The 2-4 Beers of Christmas 2019 Day: 6 Kindred Spirts Imperial Stout Barrel aged in Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey Barrels

Beer # 506 Kindred Spirits  Tullamore dew Irish Whiskey Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Brewery: Innis and Gunn Brewing Company

Type: Independent Brewery    Est.:  2003

Location: Edinburgh, Ontario, Canada

Beer Style: Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

ABV: 6.1%      IBU: 40

Format: Brown Glass Bottle  Size: 330 ml

Cost: $4.95 CAD     Purchased At: LCBO

innisandgunnca

    @innisandgunn

Back to Edinburgh for another sample from Innis and Gunn's never-ending tickle trunk of barrel-aged beers. This version is an Imperial Stout aged in Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey BarrelsI like stouts and I like Irish Whiskey... so this should be pretty good.

Onto our beer..

Pours a dark chestnut with an off tan head. The aroma is malty Irish whiskey and tropical fruit. The first sip is whiskey and tropical fruit giving over to wood and smoke and char. Sandwiched in the middle is coconut with rum whiskey phenols. Aeration gives us some tobacco, smoke, pencil box, and wood shavings.

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 very complex and a decent tasting beer. not a real standout but good enough to share one with someone special during the holidays.

CJT

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The 2-4 Beers of Christmas 2019 Day: 4 Bring Out The Imp, Alchemy Brewing Company

Beer # 504 Bring Out The Imp

Brewery: AlchemyBrewing Company


Type: Independent Brewery    Est.:  2012

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Beer Style: Barrel Aged, Flavoured, Double Oatmeal Stout

ABV: 10.5%      IBU: ?

Format: Brown Glass Bottle  Size: 330 ml

Cost: $2.95 CAD     Purchased At: LCBO

 N/A

    @alchemybrewco

Day four of the #2-4BeersofChristmas brings me to a city that I loved when I visited it: Edinburgh. Despite one of the more epic hangovers of my early beer drinking career (Guinness hangovers suck... Yes I was drinking an Irish beer in a Scottish city, there were other beers too, hence the hangover) Edinburgh sticks out in my mind as a gorgeous historic city with a fun nightlife (see hangover earlier...) The craft beer movement really didn't start up until after I visited (I went for the whisky...) I would have loved to hit a few of the now famous Scottish craft brewers. Alchemy is one of the newer craft brewers in Edinburgh to gain attention. Started in 2012 they produce an interesting array of beers for all tastes. I had a tough time finding the website info for Alchemy as there are actually three (that I could find) Alchemy Brewing Companies. One is in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, one in Seattle, Washington, USA, and the last in Edinburgh. Alchemy in Scotland doesn't have an Instagram account and the twitter accounts for all three are almost identical. This is a double oatmeal imperial stout that was flavoured with Licorice and then aged in Côtes du Rhône wine barrels.

Onto our tasting:

Pours a slightly murky dark chestnut brown with a hint of a red tint. Pours a short off-tan head made up of tiny bubbles. The aroma is a malty liquorice all-sorts. Boozy and oaky with hints of red wine. The first sip is slightly syrupy with hot flashes of alcohol, molasses, and liquorice root. Lips are left quite sticky even after a few sips. Hints of roasted caramel. Aeration gives us a boozy, anisette and whiskey mix. Warming up the beer takes on an oatmeal sweetness mixed with molasses reminding me of horse feed.

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 bottle actually took some age, I had bought it for a previous #2-4BeersofChristmas but didn't get around to it. I was not worried about the age as I was sure the high alcohol would protect it. I'm thinking that it even mellowed out a bit because I found the liquorice mild in comparison to the hefty malt flavours. Not really a fantastic beer but quite a decent one. I have checked and the beer is no longer being produced... so you will have to take my word for it.

Cheers

CJT

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The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 5:Maple and Thistle Rye Red Ale

Beer # 395 Maple and Thistle Rye Ale

Brewery: Innis and Gunn Brewing Company


Type: Independent Brewery    Est.:  2003

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Beer Style: Flavoured Rye Red Ale

ABV: 5.9%      IBU: ?

Format: Brown Glass Bottle  Size: 500 ml

Cost: $9.95 CAD     Purchased At: LCBO

innisandgunnuk

    InnisandGunnUk

 For interesting beers, one can always look to Innis and Gunn. The Scottish brewers tend to play with their beers, specialising in ageing beers in barrels and attempting unusual combinations. Each year there brew a beer for Canada Day which usually includes Canadian ingredients or Canadian Whiskey Barrels. This year, as it was Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation they brewed the Maple and Thistle Rye ale to celebrate Scotland and Canada's long friendship. The beer was brewed with malted Canadian rye and then aged for 150 days in 150 Canadian Oak casks. When maturation was complete they added maple syrup and Scottish thistle before bottling.



The result is a very rich rye beer with deep herbal notes and a touch of sweetness. I was trying to get this one done for #Canadabeermonth but it got overlooked, so I wanted to make sure it got the attention it needed in this special year for Canada.

Onto our beer.


Pours a dark chestnut with a generous tan head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is rye bread, sweet malt, some chestnut and hints of bitter greens. First sip gives us sweet honey/ maple syrup with notes of smoke. Rich rye bread and distinct herbaceousness. whisky is evident on the finish as is a light woodiness.Aeration brings out the taste of new oak, woody, whisky, malty, light caramel and vanilla.

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:

Innis and Gunn always makes a solid beer, and this one is no exception. Well rounded very drinkable. (Possibly better in the summer when it was released...) These may be finally sold out or my still be in select LCBOs... You may have to hunt a bit, but it is worth the search.

CJT

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Beer # 367 First World Problems Stewart Brewing

Beer #367 First World Problems Belgian IPA

Stewart Brewing Company

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Independent Microbrewery
Established: 2004
Belgian IPA
6.2 % ABV IBU: 80
330 ml Brown Glass Bottle
$3.85 (Canadian) At the LCBO

Twitter: @StewartBrewing

I admit it. I bought this beer for the label. The Lichtenstein inspired cartoon caught my eye even before the clever name and witty "I ordered Sourdough, and they brought me brioche..." punchline. So naturally, this beer had to come home with me. It wasn't until I got it home that I discovered it was from Scotland, and a Belgian inspired IPA. Stewart Brewing is an award-winning craft brewery in the heart of frenetic and cosmopolitan Edinburgh. It's a wonderfully big welcoming city very friendly and ready to party at the drop of a hat. I learned valuable lessons about drinking while I was in Edinburgh and actually how to pronounce Edinburgh and not sound like a tool. Locals pronounce it ED-in-BURR... only foreigners pronounces it Ed-in-Boro or Ed-in BURG. I also admit it is easier to pronounce after a pint or two or 14 in my case.

Onto our beer tonight...

Pours a cloudy honey amber with a scattered thin head made up of various bubbles. Nose is sweet with nuts and toffee, clover honey flowers and some dried fruit. First sip is warming, with dried fruit and cooked pineapple. Hints of bright green hops. Slightly syrupy, reminiscent of a late harvest wine, leaves a sticky lips sensation. Fresh and bright with lingering hints of spice at the end. Aeration gives us a pump of alcohol as the full height of the 6.2% ABV stands up. Finishes warm toasty notes,  hints of treacle and caramel.

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


Final Thoughts:

Very good IPA from Scotland. Well balanced and full of subtle little flavours. One you should give a try while you can.
Cheers

CJT

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The 2-4 Days of Christmas Day 6: Innis and Gunn Limited Edition Highland Ale

Beer # 254 Innis and Gunn Limited Edition Highland Ale

Innis and Gunn Brewery

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Independent Brewery
Oak Aged Ale 7.4 % ABV 
Brown Glass Bottle 330 ml.
$5.95 (Canadian) At the LCBO

Twitter: @InnisandGunnCA


Another beer for the holidays. Innis and Gunn from Edinburgh is a great brewery for coming up with one shot and limited edition beers. This version has been aged with Highland Scotch whisky barrels.

Onto the tasting...

Pours an orange/amber, the colour of a nice honey. The head is off-white, short and made up of small to tiny bubbles. The aroma is very scotch-like. Notes of honey heather, spice, figs vanilla caramel and fresh baking. There are also woody notes, sharper than if it was aged in a barrel more like if chips were added.first sip is sweet and creamy. Honey is very present as is some toasty vanilla and bread. If we poured some maple syrup into this we could call it "French Toast" beer. Aeration gives us a nutty toasty fig and honey 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:

Much of what you would come to expect from an Innis and Gunn beer. Toasty, smooth, slightly creamy. The scotch notes work well with the style of beer, and the overall beer is very good. Mind you, there is where I start to run into some problems. This taste almost exactly like every other Innis and Gunn beer. It's starting to become too hard to tell them apart. Perhaps it is time to take this beer in a new direction? Other than that the beer is definitely worth the price of admission.

CJT


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The 2-4 Beers of Christmas: Day 24: Rare Oak Pale Ale Innis & Gunn

Beer # 188

Nickel Brook Brewing Company

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Independent
Oak aged Pale Ale 5.8 % ABV Clear Glass Bottle 330 ml.

$3.25 (Canadian) At the LCBO

Twitter: @InnisandGunnCA

Back again to Innis and Gunn... The oak aged beer people. They age all of their beers in oak barrels. This one is aged in Scottish Oak. 

Finally This is the last post of the 2-4 Beers of Christmas. I have a few Pint Jockey Adventures posts coming up for you and then we return to our regularly schedule beer blogs. 

Onto the Tasting:
Pours a bronze-gold colour with an off white head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is smoky and meaty with some light toasty grain. First sip is rich and sweet like fresh maple sap before it is turned into syrup. Woody, with some light smoke, a hint of caramel and vanilla, but very clean. Very delicate flavour. Aeration brings out some citrus and a hint more caramel/maple.

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 Spirit 4/6 PASS


Final Thoughts:

Certainly one of the lightest and most refreshing of the Innis and Gunn beers. But to me it is lacking something... not sure what. a little too thin, perhaps.



Cheers And Beery Christmas


CJT


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The 2-4 Beers of Christmas: Day 5 Innis and Gunn Rum Finish

Beer # 168 Innis and Gunn Rum Finish

Innis and Gunn Brewery

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Independent
Oak Aged Ale 6.8 % ABV Clear Glass Bottle 330 ml.
$2.75 (Canadian) At the LCBO
Twitter: @InnisandGunnCA


As the weather turns significantly whiter, and the holiday season approaches, my thoughts turn to rum (and eggnog, and of course both... in large  quantities). So when I saw Innis and Gunn's Rum Finish beer I knew it would fit in with my 2-4 Beers of Christmas. Innis and Gunn if you are not aware is a Scottish brewery famous for oak ageing all of their beers. And several times a year they put out a special series. Around Canada Day they do a Canadian Whiskey aged beer, and they also do a vintage beer each year that is suitable for ageing. Now I did look back and I have done Innis and Gunn "Rum Cask" but the the tasting for it was very different to this one and this is "Rum Finish" So I will call this two separate beers.

Onto the Tasting...

Pours a dark honey amber with an off- white head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is oaky, sweet molasses, fruity with a hint of spice.first sip is woody and smoky with a big hit of rum. Dark to caramel malt comes of after and the hops are little herbal and spicy right at the end. There is some vanilla and dark sugars, some toasty caramel. Aeration amps up the rum and woodiness. finish is slightly tart and citrusy.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 



Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 4/6 PASS
Re-Order:  2/6 SO-SO
Experience:  4/6 PASS
Christmas Spirit 4/6 PASS


Final Thoughts:

Innis and Gunn is a good beer but it never sits well with me. I never seem to enjoy it as much as I would like. While quite tasty and flavourful... I just never seem to want to drink one. However, do not let that stop you. Try this beer, especially if you are a rum fan.

Cheers And Beery Christmas


CJT


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