The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 10:

Beer # 308 Mons Abbey Witte

Brewery: Belgh Brasse

Type: Independent Microbrewery     Est.: 1999

Location: Amos, Quebec, Canada

Beer Style: Belgian Blonde

ABV: 7.0%      IBU: ?

Format: Cork Stoppered Brown Glass Bottle  Size: 750 ml

Cost: $8.00 CAD     Purchased At: The Beer Store

Twitter: @BelghBrasse


Once more with feeling, from Belgh Brasse, tonight we are doing the Blonde. Made with the sparkling clear waters from the Abitibi Esker. 

Onto our beer...

Pours a slightly hazy gold colour with a massive bright white head made up of small and medium bubbles. The aroma is fresh flour, bread, clover honey, some hay and grass. Lightly fragrant flowers and a hint of spice round out the nose. First sip is some sweet and spicy malt with hints of molasses, vanilla caramel and honey. The middle of the taste turns to barley syrup with a nice long lingering sweetness. Aeration gives us an herbal hop kick.



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:

Not quite as good as its sister beer, but still a very good sipper. I found this one a touch too sweet, and syrupy. Certainly not a fault to stop you from giving this bottle a spin. Have it with some dessert, like Christmas, cake... you know you have some of that hiding somewhere.


Cheers

CJT

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The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 9: Mons Abbey Witte, Belgh Brasse

Beer # 308 Mons Abbey Witte

Brewery: Belgh Brasse

Type: Independent Microbrewery     Est.: 1999

Location: Amos, Quebec, Canada

Beer Style: Flavoured Belgian Wheat

ABV: 5.0%      IBU: ?

Format: Cork Stoppered Brown Glass Bottle  Size: 750 ml

Cost: $8.00 CAD     Purchased At: The Beer Store

Twitter: @BelghBrasse


Off to Quebec tonight for a double tasting, this beer and it's sister product (coming up in the next post) hails from a Belgian brewer that moved to a small town in Quebec. The water for this beer is drawn off of the Abitibi Esker, so it is ancient, crystal, clear, glacier water. The witte is one of the four mainstay products of Belgh Brasse (The others are Dubbel, Blonde and Quadruppel all under the Mons Abbey name). Mons, isn't actually an Abbey, well certainly not here in Quebec. Abbey just means it is brewed in the Belgian Abbey Style, Mons is the town in Belgium that the brewer, Jean-Louis Marcoux, is from. The list of awards this beer has won is far too long to be detailed here. If you want they are listed on the product page here check them out. And let's check out the beer.

Onto our beer...


Pours a cloudy light gold with a bright white head made up of tiny bubbles. Aroma is certainly not confined to the glass. Just walking across the room from my photography table to my computer desk the room was filled with aromas of orange peel and coriander. A fact that is only doubled down as I put my nose in the glass. Nose is intense coriander, and bright green herbals. orange peel backs it up with soft notes of toasted wheat. Very faint hints of florals in the background and the scent of a freshly opened bag of baking flour. First sip is a soft well balanced wheat beer with smooth orange note (no bitter pith taste!).  Coriander's intensity stays on the nose, however it dances across the tongue very gently only to serve as counterpoint to the earthy wheat and the bright citrus. Mouthfeel is light and airy. One of the most balanced beers I have ever tried. Aeration bring out the yeast and more of the orange peel.

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:

This is a fantastic witte beer, one suitable for anytime drinking, let along at Christmas. I would be just as happy sipping this on a patio mid summer. But the easy drinking warm aromas make this a win for Christmas too. Put this until the mistletoe for guaranteed kisses (Kisses not actually guaranteed...).

Cheers

CJT

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Beer # 285 Mongozo Premium Pilsner Gluten Free

Beer # 285 Mongozo Gluten Free

Mongozo BV

Melle Belguim
Independent
Gluten Free Pilsner 
5.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 330 ml.
$3.15 (Canadian) At LCBO 

Twitter: N/A

Lurr, Ruler of the Planet Omicron Persei 8
doesn't like this beer either

So I like to try and give a chance to gluten free beers even though I don't like them, and think they are just a marketing stunt trying to wedge open an unnecessary niche. But, this beer... Wow, this beer both confuses and infuriates me; Just like my friend Lurr of the Planet Omicron Persei 8. It starts life as a lager... with gluten, then they do something to it... (no doubt unspeakably horrible) and suddenly it has no gluten left. But actually... it may, as it comes with a WARNING, that this product MAY CONTAIN GLUTEN. To distract you from this fact, the product is certified Fair Trade, and Organic. Now to deepen the confusion this beer has won multiple gold medals at the world beer stage. Which either tells you there is no competition at the world stage for this crap; or these beers really ARE THAT BAD... I'll leave that distinction to you. But if it were me and I was Celiac and it came down to drinking this beer or gluten filled beer; I would take the regular beer every time. My stomach would not like it, but my taste buds would not believe I hated them.

As always, I am not a doctor... I just play one in chat rooms. If you suspect you have Celiac's disease PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, consult an Immunologist who has experience with the disease. Have your family physician recommend one, or go through one of the Celiac Websites:

Canada:  www.celiac.ca

USA:      www.celiac.org

UK         www.coeliac.org.uk

Remember Celiac's is an autoimmune disease akin to Lupus. It is not a weight loss programme, or a "cleansing diet." The concept of "gluten sensitivity" has been scientifically proven false. Please use with caution.

Onto the "beer" (if we can call it that...)

Pours a brassy gold colour with a flat skiff of a head made up of odd sized bubbles. The nose is wet dog and chemical. light hints of grain and citrus. First sip is flat and watery like soda that has been left open. Light grain, some bread, and touches of citrus. Hints of pepper on the end of the tongue. Overwhelming taste of soda water, touches of minerals. Aeration brings out some green hops.

 Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 0/6 FAIL
Re-Order:  0/6  FAIL
Experience: 0/6 FAIL



Final Thoughts:


I cannot describe how much I hated this agglomeration of ingredients that made up something resembling an alcoholic beverage. This was pure trash in a bottle designed to separate the gullible from their money. This "beer" makes me long for something with more flavour... like Coor's Light.

I need a shower and to scrub my tongue off. I give this "beer" the un-coveted #DrainAward. Avoid this, like you would your crazy ex, wielding a chainsaw.

  
Cheers

CJT

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Beer # 284 35 & 118 Cream Ale Bushkung Brewing Company

#283 35 & 118 Cream Ale

Boshkung Brewing Company

Carnarvon, Ontario, Canada
Brewery
Cream Ale 
5.0 % ABV IBU: 18
473 ml Aluminium Can
$3.50 (Canadian) At the Brewery

Twitter: @Boshkungbrewing

Finishing up with my last can from boshkung, we end on the last core beer the rather popular 35 & 188 Cream ale. Named for the two highways that intersect in front of the brewery 35 & 118 has won two medals for Boshkungs trophy room. In 2015 they took home a silver for the Cream Ale category at the Canadian Brewing awards, in 2016 they took top spot in the same category.

Onto the cream of the crop...

Pours a light gold colour with a large fluffy white head made up of small bubbles. Nose is malt forward with lots of caramel and straw, Light hints of green hops with a good hit of bitterness. Aeration brings out tart green hops graininess, light spice, and some sweet caramel.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order:  4/6  PASS
Experience: 4/6 PASS


Final Thoughts:

I am disappointed in myself for leaving this one until last. Every beer from Boshkung has been delicious and fantastic. Sadly, Cream Ale is not a preferred style for me... I have never been able to get a taste groove going on them. While the style of this beer is outstanding, I can't enjoy it personally. So I have to leave this on a down note which bothers me a bit, since this is a great beer. Technically, it is crisp, flavourful, well balanced, good malt usage and just the right amount of hops. So in this one case you kinda have to ignore me and go out and try this beer for yourself. If you like Cream Ales, you will love this. I am looking forward to more great things from Boshkung, I hope I can get my hands on some of the seasonals that are coming up.


CJT

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Beer # 283 North Country Kellerbier Boshkung Brewing Company

#283 North Country Kellerbier 

Boshkung Brewing Company

Carnarvon, Ontario, Canada
Brewery
Kellerbier 
5.0 % ABV IBU: 23
473 ml Aluminium Can
$3.50 (Canadian) At the Brewery

Twitter: @Boshkungbrewing

Back to Boshkung again to try out the first of the two canned beers I brought back from my visit. Tonight's offering is a Kellerbier and I believe this may be the first Keller I've written about. So quickly, a Kellerbier (or "cellar beer" in English) is a German ale that has been fermented at a lower temperature than regular ales. Before refrigeration they were fermented in the cellar, hence the name, and generally for a longer time, giving them a much more complex flavour. Tonight's beer is an excellent example of the style, and the Canadian Brewing Awards seems to agree with me. This beer added another gold medal to Bushkung's trophy cabinet Taking top spot for the Kellerbier category in 2015.

Ok, let's go down to the cellar...

Pours a darker off-gold colour with a bright fluffy white head made up of small bubbles. The nose is amazing! Very fruity with bright notes of red berries, hints of currant and raspberry. First sip is fruity fresh with notes of citrus. Toasty caramel malt follows, tinges of honey and raspberry round out the middle. Aeration gives us some tingly citrus and more honey, well balanced malt and a hint of spice. Finish is clean with some hints of bread dipped in honey fading into the background.

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



Final Thoughts:

YES! Best Kellerbier I've tasted so far. Too many are washed out and weak. This one is bright and flavourful Many Kellers walk a line between tasting like a lager and an ale, (most tasting like a flattened out lager) This one doesn't... It pirouettes down that line effortlessly bending the crispness of the cold fermentation with the hearty malt drive ale flavours. This is a summer refresher to be proud of. But don't just take my word for it... get some for yourself. 
Cheers

CJT

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Beer# 280 Hopsta La Vista IPA Longslice Brewery

#280 Hopsta La Vista

Longslice Brewery
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Contract Brewery
India Pale Ale 
6.5 % ABV IBU: 69
473 ml Aluminium Can
$2.90 at the LCBO

Twitter: @LongsliceBrews

Longslice brewery is a new one on me. I was initially attracted by the punny, bright packaging. Started by two brothers from Bracebridge, Jimmy and John Peat who started homebrewing in high school with their Dad... ( way cool Dad!) In 2013 Jimmy Peat took second place in the Toronto Beer Week Homebrew competition with a hybrid English Pale Ale/ American IPA. That beer would go on to become tonight's offering Hopsta La Vista. The Peat Brothers were joined by longtime friend Sebastian Lesch and on March 20 2014 Longslice Brewery was born. In 2015 Hopsta La Vista added another medal to the trophy cabinet taking home a Gold at the Ontario Brewing Awards.

They also have the most awesome retro 1990's style website that made me laugh when I saw it. Please check it out here.

Onto the tasting...

Pours a darker orange amber in colour with an off tan head made up of small bubbles.The nose is malty with a herbal hop and tea nose. First sip is strong and malty with notes of bitter greens black tea. A bit of a creamy mouthfeel. Spikes of pine and cedar with some leather in the background. The beer is viscous, almost oily and clings to the glass when swirled taking on almost a bubbly honey look cascading down the inside of the glass. Aeration gives us some malt and molasses with hints of dried fruit and very mild spice. Finish is bitter herbs and a slight marijuana feeling. 

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


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

Final Thoughts:

A very good IPA Deep flavours, well constructed. Great mouthfeel, and well balanced. Definitely pick this one up, if you like full bodied IPAs this is the beer for you.

Cheers

CJT

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Beer # 144 Snowy Howell Muskoka Brewery

Snowy Howell
Collaboration Beer with Dara Howell Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist Slopestyle Skiing

Muskoka Brewery
Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada
Independent
Flavoured White IPA 5.5% ABV Brown Glass Bottle 355 ml.
$5.50 (Canadian) At the Brewery Only... Limited Run of 300 Bottles
Proceeds to go towards The Muskoka Conservatory
Twitter: @Muskokabrewery

This is the first time I will have to start my blog off with an apology. I am sorry, but the majority of you, dear readers, that read about this beer today may never drink it. Snowy Howell was a collaboration between Canada's Olympic Gold Medal winner  Dara Howell of Huntsville Ontario and Muskoka Craft Brewery. The beer saw two releases. The first was at Session Toronto June 13 and 14th Where Dara even spent some time at the booth pouring beers! (I had to work... stupid work). The second was to be a limited run of 300 355ml bottles (I was first into the shop on release day July 16th so I shall call my bottles # 1 & 2 of 300) The proceeds of the bottle issue are going to benefit a good cause here in Muskoka, the Muskoka Conservancy. This is group that buys up or accepts as donation environmentally significant land along the lakes and islands of Muskoka. In return they undertake perpetual stewardship of this land ensuring it it always available for the people and animals of Muskoka. If you would like to learn more about this worthy cause visit them here or follow them on Twitter here.


Enough with the preamble... onto the gold medal tasting.


Dark coppery gold in colour with an unusually small head. Head is white and made up of medium sized bubbles. Aroma is very herbal and citursy. Lots of pine tree, and some medicinal notes. there are touches of other herbs in there, mint, thyme, and savoury. First sip is a slow motion explosion of flavour each taking turns on the tongue. Orange peel is huge, gin, and coriander are next, followed by herbal and citrus hops, and a bit of pine notes on the finish as well as some dried orange peel and a slight potpourri scent. Aeration gives us zippy bitter oranges. Savilles,, like good Scottish marmalade. My mind keeps wandering back to gin, I feel like it is a well made gin martini cold, refreshing, herbal citrusy clean and clear. The IPA part of the beer dominates the attack and the orangey, herbal, wheat beer brings up the rear. They do not compete, rather the IPA skillfully hands off to the wheat as the taste approaches the finish.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

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

Final Thoughts:

Wow. I have waited over a month to get my hands on this beer. And I am sure Muskoka Brewery is glad I've got it now too because I bugged them on twitter quite frequently as I did not want to miss the release. Very, very high marks for this beer but some come with explanations. Cost ** I gave a 6/6 but regular readers would not expect me to give so high a mark for a small (355ml) bottle that cost $5.50. Well yes and no. The money goes to a very good cause and I am very willing to help a brewery that is dedicated to preserving the environment. Re-Order*** I would re-order if i could... but, since this is a very limited release which is now sold out, the chances of getting this brew again are slim. I hope, that Muskoka will re-issue this beer, I think more beer drinkers should get to try this. And honestly, an ongoing fundraiser for the Muskoka Conservancy is something I could support.

Cheers

CJT


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