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

KORU ~ BEAU'S 

Koru, a Belgian style Pale Ale, is the fifth and final beer is Beau’s Fe’brew’ary 2016. It was originally brewed in 2012 from Vankleek Hills Oktoberfest festivities, it now returns by popular demand. It is No. 25 in their Wild Oats Series. The ale has been made using New Zealand nelson sauvin and rakau hops, hence the name which means loop in Māori. The coiling fern frond symbolism on the beautiful label is also from a Māori symbol. Sampled on draught, the beer poured a straw colour with amber inflections and had a pillowy white head. The foamy head clung to the glass and left impressive lacing. The nose contained some grassiness, peppery Belgian yeasts, citrus and other tropical, and a note of grassiness. Bready yeasts, citrus and tropical fruit, peppery spices, a hint of honey all play on the palate, followed by a grassy herbal hop. The finish is dry and crisp. There was some very nice complexity in this beer. Compared to some other Big Belgian style beers, this one is very drinkable, almost sessionable. From start to finish – great aroma, complexity in flavour, medium body and pleasant mouthfeel, - this was a very pleasant brew. 
6% from Vankleek Hills, Ontario


6% from Vankleek Hills, Ontario