Collaboration with Nickel Brook Brewing Company
Sawdust City Brewing Company
Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada
Nickel Brook Brewing Company
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Independent Microbreweries Established: Sawdust 2012, Nickel Brook 2005
ABV 11.05 % IBU: 30
Aluminium Can 500 ml.
$6.50 (Canadian) At the The Brewery
Twitter:@SawdustCityBeer @NickelBrookBeer
Well at long last I get to sit down and try out this year's 11/05. (Well ok I went and had one at the brewery... but...) the 11/05 is the birthday collaboration between Brewers Sam Corbeil of Sawdust City and Rob Morrow of Nickel Brook. Brewed for release on November 5th (the birthday our two heroes share) the beer's style changes each year, but the final alcohol content is always 11.05% This year Sam and Rob decided to brew a Belgian Tripel, which is generally a higher alcohol beer to begin with. And this year they decided to finish it with some Brettanomyces Bruxellensis a bacteria strain that produces a pleasant sour taste in beers. Actually, the 11/05 was brewed in two separate batches this year. The first batch was brewed on August 31, and progressed nicely. however, the second batch brewed 2 weeks later took three weeks in the primary and ran behind schedule. So they decided to package up the second batch and finish the conditioning in the can (hence the reason why we had to wait to drink the cans until November 21).
So the first batch was kegged and is available at the brewery and select beer bars around the province. The second batch rested in cans in the brewery sealed with their little plastic seal waiting for today to be drunk.
Sounds good... onto our beer.
Pours a cloudy gold colour with a fluffy white head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is a warm sweet and sour nose with lots of yeasty bread, nuts, honey and fruit, with hints of grapes and wine. Alcohol is up front and warming. First sip is tart, but still slightly closed in flavour. Very bready, and nutty with hints of brandy. Aeration gives us a full and creamy mouthfeel with notes of spice, hints of black pepper and apricot.
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: 5/6 PASS
Final Thoughts:
Well at long Last I get to taste the 4th instalment of the 11/05 series, and it does not disappoint. While I am sure this would benefit from a nice long sleep in my personal beer cellar (a fate destined for it's brother) It is still a stunning beer. The other can I will open on May 21st 2017, the date recommended by the brewers, and do another tasting to see how this living beer has changed. Until then... sleep well my pretty.
Cheers
CJT
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