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

EMBITTERMINT ~ BEAU'S

Embittermint is the second beer created for Fe’brew’ary, which features a different beer each week. It is an IPA brewed with lemon grass and peppermint and spearmint, and uses floral hops for a more delicate finish. It is Number 62 in Beau’s Wild Oats series. I was quite curious about this beer, and upon entering my local, I asked, How bizarre is this one? I was pleased when both the manager and bartender both sung its praises. Sampled on draught, the beer poured a hazy light golden colour with a white cap. Orange, florals, lemon, and mashed mint danced on the nose. The 70 IBU was really well hidden and the beer didn’t have all that much bitterness. The beer starts with lots of citrus, both lemon and orange, this turns into beautiful floral hops at the end, along with the sensation of cooling mint. This odd pair is remarkably smooth and refreshing. I will go back and have another; I just hope it lasts until the end of the week.

Malts: Pale ale, carahell, carafoam, acidulated (all organic)
Hops Organic crystal, organic WGV (Whitbread-Golding Variety)
Yeast: Dry British ale
Other: Local spring water, organic lemon balm, organic spearmint, organic peppermint.
6.7% from Vankleek Hills 60 IBU

SCREAMING BEAVER ~ BEAU’S

Sampled on draught…by surprise! At my local I ordered Mango Saison…the keg had been changed but not the tap label. Taking a big swig out of this one was a bit of a surprise for unsuspecting taste buds. Screamin’ Beaver #3 in Beau’s ‘Wild Oats’ series and is also a featured bottle in their best of Beau’s 2015 collection. It is an oak-aged Double IPA. It is influenced by both American and English IPA's; it is aggressively hopped like an American IPA, but still contains a malty sweetness at its centre like an English IPA. It weighs in at 9.9% ABV and 99 IBUs. The beer has been dry hopped and aged on oak staves. The beer poured medium amber with reddish hues (coppery colour) with a small amount of off white head, that stayed for quite a while and then left lovely lacing. The nose and the flavour of this beer had a nice complexity. The nose contained oak, grapefruit, brown sugar caramel, ripe tree fruit and cracker-like grains. The flavour also had grapefruit and orange rind, an earthy oakiness, caramel, and ripe fruit. Near the end a sweet complexity picked up along with hop bitterness. This beer did not taste like 99 IBUs nor did it taste like it was almost 10% alcohol. The beer had a medium- full-bodied mouthfeel, moderate carbonation and a creamy texture. Over all, complex, well balanced, but a sipper for sure.

9.9% from Vankleek Hills 99 IBU
Malts: Pale Ale, Munich, Caraform, Caramunich ( all organic)
Hops: Cascade, Pacific Gem, Challenger, Centennial (All Organic)
Yeast: : Dry English Ale
Other: Organic cane sugar, local spring water