Beer # 58 Great Lakes Orange Peel Ale

Orange Peel Ale

Great Lakes Brewery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Independent)

Flavoured Ale 5.3% ABV Brown Glass Bottle 650ml

 $4.95 (Canadian) At LCBO.

Great Lakes Brewery still stands out in my mind to this day as the best beer tour I have ever had. I was escorted around the brewery by a fellow who I wish I could remember the name of. We climbed up onto all of the equipment. Tasted beer out of the finishing tanks. The gentleman was very knowledgeable, impassioned, and caring about his job and his product. It is something that has remained with me, a benchmark in my mind. People who care about their beer, make the best beer. Tonight's offering is one of the beers from Great Lakes seasonal staples. The others being Green Tea Ale, Pumpkin Ale and the previously tasted Winter Ale.  On to the tasting.


Very light copper in colour with the scarcest hint of orange. White head with small bubbles fairly long lasting. Aroma is orange peel and essential oils, some spice, cloves and cinnamon. First sip gives us a very light ale. Orange is in the background, some medicinal hops, slightly tangy or bitter finish not unlike the zip of fresh orange zest. The style of beer is pale ale. The website claims that there is five malts and five hops in the mix as well as honey and orange peel. The body of the beer is very thin, but refreshing.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional

                                                                                                               

Cost:  5/6  PASS

Colour:  5/6  PASS        

Beer Style:  4/6 SO-SO  

Re-Order:  5/6 PASS   

Experience:   5/6  PASS

Final Thoughts:
A very good tasting beer, however, very thin. The body is lacking and thus brings the beer style score down. Suitable for our hot summer patios with perhaps a nice BBQ, mind you... not many beers don't go well with BBQ! Tomorrow we will travel down to the States to try another orange flavoured beer that I was very excited to find here in Ontario!
Cheers
CJT