The 2-4 Beers of Christmas 2018 Edition Day 10: Gold Star by Indie Alehouse

Beer # 469 Gold Star Farmhouse Ale

Brewery: Indie Alehouse


Type: Independent Brewpub/Microbrewery  Est.:  2012

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Beer Style: Belgian Farmhouse Ale

ABV: 5.0%      IBU: ?

Format: Draught  Size: 355 ml

Cost: $4.50 CAD     
Purchased At: Sawdust City Brewery Guest Tap

 indiealehouse

    @indiealehouse

Stopped into Sawdust to top up the #FridgeofFame for the last half of the #2-4BeersofChristmas as Sawdust seemed to be going into overkill with the new releases this season. While I was there, I noticed they had this little ditty on the guest tap list from Indie Alehouse and figured I had time for a half pint... as it was my day off.  So just a quick one for today, a nice sour Farmhouse Beer 

Onto our beer...

Pours a cloudy light gold with a fluffy white head made up of small to medium bubbles. Sweet light Brett nose with hints of citrus and wheat. First sip is very refreshing, with tart citrus and lemon zest. The middle is filled with malted wheat hints of baking spice, clove, a touch of banana and toast. Aeration brings out a light green hop and a hint of nuttiness.

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:

I am really enjoying the uptick in sour beers in Ontario. Soured beer when done properly is delicious and refreshing. The Brettanomyces can bring a lot of flavour to the brew when done judiciously. This is one of those beers, soft and balanced with just enough sour to clean up the palate and leave you wanting another sip. A very good beer get one if you can.

CJT

 Let's Stay "Social" Follow my adventures here

   @pintjockey




The Pintjockey Online


pintjockey

And don't forget to "Friend" me on Untappd.

Brux House Grapefruit Breakfast

Beer # 257 Grapefruit Breakfast

Brux House

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Independent Brewpub
American Pale Ale 5.8% ABV 
Pint Glass 20 oz
$6.50 (Canadian) At The Brewery

Twitter: @BruxHouse

I love Sawdust City's Guest Tap. So many different beers often from places I have never heard of. This is one of those cases. I had not heard of Brux House yet. It is a brew pub and kitchen in Hamilton on Locke Street. If this is the calibre of beer they produce... I would expect stellar things from them.

Onto the tasting:

Pours a cloudy, muted orange-gold. Head is short, off-white and made up of tiny bubbles. Aroma is piney, tropical  fruit, vanilla and grapefruit. First sip gives us a fruit bomb. Lots of ruby red grapefruit. Sweet but not cloying, hints of spruce and juniper, and bitter greens. Aeration gives us some warm alcohol in the nose, and medicinal hops and some marmalade.

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:

Delicious. A wonderful example of an APA. Very well rounded fruit flavours without being overly bitter. Very easy drinking and very light bodied for the alcohol content. Do seek this beer out.


CJT


Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Like me on Facebook: Pint Jockey Online

And don't forget to "Friend" me on Untappd.

Double Dunk Forked River Brewing Company

# 207 Double Dunk Weizenbock

Forked River Brewing Company

London, Ontario, Canada
Independent
Imperial Weizenbock 8.2% 10 oz Draft Tulip Glass
$7.25 (Canadian) At the Sawdust City Brewery guest Tap

Twitter: @forkedriverbrew

Down to Forked River of London Ontario today. I have had one of their beers before, but it didn't make it into the blog. Forked River starts their own Bio out like a classic Joke "Two Biologists and an Engineer walk into a bar..." But instead of a punchline we get some amazing beer. Dave Reed, Andrew Peters, and Steve Nazarian all met through a regional homebrewing association. As their friendship grew, the job market for their professions started to dwindle in London, and not wanting to move their families they decided to work for themselves. So Forked River was born in 2012.  The other beer that I have had by them, was the Riptide Rye Pale Ale, and I must confess it was delicious. I only wish I had taken notes for the blog. If I can get my hands on some again I will... stay tuned. Until then we shall sample this beer right here...

Already a mouthful in a name... The Double Dunk Weizenbock. Onto the tasting.

Pours a cloudy chocolate brown with an off-tan head made up of small bubbles. Nose is vegetative like tomatoes, and smells of hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce, like a really strong Caesar (drink... not salad my American friends!). First sip is intense, woody, spicy, umami laden, rich and creamy. Clove and cinnamon intensify through the middle and then the beer softens out to a tart tangy breadiness with a hint of sourness. As the beer warms up, chocolate appears with some oak, caramel, and vanilla in the background.  Aeration whips the beer up like fresh cream and  brings out the alcohol. intensifies the baking spices, light hints of banana, and enhances the chocolate.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

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


Final Thoughts:

Another massive beer. You feel all of it's 8.2% ABV. But such complexity! Layers upon layers of flavour. It is a real "thinking beer." One you definitely want to sit down and ponder. What struck me the most is the "Umami" in this beer. Umami is a borrowed Japanese word that means "pleasant savoury." In essence umami is the meatiness, the roundness, the completeness of a satisfying flavour. It's that deep mushroomy flavour, or the flavour of a seared steak. And it was all through this beer. The would certainly be an excellent food beer, and I would love to cook a nice beef stew with it. I suggest you grab one and taste it for yourself. 

CJT


Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Like me on Facebook: Pint Jockey Online

And don't forget to "Friend" me on Untappd.

Beer # 199 Farmhouse IPA Shacklands Brewery

Farmhouse IPA

Shacklands Brewing Company
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Future Brewery (Brews and Bottles at Junction Craft Brewery)
Farmhouse Style IPA 7.3 % ABV 20oz Pint
$6.50 (Canadian) At the Sawdust City Brewery Saloon (Guest Tap)

Twitter: @Shacklands


Shacklands is a Nano/Future Brewery that currently shares space with Junction Craft Brewery. Named for the turn of the century suburbs of Toronto of hastily built shacks and homemade shelters that sprang up around the burgeoning city, Shacklands is helmed by Jason Tremblay. Jason is an avid homebrewer... and a stay at home Dad for 10 (YES TEN! if anyone needs a drink...) He began his professional brewing career with Bar Volo and the House Ales. He then joined Shacklands in late 2012 and helps to brew their stable of Belgian Inspired beers.

Onto the farm...

Pours a hazy gold colour with a slight orange hue. The white head is subtle and made up of tiny bubbles. The nose is grapefruit, blood orange, honey, green herbs and very mild spice. First sip is bright fresh grapefruit and mandarin. Light spice and a touch of weak black tea. Finish is slightly bitter orange zest and some toasted nuts. Aeration gives us light spice...  a hint of grain  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:

Cheers
A very light and fruity IPA with a touch of the belgian farmhouse beer style. Smooth drinking and delightfully crisp. I was very excited to try this and I was not disappointed. Looking forward to more Shacklands in my future.

CJT


Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Like me on Facebook: Pint Jockey Online

And don't forget to "Friend" me on Untappd.