IPA #2 ~ COLLECTIVE ARTS

7.1% from Hamilton, Ontario 80 IBU

Collective Arts IPA series showcases different combinations of hops, this one uses Mosaic, Simcoe and Waimea hops. Sampled from a tin, the beer pours a hazy golden orange colour with a large off white head,. The retention is quite long and leaves abundant spidery lace on the glass. The nose contains lots of tropical fruit (mango, pineapple, papaya, citrus), earthiness, florals, and resinous piney hops. This beautifully balanced brew also contains a plethora of tropical fruit flavours, followed by a wallop of citrus and piney hops with a lovely rich malt backbone. The carbonation is very active, the beer is full bodied and has a slightly creamy texture. The finish is dry with a slightly lingering bitterness. The beer is bold and has a lovely complexity. Really enjoyed this one! Recommended.
Hops: Mosaic, Simcoe, and Waimea
Malt: Pilsner, 2-Row, Oats, Flaked Oats, Flaked Wheat.

RED DRAGON ~ COUNTY DURHAM BREWING

Red Dragon is an Irish Style Red Ale. Sampled on draught the beer poured a light brown-copper colour with an off-white head. The head lasted a good log time leaving some nice lacing as it receded. The nose was very malt forward with notes of caramel, chocolate, biscuits, light fruitiness and some grassy British hops. Notes Caramel malts, some fruit and berries, slight lemoniness, chocolate, sweet grains and delicate grassy hops dance on your tastebuds. This is a rich beautiful balanced, smooth beer. The body is medium-full, the carbonation is medium-soft and the mouthfeel is creamy and lush. A very flavourful brew for low ABV, making it quite sessionable. A lovely brew from start to finish.

4.7% from Pickering, Ontario 

 35 IBU

4X4 ~ STACK BREWING

10.5% from Sudbury, Ontario
4 x 4 is a Belgian style quad. It is rich in taste and high in alcohol. Sampled on draught the beer poured a fairly clear brown with ruby and amber highlights and a moderate light brown head. The head left lovely lacing as it receded down the sides of the glass into a cap and collar. The nose had lots of rich malts, caramel, fruit bread, and dried fruit, spice and some subtle yeast and molasses. The palette had notes of plums, dark fruit, treacle, estery banana bread, with subtle spice and yeast. The flavour is quite sweet, with a touch of bitterness at the finish, along with warming alcohol. The body is on the full side and the carbonation was soft. Overall, quite palatable but lacking in some complexity.

JELLYKING ~ BELLWOODS BREWERY

Jellyking is a citra dry hopped sour. The brew has been soured using a 5 strain house blend of lactobacillus. Sampled on draught the beer poured a hazy yellowy orange colour, with a small white head that a quickly settled into a ring. The nose was tart and sour containing notes of peach, apricot, lemony and grapefruit citrus, bready malts, a little funk and grassy floral hops. The taste was pleasantly sour with lots of stone fruit, lemon, grapefruit and earthy herbal-floral hops. The finish is low in bitterness with a crisp tartness. The beer was medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Very drinkable, quite pleasant.

5.6% from Toronto, Ontario

HAWAIIAN UPPERCUT ~ STACK

7% from Sudbury, Ontario

Hawaiian Uppercut is a Belgian style pale golden ale. Sampled on draught the beer poured a lightly hazy beautiful light golden straw yellow colour with a generous white head. The headed good retention and did leave some impressive lacing. The aroma had a ton of tropical fruit; lots of pineapple, citrus (lemon, and clementines, orange, grapefruit), light vinous notes. Belgian yeasts, and a slight resiny note. The beer is only brewed with four ingredients, it is hard to believe those four packed so much fruit flavour. The flavour is slightly sour and which compliments all the sweet flavours of the tropical fruits and citrus. Belgian yeasts appear mid sip and the finish has a nice citrus/leafy hop bitterness. The alcohol is well hidden - there is no alcohol astringency nor is their much evidence of malts. The mouthfeel was full and creamy and the carbonation was moderate. I really enjoyed this! Well done Stack!

LA CLOCHE ~ STACK

6.9% from Sudbury, Ontario

La Cloche is a Belgian style pale ale. Sampled on draught, the beer pours a slightly hazed pale golden straw yellow with a moderate soapy whitish head. The head stuck around for a while before settling into a cap and collar, leaving some decent lacing. The nose contained cereal grains, wheat malts, citrus - lemon and orange i think, some orchard fruits, a touch of clove and banana, and some fruity easy esters. The flavour followed, with pale malts and orchard fruit (apple and apricot) being the more dominant flavours, and cloves, banana, lemon and some residual sugars in the background. The beer is both tart and sweet. The carbonation when poured was overactive but it did calm to a more moderate level after being left to sit for a little while. The body was medium and the mouthfeel has some creaminess. Overall a passable Belgian Pale, but I would have preferred a little less sweetness.

HIGHER DIMENSION ~ NICKEL BROOK 

7.5% from Burlington, Ontario

Higher Dimension comes out of Nickel Brook’s Funk Lab. It is a dry-hopped Belgian Amber ale with brett. It is also a collaboration with VQH farms - who are Canadian Hop farmers, and breeders. Sampled on draught the beer poured a murky orange brown with a generous sudsy white head. Some tropical fruit, florals, toffee, dark bread, spice, funk and a touch of rubber on the nose. Those flavours are found in this muddled mixture too. Caramel malts mix with grapefruit and other tropical fruits, with bretty barnyard and a little spice. There is a lot going here, bitter and sour and sweet. The finish has a bitter bite, the carbonation was average and the brew was medium bodied. An interesting experiment but this one misses the mark for me, however it raises awareness of a great cause.

DEAD STICK STOUT ~ BARNSTORMER

5.9% from Barrie, Ontario 24 IBU

Dead Stick is a milk stout. Sampled on draught the beer poured an opaque brown-black pour, with a lasting creamy dense beige head. Lacing was on the thin side. The nose was a melange of roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, fruit and some sweetness. The flavour followed suit, with lactic sweetness, coffee, chocolate, roasted malts and a little hop bitterness at the end. The body was medium with a creamy mouthfeel and low carbonation. A smooth stout. Quite drinkable, I would order this again.

IDES OF FEBRUARY (THE HENDERSON CUP) ~ HENDERSON BREWING

7% from Toronto, Ontario 60 IBU

The ides series are a one-off brews. This one is named the Henderson Cup because the brewery put out a contest to home brewers. The winner of the best beer would win $1000 dollars and an opportunity to brew it on a large scale for release. This black IPA with raspberries, made by Ed Hitchcock, took home the cup this year. Ed’s winning beer was a raspberry lambic, but in the name of time, a black IPA was created to incapsulate the spirit if his beer, that wouldn’t take as long to ferment. The beer pours an opaque very dark brown - almost black with a generous beige-khaki head. Lots of dark roasted malts, some raspberry and a variety of hops on the nose. The flavours had notes of chocolate, coffee, and raspberry - kind of like a bitter Black Forest Cake. The taste starts off semi sweet and finishes on with a bitter end. I really liked this, it works.

SQUEEZE PLAY ~LEFT FIELD

Squeeze Play is a small batch kettle sour ale, with blood oranges and Montmorency cherries. It is a one-off brew. Sampled on draught the beer poured a beautiful colour of warm pink, with a golden hue. The beer was almost clear and a moderate white head sat atop the pour. The nose had a tartness with the cherries being the predominant fruit. I have had this ben several times, the first time was the first pour of the keg. The first sample I had a nice light sourness, but also had a little wortiness and sulphur on the finish. Sampled a few days later, the sulphur finish had dissipated considerably. The fruit flavours are there, beginning with the cherry and finishing with the orange. The sour is mild due to the process of souring. Liked it more the second time I drank it. The body is light and the carbonation was on the active side. Simple, but refreshing.

Photo courtesy of Left Field Brewery
5.3% from Toronto, Ontario 8 IBU

DESTRUCTOR SERIES 3: WINTER BOCK ~ JUNCTION CRAFT

6.5% from The Junction, Toronto 30 IBU

This doppelbock is the third offering in Junction Craft’s Destructor Series. Sampled on draught the beer poured a fairly clear orange amber brown colour with a thin off white head. The nose contained caramel, some orchard fruits, subtle mineral notes and spice. This beer is quite malt forward with caramel and fruit first, followed by spice, a roasted grains, and grassy hops. The finish is off dry. The body was medium and the carbonation was average. Not spectacular but a very passable bock.

Photo Courtesy of Junction Craft website.

ABBEY’S ADVICE (ABBEY SINGLE) ~ GREAT LAKES BREWERY

This is one of the brews in celebration of Great Lakes Brewery 30th anniversary. It is an Abbey single. Sampled on draught the beer poured an opaque coppery red with a generous beige head. The head had great retention before receding to a cap leaving some lacing. The aroma was comprised of sweet caramel, plums, apricot, and other orchard fruits, dried berries and dried fruit. The flavour had a lovely sweetness, perfect for an after dinner sipper. Flavours of caramel, orchard and dried fruits about, with some light spicy Belgian ale characteristics. The finish is clean, body was medium light and the carbonation was moderate. A lovely light Belgian style beer.

HALO ~ SHAPESHIFTER

6.2% from Toronto, Ontario 17 IBU

Shapeshifter is a dry-hopped sour IPA. Sampled on draught, the beer poured a hazy bright pale yellow with an average pillowy off-white head. The nose had a fresh lemony aroma with some pine and tart tropical fruit. The beer is moderately sour, with lots of lemon, tart fruit, grapefruit, some grainy sweetness, pine and a lingering bitterness on the finish. The body is medium- light and the carbonation was moderate. This is an interesting mash-up - a melange of contrasting flavours. Found this to be refreshing and very palatable.

STE. MARY’S AXE ~ CANADIAN BEST BETTER

Ste. Mary’s Axe is a brand new brewery in Toronto. Canadian Best Bitter is the premier offering. The beer is touted as being a traditional English bitter brewed with ‘modern’ hops (brewed with 6 malts and 6 varieties of both American and English hops). Sampled on draught the beer poured a clear coppery amber with a generous loose white head. The nose contained a variety of hop aromas (citrus, herbal, earthy and resiny) as well as caramel, fruit and bread crusts. The mouthfeel was quite drying at first followed some malt sweetness, and a ton of tropical fruit and peach. The beer is happier than a usual English bitter. The finish was dry and crisp. The beer was medium bodied with average carbonation. Not your average bitter, but really pleasant none-the-less. Loved all the tropical fruit - a great first offering.
4.6% from Toronto, Ontario   32 IBU

REVOLUTION #3: DRY HOPPED SOUR ~ RAINHARD BREWING

4.8% from Toronto, Ontario

Revolution #3 is the latest release in Rainhard’s Revolution series. The series is made up of one-offs and experimental concoctions. Revolution #3 is a dry hopped sour saison. Pilsner and wheat malts were used, in the brewing process. the beer was kettle soured with seven different Lactobacillus strains and fermented with Escarpment lab’s ‘new world saison with Brettonomyces’ yeast. The dry hopping was done with citra. Sampled on draught the beer poured a hazy golden orange with a smallish white head. The aroma had fresh citra hops, stone fruit, some grains, florals, and a touch of funk. The beer was pleasantly sour but not overly so. Their were lots of tart citrus flavours, along with sweet grains, stone fruit and a touch of barnyard. The finish was fresh dry and crisp, with a brightness from the city. Very refreshing and not overdone.

LEFT FIELD ~ FOURTH ANNIVERSARY SAISON

Left Field has produced another strong saison for their fourth anniversary brew. The beer is brewed avec French Saison Yeast and dry- hopped with Summer and El Dorado hops.  Sampled on draught, the beer poured a hazy light golden with a generous white head that left beautiful lacing. The nose had notes of lemon, grains, fruit, floral, hops and an earthinesss. The taste had notes of light orchard fruits, especially pear, but also grapes, lemon and perhaps a touch of sweet melon. Vinous notes, light white pepper, spicy yeast and dry-hop presence round out the flavour. The carbonation was lively and the body was medium. The finish is dry, with some lingering citrus. A very nice sipper.

7.6% from Toronto , Ontario

photo courtesy of Left Field Brewery

PROPHETS & NOMADS ~ COLLECTIVE ARTS BREWING

Prophets and Nomads is a slightly sour gose. Sampled on draught the beer poured a clearing bright golden colour with a thin white head. The nose has lots of tart lemony citrus, as well as a graininess and some mineral notes. The taste was sour and refreshing; lots of lemon as well as lactic notes, and a fruity sweet malt. The salt on the finish is quite subtle. The body was light and the carbonation was average. Refreshing and straight forward. 

4.5% from Hamilton, Ontario 12 IBU

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

EVENT HORIZEN ~ HALO

This interesting brew is a Stout with Sarsaparilla, one of the main flavours of root beer. Sampled on draught, the beer poured an opaque very dark ebony with a thin mocha beige head. The nose had notes of chocolate, sweet sarsaparilla, dark malts , and perhaps a bit of vanilla. Chocolate, caramel sweetness, herbal sarsaparilla, roasted malts and coffee round out the taste. It is like drinking a creamy root beer. I prefer this to the ‘hard’ root beers that I have sampled. I will admit, root beer is my guilty pleasure, so I really liked this one, but sparingly. It has a medium to full body, and average carbonation. This is a whimsical brew, recommended to root beer lovers.
Malts: Maris Otter, Flaked Barley, Roasted Barley, Chocolate, Flaked Oats, Crystal Dark, Black
Hops: Northern Brewer, Willamette
Yeast: London III Ale
6% from Toronto, Ontario 30 IBU

Photo courtesy of Halo Brewing

FARM TABLE: DUNKEL ~ BEAU’S

5.7% from VanKleek Hill, Ontario IBU 25

This Dunkel is the latest in Beau’s Farm Table Series. The farm table series is inspired by traditional brews from all over the world, and brewed to the classic style. Dunkel is a malt forward Bavarian brew. Sampled on draught this brew poured a mahogany colour with a generous off white foam. The head settles quickly leaving lovely sticky lacing around the glass. The nose contained bread crusts, roasted grain, light caramel with hints of chocolate, nuts and fruit, and leafy hops. The flavour follows with dark malts, caramel, hints of chocolate and fruit and floral leafy hops in the finish. This finish is clean and crisp. The body was medium and the carbonation was average.
Overall, a nice version of this traditional brew. Very enjoyable!
INGREDIENTS: Local spring water, organic barley malts, organic hops, brewer’s yeast.
MALTS: Munich, Caraunich, Acidulated, Caraaroma, Carafa (all organic)
HOPS: Organic Pacific Gem, Organic Triskel
YEAST: German Lager Yeast