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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Crazy Beard Wild Apple Ale by Sage Mixology

#211 Crazy Beard Wild Apple Ale

Sage Mixology Crazy Beard Ale

Trafalgar Club

Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Independent Microbrewery, Distillery
Flavoured and Fortified Malt Beverage 
5.2 % ABV Aluminium Can 473 ml.
$2.95 (Canadian) At the LCBO

Twitter: @crazybeardale

I picked this beer (so to speak) up because it looked really cool. Sad proof that even I can get drawn in by flashy marketing (OOOH Shiny!) It wasn't until I was back at headquarters that I realised this was a "malt beverage" not a beer. And it wasn't even until I sat down to taste it that I realised that the drink was fortified with neutral spirits (ie unrefined alcohol). So I contemplated not including this offering in the blog. I have done ciders and fringe drinks before though, so I let this one slide. The terminology on the can is actually what is most disappointing. It is positioned as a "Wild Apple Ale." It becomes quite apparent this is merely a marketing tactic to lure in unsuspecting hipsters who have heard craft beer is in... Plus the ample beard on the cartoon character might get them a little flustered too.

When perusing the can I noticed that "Sage Mixology" held the same address as Trafalgar Ales and Meads. Well, they now call themselves "Trafalgar Club," as they have of late expanded into the distilling business and have started into RTD beverages. (That's Ready To Drink to the layman) A short amount of research later I discovered that they were indeed both branches of the same company. (apple branches so to speak). So tonight's offering is a Malt beverage produced with sugar, barley malt, apple juice, natural and artificial flavours, malic acid, citric acid, neutral spirit caramel colour, and carbonated water. A far cry from beer's four main ingredients of water, malt, hops, and yeast.

With a sense of foreboding... Onto the tasting.

Pours an off-gold, apple juice colour with and INTENSE apple scent the moment the can is cracked. Carbonated like a soda pop the head disperses immediately leaving no trace except some light bubbles trickling up the sides. Nose is a mixture of real and artificial flavours, some apple cider mixed with a strong hit of malic acid. Very sweet but not unpleasant at all. The first sip is like highly sweetened apple juice, followed by some hints of bruised apples. Citric acid, and sour candy notes fall into the background. The finish is a vodka or rum feeling from the fortifying spirits that have been added. Malt is barely present, a light breadiness to remind you that this is supposed to be a beer (or beer-like beverage). Aeration intensifies the citric acid, and gives a light black tea taste.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 1/6 FAIL
Re-Order:  0/6 FAIL
Experience:  2/6 SO-SO


Final Thoughts:

Bin this one into the avoid pile. It is not a beer, it is barely a RTD cocktail. It is merely a sugar and alcohol delivery device for less than with it, wannabe hipsters that think beards are cool. Plus the drink gave me an intense headache probably from the amount of sugar.

Cheers

CJT


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The 2-4 Beers of Christmas: Day 14 Chocolate Orange Porter

Beer 178 Chocolate Orange Porter

Trafalgar Ales and Meads

Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Independent
Flavoured Porter 5.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 500 ml.
$4.45 (Canadian) At the LCBO

Twitter: N/A

Down again to Trafalgar who I see is busy revamping their brewery and expanding their operations. They are adding a distillery to the brewery and meadery (I'm excited!) They are doing some Moonshines (chuckle, looking forward to trying!) So their website is being redesigned, and hopefully they will be engaging social media more (They never did do twitter). I will keep you updated on the brewery links page.

Onto the beer!

Pours a translucent dark brown with an off-white head made of small bubbles. Aroma is triple sec and marmalade, with just a hint of cocoa. First sip is orange peel with some marmalade sweetness. It then moves into some dry malt with some bitter cocoa notes.The body is quite thin, almost watery and not what I would imagine from a porter. Finish is dark roasted malt some chocolate and bitter coffee. Aeration gives us a hit of triple sec.




Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 



Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 3/6 SO-SO
Re-Order:  2/6 SO-SO
Experience:  3/6 SO-SO
Christmas Spirit 1/6 FAIL


Final Thoughts:

I was excited by this beer, I sort of pictured a nice deep rich porter with a "Terry's Chocolate Orange" feel to it. What I got was something more akin to marmalade on toast with some coffee and cocoa powder sprinkled on top. I would drop this into the avoid category.

Cheers And Beery Christmas


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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Beer # 104 Trafalgar Ale and Meads Smoked Oatmeal Stout

Smoked Oatmeal Stout

Trafalgar Ale and Meads

Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Independent
Smoked Oatmeal Stout 5.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 500 ml.
$4.55 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @trafalgarales

Today's beer has the more tenuous connection to the St. Patrick's Day beers I have in my fridge of fame this week. Its only connection is that it's a stout, and Ireland is famous for stouts... and it's made with oatmeal. But it was available at my local and I decided to throw one into the mix anyway. I haven't been down to Trafalgar in a while, they are an excellent brewery West of Toronto and they produce some very interesting brews. Including a couple of very high alcohol brews "Black Bullet" and "Korruptor." (neither of which I can seem to find anymore... someone message me if they are still being made?)

Enough reminiscing... onto the beer.

Inky dark brown in colour with a light tan head made up of small bubbles that disperse quickly. Opaque but with a slight reddish hue when held up to the light. Aroma is sweet, dark, syrupy, molasses, and roasted malt, with just a hint of whiskey barrel. First sip reveals a beautifully light and refreshing ale with fruity hints. There is sweetness at all levels through the taste and the smoke holds out for the very end, like a distant fire smelled across a snowy field at night. Excellently balanced between sweet, smoke, malt, and molasses. Aeration gives us a hint of the oatmeal and more smoke.

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:

This beer is the antithesis of what the layman considers a "Dark" or "Stout" beer... but in a good way. This is what a stout SHOULD taste like. Restorative, refreshing, not a lot of alcohol, light bodied, and fruity. The smoke in this is perfect it is not distracting from the beer as many other smoked beers I have tried. It sets up a foundation, a backbone that the rest of the flavours can build on. In a world where everything is taken to excess, where, more hops, more smoke, more everything is quickly becoming the norm... It is nice to find a beer that is what it is advertised as, a good easy drinking brew. Highly drinkable, definite reorder, but always better to share with a friend.

Cheers
CJT


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Beer # 81 Maple Leaf Lager

Maple Leaf Lager (Elora Grand Lager)


Trafalgar Ales and Meads
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Independent
Lager 5.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 650 ml.
$3.95 (Canadian) At The LCBO


Twitter: n/a


Two beers for the price of one in a brew by two breweries for the price of one... No, I haven't been drinking... yet. Maple leaf Lager goes by the Name of Elora Grand lager, for most of the year, but around Canada Day, it gets a little patriotic and sheds it's traditional label for something a wee bit more festive. Now the two breweries part. The Old Mill Brewery in Elora was purchased by Trafalgar Ales and Meads in1997 and they continued to operate in on site until 2000 when budgetary constraints forced them to close the Old Mill. Since 2000 all Elora Beers have been brewed at Trafalgar's Oakville Brewery. 


Onto our first Canada Day Brew:


Pours a very light coppery gold, with a thin skiff of a white head. Nose is pure malt and hops. First sip is grainy and sugary, malt and slightly bitter medicine. Some earthiness, and a little woody. Aeration smooths out the beer, and enhances the herbal hoppiness. Finish is short warm notes of roasted grains.



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


Final Thoughts:



Not an entirely memorable beer, but not an entirely bad one for that matter. Certainly head and shoulders above the other "Barrel-wash" Lagers and Pilseners of the "Big Three." Deeper tones than the rain watery "Euro-lagers," But not a great contender for a recurring spot in the Fridge of Fame in Pint Jockey Headquarters.


Cheers
Happy Canada Day
CJT


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Beer # 57 Maple Bock

Maple Bock Lager

Trafalgar Ales and Meads, Oakville, Ontario, Canada (Independent)

Bock 6.5% ABV Brown Glass Bottle 650ml

 $4.55 (Canadian) At LCBO.


Last of my old notes... consider the inbox cleared. One more trip down the QEW to Oakville for an unfortunately less than stellar offering from a great brewery.

Very dark brown with a hint of red. Thin off-brown head that disperses quickly. Sweet, caramel maple nose, fudge like. First sip is smoky, watery, more maple sap than syrup. Strong almond extract flavour and the maple sugar taste is overpowering, tastes artificial. Light molasses in the finish. Syrupy mouthfeel. Aeration intensifies the almond extract.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional

                                                                                                               

Cost:  5/6  PASS

Colour:  5/6  PASS        

Beer Style:  3/6 SO-SO  

Re-Order:  1/6 FAIL   

Experience:   2/6  FAIL

Final Thoughts:

A rare miss for normally excellent Trafalgar. Too watery, sweet and full of unwanted flavours. 


Stay tuned for a week of new beer notes


Cheers
CJT