BLUEBERRY WHEAT ~ ELLICOTTVILLE BREWING CO.

I bought a 6 pack of this brew on a day trip to Buffalo. It is quite a novelty for me to walk into a drug store and walk out with beer. Sampled from a bottle the beer poured a clear straw colour with a thick dense white head. The head receded to a surface collar and left some very nice lacing. The nose was subtle but did contain a healthy dose of blueberries with a touch of crackers wheat and a mild malt. The beer has a clean bready malt, with crackery wheat, a touch of lemon citrus and mild hop bitterness, the sweet blueberry appears and lingers a little in the aftertaste. The blueberry tastes like a fresh sweet summer pick and is not artificial at all. The mix of the graininess and blueberries almost reminded me a blueberry pie. The body was medium-light, and the carbonation was lively. The finish was dry with lingering berry sweetness. This is a very approachable summer refresher, it is just enough fruitiness, while remaining clean.
4.8% from Ellicottville, New York   11 IBU

Ingredients: Canadian 2 row barley, white wheat, noble German hops, blueberry 

CROSS BORDER CITRUS PORTER ~ MUSKOKA & ELLICOTTVILLE

Muskoka Brewery celebrates it’s 20 year anniversary this year, as part of their special year they have released more Moonlight Kettles than ever before and are working on four collaborations with other North American micro breweries. This porter is a collaboration with Ellicottville Brewing Company in New York State. Sampled on draft this beer poured an opaque dark brown with a thin slightly beige head. Dark malts, molasses, burnt toast and citrus and citra appear on the nose. The flavour is also very roasty – with notes of dark roasted malts, citrus, citra hops, chocolate, and herbs. The body is medium-light and the mouthfeel is slick. This wasn’t as porter-y as I thought it would be – almost reminiscent of a Black IPA. Surprisingly fresh and possibly sessionable for a dark brew. Overall a nice mélange of flavour, worth trying.

4.5% from Collingwood, Ontario 33 IBU