Beer # 195 Lake of Bays Crazy Eyes Darcy Tucker Winter Bock

Crazy Eyes Darcy Tucker Winter Bock
NHL Alumni Signature Series

Lake of Bays Brewing Company

Baysville, Ontario, Canada
Independent
Bock Lager 8.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 750 ml
$11.95 (Canadian) At LCBO 

Twitter: @LB_brewing @NHLAlumni

I am a little behind on this one, I have had it lingering in the fridge of fame for almost a month. I first had to finish the 2-4 beers of Christmas, and then new beers kept popping into my possession, so poor Darcy Tucker kept getting shoved into the boards. Anyway... If you haven't guessed we are talking about one of my favourite Leafs of All Time: Crazy Eyes Darcy Tucker. 

Born in Castor, Alberta (Castor is French for beaver...) on March 15th 1975, Darcy Tucker started out in the Western Hockey League playing for the Kamloops Blazers, helping them to win the Memorial cup in 1992, 94, and 95. He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1993,151st overall. He went on to play first with the Montreal farm team the Fredericton Canadiens in 1996; where he won the AHL Top Rookie of the year award (Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award). He then played in three seasons with the Habs... but we won't hold that against him... and in three more with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Then in 1999 Darcy Tucker became a Toronto Maple Leaf; traded from Tampa for Mike Johnson. For the next 8 seasons Darcy brought his drive and heart to a team that sorely needed it and he helped them through some of their best seasons (of late) and sadly, some of their less than best. If you look up Grit and Determination in the dictionary it will say: "See: Darcy Tucker." He was a fan favourite, always good for a solid check or a wicked goal when you least expected it. Of his 15 years in the league he spent more than half in the blue and white. A stellar winger, a gentleman, a damn good hockey player. Fans in Toronto were shattered when he was traded to Colorado in 2008, and in 2010, Darcy hung up # 16 for good. I still think to this day that we should have given you the "C." Maybe if we had you would have given us the cup. However, we are still proud to call you one of the greats that ever wore a Maple Leaf.

Now before I start crying in it... Let's taste the beer...

Pours a dark chestnut brown with a light tan head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is robust and nutty with some sweet malt, espresso, chocolate and a hint of caramel. First sip is smooth and creamy, lightly sweet with lingering hints of caramel and licorice. Some woodiness, light smoke and the mildest hint of vanilla. Aeration brings of the coffee notes and some oak and maple woods.

 Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

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


Final Thoughts:

Yet another great beer from Lake of Bays. I do so look forward to the signature series. I am glad they had decided to extend it past the Masked Men Series. (May I suggest a Sittler ESB?) Like it's namesake, this beer is a solid producer, good flavour, well rounded, not afraid to take you into the boards... The alcohol is noticeable, but muted. Flavour dominates. Sip this one slowly or share with a friend.

Cheers


CJT


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