BASIL BEACH ~ SAWDUST CITY

Basil Beach is Sawdust City’s Golden Beach Pale ale brewed with fresh basil. It is a limited edition one-off. It was sampled on Sawdust City’s massive tap (25 taps and 5 kegs) takeover at the Only Cafe in Toronto. Sampled a pint, drawn from one of the kegs. The beer pours a hazy bright sunny gold with a small bubbly head. The nose contains citrusy lemon, grass, basil and floral hops. Taste follows as expected: citrusy and herbal hops, a little orchard, fruit, grass and a light basil, which became a little more pronounced as the beer warmed.The finish is a little astringent and bitter. The carbonation is active and lively.  

5% from Gravenhurst, Ontario IBU 25

WATER: pure Muskoka water
BARLEY /MALT: Canadian 2-row barley, wheat
HOPS: galaxy, mosaic, Sorachi ace, summit
YEAST California ale
OTHER: Basil

ODYSSEY RUSTIC LAGER ~ STEAM WHISTLE PILOT SYSTEM WITH THE ONLY CAFÉ

I think this beer is terrific, but I am a little biased as I had a hand in brewing. This beer is a collaboration with The Only Café, Toronto and Steam Whistle Brewing. This beer was brewed at Steam Whistle Brewery at the Roundhouse, with Brew master Erica on their Pilot system – a small-scale tank that yields about 2 kegs. It is a Farmhouse ale with a lagered finish, and include small amounts of rooibos and blood orange & pink peppercorn teas, added at flameout. The brewing experience was a pleasure and most interesting. Sampled from a Growler the beer pours an unfiltered murky beige colour, with a small off white head. Up front you can taste the farmhouse grains, but the saaz and centennial hops give it a kick at the end, and the tea adds aromatics and a little astringency. Though there are many things happening in the beer, not one seems to overpower or compete with the other. It has a nice complexity but is still easy drinking.
5.4% from Toronto, Ontario

Reviews to follow!