BATCH 5000 ~ BEAU’S

Batch 5000 is a limited edition celebratory brew (In their Wild Oats Series) from Beau’s marking their…you guessed it 5000th batch of beer and 10th anniversary. It is “Wild Ontario Farmhouse Ale” made with Ontario wheat, hops and wild yeast from the Escarpment yeast lab. Sampled on draught, the beer poured a slightly hazy yellow gold with a moderate white billowy head, which left great lacing. The nose contains lots of tropical fruit especially pineapple, a little bretty funk, lemony citrus, herbals, wheat malts and some wine like characteristics. The taste has lovely levels of complexity, white pepper, lemony citrus, herbal notes, Brett sourness, subtle yeast and wheat malts. The finish is drying with leafy hops, and citrus. The carbonation was fine and lively, and the body was medium-full with a creamy feel. This is one of the nicest saison I have had in a while…I just wish the draught wasn’t so expensive! Congratulations Beau’s! Bravo on the brew!

7% From Vankleek Hills, Ontario

NOX AETERNA ~ BLACK OAK

STOUT WEEK - Nox Aeterna, which is Latin for ‘eternal light’, is a Smoked Oatmeal-breakfast stout. (though I know few who could 7% for breakfast) It is a limited release. Sampled on draught, the beer poured almost black. It let very little light through, and had only the slightest of ruby highlights. It had a moderate tan head., with good retention. A ring of foam lasted throughout the drink, leaving lacing down the glass. Carbonation was very hard to see due to the darkness of the brew. The bold aroma has smoke, coffee, roasted malts and chocolate notes. The stout was smooth and flavourful: coffee (hand roasted beans from Sense Appeal were used), smoke (from smoked malts), and chocolate played the dominant roles. The finish was dry with a little hop bitterness. The carbonation was moderate and the flavour was full bodied. Nicely balanced, quite delicious.

7.2% from Toronto (Etobicoke), Ontario