The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Days 17 & 18: The Light Side Vs The Dark Side.

A Long Time Ago, 

in a Pint Jockey Headquarters far away...

BEER WARS

The Froth Awakens: Episode I

It's Star Wars Day

Ok, I have to admit it I'm a huge nerd. Especially when it comes to Star Wars. I did a very big dance of joy when I heard that George Lucas had sold the franchise to Disney and that they had plans to begin releasing new movies. So for three years I have eagerly awaited this day, and although I have to wait a few more days before we go out to see the movie, I am so glad we have arrived at this day of nerdom. I have heard very positive things about the movie and can't wait til we go out and see it as a family.

So in honour of this day I decided to do a side by side tasting, Light versus Dark. Because when you think about it, beer is like the Force... there are light beers and dark beers, and after a few... you begin to believe you can move things with your mind.  Donning the Jedi Robes for the Light side tonight we have Muskoka Brewery's Winterweiss (get it? Weiss... White... Light side?) And warming up in the corner with their Force Chokes and Force Lightning Epic Brewing Company's Coffee and Fig Imperial Oatmeal Stout. (Imperial? yep... another pun).

It is time to bring balance to the Force... Let my taste buds awaken.

The Contenders

The Light Side 

Beer # 265 Winterweiss

Muskoka Brewery

Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada
Independent Microbrewery
Dunkelweiss 5.0% ABV 
Aluminum Can 473 ml.
$3.00 (Canadian) At LCBO


Twitter: @Muskokabrewery

Pours a deep chestnut with an off-tan head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is a spicy mix of clove and bananas with some caramel toward the back. First sip is super light bodied and very refreshing lovely clean wheat tones followed by spiced banana bread. Aeration gives us a yeasty fresh risen bread dough, Finish is light and malty with some gentle hop flavours.

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: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL


Final Thoughts:

A very standard dunkelweiss. Nothing out of the ordinary. Actually an almost textbook example.  Good flavour, light tasting, and easy drinking. A holiday must have if you can get one.


The Dark Side

Beer # 266 Epicurean Coffee and Fig Imperial Oatmeal Stout

Epic Brewing Company

Auckland, New Zealand
Independent Brewery
Flavoured Oatmeal Stout 8.0% ABV 
Brown Glass Bottle 750 ml.
$13.90 (Canadian) At LCBO 


Twitter: @EpicBeer


Pours an inky dark brown with a light tan head made up of small bubbles. Aroma is very darkly roasted malt with coffee and some smoke, also an underlying caramel sweetness, with some dried fruit. First sip the figs take over giving us a fairly light bodied and fruity ale.coffee and caramelised sugars follow and the the lips are left quite sticky from the sugars. Notes of char and darkly toasted bread mixed with a figgy jam. Aeration gives us some alcohol, whisky and cola notes. Finish is smoky and dry.

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
Christmas Cheer: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL


Final Thoughts:

Oh. Wow. This is an awesome beer. and I mean that in it's correct context this beer inspires awe. Deep, dark rich flavours, yet still very easy to drink. 






And the Verdict

Well, tonight the Dark Side wins, just edging out the home team Muskoka Brewery... Sorry guys... But you know those scrappy Rebels won't be down for long... 

Cheers 

CJT

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The 2-4 Beers of Christmas: Day 17 Tribute Barley Wine

Beer # 181 Tribute Barley Wine

Renaissance Brewing Company

Blenheim, New Zealand
Independent
Barley Wine 10.8 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 330 ml.
$7.95 (Canadian) At the LCBO

Twitter: @RenaissanceBeer

Situated in the winegrowing region of Marlborough New Zealand; Renaissance Brewery`s building has had its own renaissance, or three. It has been a Malting house, an ice cream factory, and two different wineries. Its last incarnation is the one we are talking about though, In 2005 It became Renaissance Craft Brewery. They focus on small batches and good quality ingredients.


Let`s try some. Onto the tasting...

Pours a cloudy orange-tan colour with an very thin off tan head made up of tiny bubbles. Aroma is molasses and grains, with very subtle hints of citrus and black currant. First sip is hot alcohol. Once you get past that the beer opens up into a toasty, nutty, bready, fruity, sweet, and slightly syrupy drink. The black currant is very evident, almost tastes like jam on toast. There is some caramel Aeration brings out a sweet caramel berry, jamminess. Very much like a wine.

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 Spirit 5/6 PASS


Final Thoughts:

Very good all-around barley wine. Excellent flavour development. Perfect for sipping with the Christmas pudding!



Cheers And Beery Christmas


CJT


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