Mill Street Mix-Six part one of three

Mill Street brewing company was opened in 2002 as part of the "revitalising" of the Gooderham and Worts distillery near the waterfront just east of downtown Toronto, Ontario. Gooderham-Worts, and later Hirim Walker-Gooderham-Worts operated from 1862 to 1990 in a large number of buildings that are some of the most pristine Victorian industrial architecture in the world. Designated a Canadian National Heritage site in 1988, the 40 odd buildings stood empty for almost 11 years until the site was purchase for redevelopment in 2001 by Cityscape Holdings and was dubbed the "Distillery District." It became a pedestrian mall that would only open it's gates to artists, boutiques, and independent restaurants and cafes. (There is a chocolatier there where I first tasted an "Olive Oil Truffle" sinfully delicious!!) Some of the pioneering tenants were Balzac's Coffee House (who will figure into a blog later this week), Spirit Oyster Bar, Soulpepper Theatre Company, and the subject of this weeks blogs: Mill Street Brewing company. The Distillery District has grown into one of the most important places to visit in Toronto. However, the original Mill Street brewery had outgrown it's heritage building and has moved operations to Scarborough. In it's place you will find the Mill Street Brewpub and store. One other very notable thing happened here... One of the empty buildings served as the filming stand in for the bar in Alberta were Rogue meets Wolverine in Bryan Singer's X-men (2000).

Beer # 18 Mill Street Stock Ale

The Stock Ale comes in a beer damaging clear glass embossed with the Mill Street name and slogans. The label is screened and painted label that is re-usable employed by a small number of breweries to save on labels (one would think the labour involved in separating the bottles would negate the cost savings of no labels). ABV is the industry standard of 5%. The colour is a very clear gold with a thin white head. First sniff gives us a mildy chemical, slightly "wet-dog" aroma among the "commercial-style" north American ale scent of light grain and a hint of sweetness. Technically a "Blonde Ale" tonight's offering is light on the attack slightly sour malt flavours and a hint of sweetness to balance. Finish is short with a sourdough feel to it. Aeration re-inforces the balance of sour and sweet and offing up a minute hop bitterness at the end. As with the other commercial stock ales (Labatt 50, and Molson Stock) there is a sulfur mustiness that denotes it as an "Old Man's Beer." Sorry Mill Street not your best.

Overall results: (Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional)

Taste: Pass
Cost: Pass
Colour: Pass
Beer Style: Fail (blonde ale... stock ale? What are you?)
Re-order: Pass
Experience: Pass

It's an ok beer when I hit the south side of fifty maybe I will try it again... if Mill Street hasn't re-tooled it by then... something to think about guys.



Beer # 19 Mill Street Tankhouse Ale 

Tankhouse is an American Pale Ale named after one of the, now famous, buildings in the distillery district of Toronto.  Actually there were originally seven Tankhouses at the old Gooderham and Worts distillery... three survive to this day. Building # 63 is the Tankhouse that the beer takes it's name from and is the original site of the Mill Street brewing company.

Tonight's beer comes in a 341 ml brown glass bottle with Mill Street's signature painted labels and embossed glass. Alcohol is a respectable 5.2% ABV. Colour is light brown to dark copper with a generous off-white head tinged with a little tan. Fragrant hops and rich herbs highlight the aroma with a hint of malt and molasses in the background. Vibrant bitter flavour is clear in the attack. hops are very evident as are the rich malt sugars. Aeration brings a unity to the beer, balancing the depth, bitterness, and sweetness. finish is long and bittersweet with herbs hanging on tooth and nail to the very end.

Overall results: (Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional)

Taste: Pass
Cost: Pass
Colour: Pass (good colour for the type of beer)
Beer Style: Pass (good representation of the Pale ale style)
Re-order: Exceptional (see below)
Experience: Pass

While not outstanding this is a very good craft beer. Other breweries have run with this style of beer and done much better. Still exists as one of my Favourite Mill Street offerings. A solid Pass.

Part two will be up tomorrow stay tuned!

Cheers
CJT