Beer # 147 Rhyme & Reason Collective Arts Brewing

Rhyme & Reason

Collective Arts Brewing

Bracebridge and Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Brewery Collaboration?
Extra Pale Ale 5.7 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 355 ml.
$2.33 (Canadian) At LCBO ($13.95 for a six pack)
Twitter: @CollectiveBrew

Now this is a beer I have tried before. We had it recently at a BBQ where we used it for some "Beer Butt Chicken," to rave reviews.  So I had to save one and post about it. Collective Arts is as their name suggests is collecting artists. Each bottle features a random piece of artwork or independent band of some note. More information about the labels can be found by downloading and using "Blippar" an image recognition app for your phone or by simply searching for the label on the company's website here.

Other than their commitment to new artists, there is not a lot of information on the brewery other than their cryptic location. They say they are from Bracebridge and Burlington, Ontario. Which we here at Pint Jockey Headquarter know there are two fairly well known, and very excellent breweries in those two locations. We will not discuss who they are, their names are only a google search away... Instead, we will concentrate on their beer. And what a beer it is. 

Onto the artful tasting. 


Dark gold with a small off-white head made up of small bubbles. Head disperses fairly quickly. Nose is sweet, honey, dates, pine aromas. First sip is tangy bittersweet orange and lemon followed by a piney hop zing. Some caremelised citrus and orange peel oil. Some light breadiness through the middle with that unmistakable Simcoe hop herbal piney finish. Some sugar candy sweetness thrown into the mix along with some citrus pith bitterness. Aeration gives us grilled oranges.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

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

Final Thoughts:

Very good indeed. This is another beer that has to head to the top of the list as a good summer sipper. Crisp, juicy, refreshing, and just bitter enough not to be too fruity. Get yourself into one of these and check out all the local and independent artists on the labels.


Cheers

CJT


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Beer # 146 Bard's Gold Gluten Free

Bard's Gold Gluten Free

Bard's Tale Beer Company

Utica, New York, USA
Independent
Gluten Free Golden Lager 4.7 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 355 ml.
$2.22 (Canadian) At LCBO ($13.30 for a six pack)
Twitter: @Bardsbeer

Tonight's beer is one that rides in the grey area of malted alcoholic beverages. Which leads us to ask: what is beer really? The short answer is an alcoholic beverage made from malted wheat, rye, or barley. In the USA, they have laws that state beer must be made with at least 25% barley. Most large American Macro Brews contain high amounts of rice and or corn (adjuncts) but must maintain that 25% barley to legally use the term "beer." However, outside of that, is something that has no grain in it beer? Well yes, and no. The lines are still being drawn and I'm sure infighting amongst the Beerluminati will continue for some time. But the category that is getting the most attention and which will probably be classed as a beer soonest, is Gluten Free. 1 in 1000 people have the auto-immune disease called Celiac's. It is a ailment that prevents the proper absorption of nutrients in the intestines caused by the gluten in grains. Gluten is the protein that makes your bread rise, your pizza dough stretchy and thickens your sauces. It also can confuse the immune system in a person with celiac's disease and make it attack their intestinal lining. Now I said it affects 1 in 1000 people, which doesn't sound like much, but when you consider that in Canada that equals 35,000 people and in the USA over 3.5 Million. (and most are undiagnosed. Some sources also say the figure could be 1 in a 100, but that has not been proven yet). So that leaves us with almost 4 million people in North America who can not enjoy a cold beer on a hot day. Enter Craig Belser and Kevin Seplowitz of Utica, New York. Both diagnosed celiacs and beer lovers, they decided they needed to open a craft brewery dedicated to people like them. Tonight's beer is the result of their efforts.

If you believe you have Celiac's Disease it is VERY IMPORTANT, that you seek out a Doctor trained in autoimmune diseases who can properly diagnose you. Entering into a very restrictive diet such as gluten free is very difficult and potentially dangerous to your health if you are not a celiac. For more information go here in Canada, here in The USA, here in the UK.

Onto our Tasting.

Light gold in colour, thin white head that disperses quickly. Nose is sweet grain, apple and citrus. First taste is thin, sweet, and slightly medicinal. Apples and grapes, some tartaric acid, tangy. Slightly watery. Has a club soda, or tonic water feel in the mouth. Lightly chemical, quinine, slightly flinty and mineral. Aeration brings out more of a medicinal chemical taste.



Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 4/6 PASS
Re-Order:  3/6 SO-SO
Experience:  4/6 PASS

Final Thoughts:

Very wine like, very gassy. It felt like a "Beer and Tonic." Not unpleasant, I would certainly drink it as a non-celiac. It did indeed make me think I was drinking a beer. If you are a celiac, or just curious about GF beers it is a must try.

Cheers

CJT


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Beer # 145 Lake of Bays Jake The Snake Imperial Pilsner

Jake The Snake Imperial Pilsner
NHL Alumni Signature Series








Join here: Signature Series Club

Lake of Bays Brewing Company

Baysville, Ontario, Canada
Independent
Imperial Pilsner 7.5% ABV Brown Glass Bottle 750 ml
$11.95 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @LB_brewing @NHLAlumni

And back with the third installment of the "Masked Men" series from Lake of Bays. This series would certainly not be complete without the original masked man. Jacques Plante.

Canadian Heritage Moment: Jacques Plante First Goalie Mask

Jacques was the first born child of Xavier and Palma Plante of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, in Mauricie, Quebec in 1929. He began to play hockey when he was 5 years old, with no skates and a goalie stick his father had carved from a tree root. His first "professional" hockey games were when he was 14 and playing for his Father's factory's team. The coach paid him $0.50 a game because all of the other players were workers in the factory drawing wages. Plante, however, refused the plentiful offers that came his way, some from the US and England, until he finished high school. A few weeks after he graduated he signed with the Quebec Citadeles for $85.00  a week and he never looked back. In 1953 Plante was called up to the Montreal Canadiens, and that year he finished with his first Stanley cup. He went on to win 5 more, each with the Canadiens. But the 1959-1960 season is what Plante is to be remembered most for. After being struck in the face by a slapshot from Andy Bathgate of the New York Rangers three minutes into the game, Plante was in the infirmary receiving stitches. He told his coach Toe Blake that he would not return to the ice unless he could wear the fibreglass mask he used during practises. Despite Blake's fury, Plante returned to the ice with stitches, a broken nose and the first goalie mask used in the NHL. (Clint Benedict of the Montreal Maroons wore a leather nose protector in a few games in 1929 to protect his broken nose, but this was the first use of a "modern' goalie mask ). IIncidentally the Canadien's won that game 3 to 1. and went on an 18 game winning streak after that, aided by Plante and his goalie mask. That year Plante won his final Stanley cup. Plante went on to play for Toronto, Boston, St. Louis, New York and he ended his career in Edmonton in 1975. After his playing career Plante became a top notch goal coach and an analyst. But sadly, after moving to Switzerland with his second wife, Plante passed away in 1986 at the all too young age of 57. Hockey felt his loss.

Onto our tasting.

Deep golden to copper in colour. Good sized head, white bubbles of medium size. Nose is sweet, hoppy and lightly malted. First sip is citrus and malty. Alcohol is quite evident. Very full bodied. Some caramel and turnbinado sugar. a touch of creaminess. Aeration is smoky, sweet, and caramel. Finish is medicinal hops.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

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

Final Thoughts:

This is a pilsner on steroids. While it has all the usual characteristics of a good pilsner, it also has more of everything else. Massive flavour, good sturdy malt profile, light citrusy hops. Forward, innovative, and demanding like it's namesake, this beer demands your attention. I suggest you heed it's call while it is still available.

Cheers

CJT


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Beer # 144 Snowy Howell Muskoka Brewery

Snowy Howell
Collaboration Beer with Dara Howell Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist Slopestyle Skiing

Muskoka Brewery
Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada
Independent
Flavoured White IPA 5.5% ABV Brown Glass Bottle 355 ml.
$5.50 (Canadian) At the Brewery Only... Limited Run of 300 Bottles
Proceeds to go towards The Muskoka Conservatory
Twitter: @Muskokabrewery

This is the first time I will have to start my blog off with an apology. I am sorry, but the majority of you, dear readers, that read about this beer today may never drink it. Snowy Howell was a collaboration between Canada's Olympic Gold Medal winner  Dara Howell of Huntsville Ontario and Muskoka Craft Brewery. The beer saw two releases. The first was at Session Toronto June 13 and 14th Where Dara even spent some time at the booth pouring beers! (I had to work... stupid work). The second was to be a limited run of 300 355ml bottles (I was first into the shop on release day July 16th so I shall call my bottles # 1 & 2 of 300) The proceeds of the bottle issue are going to benefit a good cause here in Muskoka, the Muskoka Conservancy. This is group that buys up or accepts as donation environmentally significant land along the lakes and islands of Muskoka. In return they undertake perpetual stewardship of this land ensuring it it always available for the people and animals of Muskoka. If you would like to learn more about this worthy cause visit them here or follow them on Twitter here.


Enough with the preamble... onto the gold medal tasting.


Dark coppery gold in colour with an unusually small head. Head is white and made up of medium sized bubbles. Aroma is very herbal and citursy. Lots of pine tree, and some medicinal notes. there are touches of other herbs in there, mint, thyme, and savoury. First sip is a slow motion explosion of flavour each taking turns on the tongue. Orange peel is huge, gin, and coriander are next, followed by herbal and citrus hops, and a bit of pine notes on the finish as well as some dried orange peel and a slight potpourri scent. Aeration gives us zippy bitter oranges. Savilles,, like good Scottish marmalade. My mind keeps wandering back to gin, I feel like it is a well made gin martini cold, refreshing, herbal citrusy clean and clear. The IPA part of the beer dominates the attack and the orangey, herbal, wheat beer brings up the rear. They do not compete, rather the IPA skillfully hands off to the wheat as the taste approaches the finish.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

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

Final Thoughts:

Wow. I have waited over a month to get my hands on this beer. And I am sure Muskoka Brewery is glad I've got it now too because I bugged them on twitter quite frequently as I did not want to miss the release. Very, very high marks for this beer but some come with explanations. Cost ** I gave a 6/6 but regular readers would not expect me to give so high a mark for a small (355ml) bottle that cost $5.50. Well yes and no. The money goes to a very good cause and I am very willing to help a brewery that is dedicated to preserving the environment. Re-Order*** I would re-order if i could... but, since this is a very limited release which is now sold out, the chances of getting this brew again are slim. I hope, that Muskoka will re-issue this beer, I think more beer drinkers should get to try this. And honestly, an ongoing fundraiser for the Muskoka Conservancy is something I could support.

Cheers

CJT


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Cider Week: Cider # 8 Sir Perry Pear Cider

Sir Perry

Gaymer's Cider

Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom

Owned by C&C Group PLC

Adjunct Hard Pear Cider 6.0 % ABV Aluminium Can 500 ml.

$3.00 (Canadian) At LCBO 

Twitter: Not found

Last one of the week and sadly probably the worst. Doesn't taste much like anything but alcoholic water filled with citric acid. (Sad Monkey again) Anyway Tonight we get back on track and start up with some really great beers to make up for a few misses we had here on Cider week. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the change and I would like to do it again. I think I will do more research next time and I'll stock up some good ciders. Perry is an Old England term for a pear cider. 

Onto the (last... for now) Cider Week tasting.

Clear green gold with a white head that disperses quickly. Aroma is wet dog and earth. Very sweet, some pear. Citric and absorbic acid make it very tart and sour. Syrupy and sweet. Aeration gives ups pear and coffee. finish is mild spice.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

Cost: 4/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Cider Style: 2/6 SO-SO

Re-Order:  2/6 SO-SO
Experience:  2/6 SO-SO

Final Thoughts:

Truly bad. this one is another in the "avoid" category.

Cheers

CJT


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Cider Week: Cider # 7 Blackthorn Cider

Blackthorn Cider

Gaymer Cider Company
Sommerset, England, United Kingdom
Owned by C&C Group PLC
Adjunct Hard Apple Cider 6.0 % ABV Aluminium Can 500 ml.
$3.15 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @BlackthornCider

Second to last cider, and apparently I didn't save the best for last. The two English ciders I have left are adjunct ciders and are not very good. (Sad Monkey). 

Anyway onto the tasting.

Light coppery gold in colour with a white head that disperses quickly Nose is wine like, very bready and yeasty, some apple. First sip is tart and sugary, some sulphur in the background. Citric,and malic acid are prominent. slightly chemical. Apple is almost background. Alcohol is quite evident. Aeration is malic acid... it is so strong it dries out my teeth and gums.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Cider Style: 2/6 SO-SO
Re-Order:  2/6 SO-SO
Experience:  2/6 SO-SO

Final Thoughts:
Overly tart, overly sweet, overly chemical. Slide this one over into the "avoid" category.

Cheers

CJT


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Cider Week: Cider # 6 Thornbury Premium Apple Cider

Premium Apple Cider

Thornbury Village Cidery
Thornbury, Ontario, Canada
Independent
Hard Apple Cider 5.3 % ABV Aluminium Can 473 ml.
$2.95 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @ThornburyCider

Premium Apple cider is the re-branding of an older product called "Peeler's Apple Cider." It was also produced by Thornbury Village Cidery, in Thornbury, Ontario. I am not sure of the reason for the re-brand, but I would think that since "Peeler" is a term now more often connected with exotic dancers in Ontario, we won't have to strain too hard to think of a reason. The updated packaging is certainly classy and stylish evoking the apple processing history of the area. Apples have been commercially grown around Thornbury since the 1880's, and and in 1932 John Mitchell, of Mitchell brand apple products, built one of the first large-scale apple processing facilities in Canada and the building he built is now home to the cidery. Painstakingly restored and updated the cidery is one of the most efficient and modern cideries in Ontario. They source their locally grown apples from 7,500 acres of orchards within mere miles of the cidery.

Enough with the backstory... onto the tasting.


Light gold in colour with a hint of green. White head disappears quickly. Bright fresh apples on the nose. Cinnamon and allspice.Tart, crisp apple flavour. Some spiciness, nutmeg, cardamom finishing with a slight green apple sour. Slightly under ripe. aeration gives us a taste of the alcohol and accentuates the cinnamon finish is similar to mulled apple cider.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

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

Final Thoughts:

This is what cider should taste like. Tart spicy crisp clean, All natural.And to top it off one of the best values on cider around. I for one am glad they re-branded, this is a seriously good product, people should take it seriously, ( and you should seriously try it!).


Cheers

CJT


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Cider Week: Cider # 5 Alexander Keith's Original Cider

Original Cider

Alexander Keith's Brewing Company

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Owned by Labatt Brewing Company a Subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev LTD
Adjunct Cider 5.5 % ABV Aluminum Can 473 ml
$3.05 (Canadian) At LCBO 

Twitter: @alexanderkeiths

It's getting near the end of cider week and I am hurrying to get all of the ciders done because I have some big, BIG, beers waiting in the fridge of fame to be tasted. Tonight we are trying The Keith's version of "Original" cider. It is another adjunct cider. I am mystified as to why multinationals need to use so much chemicals. I can get over a little Malic Acid as it actually comes from apples. it's that green apple snappy taste you get when you bite into a Granny Smith, or a perfectly ripe MacIntosh. However, in this they use extra sugars, colour, and flavour. Let the apples speak.

Onto the tasting.


Very clear gold with a hint of green. White head that is short lived. Nose is candy and sugar some artificial apple. First sip is very sweet.Tart, candies, malic acid, green apple, light spice.Aeration is sour and tart, malic acid is strong, and artificial apple.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Cider Style: 3/6 SO-SO
Re-Order:  3/6 SO-SO
Experience:  3/6 SO-SO

Final Thoughts:

Another just average cider. Too much artificial flavours going on in it. But, it is still drinkable, especially if you poured it over ice as they recommend (seriously don't ever do that!). Of the adjunct ciders I have done this week this is probably the best so far.

Cheers

CJT


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Cider Week: Cider # 4 Crémant St. Nicholas

Crémant
Cidrerie St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas, Quebec. CanadaIndependent
Sparkling Apple Cider 2.8 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 750 ml. Cork stoppered.
$12.00 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: None found

This Cidery has no website or twitter feed so I can't garner much information about them. Situated on the south side of the St. Lawrence just a little upriver from Quebec City, St. Nicholas one of the oldest parishes in Quebec, dating back to 1694. Tonight's cider is the lowest in alcohol this week (2.8%) and the most expensive ($12.00)

Enough scrounging for facts... onto the tasting.


Very clear green and gold in colour. Head disperses immediately leaving no trace. plenty of bubbles breaking the surface though. Nose is fresh spy and russet apples with plenty of cinnamon. First sip is spicy, honey, tart, crisp, fresh pressed apple. A true, natural cider taste. Very fizzy. Bubbles like champagne in my mouth. Sweet but not cloying, very clean, sharp enough to wake up the palate. Could conceivably drink this on a patio all afternoon.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

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

Final Thoughts:

An excellent cider. Too expensive for everyday drinking but a nice bottle to share with someone special.

Cheers

CJT


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Cider Week: Cider # 3 Magners Irish Cider

Magners Irish Cider

HP Bulmers Cider
Clonmel, Tipperary, Republic of Ireland
Owned by C&C Group PLC
Adjunct Hard Apple Cider 5.0 % ABV Aluminium Can 500 ml.
$3.15 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @MagnersCanada

Magners is the name of the cider that is marketed outside of Ireland. Inside Ireland this same product is called Bulmers. Naming rights for the product only extended to the borders of the country so a new name had to be chosen. In 1935 the orchard when the company was started was owned by William Magner. He produced Magners cider for 2 years until he sold a half share of the companyy to English cider maker HP. Bulmer. Bulmer bought the remaining 50% after the war and changed the name to Bulmers. Bulmers was eventually sold to Guinness and then to its current owner C&C Group. Magners has been receiving a growing market share in Canada for the last 15 years and is still doing well they currently produce 4 flavours of cider: original, light, berry, and pear..

Enough history... onto the tasting.

Dark orange with hints of a peach colour as it pours. Head disperses quickly leaving no trace. Aroma is candy-like with hints of cinnamon and clove. There is a definite woodiness to it. First sip is tart and very effervescent. Bubbles across the tongue like champagne. Citric acid is very evident. very tart, tangy, slightly chemical. It does not taste like fresh apples, it tastes more like a juice made from concentrate or very processed. This product has has sugar, colour, sulfites, and citric acid added to it, so while we are still in the realm of cider... we are leaning more to the alcoholic beverage side. There is a light smokiness which I think has been added. The draught version of this product was supposed to be oak aged. I think that feeling has been added chemically in the canned version.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 2/6 SO-SO
Cider Style: 3/6 SO-SO
Re-Order:  2/6 SO-SO
Experience:  3/6 SO-SO

Final Thoughts:

Huh. Very disappointed. I remember when I lived in the Beach in Toronto, I used to enjoy a Magners on draught and one of the local bars called Murphy's Law. And I seem to remember this cider being much, much better than this. The colour is unnatural, and the taste is very chemical. I will have to try this on draught again to see if it has changed too. Sadly, chalk this one up to the "Avoid" side.

P.S. I got through the whole post with out making a "Tipperary" joke... uh... almost.

Cheers

CJT


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Cider Week: Cider # 2 Molson Canadian Cider

Molson Canadian Cider

MolsonCoors LTD

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Canadian Branch)
Denver, Colorado, USA (World Headquarters)
Multinational Corporation
Adjunct Hard Apple Cider 5.0 % ABV Aluminium Can 500 ml.
$2.95 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @MolsonCoors

This one stood out in the crowd for me. It seemed very odd when I saw it. But it is beginning to dawn on me that the prevalence of ciders is due to the Gluten Free fad diet craze. This is obviously and attempt by MolsonCoors to retain brand-loyal market share among people who have adopted the GF lifestyle. "If I can't have my Molson Canadian because I'm GF now I can have Molson Canadian Cider." Well I'm not here to advocate or denounce any diet I'm just here for the beer... or the cider as the case may be.

Onto the tasting.

Light gold in colour very similar to apple juice. Thin head that disappears quickly leaving a skim of foam around the edge of the glass. Aroma is fresh apple juice and slightly winey. I also get some hints of wood. First sip is very sweet, and tastes of fresh pressed apple juice. Very carbonated, two sips in I got burpy. Slight tartness, a little chemical. I suspect that Malic acid has been added to fortify the "appley-ness." Finish is bruised apple, a little raisin and a chemical woodiness like fake oak or wood chips. Aeration gives off a citrus, green apple taste of malic acid and possibly citric acid.  They said on the can that this product contains sulfites... And boy they weren't kidding. After I had tasted this and the flavours had settled in my mouth, I began to get sulfur breath and a slight headache. Be warned if you can't handle sulfites.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

Cost: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Cider Style: 4/6 PASS
Re-Order:  2/6 SO-SO
Experience:  3/6 SO-SO

Final Thoughts:

Sheer morbid curiosity drove me to try this product. And, I will say it is drinkable (certainly not something that can be said about the other alcoholic beverage that bears this name). Is it a cider? Well technically, but there have been tweaks to make it more mass-pleasing (and probably more uniform, apple cider flavours can vary largely from batch to batch). Would I drink it again? Sure, if someone else bought it (even though it is very reasonably priced). Should you try it? That is up to you. If you would like a slightly more chemical version of an Allen's Apple juice, with 5 % alcohol in it... go for it. But, I am sure you can find better places to drop $3.00. This is merely a cider version of it's namesake beer. A cheap, flavourless alcohol delivery device.

Cheers

CJT


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Cider Week: Cider # 1 Duke's Cider Tree Brewing

Duke's Cider

Tree Brewing Company

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Independent
Dry Hard Apple Cider 5.0 % ABV Aluminium Can 500 ml.
$2.75 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @TreeBrewing

Tree brewing offers this product as a gluten free alternative beverage in their line up of beers. Tree is from Kelowna a beautiful little town on the southern shore of Lake Okanagan in the interior of B.C. Kelowna is actually wine country nowadays, but it's history, like Niagara's in Ontario, is growing fruit. And boy do good apples grow in the Okanagan. Grapes, stone fruit, like cherries, and plums, plus pears and apples are all plentiful in this long valley that cuts a swathe through the province. One other thing, when you are entering Kelowna you will be greeted with this sight:

That's Ogopogo. Canada's Loch Ness Monster. Kelowna is his official home. So if you are in Kelowna look up Tree Brewing. If you partake in the right amount of beverages... you may meet the town's most famous resident.

Enough with the cryptids... on with the tasting.


Colour is a light clear gold that pours with a hint of green. A brief fizzy white head disappears almost instantly leaving virtually no trace. Aroma is fresh cut apples and cinnamon, with some clove and allspice. It smells like a pie that is unbaked yet ready to go in the oven. First sip is tart and sugary and slightly sour. Not unlike an apple sour candy. Still spicy through the taste, and the alcohol is quite warming for only 5%. Very simple and clean. I find my mouth refreshed after each sip and wanting more. An excellent aperitif... (it's actually making me very hungry!) Finish is candy like, and aeration gives us very ripe slightly bruised apples.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

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


Final Thoughts:

Wow. What a way to start Cider week off with a bang! This is a fantastic cider. Apples are the star of this drink. It is amazing the level of complexity that can be brought out in a beverage that essentially has two ingredients. This is the liquor form of fresh apple pie. warm fruity and a little spicy. Delicious guys! Keep up the good work!

Cheers

CJT


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Cider Week

Cider Week July 13th to 20th

I am very pleased to announce that I am taking the week off from posting about beer! I have wanted to do a few cider blogs for sometime as the rise in number of varieties of hard ciders is increasing in my local LCBO. Cider is gaining popularity again. It used to be the go to drink of our founding fathers, as it was far easier to produce than beer. Most farmers kept an apple tree or two for making cider. It was tasty, and it kept well.

So I have seven ciders lined up for this week. Some common some not. England, Ireland, USA, and Canada are all represented. The format for the tasting will be very similar to the beer. I hope you enjoy reading about them as much as I do tasting and writing!

Cheers

CJT

Beer # 143 Lemon Balm Ale Black Creek Historic Brewery

Lemon Balm Ale

Black Creek Historic Brewery

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Independent
Flavoured Ale 9.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 500 ml.
$3.95 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @BlackCreekBeer

Another trip down to Toronto to the great Black Creek Historic Brewery. Designed to replicate the brewing process in Ontario in the 1860's, all the beer here are made by hand. There is no electricity or computers involved. the wort is cooked in copper kettles and the beer is filtered through linen cloths, and stored in wooden barrels. It is as much a museum exhibit as it is a working brewery. The workers are dressed in period costume and give guided tours of the brewery showing how different it is from modern day brewing. I've taken a tour of an ultra modern brewery (Anheuser-Busch in New Hampshire). The brewery is nearly empty. The brewing process is fully computer automated and all one has to do is select a programme and push a button, and the brewing process will run start to finish almost unattended. Black Creek is a very personal brewery, very hands on. If you love beer you should go down and check it out.

Onto the... historic... tasting.

Very Light chestnut in colour with a hint of orange.  The off-white head is fairly thin and short lived. The aroma is caramel and malt some green herbs and a hint of citrus, not very strong. First sip is tangy and sweet lots of caramel. Very light and clean. Finish is bitter green herbs and some lemon. Effervescent on the tongue, the beer is very lively. The lemon balm is a good bittering herb that does not detract much from the beer. Aeration gives us bitter herbs.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 4/6 PASS
Re-Order:  4/6 PASS
Experience:  4/6 PASS


Final Thoughts:

A very good beer. However, a little thin and on the watery side. I am unable to decide whether or not it was deliberate to bring out the flavours of the lemon balm. However, I would have liked to have seen some more oomph in the beer. Very impressed with the interaction of the lemon balm, it is a nice touch.

Cheers

CJT


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