AMBER SOLACE ~ SMITHAVENS 

Smithaven’s has recently changed their name from Smithworks and in turn have renamed their Amber lager, or fest beir, Amber Solace. Sampled from a bottle the beer poured a slightly hazy rich coppery amber colour with a generous beige head that disappeared quickly. The nose is quite light with subtle notes of grains, light orchard fruits, caramel, grass and malt. The taste is much better than the nose would suggest. Grains, caramel, toasted malts, fruit give was to a gentle bitterness. The carbonation was average and the mouthfeel was medium bodied and slightly creamy. Not a ‘spectacular’ beer but quite a drinkable Vienna Lager.

5.5% from Peterborough, Ontario 20 IBU

JUBILEE AMBER LAGER formerly KING VIENNA LAGER ~ THORNBURY BEVERAGE CO.

Sampled on Draught. It is brewed in the style of a Vienna Lager, using classic European brewing methods and including Vienna hops and European Malts. This beer poured a clear deep amber colour with orange hues. It was well carbonated with a creamy off white head, which left lacing. The nose contained sweet malts, caramel, biscuity grain, earthy hops and perhaps a touch of fruit. The taste begins with sweet bready malts, with caramel overtones. Mid taste has an earthiness about it and the beer ends with a gentle drying floral hop. The beer is simple but well crafted and easily sessionable.

4.8% Thornbury, Ontario

Malts: Vienna
Hops: German Hallertauer, Czech Saaz