#1 AMERICAN WHEAT ALE ~ EXCHANGE BREWERY

Sampled on draught this ‘American Wheat Ale’ poured a golden yellow with a small white head, which did not last very long. The nose is straight forward and simple has a touch of wheat and hop fruitiness. The taste contains notes of biscuits, orchard fruits with stones, citrus, resin, a touch of pepper and sweet wheat malts. The balance is quite nice with slight malty sweetness and resiny hop finish. The body is medium as is the carbonation, with a piney dry finish. The wheat flavour is very light. A very nice pleasant session beer.
5.1% from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
Hops: Cascade and Mosaic

MOJO~FORKED RIVER

Mojo is an American Style Wheat beer with rhubarb and citra hops. Sampled on draught the beer poured a very slightly hazy light golden yellow with a moderate white head that did not linger very long, but did settle into a cap while leaving wisps of lacing on the glass. The nose contained some wheaty grains, bright citrus, citra hops and suggestions of tropical fruit and subtle rhubarb. The beer was quite easy to drink and easily quaffable. The beer begins with a little graininess – a nice crackery base, followed by citrus and tropical fruit, with a slight tartness (I am assuming from the rhubarb) and citra hops finish it off. The finish was crisp and dry, the carbonation was average, the body was light (but not thin), and the mouthfeel was silky smooth. I would have liked a little more rhubarb presence but this mild yet flavourful ale would be a great session summer sipper.

4.5% from London, Ontario 23 IBU

JUNCTION CRAFT BREWING ~ OLYMPIA LOOPING RED WHEAT ALE

Sampled from a bottle, Olympia Looping is a red wheat ale made with Red X malt (known for producing red fiery coloured brews). The beer poured a hazy deep amber-red-rust colour with a generous off white sudsy foam, which left a nice cap and some lacing. The nose is mild with some bubble gum, banana, mild spice and orchard and stone fruits. Tastes much like you would expect from a wheat beer, with a pleasant dry slightly bitter finish. The brew contained lots of off sweet tangy fruity flavours as well, making this quite a refreshing summer sipper. The beer was on the medium side of light in body and the carbonation was slightly soft. A decent sessionable summer drink. BTW “Olympia Looping” is the name of the largest portable steel roller coaster in the world, complete with five loops.

5.2 % from Toronto, Ontario IBU 18

MUSKOKA EQUINOX ~ MUSKOKA BREWERY

Muskoka Equinox is part of Muskoka’s Moonlight Kettle Series. It is American Pale Wheat ale brewed with Black cherries and Jim Beam bourbon soaked vanilla beans. Sampled on draught the beer pours a clear golden colour with a moderate creamy off white head. The nose contains sweet cherries, a touch of vanilla, dough bread. The taste follows as expected: doughy breadiness, black cherries, grass, and hints of vanilla. The cherries are not over done but do lend some sublime fruitiness. The carbonation was soft and the beer was medium-light bodied. A lovely refreshing fruit beer.

4.6 % from Bracebridge, Ontario 20 IBU

WIT'NER TOQUE ~ INDIE ALE HOUSE

This most interesting brew is seasonally available winter wheat ale. The beer is the winter version of their summer wheat ale but uses much darker malts, and includes some winter spices. I ordered it on draught not knowing what to expect and was first really surprised by its colour. The beer poured a deep amber coppery colour with an off white head, which left some lacing. The nose is primarily toasted malt and fruit (some tropical, some orchard), but spice, caramel and a little smoke are also evident. The beer had a nice complexity to it. It began with fruit especially plum, and caramel malts, dried fruit and spices also made an appearance. Very subtle chocolate makes an appearance, as does a restrained sweetness. A little hop bitterness and smoke are found on a slightly tart finish. I thought this wasn’t entirely unlike an ESB, but contained much more carbonation. For a darker beer, I found this easy drinking and quite refreshing. The body was light to medium and the carbonation was bright and effervescent. An interesting beer from people who make some great products. Definitely worth a try.
5% from Toronto, Ontario IBU 30
Key Ingredients: Midnight wheat, Belgian yeast, orange.