A Long Time Ago,
in a Pint Jockey Headquarters far away...
BEER WARS
The Froth Awakens: Episode I
It's Star Wars Day
Ok, I have to admit it I'm a huge nerd. Especially when it comes to Star Wars. I did a very big dance of joy when I heard that George Lucas had sold the franchise to Disney and that they had plans to begin releasing new movies. So for three years I have eagerly awaited this day, and although I have to wait a few more days before we go out to see the movie, I am so glad we have arrived at this day of nerdom. I have heard very positive things about the movie and can't wait til we go out and see it as a family.
So in honour of this day I decided to do a side by side tasting, Light versus Dark. Because when you think about it, beer is like the Force... there are light beers and dark beers, and after a few... you begin to believe you can move things with your mind. Donning the Jedi Robes for the Light side tonight we have Muskoka Brewery's Winterweiss (get it? Weiss... White... Light side?) And warming up in the corner with their Force Chokes and Force Lightning Epic Brewing Company's Coffee and Fig Imperial Oatmeal Stout. (Imperial? yep... another pun).
It is time to bring balance to the Force... Let my taste buds awaken.
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| The Contenders |
The Light Side
Beer # 265 Winterweiss
Muskoka Brewery
Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada
Independent Microbrewery
Dunkelweiss 5.0% ABV
Aluminum Can 473 ml.
$3.00 (Canadian) At LCBO
Twitter: @Muskokabrewery
Pours a deep chestnut with an off-tan head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is a spicy mix of clove and bananas with some caramel toward the back. First sip is super light bodied and very refreshing lovely clean wheat tones followed by spiced banana bread. Aeration gives us a yeasty fresh risen bread dough, Finish is light and malty with some gentle hop flavours.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASSBeer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order: 5/6 PASS
Experience: 5/6 PASS
Christmas Cheer: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Final Thoughts:
A very standard dunkelweiss. Nothing out of the ordinary. Actually an almost textbook example. Good flavour, light tasting, and easy drinking. A holiday must have if you can get one.
The Dark Side
Beer # 266 Epicurean Coffee and Fig Imperial Oatmeal Stout
Epic Brewing Company
Auckland, New Zealand
Independent Brewery
Flavoured Oatmeal Stout 8.0% ABV
Brown Glass Bottle 750 ml.
$13.90 (Canadian) At LCBO
Twitter: @EpicBeer
Pours an inky dark brown with a light tan head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is very darkly roasted malt with coffee and some smoke, also an underlying caramel sweetness, with some dried fruit. First sip the figs take over giving us a fairly light bodied and fruity ale.coffee and caramelised sugars follow and the the lips are left quite sticky from the sugars. Notes of char and darkly toasted bread mixed with a figgy jam. Aeration gives us some alcohol, whisky and cola notes. Finish is smoky and dry.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 6/6 EXCEPTIONALBeer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Experience: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Christmas Cheer: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Final Thoughts:
Oh. Wow. This is an awesome beer. and I mean that in it's correct context this beer inspires awe. Deep, dark rich flavours, yet still very easy to drink.
And the Verdict
Well, tonight the Dark Side wins, just edging out the home team Muskoka Brewery... Sorry guys... But you know those scrappy Rebels won't be down for long...
Cheers
CJT
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