Thursday 26 June 2014

Beer # 134 Augustijn


Augustijn

Brouwerij Van Steenberg

Lindenlaan, Ertvelde,
 Belgium
Independent (Distributed by SAB Miller)
Belgian Golden Ale  7.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 330 ml
$3.33(Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: Not found

Another beer from the Fridge of Fame. Part of a Belgian beer collection I got a while ago. Luckily for me most good Belgian beers can stand a little age in the bottle, and this one was no exception. It opened with a big spurt which I discovered was from being left on the lees for a secondary fermentation. There was no real spillage. There was a small amount of sediment that posed no problem to pouring. This particular beer has been brewed in Belgium since 1295 with only one recipe rework in 1978 when the main production of the beer was handed over to the current brewery from the Augustinian Monks. The taste profile was balanced slightly and it was redesigned to undergo a secondary fermentation in the bottle.

Anyway... onto the tasting.

Dark rich golden colour with a bright white head, very large and made of small bubbles. Aromas of yeast, fresh bread, and light malt. First sip is citrusy, good malt, snappy, effervescent. Alcohol is noticeable but not overwhelming. Taste is rich , grainy, and light. There is some spice, clove and cinnamon. Aeration gives us toasty warm bread notes, and a hit of the alcohol.


Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 




Cost: 5/6 PASS

Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order:  5/6 PASS
Experience:  5/6 PASS


Final Thoughts: 

I may have let this one age a bit too long. The fruity flavours are a tad muted. However, this is still a nice well rounded beer with lots going for it. This beer can honestly be enjoyed for up to 2 years after the production date... but, I wouldn't wait that long.


CheersCJT



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Monday 23 June 2014

OCBWeek Extras

 Extras 

There was so much to see and do, I really couldn't get to it all. I have a love hate relationship with Toronto. It was my home for many years. I made friends there, had good times (and bad). I miss Kensignton Market, and try to visit whenever I am in town. Sadly each time it's a little less Boho. The AGO with it's monumental Henry Moore, and lovely collection of the Group of 7. Chinatown with it's hustle and bustle, making you think you are running a race backwards through the crowd. The smells, the food, the fascinating people. I miss it, and boy am I ever glad I am gone.



Thoughts on my First Annual #OCBWeek and #PintJockeyLiveBlog


The Art Gallery of Ontario Advertising the Group of 7 
LUCKY MOOSE?... well there was a moose on the roof (Not Joking)
Some pointy thing downtown
 I would call it a success.  Maybe not a rousing one but a success nonetheless. I had some learning curves, some difficulties, and a lot of unknowns. But I am raring to try again next year. Maybe if I ask the boss real nice-like, I can get August 2nd off to go to Session Muskoka!

Cheers

CJT... 
P.S. Enjoy my Random Pictures.
THIS... Is why I love Toronto... so many different foods

Car Planter Kensington Market
Found the Trailer, But not Kensington Brewery

Kensington art tends to have a political leaning


Shut up and take my money!!!!

Random fence poetry

Random fence poetry part 2




Opposing viewpoints
They were practically side by side at Dundas

OCB Week Location # 3 The Only Cafe

The Only Cafe


Honestly, this bar is my home away from home. It is the greatest, art bar, boho bar live music bar, and craft beer bar ever ( I'm being biased)

It was at one time the local watering hole of one of Canada's best Independent bands ever: The Lowest of the Low. They mention the bar in two of their songs... see the videos to the right.I spent (wasted)  many a good night here. It is a place the world comes to see you. The only was a craft beer bar before there really was craft beer bars. I came in here for my first sip of Duggan's #9... I used to drink Big Rock Traditional in here before Big Rock was a Big Thing... No matter how crowded, how hectic and how hip it seems.. it's not. It's home... a place where you can strike up a conversation with someone you would have never known. Play a game of scrabble, or Trivial pursuit with them... long before the advent of Game Cafes.... The Only welcomes all... The only...is the Only. As cryptic as that sounds, only someone who has had a pint here will know... it is a slow clap, nod in acknowledgement, only the best will know club. I am proud to have called The Only my Local at one time, and no matter how much she changes... she always welcomes me home.

Ono the Tastings!

Beer # 1

Maris Pale Ale
Left Field Brewery (Toronto)
ABV 4.5 %

very clear gold in colour whispy white head nose is light grain some caramel. First sip is light malt caramel, some grain, very thin, a little watery. A touch of vanilla and a little wood.

Beer # 2

So Say We All Session IPA
Nickel Brook Brewery (Burlington)
ABV 4.2%

Dark and brooding. Colour is a cloudy deep chestnut.Thin white head is almost non-existent. Nose is roasted grain a little burnt sugar some oak and vanilla. First sipp is nutty toasted malt and light chocolate. There are very light coffee notes, as well as a slight woodiness.

Beer # 3

Genius of Suburbia
Flying Monkey's Brewery (Barrie)
ABV

Light gold in colour, thin white head.Pine and citrus on the nose. There is a lot of Christmas tree going on in this nose.The taste of pine is milder than the nose.herbal hops pop up in place of the pine, The taste is very light and refreshing. Cleansing on the palate.

Beer # 4

Professor Dunkel Bock
Barley Days Brewery (Picton)
ABV 6.0%

Red in colour, with a thin white head. Dark caramel nose, burnt sugars, and fresh herbs.First sip is cloves, pumpernickel bread some molasses, caraway, deeply toasted malt

Beer # 5

Keefe's Irish Stout
Granite Brewery ( Toronto )
Cask
ABV 3.8%

Extremely dark brown, light tan head. Roasted malt on the nose some smoke, and coffee. First sip is coffee with some chocolate, tosted malt, some molasses, and turbinado sugar.

Beer # 6

Root Down
Wellington Brewery ( Guelph)
Flavoured Golden Ale
ABV 5.0%

Very light gold in colour with a very thin white head. The nose is all ginger. Deeply floral taste that explodes with ginger. Light graininess, and a touch of hops. Very smooth, reminiscent ginger beer.

Beer # 7

Festivale
Beau's all Natural Brewing (Van Kleek Hill )
Altbier
ABV 4.8%

Copper in colour with a white head. Sweet sugar and malt on the nose. Pastry, and sugar, like a bear claw. Wheaty and sweet. Caramel , and bread develops, and turns into some darker malt. Middle of the road.

Beer # 8

504 Pale Ale
Liberty Village Brewery
ABV 4.8 %

Light to clear gold in colour with a long lasting white head made of tiny bubbles. Hoppy and piney on the nose, light grapefruit and slightly toasty.First sip is very piney. moving on to light malt and some slight caramel and citrus.

Beer # 9

Cascadian  Dark Ale
Junction Craft Brewery
Black IPA
ABV 5.0%

Dark coffee brown with a light tan head. Aroma is all coffee and chocolate with a light herbal essence. First sip is bitter coffee and very dark chocolate deeply roasted malt and dark rye bread. Slightly bitter finish roasty and toasty.

Beer # 10

Enigma
Grand River Brewing
Red Ale
Cask ABV 6.0%

Exceedingly brown to black thin wisp of a head just off-white. Nose is high alcohol, grapey, sweet, bourbon and brandy. First sip is candy and maple syrup. sweet and well rounded. slightly sticky Some oak, vanilla, and toasted sugars. Slightly rum centred taste.Very unusual and very delightful.


Cheers

CJT

OCB Week Location # 2 Bar Volo

Bar Volo

Bar Volo is probably  the best craft beer bar in Toronto.  From it's communal seating to it's order and pay (for everything) at the bar it reeks of non-pretentiousness. Servers are kept busy delivering awesome food, and clearing glasses... oh, so many glasses. Bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and very helpful, especially when you come in to first navigate their 30 plus tap list which is printed on a giant chalkboard in the middle of the bar. A chalkboard which is updated frequently though the night and often tweeted about on twitter. The tap list is listed by letter and numbers... you figure out what you want, you tell the bartender the letter, and they pour it for you from the simple wooden tap marked with that letter.

They also produce a small line of their own beers on site, called House Ales, and we will taste one of those tonight.

Here is also where I ran into some unfortunate technical difficulties. Namely some dead batteries. So I had to switch to hand written notes and this also explains why there are no pictures (and the fact I am late posting this blog).

Beer # 1

Belgian Saison
Left Field Brewery (Toronto)
ABV 5.2%

Light gold in colour, crisp white head made up of tiny bubbles. Banana and cloves on the nose. First sip is light, fruity, banana, mildly hoppy. Cloves and citrus, coriander, meaty and filled with umami. Would be an excellent food beer.

Beer # 2

Chill Winston Belgian Grisette
Great Lakes Brewery (Toronto)
ABV 3.8%

Light gold in colour, thin skiff of white foam for a head. Wheaty nose with some fruit. First sip is sweet and tart berries and cherries, light, dry with a bready finish.


(N.B. I was actually stumped by this, I had not heard the term Grisette used before. It turns out it is a Belgian Saison, or Farmhouse ale particular to a mining region of Belgium, Hainaut province. The name references a young girl who works in factories and wore a Grey (gris) uniform, often these ladies would hand out trays of beers to miners as they returned to the surface).
Beer # 3
Ezra Belgian Farmhouse ale aged in Spirit Tree Cider Barrels
Great Lake Brewery Collaboration with Amsterdam Brewery (Both Toronto)
ABV 6.2%

Deep woody gold with a light white head made of tiny bubbles. Aroma is apples spice cloves and a hint of ammonia. First taste is wheat mixed with apples.Creamy, smooth, slightly tart. Finish is dry, tartaric acid, and crisp green apple.

Beer # 4

Watermelon Wheat
Kensington  Brewing Company (Toronto)
ABV 4.5%

Gold in colour with very little head. Very light green melon on the nose, and watermelon rind. First sip is Midori melon liqueur which is quickly replaced with tea. Similar to an iced black tea made with a hint of melon, some sweetness but fairly dry.

Beer # 5

Limp Puppet India Session Ale
Great Lakes Brewery (Toronto)
ABV 3.8%

Cloudy white gold with an off white head. The nose is very piney. Touch of pine in the attack, quickly turning to ruby red grapefruit. Fresh and clean, tingly, citrus, herbal, oregano and basil on the finish.

Beer # 6

Rooster Tail American Wheat
Northwinds Brewery  (Collingwood)
ABV 4.9%

Bronzed gold in colour, with a light white head. Nose is crystal malt, bread, and coconut (sunscreen). First sip is warm and nutty, black tea, candy, effervescent, creamy. Some caramel and bread on the finish.

Beer # 7

Marmalade Saison (Cask)
Black Oak Brewery (Etobicoke)
ABV 5.0%

Rich honey gold in colour with a creamy white head. Nose is toast and marmalade. Sherriff's marmalade as a matter of fact.fact. Caramelised oranges, sugar and light fruit. First sip is warm and  nutty orange, cooked sugars, toasted brown bread, Hazelnuts, Frangelico, with sweet overripe oranges on the finish.

Beer # 8

Fermium Double Black IPA
Bar Volo House Ales
ABV 8.0%

Very dark brown with a light tan head. Nose is dark chocolate, espresso, toasted bread, and slightly nutty. First sip is darkly roasted malt, nutty, walnuts, bruleed sugar, very bitter dark chocolate and strong herbal hops. Warm toasty pumpernickel bread and black strap molasses. 

Cheers

CJT

Wednesday 18 June 2014

OCB Week Location # 1 C'est What


C'est What

C'est What is one of those eternal Toronto hotspots. It used to have a concert hall and was a huge bastion of independent music back in the day. Now they have switched focus to good food and even better beer. Always a good place to come when you are looking for that unusual brew. It is one of my favourite stops. It is located on Front street near Church, so anyone who knows this area knows it is great for people watching. It is also in the basement so it gives that aire of exclusivity, if you are not in the know... you don't know.Well know it and look it up. You will not regret it.

Beer #1

Barn Door Brewing Company (Brewed at King Brewery, Nobleton.)
Tombstone India Pale Lager
ABV 5.0%

Light gold in colour slightly cloudy thin white head made up of small bubbles. Nose is floral, sandy, smells of the beach. First sip is an interesting mix between a German lager and an IPA. Light citrus and fruity with a back bone of bitterness. Crystal malt some caramel, and a little wet grain on the middle. Very bready on the finish.





Beer #2

Granite Brewery, Toronto
Hopping Mad
ABV 6.0%

Rusty copper in colour, bright white head made up of small to medium sized bubbles. Caramel and burnt sugar on the nose, roasted malt. Very light and refreshing, hoppy, licorice, turbinado sugar. cheek puckering. Almost forgot to take a picture...








Beer # 3

Wellington Brewery, Guelph
Shangri-La IPA
ABV 6.0%

Clear orange gold in colour with a fluffy white head, made up of small bubbles. Roasted malt on the nose with light caramel some fruit and a touch of ammonia. First sip is very grain forward, some piney hops, a touch of bitterness, and some light citrus. Finish is herbal and medicinal hops.

Final Thoughts:

C'est What has an awe inspiring selection of beer, I could honestly spend the rest of the night and the rest of my money in here... but more adventure awaits... Avante!


Live Blog at Six Pints Specialty Beer Co. Beer Acadamy


Six Pints

Six Pints is the Molson Coors craft beer arm, and is made up of Creemore Springs and Granville Island Brewing companies. They have also opened a dedicated brewery and education facility on Victoria Street in Toronto. I have wanted to come in since I first noticed this place about 2 years ago... however I had not had the time. Today was my chance. I know this is Craft Beer Week, and here I am making my first stop in a conglomerate Macro-craft haven... but it is, what it is. Here are the three samples I tried.

Beer # 1

Beer Academy Black Lager
ABV 5%

Coffee coloured, very light tan head. Coffee on the nose some roasted malt. Coffee notes on the first sip very light, chocolate wood, slight hint of malt sugar slightly bitter finish. Despite the dark apperance it is light and refreshing, Some burnt sugars remain on the palate should have tasted this one last.

Beer # 2

Beer Academy  IPA
ABV 6%

Copper to orange in colour.Thin whisp of a white head, made up of very small bubbles. Pine and tropical fruit on the nose. Good strong piney hops dominate the first sip, followed by some creaminess, and some medicinal herbals. Some grapefruit and a little pithy. Very light tasting again.




Beer # 3

Beer Academy Rye PA
ABV 5.06%

Cloudy and very pale yellow gold. thin white head. A touch of ammonia on the nose with medicinal herbals and grapefruit.First sip is all grapefruit.Tangy citrus, orange and tangerine. Seems hoppier than it's 48 IBU. Breadiness on the finish, rye shows up late to the party... very pithy Transforms from pleasant taste to unpleasant finish. Not bad... not great either.

Overall thoughts

Thin light, not a lot of flavour, craft beer watered down to bare recognisability.  Worth a try, but once is enough.

Cheers
CJT


The Adventure Begins

Well sportsfans... the long anticipated day has arrived.  #ocbweek #pintjockeyliveblog. .. is in effect.  Got up very early for this old chef and have hit the bus station and am being whisked to Toronto. (Yes, safety first... I plan on consuming many fine beers today... so I will leave the driving to someone else. ) This is a milestone for my young blog. This is the first post on the road  (literally and figuratively.... I'm on a bus... ) This is somewhere I've wanted to take the blog for a while and I am excited to see the reception it gets. Once again you have been very good to me, I am enjoying record readership,  and I hope you all are enjoying my rantings, pontifications, and musings on all things beer. (As I do love ranting, pontificating, and musing.)

Well it's about time to crank up the tunes and sit back and read my book... there are 2 hours left in this trip. Plenty of time to spend with The Trews, The Lowest of the Low, and The Headstones... good Canadian music pairs well with good Canadian Craft Beer. Don't forget to follow along on Twitter @pintjockey. ..  and Untappd I will post random thoughts all day. Randomness should increase as the day goes on. I apologise in advance for spelling and grammar mistakes... they will be corrected once I return to headquarters I assure you... Most of all thank you for making this journey with me... first round is on me...

Cheers
CJT

Tuesday 17 June 2014

Beer # 133 Goose Island Sofie


Sofie


Chicago, Illinois, USA

Owned by Anheuser-Busch Inbev
Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale (Flavoured) 6.5 % ABV 
Brown Glass Bottle 765 ml
$9.95 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @gooseisland

Another quick one from Goose Island. Tonight's beer is a Belgian Farmhouse ale that is done slightly differently. 20% of the beer is aged in wine barrels with orange peels, then blended with regular ale. It is a nice touch leaving the beer very complex yet still subtle. It also is unfiltered and bottle conditioned on the lees.

Onto the tasting:

Light gold in colour with a slight tinge of green and just a hint of cloudiness. Bright white, towering head made up of medium sized bubbles.Head disperses quickly leaving a delicate lace pattern. Nose is very green with orange peel, mixed citrus and coriander some caramel and vanilla, very light. Some light bread and yeast notes. First sip is winey, green, caramel, bready, fruit and floral. Some tartness at the finish. Aeration brings out oak, caramel, vanilla and yeast.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 4/6 PASS

Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order:  6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Experience:  5/6 PASS


Final Thoughts: 

A very good beer, lots of complexity, yet not overwhelming. A good blend of barley and wheat to make a smooth very drinkable beer.
Cheers


CJT



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Beer # 132 Goose Island Matilda

Matilda



Chicago, Illinois, USA

Owned by Anheuser-Busch Inbev
Belgian Style Pale Ale 7.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 765 ml
$9.95 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @gooseisland

I had heard of this brewery before and I was very excited when I discovered it at a local LCBO. Goose Island was started in 1988 as a brew pub named Clybourn. It became known as Goose Island brewing company in 1995 when it opened it's main brewery. It then opened a second brewpub called Wrigleyville in 1999. As of 2011 Fulton Street Brewing company, the legal name of Goose Island Brewing Company, was sold to Anheuser-Busch Inbev.

Onto the tasting:

Light orange to gold in colour with a fluffy white head made up of medium sized bubbles. Good lacing and long lasting head. Aroma is very fruity and yeasty with a slight cinnamon and clove scent hidden in the middle. First sip is citrus mainly orange, very light and refreshing followed by a warming of the body from the alcohol. Fruit gives way to roasty caramel, vanilla and a little bread. There is a good amount of residual sweetness, yet the beer drinks very clean. The lips are not sticky, nor does the sugar seem sickly. There is some similarity to an aged hard apple cider, some tartness, tartaric acid, green apple. Strong resemblance to a champagne as well, tart and bready. Aeration gives us a creamy feeling airy and effervescent mouthfeel citrus and apple.


Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 4/6 PASS

Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order:  6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Experience:  5/6 PASS


Final Thoughts: 

Like drinking a good wine. It is well crafted and full of flavours. I was eagerly anticipating this beer, however I was disappointed to find it was a Macro-craft. Wholly owned by one of the largest breweries in the world, I am worried that something will be sacrificed. Hopefully they will be able to maintain their high standards.
Cheers


CJT



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Beer # 131 County Durham Signature Ale

Signature Ale


Durham Brewing Company
Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Independent
English Style Pale Ale 5.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 500 ml
$3.95 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: N/A

Down to Durham County for a OCBWeek beer. Durham County is an unusual brewery, in that they don't do much social media. They have no website, and no twitter feed. They do have a page on the OCB website, which is here but otherwise they are pretty absent from the internet. I guess they prefer to let their beer do the talking... which is fine with me.  It isn't often I find their beer in bottles or cans so I was delighted to find this one at an LCBO down in Etobicoke. Mostly on encounters they beers on tap at local bars, especially C'est What  in Toronto, where they brew a line of beers just for them.

Enough already, onto the tasting...

Very dark gold in colour, almost light copper, with a fantastic beefy head made up of tiny off-white bubbles. Very long lasting with good lacing. Honey sweet nose with medicinal hops aroma light pine and camphor. Honey is there on the first sip as is caramel and tangy hops. Slightly piney, floral, herbaceous. The hops are very fresh and green. Aeration gives us an explosion of bright green and piney hops. finish is floral and caramel.



Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 



Cost: 5/6 PASS

Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order:  5/6 PASS
Experience:  5/6 PASS


Final Thoughts: 

Of all the beers that claim to be "British" or "English Style" this is the first one I have found that does indeed taste like a British beer. Light, floral and fresh, it is a delightful beer. Very thirst quenching, and a great beer to drink on it's own, or with some good BBQ.


Cheers


CJT


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Saturday 14 June 2014

Beer # 130 Cameron's Auburn Ale

Auburn Ale

Cameron's Brewing Company

Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Independent
West Coast Ale 5.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 341 ml
$2.50 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @CameronsBrewing

And we are starting off OCB Week with a bang. Lot's to come so stay tuned. Until then here is another from Cameron's.

Auburn colour indeed, a very nice rusty brown with a very pale tan head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is dark sugary malts, slightly nutty, and a hint of hops, floral and medicinal. First sip gives us a complex roasted malt, very dry through the middle with a hint of sweetness at the end. Light in body and well rounded, Finish is green herbal hopes ending tart, and slightly bitter. Aeration brings out the green hops and some of the malt sugars.



Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 5/6 PASS

Colour: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Beer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order:  5/6 PASS
Experience:  5/6 PASS


Final Thoughts: 

Avery good well rounded beer, complex, yet still light.


Cheers


CJT


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Monday 9 June 2014

Upcoming Adventures

#PintJockeyLiveBlog at #OCBWeek!

One of the biggest beer events is upon us. In 4 days the Ontario Craft Brewer's  OCB Week, launches on Father's day Now in it's fifth year, OCB week is a celebration of all things Craft Beer in Ontario. While events happen all over Ontario, Toronto is the main focus, and that is where yours truly will be heading on June 18th. I am going to be live blogging from some of my favourite bars in the city. The Only Cafe, Bar Volo, Thirsty and Miserable, to name a few. I am also going to try to get to Mill Street Brewery's Flight tasting, and Six Pints as well (Plus any other trouble I can get up too). So stay tuned to the blog, my twitter, and Untappd for all of the updates.  Also look for the Hashtags #OCBWeek and #PintJockeyLiveBlog, The OCB Week Website is here check them out for events near you.

Here at the headquarters I am continuing the spring cleaning of the Fridge of Fame, there are a few more backlog beers that I wish to post about before I bring in more for the summer season.

As always thanks for sticking here with me. Last month I had a record number of viewers and I am hoping to best that again this month. It warms my heart that you all enjoy the ramblings of this old farm boy.

Cheers

CJT


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Thursday 5 June 2014

Beer # 129 Cameron's Deviator Doppelbock Oak Aged Series

Deviator Doppelbock Oak Aged Series

Cameron's Brewing Company

Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Independent
Oak Aged Doppelbock 8.6 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 341 ml
$2.50 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @CameronsBrewing

Ashamedly this is my first trip down to Cameron's Brewing. I am not a stranger to their beer, yet I haven't yet posted about them yet. Opened in 1997, Cameron's is certainly one of the pioneering craft breweries in the GTA and are well known in the craft beer circuit. Their Rye P.A. is spectacular (hopefully I will get to one soon). They are always big at OCBWeek, so I hope to see some there.  Tonight's beer is a German style doppelbock, that has been aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels for 6 months.


Enough with the set up... onto the beer:

Very dark chestnut in colour with a caramel coloured head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is very earthy, wood, portobello mushroom, malt candy, vanilla, and licorice. taste is black licorice, vanilla, turbinado sugar. As the taste progresses coffee, oak, cream, and a twinge of bitterness come out. It is not unlike horehound candy, malty, licorice, and a touch of medicinal qualities.The oak ageing has done wonders for the complexity of the beer, giving it a whisky feel. The alcohol is evident and warming but does not detract from the beer. The finish is dark caramel almost butterscotch. Aeration shows off the high alcohol, and brings out the oak in a big way, especially the bourbon.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 5/6 PASS

Colour: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order:  5/6 PASS
Experience:  5/6 PASS


Final Thoughts: 

a deep dark brooding beer perfect for contemplation. Complex, earthy and Delicious. One of these is enough. The alcohol is hot and sets in quickly.  Enjoy one by yourself or share one or two with a friend.


Cheers


CJT


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Beer # 128 Highlander Blacksmith Smoked Porter

Blacksmith Smoked Porter

Highlander Brew Company

South River, Ontario, Canada
Independent
Smoked Porter .4 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 650 ml
$4.75 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @HighlanderBrew

Back again for the third of three from the Highlander Brew Co. Tonight we finish up with the Smoked porter. Highlander takes it's name from the Almaguin Highlands where the town of South River is located. It is a beautiful rugged country predominated by the Canadian Shield, ancient pink to red pre-cambrian granite that runs across the country in a large band. In fact the highway through South River used to be noted for it's pink hue, that was caused by utilising the pink granite blasted away for the roadbed in the asphalt as an aggregate.

Enough already... on to the Highlander... (There can only be ONE!)


Very dark brown with a small tan head made of small bubbles, that disperse quickly. Aroma is smoky, bacon, malt. First sip is smoky and fruity, creamy malt sugars and a slight bitterness serve to round out the taste aeration enhances creaminess, sweetness and roasted malt


Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 5/6 PASS

Colour: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order:  6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Experience:  5/6 PASS


Final Thoughts: 

A lovely smoked beer that doesn't taste like you are being choked out by a campfire. The smoke serves to enhance the sweetness, and fruit of the malt. A nice easy sipper, but would go great with some good BBQ as well.


Cheers


CJT


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