DARTMOUTH COMMON ~ KICHESIPPI BREWING

Dartmouth Common is a Damphbier (translated from German – Steam beer). The style, which is hundreds of years old, was originally made in South East Bavaria. This style took off in the southern United States because the beer is warm fermented and California had a lack of refrigeration. The American version is known as a Steam Beer, or a California Common and is made with different yeast. Damphbier is traditionally made with all barley, but is fermented with a weissbier yeast, which gives it a slightly phenolic after taste. This beer was one is a series of “staff picks” at the Brewery and is a seasonal brew. The beer poured a deep slightly cloudy golden colour with an off white head, that left lacing. The nose was primarily grains and weissBeir yeast (clove and banana). The very mild taste has some banana and clove, citrus, florals and bready malts and a sweetness about it. The carbonation was low (characteristic of the style) and the hop was very mild. At times I found the mouthfeel a little thin and light. A nice interpretation of a steam beer, it would be very quaffable on a hot day.

5.1% from Ottawa, Ontario IBU 14

COYOTE HOLE with JUNIPER ~ INNOCENTE BREWING

Sampled on cask, it is a special edition brewed with Juniper berries. Coyote Hole is a California Common in style. Traditionally California Common’s (also known as Steam Beer*) are brewed with yeast that works well at higher temperatures. The beer originated in California in the early 1800’s where refrigeration was a great luxury, so beer was cooled using shallow fermenters, and yeast that worked at a higher temperature was necessary. The beer poured dark amber with ruby hues, with a small head. The nose contained a boozy aroma, dark berries, bread and biscuits, some woodiness and a bit of spice. Taste had red berries, citrus, roasted malts, bready graininess, earthiness and perhaps a touch of spice. The sweetness was counteracted by a pleasant bitterness (but not hoppy) at the end. This beer reminded me of an ESB. A very nice complexity in flavour.

5.1 % 25 IBU from Waterloo, Ontario