DUNKEL CALLS THE KETTLE BLACK ~ MUSKOKA BREWERY

5.3% from Collingwood, Ontario 

15 IBU

This brew is the first of the Moonlight Kettle series for 2017. It is a Munich Dunkel with Black Cherry. The Moonlight Kettle Series are usually beers that have previously not been brewed, often done on collaboration with staff at Muskoka Brewery. Sampled on draught the beer poured a light bright copper-garnet colour (lighter than usual dunkels) with a cream coloured head that reduced to a cap and collar. The nose has notes of bread malts, caramel, lightly roasted Munich malts and the subtlest hint of fruit. The taste, which is a bit light, follows the nose with roasted malts, bread, caramel and a very slight cherry nuance. The carbonation was lazy and the body was medium to light. A smooth, very pleasant beer, but I would have liked a little more from the cherry.

SAISON DANS LA MAISON ~ MUSKOKA & LE TROU DE DIABLE

This saison is another in a series of anniversary collaborations and one-off beers marking Muskoka’s 30th birthday. This was a collaboration with Quebec’s Trou du Diable and is a saison brewed with guava. Sampled on draught the beer poured a slightly hazy unfiltered golden straw colour with a thin white head, that reduced to a ring. The aroma contained lots of citrus, with some fruity esters, sweet malts, spice and grassy/floral hops. This was a decent saison, but I got very little of the guava, until a touch in the finish. It was light and fruity, with subtle notes of tropical fruit, tart citrus, floral hops. The beer was light and crisp, with little sweetness. Quite decent!

6.5% from Bracebridge, Ontario & Shawinigan, Quebec

MUSKOKA EQUINOX ~ MUSKOKA BREWERY

Muskoka Equinox is part of Muskoka’s Moonlight Kettle Series. It is American Pale Wheat ale brewed with Black cherries and Jim Beam bourbon soaked vanilla beans. Sampled on draught the beer pours a clear golden colour with a moderate creamy off white head. The nose contains sweet cherries, a touch of vanilla, dough bread. The taste follows as expected: doughy breadiness, black cherries, grass, and hints of vanilla. The cherries are not over done but do lend some sublime fruitiness. The carbonation was soft and the beer was medium-light bodied. A lovely refreshing fruit beer.

4.6 % from Bracebridge, Ontario 20 IBU

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY STOUT ~ MUSKOKA

STOUT WEEK - This imperial stout was a seasonal offering from Muskoka. I love Muskoka’s Chocolate Cranberry Stout, it seem like they are expanding their fruit stout repertoire.
Sampled hand-pulled on cask. This beer poured an opaque almost black with ruby highlights. There was a small beige bubbly head that fades. Raspberry and chocolate danced on a boozy sherry like nose. The flavour had raspberry notes, with dark roosted malts, and chocolate. The beer was neither hoppy nor grainy. It was a beautiful dessert in a glass without being sweet or cloying. The beer had a smooth mouthfeel and was average bodied. A beautiful way to end the night.
8% from Collingwood, Ontario  25 IBU

MUSKOKA CRANBERRY MEAD ~ TRAFALGAR

Trafalgar brewery and distillery have been working on a series that explores different terroirs of Southern Ontario. This is the third in their series. A ‘terroir’ is the combination of an areas climate, geology and flora. Since different areas have different terroirs, they produce different tasting honeys, which are fermented to make the mead. This mead uses wildflower honey and cranberries from the Muskoka region.
Sampled from a caged and corked bottle. The mead poured a deep, slightly murky cherry red colour with a near white head, which left no traces of lacing. The nose contained honey sweetens, cranberry juice, and a touch of booziness. The taste was primarily tart cranberries with restrained honey sweetness, with other fruits and malt in the background. The tartness almost had a sour candy quality to it – almost giving it a sweet and sour quality. The finish was astringent, not unlike wine. After the initial head dissipated the mead had very little carbonation. I found this quite flavourful and refreshing but simple. Worth a try.

8.5% from Oakville, Ontario