGWOOD BREWERY

Sampled from a tin poured a clear golden yellow with an average white head. The nose has notes of Belgian yeasts, clove, subtle tropical fruit, lemon and grassiness. The flavour follows the nose. There is lots of sweetness followed by a tart finish. Sweet yeasts, fruity esters and clove are the more dominant flavours. It is high in alcohol for a saison and reminds me a light to medium bodied Belgian Abbey beer, more than a saison. The carbonation is lively and the beer is refreshing. If the ABV were lower this would make a pleasant enough summer sipper.

7% from Collingwood, Ontario 20 IBU

Photo courtesy : Collingwood Brewery instgram

FIRESIDE ESB ~ COLLINGWOOD BREWERY

Tried this British style Extra Special Bitter on draught. The beer poured a clear coppery hue with a resilient off white head, which left some webby lacing. There was little visible carbonation. It had a typical ESB nose with caramel and biscuity malts up front and plum and dried fruit in the background. A little spice and earthy floral hops were also evident but buried. The taste contained lots of malt, grains, with a mild bitterness and plum and other orchard fruit in the background. The finish was drying. The brew was smooth with a moderate body and medium-low carbonation. Very nicely crafted, a safe bet to those who like the British beers.

5.8% from Collingwood, Ontario