EARL GREY PORTER ~ ROYAL CITY

Sampled on draught this brew poured a dark opaque mahogany with a small beige head. The aroma had lots of Earl Grey tea and the small of bergamot flowers. There were also aromas of caramel , tea, hints of chocolate and dark fruit. The taste too had lots of fragrant Earl Grey tea with roast caramel malts, and a little citrus. I do like Earl Grey, and liked this but would have liked the malts to be a little more pronounced. The tea and citrus rind stay with you in the aftertaste. The body was light-medium, the mouthfeel was a little thin and the carbonation was soft. I found this quite drinkable and the lightness made it refreshing in a way.

5% Guelph, Ontario   20 IBU

Photo courtesy of Royal City Brewing

EARL GREY MARMALADE SAISON ~ DOMINION BREWING

 

This saison was sampled on Draught at the 613 takeover, at the Only Café on the Danforth, Toronto.  The beer poured a hazy golden copper colour with a creamy white head, which left nice lacing.  The aroma contained citrus (especially orange) and spice (ginger, bergamot), peppercorns, ester-y saison yeasts, tea and some subtle malt notes.  The flavour begins with sweet malts, lots of orange flavour (it is brewed with fresh zested oranges), and spices.  Marmalade also makes an appearance giving a nice puckering contrast to the sweetness.  Hoppy bitterness, slightly astringent tea tannins, and citrus balance and finish the beer.  The carbonation is moderate the beer has a medium body.  This brew is packed with a variety of flavours, I again enjoyed this, but I could see how others may find this perfumy.    A very unique pint!

Dominion Brewery has brewed this beer with Bridgehead organic Earl Grey tea, and organic wheat grown and malted close to the Ottawa area.  It makes me happy that Dominion Brewery is working with local hop producers.  Ontario was once a great hop growing province, the spirit of which they are trying to bring back.

5.5% from Ottawa, Ontario IBU 21