DAMMIT!
This draft got accidentally deleted... and it was a good one too...
I will have to go get another can of the beer and redo the post...
Stay tuned
CJT...
Saturday, 24 December 2016
The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 17: Equilibrium ESB, Nickel Brook
Beer # 315 Equilibrium ESB
Brewery: Nickel Brook Brewing Company
Type: Independent Microbrewery Est.: 1992
Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Beer Style: ESB
ABV: 5.5% IBU: 34
Format: Aluminium Can Size: 473 ml
Cost: $2.90 CAD Purchased At: LCBO
Getting down to the crunch... Everyone have their shopping done yet? If anyone needs a hint for me, I'm rather partial to beer. Especially ESBs. Maybe it's the old british blood sloshing around inside me but a good English style beer is a joy to behold. and tonight... I be-holding this beer. Nickel Brook certainly has made a name for themselves in the Bitters game, well they should as they grew out of a company called "Better Bitters." Their hoppy beers are very much on point and I'm sure this one will be no exception.
Onto our beer..,
Pours a dark amber with a short off-white head made up of small bubbles. Nose is a spicy caramel with funky medicinal hops and a slight marijuana scent. First sip is caramel and biscuit with a good hit of carbonation. Light fruit in the back ground, some raisin and currants, mild sweetness. Aeration is wheaty and bready, with hints of biscotti.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order: 5/6 PASS
Experience: 5/6 PASS
Christmas Cheer: 5/6 PASS
Final Thoughts:
Another great ESB. I can feel the echoes of a solid British beer in there. The only thing I can lament about is, that beer here in Canada is such a different experience to England and the UK. The predominance of the cask ale, and correct serving temperatures for ales is vital to the British beer experience, So very hard to capture in a can. Perhaps we really need a cask ale festival in Canada... I know I would go. But, I digress. Short of hopping a flight to London, this is a great way to experience a well put together ESB... go get one.
Cheers
CJT
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Like me on Facebook: Pint Jockey Online
And don't forget to "Friend" me on Untappd.
Thursday, 22 December 2016
The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 16: Northern Logger, Sleeping Giant
Beer # 314 Northern Logger
Twitter: @Sleepgiantbrew
I have been following Sleeping Giant brewery for quite some time. I was interested in them because when they opened there was not much going on in the craft beer scene farther North than Sudbury or North Bay. To get some prospective (because even Ontarians forget how big this province is sometimes) I live in Muskoka which is about 3 to 4 hours drive to the US border with New York State. Toronto is a scant 2 hours away. North Bay is 2 hours North, Sudbury a healthy 3 hours. Thunder bay is 13 hours drive. That's a solid non-stop 13 hours of driving. Over 1200 kilometres. And that is only two thirds of the way to the Manitoba/Ontario Border. which is another 6 or so hours further up the highway. Now, the Far North, as we in the South like to call it, is starting to come alive with breweries, there is Lake of the Woods in Kenora (almost at the Manitoba Border), there are breweries opening or planned in Sault Ste Marie: Outspoken, and Soo Falls. Compass Brewery is opening in Timmins. Still nothing like down here in the southern third of the province... but they are catching up.
Back to Sleeping Giant. As I said it is in Thunder Bay which is an historic logging and mining town. It is quite famous among us rock hounds for being the source of some of the most beautiful amethysts in Ontario. There are pick you own amethyst parks in Thunder Bay, Reasons why I want to go back... well that and BEER! Thunder Bay is also famous as it was a base for many of the CPR Painters and The Group of Seven as they painted Northern Ontario. Lake Superior was a favourite subject for many of Canada's earliest and most famous painters. Sleeping Giant takes its name from a provincial park that has a most unusual land formation. The sleeping Giant rock formation is a collection of mesas and sills that when viewed from a certain angle resemble a giant lying on his back, sleeping.
The cliffs are some of the tallest in Ontario reaching 250 metres (820 feet) in height. The torso is the high point standing an impressive 563 metres (1847 feet) 10 metres taller than the CN Tower.
Onto our beer for tonight...
Pours a deep, clear, gold with a short off-white head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is slightly lemon, biscutty, hint of nuts and a little dried fruit. Breadiness continues on the first sip , warm nutty and toasty. Strong mineral quality. Aeration brings out some deeper hops flavours, some bitter greens and hints of almonds.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order: 5/6 PASS
Experience: 5/6 PASS
Christmas Cheer: 5/6 PASS
Final Thoughts:
Lovely little beer. I did however pick up some tinny notes from the can, I would prefer to try this again on draught. Perhaps I do need to make that trip back up to Thunder Bay after all. They also have a Pale ale in cans here at the LCBO, I will try and get that for the New Year. I look forward to trying more of their brews, preferably in the sight of its namesake giant.
Cheers
CJT
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Like me on Facebook: Pint Jockey Online
Brewery: Sleeping Giant Brewing Company
Type: Independent Microbrewery Est.: 2012
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Beer Style: Golden Ale
ABV: 4.9% IBU: 17
Format: Aluminium Can Size: 473 ml
Cost: $2.90 CAD Purchased At: LCBO
I have been following Sleeping Giant brewery for quite some time. I was interested in them because when they opened there was not much going on in the craft beer scene farther North than Sudbury or North Bay. To get some prospective (because even Ontarians forget how big this province is sometimes) I live in Muskoka which is about 3 to 4 hours drive to the US border with New York State. Toronto is a scant 2 hours away. North Bay is 2 hours North, Sudbury a healthy 3 hours. Thunder bay is 13 hours drive. That's a solid non-stop 13 hours of driving. Over 1200 kilometres. And that is only two thirds of the way to the Manitoba/Ontario Border. which is another 6 or so hours further up the highway. Now, the Far North, as we in the South like to call it, is starting to come alive with breweries, there is Lake of the Woods in Kenora (almost at the Manitoba Border), there are breweries opening or planned in Sault Ste Marie: Outspoken, and Soo Falls. Compass Brewery is opening in Timmins. Still nothing like down here in the southern third of the province... but they are catching up.
Back to Sleeping Giant. As I said it is in Thunder Bay which is an historic logging and mining town. It is quite famous among us rock hounds for being the source of some of the most beautiful amethysts in Ontario. There are pick you own amethyst parks in Thunder Bay, Reasons why I want to go back... well that and BEER! Thunder Bay is also famous as it was a base for many of the CPR Painters and The Group of Seven as they painted Northern Ontario. Lake Superior was a favourite subject for many of Canada's earliest and most famous painters. Sleeping Giant takes its name from a provincial park that has a most unusual land formation. The sleeping Giant rock formation is a collection of mesas and sills that when viewed from a certain angle resemble a giant lying on his back, sleeping.
The cliffs are some of the tallest in Ontario reaching 250 metres (820 feet) in height. The torso is the high point standing an impressive 563 metres (1847 feet) 10 metres taller than the CN Tower.
Onto our beer for tonight...
Pours a deep, clear, gold with a short off-white head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is slightly lemon, biscutty, hint of nuts and a little dried fruit. Breadiness continues on the first sip , warm nutty and toasty. Strong mineral quality. Aeration brings out some deeper hops flavours, some bitter greens and hints of almonds.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order: 5/6 PASS
Experience: 5/6 PASS
Christmas Cheer: 5/6 PASS
Final Thoughts:
Lovely little beer. I did however pick up some tinny notes from the can, I would prefer to try this again on draught. Perhaps I do need to make that trip back up to Thunder Bay after all. They also have a Pale ale in cans here at the LCBO, I will try and get that for the New Year. I look forward to trying more of their brews, preferably in the sight of its namesake giant.
Cheers
CJT
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Like me on Facebook: Pint Jockey Online
And don't forget to "Friend" me on Untappd.
Wednesday, 21 December 2016
The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 15: Charles Henri Amber Ale, Les 2 Frères
Beer # 313 Charles Henri Amber Ale
Brewery: Brasserie Les 2 Frères
Type: Independent Microbrewery Est.: 2006
Location: Terre Bonne, Quebec, Canada
Beer Style: Amber Ale
ABV: 6.2% IBU: 31
Format: Crown Capped Brown Glass Bottle Size: 500 ml
Cost: $3.95 CAD Purchased At: The Beer Store
Twitter: @BrassLes2Freres
Another trip to Quebec to this brewery I just discovered for myself. I am a big fan of Quebec beers. It has actually been way too long since I was in the Belle Province. I need to plan a trip back sometime soon. They of course are undergoing the same sort of craft beer explosion that is happening here in Ontario, BC Alberta and to a lesser extent the prairies. Quebec treats it's culture different then they do in the rest of the country. My last few trips there was so much to discover, with wineries, cheese makers brewers and cider houses. Quebec actively promotes the "little guy" with road signs, maps, and culture routes. Ontario has just started to follow suit, as I am hoping the rest of the country is too.
Onto our beer tonight...
Pours a lovely light amber with a large fluffy off-white head made up of small and medium bubbles. Citrus, caramel, and mineral dominate the nose, with light hints of green hops following. First sip is bright fruity, lychee, citrus, sweet tropical fruit, hints of coconut, and a crisp mineral quality. Flavour slowly slides down into a pool of caramel and vanilla, more subtle green hops, and some touches of dandelion and honey. As it warms more fruit comes to the party, apples and pears, plus a slight hint of raisin. A touch sticky on the lips, reminds me of a Tokaji dessert wine. Aeration sparks up some more mineral and flintiness, and brings out a light breadiness. Just enough to remind you that this is in fact a beer, and not a fine wine. Flavour finished with some bitter, and mustard greens.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Colour: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Beer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Experience: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Christmas Cheer: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Final Thoughts:
Stellar. I think this is by far the best Amber ale I have ever tried. So flavourful. This is what ales should taste like. Bursting with fruity flavours, thirst quenching, satisfying. It is truly like a dessert wine. I would not have a problem pairing this with a dessert, or a long fire lit evening in a cabin in the Quebec woods. You should pair this beer with a glass... you will thank me.
Cheers
CJT
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Like me on Facebook: Pint Jockey Online
Another trip to Quebec to this brewery I just discovered for myself. I am a big fan of Quebec beers. It has actually been way too long since I was in the Belle Province. I need to plan a trip back sometime soon. They of course are undergoing the same sort of craft beer explosion that is happening here in Ontario, BC Alberta and to a lesser extent the prairies. Quebec treats it's culture different then they do in the rest of the country. My last few trips there was so much to discover, with wineries, cheese makers brewers and cider houses. Quebec actively promotes the "little guy" with road signs, maps, and culture routes. Ontario has just started to follow suit, as I am hoping the rest of the country is too.
Onto our beer tonight...
Pours a lovely light amber with a large fluffy off-white head made up of small and medium bubbles. Citrus, caramel, and mineral dominate the nose, with light hints of green hops following. First sip is bright fruity, lychee, citrus, sweet tropical fruit, hints of coconut, and a crisp mineral quality. Flavour slowly slides down into a pool of caramel and vanilla, more subtle green hops, and some touches of dandelion and honey. As it warms more fruit comes to the party, apples and pears, plus a slight hint of raisin. A touch sticky on the lips, reminds me of a Tokaji dessert wine. Aeration sparks up some more mineral and flintiness, and brings out a light breadiness. Just enough to remind you that this is in fact a beer, and not a fine wine. Flavour finished with some bitter, and mustard greens.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Colour: 6/6 EXCEPTIONALBeer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Experience: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Christmas Cheer: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Final Thoughts:
Stellar. I think this is by far the best Amber ale I have ever tried. So flavourful. This is what ales should taste like. Bursting with fruity flavours, thirst quenching, satisfying. It is truly like a dessert wine. I would not have a problem pairing this with a dessert, or a long fire lit evening in a cabin in the Quebec woods. You should pair this beer with a glass... you will thank me.
Cheers
CJT
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Like me on Facebook: Pint Jockey Online
And don't forget to "Friend" me on Untappd.
The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 14: Hanlan's Point Coconut Coffee Porter Great Lakes Brewery
Beer # 312 Hanlan's Point Coconut Coffee Porter
Tank Ten Series, Collaboration with Bar Hop Bar
Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Company
Type: Independent Microbrewery Est.: 1987
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Beer Style: Flavoured Porter
ABV: 6.5% IBU: 19
Format: Crown Capped Brown Glass Bottle Size: 650 ml
Cost: $7.95 CAD Purchased At: LCBO
Twitter: @GreatLakesBeer
Another Hard working brewery Toronto's Great Lakes Brewing company has been with us since 1987. Still the reigning champ of the best Brewery Tour I have ever had (and I met Jim Koch at Samuel Adams Brewery in Boston...). They are busy, busy bees down at Great Lakes. The list of beers they produce in a year is staggering, and most of them only the die hard beer nerds hear about as they made incredible one offs that only show up at festivals, and select beer bars in and around Toronto.
Always good for a punny label or funky artwork, especially in their Tank Ten series, tonight's beer is no exception. For those of you who are not in the know, Hanlan's Point is a beach on the Toronto Islands. They are a small collection of sand bars that are home to some old homes and cottages, a Yacht Club, an amusement park called "Centreville" (On Centre Island... no less) Owned by the Beasley Family for umpteen years. The Beasley's are actually old family acquaintances of my Father's. And of course Hanlan's Point. Hanlan's Point is named after famous Toronto world champion rower Ned Hanlan, and was officially dedicated in 1882. However the beach became notorious for another reason. It was isolated on the island and did not face the mainland so there were no clear sight lines. So for many years, Hanlan's point was Toronto's only "unnofficial" Clothing optional beach. That all changed in in 1999 when Toronto decided to start a pilot project to evaluate the merit of making Halan's point official. 0n March 17 2002, (St. Patrick's day no less...) Hanalan's Point was giving official Status as Canada's second public clothing optional Beach (Wreck Beach in Vancouver is number one). Yes... This does explain our rather frigid looking sunbather on the bottle. Other than that... why they chose Hanlan's Point for the name of this beer... I am at a loss. I just drink the beer I can't always understand it.
Tonight's beer is a coconut and coffee flavour porter, and was designed in collaboration with Bar Hop Bar of Toronto.
Let's dive in...
Pours a very dark Chestnut with a tan head made up small bubbles.Aroma is fresh roasted coffee, slightly smoky, hints of wood shavings, some hay and a slight nuttiness.First sip gives us all the coffee the nose promised and the coconut is limited to a subtle sweetness in the background. Reminds me of Vietnamese coffee with a little bit of condensed milk stirred into it. Mouth feel is creamy and full, slightly fatty and rich like I've just tasted some cream. Finish is where the toasted coconut pops up at the end of the coffee's long bitter finish. Lips are sticky like they are covered in roasted marshmallows. Aeration froths the beer like whipped cream and gives us a nutty roasted finish.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order: 5/6 PASS
Experience: 5/6 PASS
Christmas Cheer: 5/6 PASS
Final Thoughts:
A pretty good beer despite the fact that I am not a coconut fan. The coconut was quite subtle, coming in at the end more as a feeling rather than a taste. Definitely if you can find this one try it out. I'm sure it will pop up again. (I actually had this bottle on hand for a while so it is currently de-listed). But if you can't find this, you won't go wrong trying any of Great Lake's Tank Ten series.
Cheers
CJT
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Like me on Facebook: Pint Jockey Online
Another Hard working brewery Toronto's Great Lakes Brewing company has been with us since 1987. Still the reigning champ of the best Brewery Tour I have ever had (and I met Jim Koch at Samuel Adams Brewery in Boston...). They are busy, busy bees down at Great Lakes. The list of beers they produce in a year is staggering, and most of them only the die hard beer nerds hear about as they made incredible one offs that only show up at festivals, and select beer bars in and around Toronto.Always good for a punny label or funky artwork, especially in their Tank Ten series, tonight's beer is no exception. For those of you who are not in the know, Hanlan's Point is a beach on the Toronto Islands. They are a small collection of sand bars that are home to some old homes and cottages, a Yacht Club, an amusement park called "Centreville" (On Centre Island... no less) Owned by the Beasley Family for umpteen years. The Beasley's are actually old family acquaintances of my Father's. And of course Hanlan's Point. Hanlan's Point is named after famous Toronto world champion rower Ned Hanlan, and was officially dedicated in 1882. However the beach became notorious for another reason. It was isolated on the island and did not face the mainland so there were no clear sight lines. So for many years, Hanlan's point was Toronto's only "unnofficial" Clothing optional beach. That all changed in in 1999 when Toronto decided to start a pilot project to evaluate the merit of making Halan's point official. 0n March 17 2002, (St. Patrick's day no less...) Hanalan's Point was giving official Status as Canada's second public clothing optional Beach (Wreck Beach in Vancouver is number one). Yes... This does explain our rather frigid looking sunbather on the bottle. Other than that... why they chose Hanlan's Point for the name of this beer... I am at a loss. I just drink the beer I can't always understand it.
Tonight's beer is a coconut and coffee flavour porter, and was designed in collaboration with Bar Hop Bar of Toronto.
Let's dive in...
Pours a very dark Chestnut with a tan head made up small bubbles.Aroma is fresh roasted coffee, slightly smoky, hints of wood shavings, some hay and a slight nuttiness.First sip gives us all the coffee the nose promised and the coconut is limited to a subtle sweetness in the background. Reminds me of Vietnamese coffee with a little bit of condensed milk stirred into it. Mouth feel is creamy and full, slightly fatty and rich like I've just tasted some cream. Finish is where the toasted coconut pops up at the end of the coffee's long bitter finish. Lips are sticky like they are covered in roasted marshmallows. Aeration froths the beer like whipped cream and gives us a nutty roasted finish.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order: 5/6 PASS
Experience: 5/6 PASSChristmas Cheer: 5/6 PASS
Final Thoughts:
A pretty good beer despite the fact that I am not a coconut fan. The coconut was quite subtle, coming in at the end more as a feeling rather than a taste. Definitely if you can find this one try it out. I'm sure it will pop up again. (I actually had this bottle on hand for a while so it is currently de-listed). But if you can't find this, you won't go wrong trying any of Great Lake's Tank Ten series.
Cheers
CJT
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Like me on Facebook: Pint Jockey Online
And don't forget to "Friend" me on Untappd.
Tuesday, 20 December 2016
The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 13: Continuity Baltic Porter, StoneHammer
Beer # 311 Continuity
Brewery: StoneHammer Brewing Company
Type: Independent Microbrewery Est.: 1995
Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Beer Style: Baltic Porter
ABV: 7.8% IBU: 34
Format: Crown Capped Brown Glass Bottle Size: 500 ml
Cost: $5.95 CAD Purchased At: LCBO
Twitter: @StoneHammerBeer
Rather surprising I haven't done a beer from this brewery yet. StoneHammer has been quietly plugging away on the beer scene since 1995. I've had a few of their beers before, mainly because I used to live out in Southwestern Ontario, near Guelph where this beer is from. Back when I was there the Guelph area had a few breweries. Most notable as being the home of Sleeman, there were a few other quite respected breweries. Wellington Brewery, nearby The Lion/Gold Crown Brewery, Brick Brewing, and later Grand River brewing. StoneHammer started out life as F&M Brewing and produced beer under the flagship StoneHammer label. When the brewery Changed hands in 2015, Philip and Leslie Woodhouse, the new owners, rebranded the brewery as StoneHammer.
Onto our beer...
Pours a deep dark brown with a mocha coloured head made up of tiny bubbles. The nose is spicy and woody, with notes of lattes and chocolate. First sip is quite creamy with sweet notes of molasses and chocolate. Mouthfeel is full and robust. Hints of leather and cedar. Aeration gives us some licorice and molasses with some dark roasted coffee on the finish.
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
Christmas Cheer: 4/6 PASS
Final Thoughts:
A solid Baltic porter, good flavour profile. Not a lot to get excited about. The layers of flavour are not very complex, or nuanced. What you see is what you get. A Baltic porter, that tastes of chocolate leather and coffee. Should you drink this beer. Yes... yes, you should, there is nothing wrong with it. It's just average.
Cheers
CJT
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Like me on Facebook: Pint Jockey Online
Rather surprising I haven't done a beer from this brewery yet. StoneHammer has been quietly plugging away on the beer scene since 1995. I've had a few of their beers before, mainly because I used to live out in Southwestern Ontario, near Guelph where this beer is from. Back when I was there the Guelph area had a few breweries. Most notable as being the home of Sleeman, there were a few other quite respected breweries. Wellington Brewery, nearby The Lion/Gold Crown Brewery, Brick Brewing, and later Grand River brewing. StoneHammer started out life as F&M Brewing and produced beer under the flagship StoneHammer label. When the brewery Changed hands in 2015, Philip and Leslie Woodhouse, the new owners, rebranded the brewery as StoneHammer.
Onto our beer...
Pours a deep dark brown with a mocha coloured head made up of tiny bubbles. The nose is spicy and woody, with notes of lattes and chocolate. First sip is quite creamy with sweet notes of molasses and chocolate. Mouthfeel is full and robust. Hints of leather and cedar. Aeration gives us some licorice and molasses with some dark roasted coffee on the finish.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASSBeer Style: 4/6 PASS
Re-Order: 4/6 PASS
Experience: 4/6 PASS
Christmas Cheer: 4/6 PASS
Final Thoughts:
A solid Baltic porter, good flavour profile. Not a lot to get excited about. The layers of flavour are not very complex, or nuanced. What you see is what you get. A Baltic porter, that tastes of chocolate leather and coffee. Should you drink this beer. Yes... yes, you should, there is nothing wrong with it. It's just average.
Cheers
CJT
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Like me on Facebook: Pint Jockey Online
And don't forget to "Friend" me on Untappd.
Tuesday, 13 December 2016
The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 12: 80 Shilling, Beau's All Natural
Beer # 310 80 Shilling
Farm Table Series
Brewery: Beau's All Natural Brewing Company
Type: Independent Microbrewery Est.: 2006
Location: Vankleek Hill, Ontario, Canada
Beer Style: Scottish Ale (80 Shilling, Export Strength)
ABV: 4.7% IBU: 29
Format: Crown Capped Brown Glass Bottle Size: 600 ml
Cost: $4.55 CAD Purchased At: LCBO
Twitter: @BeausAllNatural
Back again to Beau's All Natural, One of Ontario's hardest working breweries. It's been a big year for them. They hit their 10th birthday, and they decided to give the company to their employees. Wait, what? Yes. Beau's became the first fully, employee owned, brewing co-operative in at least Ontario history. Couple that news with Muskoka Brewery becoming Ontario's first certified living wage employer, and the rapid increase in female brewers and brewery employees, and I would have to say you would be hard pressed to find a more progressive and socially aware industry in Canada. See, beer is good for the planet. That is even aside from the fact that brewers are more environmentally aware, the craft beer industry is reducing the overall carbon footprint of the brewing industry by sourcing local and delivering local. And when you buy local craft beer you are giving your hard earned money to your neighbours and helping to put their kids through college. What could be more win, win than that? Please take this time now to stop reading and go out and buy a lot of locally sourced craft beer before you continue reading... for the sake of the planet.
I'll wait...
Don't rush... I know, traffic, weather...
Ok. We're back? Good. Open that beer and let's finish.
Tonight's beer is an 80 Shilling. What is that you may ask? Well, Scots used to classify their beer by quality and the higher the quality the more a hogshead (54 Imp. Gallons) of beer cost. For instance light ales were known as 60 Shilling ( or 60 /- for short) which meant the hogshead cost 60 shilling. So I'm a nerd... I had to figure out what that would cost in today's money. 60 /- for a 54 gallon barrel was about £1086 or $1800 Canadian Dollars. 54 Gallons is 432 Imperial pints (16 oz) which works out to $4.17 CAD per pint... which is not that unreasonable given inflation. Further beer classifications were 70/- or Heavy, 80/- or Export (our beer tonight), and 90/- a "Wee Heavy." While the actual specific gravity and alcohol content varied in the nineteenth century, they have come to be regarded as follows. Light under 3.5% ABV. Heavy 3.5% to 4.0% ABV Export 4.0% to 5.5% ABV, and lastly Wee Heavy over 6.0% ABV. In case you were wondering the modern pint prices would be as follows: 70/- $4.87. 80/- $5.57. 90/- $6.27 (all prices CAD and for 16 Imperial ounces).
Overwhelmed by math? Have another beer, and let's go on to the tasting.
Pours a rusty caramel gold colour with a short off-white head made up of small bubbles. The nose is sweet with heady florals, some hay, caramel, and a touch of pine. First sip is deep green hops, sweet malt and caramel, freshly mown hay, and some distant smoke. Mouthfeel is very light and airy. Notes of wood and coffee sit in the background. Bitter hers and florals near the finish. Aeration gives us a smoky sweetness, light caramel and green 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
Christmas Cheer: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Final Thoughts:
I used to drink Caledonia 80/- all the time in Toronto when I lived there and I remember on my one trek up into Scotland an 80/- was one of my first pints. It is great to have this beer to compare those experiences to. Beau's has done a lovely job with this one, equally light, quite fresh and flavourful, smokier than the ones I have had before, but not unwelcome in the least. So if you didn't get any Beau's on your last craft beer run... you did go get beer right? Go get some, support some neighbours, maybe even save the planet. That should put you back on Santa's nice list.
Cheers
CJT
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Like me on Facebook: Pint Jockey Online
Back again to Beau's All Natural, One of Ontario's hardest working breweries. It's been a big year for them. They hit their 10th birthday, and they decided to give the company to their employees. Wait, what? Yes. Beau's became the first fully, employee owned, brewing co-operative in at least Ontario history. Couple that news with Muskoka Brewery becoming Ontario's first certified living wage employer, and the rapid increase in female brewers and brewery employees, and I would have to say you would be hard pressed to find a more progressive and socially aware industry in Canada. See, beer is good for the planet. That is even aside from the fact that brewers are more environmentally aware, the craft beer industry is reducing the overall carbon footprint of the brewing industry by sourcing local and delivering local. And when you buy local craft beer you are giving your hard earned money to your neighbours and helping to put their kids through college. What could be more win, win than that? Please take this time now to stop reading and go out and buy a lot of locally sourced craft beer before you continue reading... for the sake of the planet.
I'll wait...
Don't rush... I know, traffic, weather...
Ok. We're back? Good. Open that beer and let's finish.
Tonight's beer is an 80 Shilling. What is that you may ask? Well, Scots used to classify their beer by quality and the higher the quality the more a hogshead (54 Imp. Gallons) of beer cost. For instance light ales were known as 60 Shilling ( or 60 /- for short) which meant the hogshead cost 60 shilling. So I'm a nerd... I had to figure out what that would cost in today's money. 60 /- for a 54 gallon barrel was about £1086 or $1800 Canadian Dollars. 54 Gallons is 432 Imperial pints (16 oz) which works out to $4.17 CAD per pint... which is not that unreasonable given inflation. Further beer classifications were 70/- or Heavy, 80/- or Export (our beer tonight), and 90/- a "Wee Heavy." While the actual specific gravity and alcohol content varied in the nineteenth century, they have come to be regarded as follows. Light under 3.5% ABV. Heavy 3.5% to 4.0% ABV Export 4.0% to 5.5% ABV, and lastly Wee Heavy over 6.0% ABV. In case you were wondering the modern pint prices would be as follows: 70/- $4.87. 80/- $5.57. 90/- $6.27 (all prices CAD and for 16 Imperial ounces).
Overwhelmed by math? Have another beer, and let's go on to the tasting.
Pours a rusty caramel gold colour with a short off-white head made up of small bubbles. The nose is sweet with heady florals, some hay, caramel, and a touch of pine. First sip is deep green hops, sweet malt and caramel, freshly mown hay, and some distant smoke. Mouthfeel is very light and airy. Notes of wood and coffee sit in the background. Bitter hers and florals near the finish. Aeration gives us a smoky sweetness, light caramel and green 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
Christmas Cheer: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Final Thoughts:
I used to drink Caledonia 80/- all the time in Toronto when I lived there and I remember on my one trek up into Scotland an 80/- was one of my first pints. It is great to have this beer to compare those experiences to. Beau's has done a lovely job with this one, equally light, quite fresh and flavourful, smokier than the ones I have had before, but not unwelcome in the least. So if you didn't get any Beau's on your last craft beer run... you did go get beer right? Go get some, support some neighbours, maybe even save the planet. That should put you back on Santa's nice list.
Cheers
CJT
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