The 2-4 Beers of Christmas 2018 Edition Day 21: Where the Buffalo Roam By Cameron's Brewing Company

Beer # 480 Where the Buffalo Roam

Brewery: Cameron's Brewing Company


Type: Independent Microbrewery    Est.:  1997

Location: Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Beer Style: Barley Wine

ABV: 13.0%      IBU: 90

Format: Aluminium Can  Size: 473 ml

Cost: $11.95 CAD     Purchased At: LCBO

cameronsbrewing

    @cameronsbrewing

Well as they say it is better late than never... which I kinda feel I'm stretching to the extreme by posting my last Christmas beers in March. But I had the notes made so why waste them? Tonight's beer is a can of Where the Buffalo Roam Barley Wine by Cameron's Brewing. Thing is.. I've had this can for about 2 years... so we will see if it is still good.

Onto our beer...

This beer took some work to taste. It first poured an amazing cloudy dark honey colour with an off-tan head made up of super fine bubbles. The aroma was nutty and woody with hints of liquorice. However, since this was a beer that was over two years old there was a considerable amount of can-shock. First sips were very bitter and closed. Aroma opens up with honey, toast, whisky, wood, and hints of coconut. Alcohol is very present, there are some hints of wet dog from the ageing process. brown sugar and molasses round out the middle. Interestingly, there is not much in the way of bourbon. I get some whisky, but not the sweet vanilla, toasted oak that usually indicates good bourbon. Aeration gives us some more barrel flavours and with touches of dried fruit and sawdust.

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:

This was a very interesting beer and it starts shows the lengths that beer can be aged in a can. While it took some time to air out and show all of its flavours... I don't see it as a fault. It forced you to slow down and appreciate the beer. Barley wines are high alcohol and should be sipped, and is more akin to a whisky than a beer. So waiting half an hour for this beer to release all of its flavours should not be a terrible thing. You can always binge watch Netflix while you wait.


CJT

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Beer # 130 Cameron's Auburn Ale

Auburn Ale

Cameron's Brewing Company

Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Independent
West Coast Ale 5.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 341 ml
$2.50 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @CameronsBrewing

And we are starting off OCB Week with a bang. Lot's to come so stay tuned. Until then here is another from Cameron's.

Auburn colour indeed, a very nice rusty brown with a very pale tan head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is dark sugary malts, slightly nutty, and a hint of hops, floral and medicinal. First sip gives us a complex roasted malt, very dry through the middle with a hint of sweetness at the end. Light in body and well rounded, Finish is green herbal hopes ending tart, and slightly bitter. Aeration brings out the green hops and some of the malt sugars.



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:  5/6 PASS


Final Thoughts: 

Avery good well rounded beer, complex, yet still light.


Cheers

CJT


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Beer # 129 Cameron's Deviator Doppelbock Oak Aged Series

Deviator Doppelbock Oak Aged Series

Cameron's Brewing Company

Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Independent
Oak Aged Doppelbock 8.6 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 341 ml
$2.50 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @CameronsBrewing

Ashamedly this is my first trip down to Cameron's Brewing. I am not a stranger to their beer, yet I haven't yet posted about them yet. Opened in 1997, Cameron's is certainly one of the pioneering craft breweries in the GTA and are well known in the craft beer circuit. Their Rye P.A. is spectacular (hopefully I will get to one soon). They are always big at OCBWeek, so I hope to see some there.  Tonight's beer is a German style doppelbock, that has been aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels for 6 months.


Enough with the set up... onto the beer:

Very dark chestnut in colour with a caramel coloured head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is very earthy, wood, portobello mushroom, malt candy, vanilla, and licorice. taste is black licorice, vanilla, turbinado sugar. As the taste progresses coffee, oak, cream, and a twinge of bitterness come out. It is not unlike horehound candy, malty, licorice, and a touch of medicinal qualities.The oak ageing has done wonders for the complexity of the beer, giving it a whisky feel. The alcohol is evident and warming but does not detract from the beer. The finish is dark caramel almost butterscotch. Aeration shows off the high alcohol, and brings out the oak in a big way, especially the bourbon.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


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


Final Thoughts: 

a deep dark brooding beer perfect for contemplation. Complex, earthy and Delicious. One of these is enough. The alcohol is hot and sets in quickly.  Enjoy one by yourself or share one or two with a friend.


Cheers

CJT


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