Creemore Springs Three-fer

I'll try to keep this one short as there are three beers in it. Creemore Springs www.creemoresprings.com was started in the small town of Creemore, Ontartio about a half an hour west of the City of Barrie in 1987. Their first beer was the Premium Lager and it was intended to be their only beer, however as they grew in popularity they eventually tried a few new bees as limited releases. Each of the new beers gained rapid acceptance and they eventually expanded the line to the current four beers: two year round, two seasonal. In 2005 The brewery was acquired by Molson Breweries, now Molson Coors. In 2009 Creemore as a separate business unit purchased Granville Island Brewing Company of Vancouver and Kelowna www.gib.ca, (Canada's oldest microbrewery est. 1984) and brought them under the Molson Coors umbrella.

Beer # 28 Creemore Springs Premium Lager

The original and as some would argue still the best. I'm not sure if it has undergone some changes in it's 24 year run but I seem to remember it being a stronger flavoured more "microbrewed" feel to it when I first has it back in college. Of course Back then it was sold either on tap or in 500 ml Glass bottles. I remember clearly it was the first beer I paid more than five dollars for quite the expense for a broke college student with a passion for his palate. Interestingly this beer was also the first Ontario microbrewed beer sold in cans.

Amber to copper in appearance with an off-white head of small to medium bubbles. 5% ABV in a 473 Tallboy can. The nose is very muted, light grain, mineral, citrus. First sip we get rich malt sweetness and hint of fruit, citrus, and red berries. Aeration re-inforces the citrus and mineral. Very bright and refreshing.

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

Taste: Pass
Cost: Pass ($2.65)
Colour: Pass
Beer Style: Pass
Re-order: Pass
Experience: Pass

Not as good as I remember could be the can.


Beer # 29 Creemore Springs Traditional Pilsner


This beer's origins are 169 years old. Styled after the venerable Plzeňský Prazdroj which in the Czech Language means Original Source Pilsner. We know it in Canada by the German Name it is marketed under:  "Pilsner Urquell"

5% ABV in a 473 ml Tallboy can. Light gold with hints of red, white head with small bubbles. Floral and citrus aroma light malt. Citrus and mineral light roasted malt with nutty bready notes. Aeration brings out the mineral herbal and tanginess of the Czech hops.

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

Taste: Pass
Cost: Pass ($2.65)
Colour: Pass
Beer Style: Exceptional
Re-order: Exceptional
Experience: Exceptional

Quite a nice pilsner and fairly true to the style.

Beer # 30 Creemore Springs urBock

A bock is a goat. Well it also is a strong dark lager brewed in the fall and aged over the winter and either enjoyed for Christmas or Easter. The designation "Ur" according to the website means highest quaklity. As ofter the very best barley and hops were saved to make Bock.

6% ABV in a 473 ml Tallboy can. Dark copper in colour, off white head with tinges of tan, small bubbles. slight chemical aroma, deep roasted malt, molasses. First taste gives us
a heady malty, caramel, medicinal, phenol, vanilla.

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

Taste: Pass
Cost: Pass ($2.65)
Colour: Pass
Beer Style: Exceptional
Re-order: Pass
Experience: Pass

Final Thoughts: The fourth beer I didn't get to was Kellerbier as it is a seasonal and not currently available when it comes out I will certainly review it. I have had it before but I didn't take notes. Creemore has always been one of my favourite little breweries but I am afraid the takeover is taking it's toll. Creemore's slogan from the start was "A hundred years behind the times.' Unfortunatley the last time I was there the brewery had tripled in size, and more computers were doing the work, than people. That is not what microbrew is about, and unfortunately I think the products are losing a little of their soul because of it.

Cheers
CJT