CERES CUCUMBER LIME GOSE (LAB SERIES 5 – 2016) ~ NICKLEBROOK

This most interesting brew is from Nickel Brook’s “Funk Lab”, which is at their original brewery site in Burlington. (Nickel Brook has moved some production to Hamilton now). Sampled on draught, this beer poured a light golden colour with lots of visible effervescence. The nose had lots of cucumber and tart citrus, with cereal grain too. I really liked this one, but perhaps it is not for everyone. The brew is a gose brewed with Himalayan sea salt and coriander, cucumber, lime (juice and zest) with a wheat base. It is a sour, tart and refreshing beer with bursting with cucumber and lime, with no bitterness. There are some great contrasts between the sweet, salty and acidic. It did not taste all that beer like at all, but a good descriptor escapes me at the moment. It does have a pickle brine/house salad quality too it (I know that sounds weird). I found this satisfyingly quenching on a day that was incredibly hot. A most unique brew…but perhaps not for everyone.

4% from Burlington, Ontario

COOL AS A CUKE ~ MUSKOKA BREWERY

Cool as a Cuke is the latest offering in Muskoka Brewery’s ‘Moonlight Kettle’ series, that offers a new and unique beer each month. Cool as a cuke is an American Pale Ale brewed with cucumber and lemongrass. Sampled on draught, the beer poured a very light hazy yellow with a moderate white head. The head had great retention and left lovely lacing as it disappeared. The aroma contained lots of cucumber – with a touch of sweetness and a citrusy lemongrass. The taste has lots of florals, the lemongrass adds to the American hop bitterness, then is followed by clean crisp cucumber and subtle melon notes. This is quite refreshing and different – quite yummy!

4.7% from Guelph, Ontario 30 IBU

Malt: Canadian 2-Row Malt, Maris Otter, Wheat
Hops: Magnum, Cascade, Sorachi Ace