CHERRY CHOCOLATE STOUT ~ STACK

6.9% from Sudbury, Ontario

This stout is brewed with organic cocao nibs and cherries Sampled on draught this stour poured almost black with a generous beige head. The aroma had notes of dark chocolate, charred malts, and cherry. The flavour was slightly tart with lots of dark roasted malts, chocolate and cherry. The finish had a bitter charred quality to it. Unlike other chocolate fruit stouts, this one retains more of its stout qualities. The mouthfeel was medium and the carbonation was quite soft. Nicely balanced, not over done, very pleasant.

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.

PARADISE LOST: RAZZLE DAZZLE ~ BLOOD BROTHERS BREWING 

6% from Toronto, Ontario

Well this one was trip! Razzle Dazzle is one in the “Paradise Lost” series, and it a sour ale brewed with raspberry and vanilla. Sampled on draught it pours an incredible colour of bright intense pink. The nose is really sweet, with vanilla and berries reminding me of cream soda. I think this beer tastes like cream soda with a little extra added sourness. Lots of vanilla and berries gives it a cream soda - jam - Jolly Rancher flavour. I enjoyed one but by the end it was getting cloying. A unique brew.

photo courtesy of Blood Brothers Brewing.

RASPBEERY COCO LAIT ~ MUSKOKA

4.5% from Bracebridge, Ontario 25 IBU

Raspbeery Coco Lait the Moonlight Kettle offering for Febrewary. It is milk stout with chocolate and raspberry. Sampled on draught the stout poured an opaque deep brown black pour with a creamy beige head and some nice lacing. The aroma contained notes of raspberry, roasted malts, and chocolate. The taste was beautiful, the raspberries make an appearance but the brew still retains its ‘stoutness.’ Notes of raspberry and chocolate provides a nice contrast to the roasted malts. The carbonation is soft, providing a creamy mouth feel. I think this is nicely balanced stout, best drunk after dinner in lieu of a dessert. Well done Muskoka!

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.

REGAL LAGER ~ ROYAL CITY BREWING

Regal lager is an unfiltered lager (wouldn’t that make it a kellerbier?) that has been dry-hopped with Hallertau. Sampled on draught the beer poured a clear bright golden yellow with a generous off white sudsy head, which left nice lacing. The nose was ready with some citrus and hops. This is more malty than I would usually expect from a lager, but it is nicely balanced with the hop bitterness. There are also some bright citrus notes before a slightly piney finish. Quite drinkable.

5% from Guelph, Ontario 12 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.

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

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

HANSEL AND BRETT’LE ~ FORKED RIVER

Hansel and Brett’le is a farmhouse ale that has been aged in Ontario VQA Chardonnay casks for a half a year. Sampled on draught the ale poured a hazy bright golden yellow, with an ample loose white head. The head sticks around for a while before receding into a cap and collar. The nose had lots of vinous notes, as well as lemony citrus, apple, oakiness, earthiness and subtle malt and funk. The taste contained sweet grains, a slight wortiness, lemony citrus, pretty tartness, apple cider, chardonnay and oak notes. There was a little funk on the end. The finish is crisp, clean and dry. The body was light and the carbonation was lively. I enjoyed this beer, nicely balanced, and all (the brett, the barrels…) is done in moderation. Very refreshing.
4.9% from London, Ontario

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

AMBER ALE ~ HOCKLEY VALLEY 

5.2% from Hockley Valley, Ontario

Sampled from a tin, this amber ale poured a clear reddish coppery amber with a moderate cream head. The foam didn’t stick around and settled into a small collar, leaving some lacing. The nose was fairly mild with notes of caramel, grains and grass, floral English hops, earthiness, light citrus and perhaps the subtlest bit of chocolate. The taste is malt forward and follows the nose. There are notes of caramel sweetness, spice, biscuits, toasted grains, and leafy bitter hops in the finish. The carbonation was moderate and the body was on the light side of medium. This is a very sessional beer. Easy to drink, flavourful but nothing out of the ordinary.

TRICERATOPS TRIPEL ~ BEAU’S

9% from Vankleek Hills, Ontario

Triceratops is a triple gruit was made for the 5th annual International Gruit Day day and Beau’s Fe’brew’ary. This gruit is a marriage between a Belgian style triple and a great, which were flavoured with a variety of botanicals. This one includes bog myrtle, lavender and heather flowers. Sampled on draught this brew poured a hazy orangey yellow with a modest light white head. The head stuck around before settling into a cap and leaving lacing behind. The nose is quite floral with hints of fruity Belgian yeast. Notes of grass, lemon, lavender, pepper, fruit and grains are present. The flavour is a melange of spicy, fruity, herbal, sweet, floral, earthy and lightly bitter. The finish is off dry and has a warming boozy quality. The beer was medium bodied with moderate carbonation. This is an interesting hybrid recommended to the adventurous.

YELLOW FLOWERS ~ FOLLY

5.1 % from Toronto, Ontario
Sampled on draught, Yellow Flowers is a tart blonde ale brewed with hallertau hops. The beer poured a slightly cloudy bright yellow with a loose foamy head. The nose has some pleasant tartness along with some citrus, funk and flowery notes. The beer’s taste has vinous notes along with notes of grassy hay, florals, and tart grapefruit and lemon. The body is light and the finish is crisp and clean and lightly sour - with a touch of hops. The sourness is not overdone. A very approachable sour.

Photo courtesy: Folly Instagram

TERRESTRIAL INDIA BROWN ALE ~ WELLINGTON BREWERY

5.9% from Guelph, Ontario

Terrestrial Brown Ale was originally brewed as A Well One-Off, to be a bridge between trend and tradition, it has now been Re-Booted. It is billed as an India Brown Ale. Sampled on draught the beer poured a clear rich mahogany brown with an average foamy beige head, with good retention and nice lacing. The aroma had notes of roasted caramel, an earthiness, grainy malt, nuttiness, cocoa, citrus -leafy -floral- grassy hops ( a blend of five hops: Chinook, Cascade, Centennial, Sorachi Ace and Amarillo). The favour has some nice caramel malt sweetness alongside a plethora of hop flavours (leafy-citrus, floral, earthy). Notes of cereals, nuttiness, bread crusts, and subtle dark fruit, and perhaps a touch of cocoa are to be found too. A decent amount of hop bitterness is to be found on the finish. The body is average and the beer has a smooth creamy texture. Carbonation is pleasant and average. I quite liked this hoppy brown, a nice crossover.

AWAKENING ~ BIG RIG

5.8% from Ottawa, Ontario
Awakening is a red IPA. Sampled on draught this beer poured, a slightly hazy reddish amber with a moderate off white head. The froth left lovely lacing as it receded. Nice aroma containing caramel malts and herbal grassy hops, with a hint of fruity esters. The beer was had lovely malty flavours with a hoppy kick (herbal with a hint of grapefruit), and some fruit flavours in the background. The finish was moderately bitter, which complemented the caramel malts. The mouthfeel was slightly creamy, the body was medium and the carbonation was moderate. IPAs are not my favourite style, that being said, I really liked this one. Well balanced with a decent amount of hoppiness.

MONS ABBEY BLONDE ~ BELGH BRASSE

This is another beautiful brew from Amos, Quebec. It is brewed with esker spring water, using Pilsen and Pale malt, Styrian Gold hops, Saaz hops for aroma, and a classic Belgium yeast. Sampled from a caged and corked bottle, the beer poured a slightly hazy golden-copper with white head. There was some left sediment in the bottom of the bottle. The head lasted several minutes before fading into a cap, leaving impressive lacing in its wake. The nose is quite sweet with notes of florals, European hops, caramel, spice, orange peel, bread, and orchard fruit (especially apple and pear), and possibly some banana bread. The beer is sweet, but not as much as the nose would suggest. Flavours include light orange, banana, orchard fruit, breadiness, spice with hints of pepper and coriander. Grassy herbal hops are present in the finish. Overall, I think this is a very acceptable example of a Belgian style blonde (the brewmaster is apparently originally from Belgium). Worth trying.

7% Amos, Quebec

PORTER ~ FOUNDERS BREWING CO.

This porter for me was love at first sip! Sampled from a bottle, the porter poured an opaque very dark brown - nearly black. A lasting dark beige head, sat atop the beer, and left nice lacing as it receded. The nose contained notes of chocolate, as well as coffee, roasted malts, caramel, molasses and a slight herbal earthiness and smoke. The taste is rich and complex with layers of flavour. Notes of chocolate and coffee abound, with toasted malts, caramel malts, a touch of smoke and herbal leafy hops. The mouthfeel is full bodied and creamy smooth, with ‘just-enough’ carbonation. It is a beautiful example of the style, highly recommended.

6.5% Grand Rapids, Michigan  45 IBU

FIELD DAY ~ FOLLY

Field Day is Folly’s first wit beer. It is quite a unique wit beer and unlike others that I have had. It is brewed with wheat flakes, finished over coriander, orange and grapefruit zest and fermented with a Ontario wild yeast (wild Thing) from Ontario’s own Yeast lab, Escarpment Laboratories. Sampled on draught, the beer pours a clean light bright golden colour with a moderate white head that leaves patchy lacing as it recedes. The flavour is crisp and clean. There was no banana or bubble gum flavours but lots of bold pepper and coriander, with more subtle citrus notes. The carbonation was very effervescent , the body was light and the finish was very dry and bitter. Interesting brew, but maybe a little on the dry side for me.

5.3% from Toronto, Ontario 20 IBU