BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER CHAI ~ COVERED BRIDGE BREWING

This beer, sampled on draught, is spiced brown ale. The beer had a clear rich reddish brown pour with a small off-white head. The nose is swirling with spices (especially ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom), chai and notes of the nutty brown ale. The nose reminds me of gingerbread with notes of cardamom, sweet tea and cinnamon. The taste was very similar to the nose with lots of spice and tasty fruity malt. The beer has low hop bitterness and lots of spices on a dry finish. The carbonation was on the low side of moderate and the body was medium – thin. This beer is unique and not to everyone’s taste, but I really enjoyed this.

5.1 % from Stittsville, Ontario

2015: A SPICE ODYSSEY ~ WELLINGTON

I bought and drank this the day that Bowie died.  It seemed fitting.  Sampled in a Bomber bottle, this is a Chai Tea Latte Stout.  Originally brewed in 2014 by an all female brewing team, what was meant to be a Welly One-off has now become a Welly re-boot.  The spices used were donated by the Bollywood Bistro and a portion of the sales go to help women in crisis.  The beer pours a very dark brown, almost black, with a finger of beige head.  The head lasted quite a while and left some thin lacing.  The nose had sweet chai spice, chocolate, nutmeg, cinnamon, and roasted malts.  The flavour began and dark roasted malts and dark chocolate, followed by hints a lovely spiciness, including vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and cloves.  The finish was dry and the cinnamon lingered.  Good medium mouthful and flavour.  Overall a nicely balanced, not over done beer.  Will have this again - it is a good sipper on a winters night.  Cheers Ziggy.

 7% from Guelph, Ontario      17 IBU