Monday 21 December 2015

The 12 Days of Christmas Bob and Doug Index 2015 Edition

Well The clock on the wall says Christmas is fast approaching and I only have a few more bottles left in my 2-4 Beers of Christmas sack. I am quite thankful that I didn't get shelved with a bad cold like I did at this time last year. So I am happy to say I will be wrapping up  my 2-4 beers on Christmas Eve on schedule. Don't worry.. you have all been excellent Beer readers so I'm sure I will have a few bonus beers hidden away for the end of the year just for you. Plus as always the New Year brings new beers and The first week is always the celebration of... ME! Yes it is my birthday coming up again (funny how it happens every year,,,) I will plan a little Pint Jockey Birthday Week Celebration... because I deserve it.

So one other thing I had noticed that I hadn't gotten to yet was my "Incredibly Scientific Holiday Metric..." The Bob and Doug Index . I do have to work early tomorrow so to expedite things I will quote most of last years blog post here below as it explains it, rather well (well of course it does... I wrote it!) I have made temporal changes where needed...


For the last 30 31 years PNC Financial has calculated the costs of each gift in the Classic "12 Days of Christmas" Carol and published the results. Thus hoping to interest children in economics Now with apologies to my readers outside of Canada or the US who may be unfamiliar with the song, we Canadians have had our own version of he twelve days of Christmas written by eminent hosers Bob and Doug Mackenzie. Bob and Doug Mackenzie started out as a SCTV sketch in 1980 as a filler for US networks who ran the Canadian show. In Canada there were more commercials than the US at the time and SCTV's running time was too short for American Networks. So Rick Moranis (who went on to be in Ghostbusters with Fellow Canadian Dan Ackroyd and Spaceballs with Mel Brooks) and Dave Thomas (who also had a number of TV appearances on American shows) Became Bob and Doug Mackenzie... The apex of the stereotypical American view of Canadians. Beer swilling, plaid wearing hoser-talking Canadians. They were a surprise smash hit and also became symbols of the Canadian self-deprecating humour. Their popularity peaked with their 1983 movie "Strange Brew" and an album recorded with the help of Honorary Hoser Geddy Lee of the Canadian band RUSH. On that album... This song appeared:

Bob and Doug's 12 Days of Christmas. Well twelve may be a bit much... as they get tired and thirsty most of the way through and end at 8... We are easily distracted up here in Canada especially when there is beer around. Back to my original point, I had proposed on Facebook that we create the Bob and Doug 12 Days of Christmas Index. And shortly after I posted my own version of the PNC Christmas index with all of the appropriate Calculations based on the lyrics of Bob and Doug's revised (Canadian) version of the song.
So in the grand tradition that I started last  two years ago... I give you:
THE SECOND THIRD ANNUAL BOB AND DOUG 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS INDEX (2015 Edition!)


Beer in a Tree                                     $  96.30             $ 770.40
Two Turtle Necks                               $  39.98             $ 279.86
Three  French Toasts                          $  32.07             $ 192.42
Four Pounds of Back Bacon               $  27.00             $ 135.00
Five Golden Tuques                            $  64.95             $ 259.80
Six Two-Fours                                     $ 299.70            $ 899.10
Seven Packs of Smokes                       $  90.65             $ 181.30
Eight Comic Books                              $  39.92             $  39.92


Each present given once     2014:   $ 682.74
                                            2015:   $ 690.57           Percent Change  + 1.15%

Each Present Given Each Verse       2014:   $ 2695.24
                                                          2015:   $ 2757.80             Percent Change  + 2.32%
                                                                               

There you go... you are slightly wiser than when you started reading this blog post, whether it is for the better or not remains to be seen. Tune in tomorrow for a few more beer updates.

Cheers

CJT

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The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 20: Tree Brewing Hop Head Black India Pale Ale

Beer # 268 Hop Head Black India Pale Ale

Tree Brewing Company

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Independent Brewery
Black India Pale Ale 8.0 % ABV 
Brown Glass Bottle Can 650 ml
$6.25 (Canadian) At LCBO 

Twitter: @TreeBrewing


Tonight's offering we go back to British Columbia. This time to Kelowna, one of my favourite towns in the interior of the province. Situated on the southern end of Lake Okanagan, in the heart of BC wine country. We have been to Tree before, we sampled their Cutthroat West Coast Pale Ale, and found it to be a good beer. Let's see what they do with a black IPA. For those of you who have not heard of this style before, it is an American Pale ale style done with deeply malted barley.  alcohol range can be from 5% to 10% and this one clocks in at the higher side, at 8%.

Let's try one now...

Pours a opaque dark chestnut brown Bright herbal hop nose with a rich malty aroma. Deep caramel and some char. First sip is smoky malt and molasses, with some green bitter hops. some rum and wood through the middle. Aeration gives us some warm alcohol, hints of coffee finish is bitter green hops with hints of marijuana on the finish. 

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
Christmas Cheer: 5/6 PASS

Final Thoughts:



It's a good beer. I certainly enjoyed drinking it. It is a nice IPA and the rich malt flavours do something nice for the beer. But, it is still fairly average. Do try it for yourself though.


Cheers


CJT


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Saturday 19 December 2015

The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 19: Central City, Red Racer Gingerhead Stout

Beer # 267 Gingerhead Gingerbread Stout

Central City Brewing Company

Surrey, British Columbia

Independent Microbrewery
Flavoured Stout 6.0 % ABV 
Brown Glass Bottle 650 ml.
$5.95 (Canadian) At the LCBO

Twitter: @CentralCityBrew


Picking up another new brewery (new to me!) Tonight we head to Canada's West coast for Surrey's Central City Brewing Company. Tonight's offering is a gingerbread stout... perfect for my 2-4 Beers of Christmas List.

Let's give it a shot...

Pours a opaque black/brown with a light tan head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is vanilla, baking, molasses, and cinnamon. Taste is very malty  with hints of artificial vanilla. ginger is very light and cinnamon is deep in the background. Overly sweet with notes of coffee and char. Aeration is gives us some creaminess, stale ginger hints of chemical.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 5/6 PASS

Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 4/6 PASS
Re-Order:  0/6  FAIL
Experience:  0/6 FAIL
Christmas Cheer: 0/6 FAIL

Final Thoughts:



This beer smells artificial, does not even resemble gingerbread and has a chemical aftertaste. In 5+ years I have been doing this Blog I have only been unable to finish and have poured out one other beer. This Beer became the second recipient of the #DrainAward. Avoid.


Cheers

CJT


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Friday 18 December 2015

The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Days 17 & 18: The Light Side Vs The Dark Side.


A Long Time Ago, 
in a Pint Jockey Headquarters far away...

BEER WARS
The Froth Awakens: Episode I


It's Star Wars Day

Ok, I have to admit it I'm a huge nerd. Especially when it comes to Star Wars. I did a very big dance of joy when I heard that George Lucas had sold the franchise to Disney and that they had plans to begin releasing new movies. So for three years I have eagerly awaited this day, and although I have to wait a few more days before we go out to see the movie, I am so glad we have arrived at this day of nerdom. I have heard very positive things about the movie and can't wait til we go out and see it as a family.

So in honour of this day I decided to do a side by side tasting, Light versus Dark. Because when you think about it, beer is like the Force... there are light beers and dark beers, and after a few... you begin to believe you can move things with your mind.  Donning the Jedi Robes for the Light side tonight we have Muskoka Brewery's Winterweiss (get it? Weiss... White... Light side?) And warming up in the corner with their Force Chokes and Force Lightning Epic Brewing Company's Coffee and Fig Imperial Oatmeal Stout. (Imperial? yep... another pun).

It is time to bring balance to the Force... Let my taste buds awaken.



The Contenders

The Light Side 


Beer # 265 Winterweiss

Muskoka Brewery


Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada

Independent Microbrewery
Dunkelweiss 5.0% ABV 
Aluminum Can 473 ml.
$3.00 (Canadian) At LCBO


Twitter: @Muskokabrewery

Pours a deep chestnut with an off-tan head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is a spicy mix of clove and bananas with some caramel toward the back. First sip is super light bodied and very refreshing lovely clean wheat tones followed by spiced banana bread. Aeration gives us a yeasty fresh risen bread dough, Finish is light and malty with some gentle hop flavours.


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
Christmas Cheer: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL


Final Thoughts:


A very standard dunkelweiss. Nothing out of the ordinary. Actually an almost textbook example.  Good flavour, light tasting, and easy drinking. A holiday must have if you can get one.


The Dark Side


Beer # 266 Epicurean Coffee and Fig Imperial Oatmeal Stout

Epic Brewing Company


Auckland, New Zealand

Independent Brewery
Flavoured Oatmeal Stout 8.0% ABV 
Brown Glass Bottle 750 ml.
$13.90 (Canadian) At LCBO 


Twitter: @EpicBeer


Pours an inky dark brown with a light tan head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is very darkly roasted malt with coffee and some smoke, also an underlying caramel sweetness, with some dried fruit. First sip the figs take over giving us a fairly light bodied and fruity ale.coffee and 
caramelised sugars follow and the the lips are left quite sticky from the sugars. Notes of char and darkly toasted bread mixed with a figgy jam. Aeration gives us some alcohol, whisky and cola notes. Finish is smoky and dry.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 5/6 PASS

Colour: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Beer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order:  6/6  EXCEPTIONAL
Experience:  6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Christmas Cheer: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL


Final Thoughts:


Oh. Wow. This is an awesome beer. and I mean that in it's correct context this beer inspires awe. Deep, dark rich flavours, yet still very easy to drink. 






And the Verdict

Well, tonight the Dark Side wins, just edging out the home team Muskoka Brewery... Sorry guys... But you know those scrappy Rebels won't be down for long... 

Cheers 

CJT

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Thursday 17 December 2015

The 2-4 Days of Christmas Day 16: Hornbeer's Viking Chili Stout

Beer # 264 Viking Chili Stout (Megagrisk)
Hornbeer

Valby, Køpbenhaven, Denmark

Independent Microbrewery
Flavoured Stout 10.0 % ABV 
Brown Glass Bottle 500 ml
$8.20 (Canadian) At LCBO 

Twitter: N/A



Tonight's offering is another beer from Denmark. This Chili Stout, that was awarded Best new beer of 2013, is produced by a small brewery in a suburb of Copenhagen. Formed in 2008, Hornbeer... (I kid you not!) was the brainchild of Gunhild and Jorgen Fogh Rasmussen (I think they are married... not sure). Jorgen was a farmer and a home brewer and decided to take his hobby to a commercial level. Only able to brew 300 L at a time the brewery did very well at first. Their Caribbean Rum Stout won best new beer in Denmark in 2008. However before that first year let out the brewery burnt to the ground. Undaunted, Gunhild and Jorgen rebuilt a much larger space able to produce 2000 HL per year. And more importantly... They made a commitment to brew a greener beer. The new brewery is powered by solar panels and the beer is cooled using geothermal power. They are committed to brewing a CO2 neutral beer. 

So how does a greener beer taste? Let's find out...

Pours a deep dark brown with a perfect tan coloured head made up of small bubbles. The  beer is the same colouration of a Doberman Pinscher. The aroma is heavily roasted barley malt with hints of cocoa, chili powder, and vanilla. First sip gives us the last ingredient of the beer, the licorice. while not overpowering the licorice flavour lends a sweet sharp spike to the beginning of the beer. Very smooth and sweet, slightly creamy on the mouthfeel. The licorice gives way to a slightly sugary vanilla cocoa taste, and the peppers hit you on the finish. never more than a mild warming and a tingle on the tongue and the back of the throat. Aeration ramps up the chilis and makes the smoky malt pop. Finish is a nice lingering warmth.



Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 5/6 PASS

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

Final Thoughts:




Of all the beers I have tried this Christmas, This is one of my favourites. It is well balanced, and the additives are balanced and used to achieve an excellent overall product. This beer is smooth silky and delicious and if you can still find a bottle snap it up. I personally would LOVE to make a creme brûlée with this beer; the sweet chocolate and chili heat would pair wonderfully with a creamy custard.


Cheers 

CJT

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The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 15: Goose Island Honker's Ale


Beer # 263 Honker's Ale

Goose Island BrewingCompany

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Owned by Anheuser-Busch Inbev
ESB 4.3 % ABV 
Aluminum Can 473 ml
$2.95 (Canadian) At LCBO 

Twitter: @gooseisland


Another trip today to the brewpub turn notable microbrewery from Chicago. We previously did Matilda and Sophie from Goose Island which was not long after their purchase by brewery eating juggernaut Anheuser-Busch-Inbev. Recently this beer appeared on the shelves of the Beer Store and the LCBo so I thought I would see what it was about.

"Are you honkin' at me? well I don't see anyone else in here..."



Pours a reddish amber colour with a huge creamy tan head made up of small to medium bubbles. Aroma is a grassy, herbal hops tone with some clean malt notes. Slightly medicinal and light citrus. First sip is malty with notes of caramel and light wood. Some fruit notes but mostly bitter hops, slight mustiness. Aeration gives us more of the same, light bodied, mild maltiness. Finish is slightly off and musty, hints of sulphur.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 



Cost: 5/6 PASS

Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order:  1/6  FAIL
Experience:  3/6 SO-SO
Christmas Cheer: 2/6 SO-SO

Final Thoughts:


There is just something off about this beer. it starts off good but just really doesn't deliver in the end. It needs hot wings or nachos... to hide it's faults. Avoid.


Cheers

CJT

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The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 14: Flying Monkeys' Greetings from Canada

# 262 Greetings from Canada: Coast to Coastless
Collaboration with Garrison Brewing Company, Trou du Diable Brewing Company and Phillips Beer


Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery


Barrie, Ontario, Canada

Independent Microbrewery
Imperial ESB 7.6% ABV 
Brown Glass Bottle 750 ml.
$9.95 (Canadian) At the LCBO

Twitter: @FlyingMonkeys

Garrison Brewing Company Halifax, Nova Scotia @GarrisonBrewing

Trou du Diable Shawinigan, Quebec @troududiable

Philips Beer Victoria, British Columbia @philipsbeer


Flying Monkeys is a brewery that always comes up with some great beers. This is quite possibly the most ambitious Collab I have heard of, four breweries from across Canada one from each coast and two from the middle. ESB or Extra Special Bitter is one of my favourite styles, (It's the Brit in me) so I gravitate towards them anytime I see one. This also being an Imperial ESB it fits in nicely with our stronger darker beers that tend to make an appearance on my 2-4 Beers of Christmas list.

Onto the ESB...


Pours a deep chestnut colour with a tan head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is a heady mix of dark malt sugars and licorice some turbinado sugar and caramel/burnt sugar. First sip is biscuits sweet molasses and some black tea. slightly spicy with hints of wood. and menthol. Aeration gives us some light breadiness with more sweetness and a hint of aromatic hops. Finish is slightly astringent, and bitter hops.


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
Christmas Cheer: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL

Final Thoughts:


A lovely complex little beer. I perhaps tasted it a bit too cold. I feel that were it slightly warmer the full range of flavours would have been more evident. If you try this pull it from your fridge and let it warm for 20 minutes to half an hour before consuming, your patience will be rewarded.

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The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 13: New Ontario Brewing IPA

Beer # 261 IPA

New Ontario Brewing Company


North Bay, Ontario, Canada

Independent Microbrewery
India Pale Ale 5.2 % 
IBU: 68
ABV Brown Glass Half Growler (Squeaker) 946 ml.
$6.00 (Canadian) At the Brewery

Twitter: @NewOntarioBrew



Last of my tastings from my trip to North Bay. I have been sitting on these notes for a while, so I figured it was time to use them. I found some very good beer in my adopted home town. I look forward go going up again in February and picking up some more for the blog. Hopefully there will actually be some ice in the bay for ice fishing, if not there is always the boat. We haven't sunk it in winter yet so there is always that. (Yes there is a story behind that statement, maybe if you are all good I shall relate it...)

Onto my last growler from North Bay...



Pours an orange/dark amber The head is a light tan made up of small to tiny bubbles. Aroma is quite malty with bright fruit with citrus and a light nuttiness. First sip is a rich deeply complex malt profile, in the west coast style. Nice toasty caramel. Aeration gives us a nice creamy nutty smooth taste, finish is dry and long with some medicinal hops.

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
Christmas Cheer: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL

Final Thoughts:


A very good IPA. Very happy that this brewery is off to a good start and I am excited to see what they offer in the future.

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