Beau's is one of Eastern Ontario's most successful microbreweries. Their lug tread lager is available at pubs and restaurants throughout Ontario and has been a huge success. I haven't reviewed lug tread yet for two reasons 1) I prefer to review newer beers and ones fewer people have tried and 2) I don't find the lug tread to be particularly interesting. Luckily Beau's are also quite adventurous and so I jumped on the chance to try the Spruce Moose APA.
Spruce Moose is considered an APA or American Pale Ale. This is a style that is considered to be decently hoppy but not as strong as an IPA but hoppier than a regular Pale Ale and in terms of hoppiness it definitely falls into that category. Beau's describe this beer as being a spruce flavoured (hence the name) but when I was drinking it on tap I didn't really notice that, I only discovered that it was made with spruce tips when I checked their website afterwards. Despite the lack of spruciness (which is probably not a real word) it is supposed to have, this is a very tasty beer. It is not overly complicated but it is refreshing and it has enough hops to make you notice they are there. At 33 IBU it is a good, mid range hoppy beer and I found it very refreshing on a cold and dreary day. It is 6.2% but it doesn't taste that strong, so I would be careful as it could creep up on you, especially if you on the small side like me.
It's available at their brewery as well as for home delivery. It is also available at select pubs across Eastern Ontario.
Rating: 3.5 Steins
What you need to know
Brewery
10 Terry Fox Drive
Vankleek Hill, ON
K0B1R0
Website:
www.beau's.ca
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/BeausAllNaturalBrewingCo
Twitter
@beausallnatural
Friday, September 13, 2013
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Golden Lion Brewing: Bishop's Best Bitter
Reviewing beer from the Golden Lion (or just the Lion for my fellow Bishop's alumni) will be difficult to do without being biased. For the majority of Bishop's Grads, the Lion has a special place in our hearts, when we referred to "The Bar" we were talking about the Lion, an amazing brewpub that is populated by an interesting mix of local regulars and university students. The Lion is a Lennoxville institution, and one that was selected as the best student pub by Rick Mercer and so a glass of Lion beer brings back a flood of (sometimes foggy) memories of my university days. The Lion's most famous beer is their pride, a delicious English style Brown Ale, but my personal favourite is their Best Bitter.
Bishop's Best Bitter is a copper coloured Extra Special Bitter that really lives up to it's Bitter description. The first thing you notice is the smell, unlike a lot of other beers it smells a bit floral and earthy, something you don't expect from beer. When you take a sip these floral notes really come to the forefront, you can really taste the hops, but unlike a lot of IPA's, that hoppiness is combined with a delightful maltiness that really rounds out the flavour so you aren't just being punched in the face with hops. When you take a sip, the bitterness is right there to greet your palate, you will immediately know what beer you are drinking! Once the initial bitterness gets out of the way it settles into a caramel flavour that properly rounds out the flavour. In addition to the bitterness it is also quite thick , it packs a lot of flavour into one glass, it is a slow drinking beer. Despite the malty/hoppy combo, be warned, this beer is still very bitter, so it wouldn't be something for everyone, and the over the top bitterness is the only thing that is keeping this from getting the full 5 Stein rating.
It's available on draught at the Golden Lion Pub in Lennoxville as well as in 500 ml bottles at the Brewery and at the occasional grocery or convenience store in Sherbrooke. I also have heard unconfirmed reports of it making an appearance at "Bieres du monde" in Gatineau, so if anyone sees it there please let me know (and pick me up some!).
Rating: 4.5 Steins
What you need to know
Golden Lion Pub & Brewery
2902 College St
Sherbrooke (Lennoxville), Quebec
J1M 1T4
Website:
www.lionlennoxville.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/GoldenLionPubBrewery
Bishop's Best Bitter is a copper coloured Extra Special Bitter that really lives up to it's Bitter description. The first thing you notice is the smell, unlike a lot of other beers it smells a bit floral and earthy, something you don't expect from beer. When you take a sip these floral notes really come to the forefront, you can really taste the hops, but unlike a lot of IPA's, that hoppiness is combined with a delightful maltiness that really rounds out the flavour so you aren't just being punched in the face with hops. When you take a sip, the bitterness is right there to greet your palate, you will immediately know what beer you are drinking! Once the initial bitterness gets out of the way it settles into a caramel flavour that properly rounds out the flavour. In addition to the bitterness it is also quite thick , it packs a lot of flavour into one glass, it is a slow drinking beer. Despite the malty/hoppy combo, be warned, this beer is still very bitter, so it wouldn't be something for everyone, and the over the top bitterness is the only thing that is keeping this from getting the full 5 Stein rating.
It's available on draught at the Golden Lion Pub in Lennoxville as well as in 500 ml bottles at the Brewery and at the occasional grocery or convenience store in Sherbrooke. I also have heard unconfirmed reports of it making an appearance at "Bieres du monde" in Gatineau, so if anyone sees it there please let me know (and pick me up some!).
Rating: 4.5 Steins
What you need to know
Golden Lion Pub & Brewery
2902 College St
Sherbrooke (Lennoxville), Quebec
J1M 1T4
Website:
www.lionlennoxville.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/GoldenLionPubBrewery
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Propeller Bitter
I have been waiting a long time to get my hands on some Propeller Bitter (officially called their Extra Special Bitter), partially for the chance to review it for this blog, and partially because I have had it in the past (mostly in Nova Scotia) and have loved every drop of it. My trip to Nova Scotia in 2009 was pretty much fuelled by Propeller Bitter as I fell in love with this delicious beer. I have had it occasionally since (when the LCBO used to sell it) and was not disappointed so when my friend Chad brought me back a 6 pack from Nova Scotia I was a very happy bunny! It has been a long time so I was concerned that it isn't as good as I remembered it, but fortunately I was not disappointed
Propeller Bitter is an amazing beer, it's so amazing that it is tricky to describe. A sip is almost like a wave, it starts off quite bitter, and then really flows into this wonderful malty and caramelly taste, finishing up with another little jolt of bitterness. It's much more caramelly that a lot of other bitters and at 30 IBU's it is noticeably bitter, but not overwhelming like a Fuller's ESB or a lot of IPA's, Propeller have definitely struck a great balance here. It is also delightfully full bodied, meaning that unlike some other beers the taste doesn't drop off into a watery abyss, so one sip of propeller is worth many sips of many other beers. This is honestly one of my two or three favourite beers of all time, and I urge anyone who is in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick to give it a try, it is a true marvel in a glass.
Propeller Bitter is available throughout Nova Scotia in NSLC stores as well as on draught all across the province. Their website also indicates that it is available at liquor stores in New Brunswick and some propeller beers are sold in Alberta and BC. Sadly for us dwellers of Ontario it is no longer available at the LCBO, but if you ever do find it at a bar or restaurant you need to a) have one and b) tell me where you got it!!!
Rating: 5 Steins
What you need to know
Brewery/Prop Shop
2011 Gottingen Street
Halifax, NS B3K3B1
Website
http://www.drinkpropeller.ca/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/propellerbeer
Twitter
@PropellerBeer
Propeller Bitter is an amazing beer, it's so amazing that it is tricky to describe. A sip is almost like a wave, it starts off quite bitter, and then really flows into this wonderful malty and caramelly taste, finishing up with another little jolt of bitterness. It's much more caramelly that a lot of other bitters and at 30 IBU's it is noticeably bitter, but not overwhelming like a Fuller's ESB or a lot of IPA's, Propeller have definitely struck a great balance here. It is also delightfully full bodied, meaning that unlike some other beers the taste doesn't drop off into a watery abyss, so one sip of propeller is worth many sips of many other beers. This is honestly one of my two or three favourite beers of all time, and I urge anyone who is in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick to give it a try, it is a true marvel in a glass.
Propeller Bitter is available throughout Nova Scotia in NSLC stores as well as on draught all across the province. Their website also indicates that it is available at liquor stores in New Brunswick and some propeller beers are sold in Alberta and BC. Sadly for us dwellers of Ontario it is no longer available at the LCBO, but if you ever do find it at a bar or restaurant you need to a) have one and b) tell me where you got it!!!
Rating: 5 Steins
What you need to know
Brewery/Prop Shop
2011 Gottingen Street
Halifax, NS B3K3B1
Website
http://www.drinkpropeller.ca/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/propellerbeer
@PropellerBeer
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Big Rig: Stud Stout
Big Rig Brewery opened here in Ottawa last year to much fanfare, largely because one of the owners is Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Phillips (whose nickname is the Big Rig). In all honesty I wasn't all that impressed with their first few brews, mostly generic lagers and bland red ales, but this afternoon I had a taste of their stout at the Brewery Market (an event that takes place a few times each summer at Parkdale Park here in the capital) and boy was I impressed.
I love stouts,they are my second favourite type of beer (bitter being numero uno) so I am always game to try a new version. Big Rig advertise their stout as a double chocolate milk stout, which is a whole lot of description, but an apt description in many ways. Stud Stout is very creamy and smooth, I can't recall many other stouts being this creamy, I guess they really wanted to highlight the milk in the milk stout. The chocolate also comes to the forefront, I could taste the chocolate in the creaminess, it tasted a little like dark chocolate milk, except for grownups. For me the only drawback is that it is a bit watery, doesn't have enough consistency for my tastes, but it is a great summer stout. Smooth, creamy, and refreshing without being overly complicated.
Big Rig Beers are available at their bewery/restaurant in Ottawa's west end. They are also available at LCBO's and the occasional beer store in the Ottawa Valley. If you go to the brew pub there is a (very) outside chance of meeting Chris Phillips if you are an Ottawa Senators fan.
Rating: 3.5 Steins
What you need to know.
Brewpub
2750A Iris Street
Ottawa, ON
K2C 3C9
Website:
http://www.bigrigbrew.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BigRigBrew
Twitter
@Bigrigbrew
I love stouts,they are my second favourite type of beer (bitter being numero uno) so I am always game to try a new version. Big Rig advertise their stout as a double chocolate milk stout, which is a whole lot of description, but an apt description in many ways. Stud Stout is very creamy and smooth, I can't recall many other stouts being this creamy, I guess they really wanted to highlight the milk in the milk stout. The chocolate also comes to the forefront, I could taste the chocolate in the creaminess, it tasted a little like dark chocolate milk, except for grownups. For me the only drawback is that it is a bit watery, doesn't have enough consistency for my tastes, but it is a great summer stout. Smooth, creamy, and refreshing without being overly complicated.
Big Rig Beers are available at their bewery/restaurant in Ottawa's west end. They are also available at LCBO's and the occasional beer store in the Ottawa Valley. If you go to the brew pub there is a (very) outside chance of meeting Chris Phillips if you are an Ottawa Senators fan.
Rating: 3.5 Steins
What you need to know.
Brewpub
2750A Iris Street
Ottawa, ON
K2C 3C9
Website:
http://www.bigrigbrew.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BigRigBrew
@Bigrigbrew
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Sawdust City Brewery: Red Rocket Coffee Stout
Now, I always support breweries trying new things, and Sawdust City love experimenting. Red Rocket Coffee Stout is certainly a new idea but unfortunately new experiments don't always pan out, and sadly the Red Rocket I had at the National Capital Craft Beer festival was not very good.
I like a good stout, I also like a good cup of coffee, and spices are great too, so I was genuinely intrigued by Sawdust City's red rocket when I went to their stand. Unfortunately from my initial enthusiasm it all went downhill, maybe it was the batch they had but it was not a pleasant beer to drink. It was really acrid and bitter, but not bitter in a good beer way, bitter in an unpleasant "cold cup of coffee" way. In terms of spices, I was expecting something more Cinnamon and cayenne pepper but it tasted like they had dumped a bunch of Tabasco sauce in the batch. I was also expecting some coffee flavour but I didn't get the coffee notes I was expecting, the acrid taste seemed to come from their being too much coffee, making it bitter and unpalatable. This beer was almost painful to drink, and it was a real struggle to get through the 8 ounce portion I had. I appreciate Sawdust City's experimentation but this one needs to go back to the drawing board.
Red Rocket is a seasonal beer, so it will be available sporadically. Despite my dislike of Red Rocket I am really intrigued by some of their other beers, I have it on good authority that some of their others like "The Princess wears girl pants" is a great beer, sadly they didn't have it on the day I was at the Beer fest. Their website/blog has a whole list of places to get Sawdust City beers as well as descriptions of their wide varitety of brews. Most of the places are in the GTA but there are a few others in Ontario.
Rating: 1 Stein (for effort)
What you need to know
They don't list an address for their brewery, but it is in Gravenhurst, Ontario.
Website
http://sawdustcitybeer.blogspot.ca/p/about-us.html
I like a good stout, I also like a good cup of coffee, and spices are great too, so I was genuinely intrigued by Sawdust City's red rocket when I went to their stand. Unfortunately from my initial enthusiasm it all went downhill, maybe it was the batch they had but it was not a pleasant beer to drink. It was really acrid and bitter, but not bitter in a good beer way, bitter in an unpleasant "cold cup of coffee" way. In terms of spices, I was expecting something more Cinnamon and cayenne pepper but it tasted like they had dumped a bunch of Tabasco sauce in the batch. I was also expecting some coffee flavour but I didn't get the coffee notes I was expecting, the acrid taste seemed to come from their being too much coffee, making it bitter and unpalatable. This beer was almost painful to drink, and it was a real struggle to get through the 8 ounce portion I had. I appreciate Sawdust City's experimentation but this one needs to go back to the drawing board.
Red Rocket is a seasonal beer, so it will be available sporadically. Despite my dislike of Red Rocket I am really intrigued by some of their other beers, I have it on good authority that some of their others like "The Princess wears girl pants" is a great beer, sadly they didn't have it on the day I was at the Beer fest. Their website/blog has a whole list of places to get Sawdust City beers as well as descriptions of their wide varitety of brews. Most of the places are in the GTA but there are a few others in Ontario.
Rating: 1 Stein (for effort)
What you need to know
They don't list an address for their brewery, but it is in Gravenhurst, Ontario.
Website
http://sawdustcitybeer.blogspot.ca/p/about-us.html
Friday, August 16, 2013
Hogsback: Alohog Coconut Pale Ale
As many of you may know, I tend to pop by Ottawa's Rochester Pub (on Rochester street) for lunch and sometimes to acquire new material for this blog. They have a dozen or so taps of microbrew as well as one rotating tap that often provides some surprises, either good or bad. Recently the feature was Hogsback's Alohog Coconut Pale Ale.
Before going into the review, I will have to put my hand up and say that I am in the anti-coconut camp. Coconut is one of those things that you either love or hate and I find that it tends to ruin perfectly good desserts with it's overpowering flavour and macaroons are better off as hockey pucks than cookies, so I was more than a little skeptical about the concept of a coconut pale ale. Despite my trepidations, after a few sips I realized that my fears were groundless. Alohog is a traditional pale ale in a lot of ways, it goes down smooth with a hoppy taste to it. The coconut flavour is very slight, it adds a little bit of sweetness to it but doesn't overwhelm the palate. It took a few sips for me to even notice it was there but it adds an interesting dynamic that you don't normally get in a beer. The result is a really tasty and refreshing brew that I enjoyed a lot. It's a seasonal beer so I don't know how long it will be around (it still isn't listed on their website yet) but I will definitely be trying to find it again, as it is no longer available at the Rochester.
The website still doesn't have much information, but there was a press release floating around the internet saying that it will be available at select pubs in Ottawa, Kingston, and Toronto so if you do happen to see it you should give it a try, also please let me know where you found it as for the moment the only place I know of you can get it is the Rochester, and even then it is only available sporadically.
Rating: 4 steins
What you need to know
Unfortunately they don't list their address on their website so I don't think they have a brewery tour our outlet.
Website
http://hogsback.ca/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/HogsBackBrewingCompany
Twitter
@Hogsbackbrewing
Before going into the review, I will have to put my hand up and say that I am in the anti-coconut camp. Coconut is one of those things that you either love or hate and I find that it tends to ruin perfectly good desserts with it's overpowering flavour and macaroons are better off as hockey pucks than cookies, so I was more than a little skeptical about the concept of a coconut pale ale. Despite my trepidations, after a few sips I realized that my fears were groundless. Alohog is a traditional pale ale in a lot of ways, it goes down smooth with a hoppy taste to it. The coconut flavour is very slight, it adds a little bit of sweetness to it but doesn't overwhelm the palate. It took a few sips for me to even notice it was there but it adds an interesting dynamic that you don't normally get in a beer. The result is a really tasty and refreshing brew that I enjoyed a lot. It's a seasonal beer so I don't know how long it will be around (it still isn't listed on their website yet) but I will definitely be trying to find it again, as it is no longer available at the Rochester.
The website still doesn't have much information, but there was a press release floating around the internet saying that it will be available at select pubs in Ottawa, Kingston, and Toronto so if you do happen to see it you should give it a try, also please let me know where you found it as for the moment the only place I know of you can get it is the Rochester, and even then it is only available sporadically.
Rating: 4 steins
What you need to know
Unfortunately they don't list their address on their website so I don't think they have a brewery tour our outlet.
Website
http://hogsback.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/HogsBackBrewingCompany
@Hogsbackbrewing
Monday, August 12, 2013
L'Alchimiste Ecossaise (Scotch Ale)
The microbrewing revolution has come to Coaticook, a town in the Eastern Townships about 20 minutes south of Sherbrooke and about 2 hours East of Montreal. Coaticook is a town that has been a part of my life since I was a child, as it is the closest town to Baldwin's Mills, an ancestral homeland/summer hideaway of mine, so I was excited to try some Coaticook brewed beers. Alas they are extremely new, having only opened about 2 months ago so the beers they are serving at their are beers from Alchimiste until their first homegrown beers are ready. No matter, Alchimiste still are a great microbrewery so I have no qualms about reviewing one of theirs, however I will need to make a return trip.
Alchimiste Ecossaise is an interesting but very tasty brew. It's quite malty and caramelly, with a very strong caramel taste when you first take a sip. It's not as sweet as a lot of English style brown ales like Newcastle, but it's not all that hoppy compared to other beer styles, giving it a good balance, it is actually hoppier than the 5 IBU rating would suggest. The one drawback is that the finish is a tad watery, but it doesn't detract from the overall taste of the beer. It is a bit thick, so I wouldn't want to drink a lot of it, but it is a good beer to have with some fish & chips.
Alchimiste Ecossaise is available throughout Quebec at Depanneurs (convenience stores) and on draught at a variety of pubs. Their website has a map with the locations. As for Microbrasserie Coaticook, their Facebook page indicates that their first batches of beers (an IPA and a blonde) should be available soon on draught and for purchase in keg form.
Rating: 3.5 Steins.
What you need to know
About Alchimiste:
Brewery
681 Rue Marion
Joliette, QC
J6E8S3
Website:
http://lalchimiste.ca/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mblalchimiste
About Microbrasserie Coaticook
Address:
1007 Rue Child (across from Coaticook dairy)
Coaticook, QC
J1A2S5
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MicrobrasserieCoaticook
Alchimiste Ecossaise is an interesting but very tasty brew. It's quite malty and caramelly, with a very strong caramel taste when you first take a sip. It's not as sweet as a lot of English style brown ales like Newcastle, but it's not all that hoppy compared to other beer styles, giving it a good balance, it is actually hoppier than the 5 IBU rating would suggest. The one drawback is that the finish is a tad watery, but it doesn't detract from the overall taste of the beer. It is a bit thick, so I wouldn't want to drink a lot of it, but it is a good beer to have with some fish & chips.
Alchimiste Ecossaise is available throughout Quebec at Depanneurs (convenience stores) and on draught at a variety of pubs. Their website has a map with the locations. As for Microbrasserie Coaticook, their Facebook page indicates that their first batches of beers (an IPA and a blonde) should be available soon on draught and for purchase in keg form.
Rating: 3.5 Steins.
What you need to know
About Alchimiste:
Brewery
681 Rue Marion
Joliette, QC
J6E8S3
Website:
http://lalchimiste.ca/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mblalchimiste
About Microbrasserie Coaticook
Address:
1007 Rue Child (across from Coaticook dairy)
Coaticook, QC
J1A2S5
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MicrobrasserieCoaticook
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