January 15, 2018

19/2240) Home:  D by Nickel Brook of Ontario:  *;  4.0%;  a dry-hopped sour;  brewed with the usual four ingredients plus wheat, coriander, Himalayan sea salt, lactobacillus;  pours opaque;  the nose is Asian tea, citrus;  tartness overshadows the hops;  a fine IPA ruined by adding lactobacillus;

It seems to me that "Himalayan sea salt" is a contradiction in terms given how remote the Himalayas are from the sea but evidently I wouldn't know a reasonable spoiled, I mean soured beer if I were presented with one.

At any rate, I voted for Mystery Beer C.

January 14, 2018

17/2238) Home:  Hopped Improperly by Great Lakes Brewery of Ontario:  *1/2;  5%, 25 ibu an American dry-hopped pilsner;  "brewed with water, malted barley, hops, yeast, shame";  grassy nose;  as billed, a hoppy pilsner with an uncommonly dry finish;

The tin reads, "We hope you enjoy this pilsner.  If you don't, blame Griff"

18/2239) Home:  CBS by Founders Brewing Company of Michigan, U.S.A.:  **1/2;  11.7%;  an Imperial Stout brewed with dark chocolate, ground coffee, maple syrup and oats;  aged in "maple syrup - bourbon barrels";  it was quite a job to find this owing perhaps to a bit of hype/hysteria surrounding the release but my eldest son came through for me;  nose is a blend of sweet maple and coffee;  strong alcohol presence throughout;  sweet maple, bourbon;  chocolate arrives ahead of the finish;  that it does not entirely live up to the hype does not prevent this being awarded two and one half pint glasses; 

CBS stands for Canadian Breakfast Stout.

January 13, 2018

15/2236) Home:  Where the Buffalo Roam by Cameron's Brewing of Ontario:  **1/2;  a 13%, 90 ibu Barley Wine/Extra Strong Beer;  aged in oak bourbon barrels;  "hot", oaky, sweet, boozy nose;  very boozy and oaky with dark fruit and a hint of chocolate;

16/2237) Home:  C by Nickel Brook of Ontario:  **1/2;  a 65% New England style IPA;  brewed with wheat;  citrusy, tropical nose;  similar flavours;  delicious;  a full-blooded version of B;

January 12, 2018

14/2235) Home:  Double Tempest, 5th Edition by Amsterdam Brewery of Ontario:  **1/2;  an 11.9%, 75 ibu Barrel aged Imperial Stout;  an Adventure Brew;   aged 8 months in Heaven Hills Bourbon barrels;  this was purchased at the Brewhouse on Double Tempest Day;  brewed with double the hops and double the malt used in Tempest;  nose is boozy bourbon and chocolate;  chocolate notes with a boozy finish;

January 11, 2018

13/2234) The 3 Brewers, Heartland:  Between Two Ferns by The 3 Brewers, Ontario:  **;  7.8%, 70 ibu;  IIPA - Imperial Double;  their seasonal with Hallertauer Blanc and Azacca hops;  an IIPA Cask in honour of a regular;  fruity with a dry, bitter aftertaste;