LA CLOCHE ~ STACK

6.9% from Sudbury, Ontario

La Cloche is a Belgian style pale ale. Sampled on draught, the beer pours a slightly hazed pale golden straw yellow with a moderate soapy whitish head. The head stuck around for a while before settling into a cap and collar, leaving some decent lacing. The nose contained cereal grains, wheat malts, citrus - lemon and orange i think, some orchard fruits, a touch of clove and banana, and some fruity easy esters. The flavour followed, with pale malts and orchard fruit (apple and apricot) being the more dominant flavours, and cloves, banana, lemon and some residual sugars in the background. The beer is both tart and sweet. The carbonation when poured was overactive but it did calm to a more moderate level after being left to sit for a little while. The body was medium and the mouthfeel has some creaminess. Overall a passable Belgian Pale, but I would have preferred a little less sweetness.

YELLOW FLOWERS ~ FOLLY

5.1 % from Toronto, Ontario
Sampled on draught, Yellow Flowers is a tart blonde ale brewed with hallertau hops. The beer poured a slightly cloudy bright yellow with a loose foamy head. The nose has some pleasant tartness along with some citrus, funk and flowery notes. The beer’s taste has vinous notes along with notes of grassy hay, florals, and tart grapefruit and lemon. The body is light and the finish is crisp and clean and lightly sour - with a touch of hops. The sourness is not overdone. A very approachable sour.

Photo courtesy: Folly Instagram

ETOILE DU NORD ~ BRASSERIE THIRIEZ

Etoile du Nord (North Star) is a blonde ale brewed with English East Kent Goldings hops. Sampled from a bottle, possibly near the end of its best before date. The beer poured a somewhat clear golden yellow with a white foamy head, which had good retention and left impressive lacing. Be careful on the pour to control the amount of particulates in your drink. The aroma contained lemony citrus, biscuit and light malts, stone fruit, hay, peppery yeasts, floral and grassy hops. The taste was a mix of sweet grainy malts and fruit, tart citrus, earth, grass, a touch of caramel, pepper, with a moderate herbal-floral hop bitterness. The finish if dry with a touch of bright citrus. A beautifully balanced brew. The beer was medium bodied with a slightly resinous mouth feel. The carbonation was average and fine. I really like the English hops in the beautifully balanced brew. Worth seeking out.

5.5% from Esquelbecq, France    45 IBU

FOOD TRUCK ~ HENDERSON'S BREWING

Food Truck is a blonde ale, brewed to go with a variety of food. It is meant to complement a meal, rather than compete with it, leaving the food in the spotlight. The beer is mild, easy drinking, thirst quenching and easily sessionable. Sampled on draught, at the brewery, the beer poured a clear light golden colour, with a moderate white head. The head lasted for a while before leaving some nice lacing as it receded. The nose contains bread crust, stone fruit and citrus, and some floral hop notes (Nugget and Ella hops). The flavour has a nice balance of light malts and light bitterness, with some stone and tropical fruit notes. The body was light and somewhat creamy and the carbonation was moderate. Very simple, very drinkable.
4.8 % From Toronto IBU 19

~ SAINT OF CIRCUMSTANCE ~

 COLLECTIVE ARTS BREWING CO.

Collective Arts have the coolest labels, here is why, to quote their website, “We are a grassroots beer company fusing the craft of brewing with the inspired talents of emerging and seasoned artists, musicians, photographers & filmmakers. Our brewery is dedicated to promote artists and raise creative consciousness through the sociability of craft beer.”  I bought several Saint of Circumstance bottles and each one had a different label.  There is an open call to artists near and far to submit designs and they run off about 85 labels in each series.  They are on to Series 5 now.

Saint of Circumstance is a Blonde Ale infused with the zests of orange and lemon.  The citrus is highlighted with Citra, Amarillo and Sorachi Ace hops.

Both the nose and the taste have components of lemon, grapefruit, orange and a light malt.  The pleasant subtle bitterness at finish is perfect.  I really enjoyed this beer, great warm weather session beer.

4.7% from Waterloo, Ontario    19 IBU