CANADIAN SHIELD BERRIES ~ KW CIDER

6.2% from Waterloo, Ontario

Canadian Shield is a cider made from the berries available growing on the Canadian Shield including: Blueberries, Cranberries, Currants, Raspberries and Strawberries. Sampled on draught this cider poured a clear beautiful rose colour with tawny hues. The nose contained a plethora of berry notes with the strawberries and raspberries at the forefront. The lovely refreshing flavour is both tart and sweet with a huge hit of berry goodness. There is a nice complexity as the tartness of some berries balance with the sweet juiciness of others. The finish is slightly tart, but there are no lingering aftertastes. A beautiful summer drink.

BLOOD OF CTHULHU (2016) ~ SAWDUST CITY BREWING

This season brew is a monster! Blood of Cthulhu has been rereleased for 2016 and is better than I remembered. The brew is an imperial stout that has been brewed with raspberries, cranberries and tart cherries, along with a ton of malt. Sampled from a pint on draught, this beer poured a deep ebony with a generous creamy dark tan head. The head had great retention and left beautiful lacing as it settled into a cap. The nose has lots of wasted and toasted malts, along with dark chocolate, and red berries. This beer was like a Black forest cake for adults, lots of chocolate and berry flavour, especially from the cherries. Mid palette the beer has a slightly acidic bite but finishes with a roasted bitterness and dark chocolate.. The body was medium full and the stout had a creamy thick mouthfeel. The carbonation was medium to soft. Be careful he 9% can creep up on you! A beautiful cold weather treat.

9.5% from Gravenhurst, Ontario

BLOOD OF CTHULHU ~ SAWDUST CITY & BARHOP

Blood of Cthulhu is an imperial stout brewed with cherries, raspberries and cranberries and a ton of malts.  It is collaboration with Bar-Hop, initially it was intended as a one-off, but they have made it again this year.  Sampled on draught, the beer poured almost black with a substantial mocha head, which left lots of lacing.  Its nose contained notes of chocolate, berries and roasted malts.  The flavour had lots of dark chocolate, cranberries and dark cherries and hints of coffee and spice.  The sweetness of the berries finishes with dark chocolate and coffee bitterness.   The stout had a creamy texture and good carbonation.  Though it gives you a warming feeling the booze is well hidden.  A delicious treat for a cold winters night.

10% from Gravenhurst, Ontario