5 Beers

Here are some fresh ratings! A German Dunkel Weizenbock (that's a strong beer brewed with heavily roasted wheat malts), a Belgian strong ale named after a famous prophet, Orval (one of the seven official Trappist beers), a true porter from New Zealand and what was once the strongest beer in the world, the gigantic Samichlaus from Austria.

Erdinger Pikantus
500 mL. Pours a dark cola color with a thick brown head and lots of lacing. Dessert like on the nose, chocolate cream and coffee, yeast, cherry and banana. Fairly sweet; no hops here but a souring finish. Smooth with medium carbonation.

La Caracole Nostradamus
330 mL. Pours a deep mahogany with a thick off white head. Aromas of bittersweet caramel malt, Belgian yeast, alcohol, apple, clove and ginger. Sweet and medium bodied, a medium high carbonation and a pleasantly sour finish. Needs a hearty meal.

Orval
330 mL bottle. Pours an orange tinged amber with a huge white head. Aromas of spicy yeast, lemon zest, candle wax, green herb and hop. Surprisingly light on the palate, good carbonation and very refreshing. Dry and flavorful, a great brew.

Renaissance Elemental Porter
500 mL bottle. Pours black with an orange tan head. Aromas of chocolate, coffee, roasted malt, licorice. Full bodied with medium carbonation and a sticky mouth feel. Bitter on the finish. A great porter.

Schloss Eggenberg Samichlaus
330 mL bottle. Pours a clear medium copper color with no head. Notes of toffee, buttered biscuit, raisin, apricot, fig, and a punchy alcohol note. A huge beer, sweet and heady with a thick coating mouthfeel and an oxidized, oloroso sherry like finish. A good one, strong and different but damn tasty.

Today I am taking a trip to Bellwoods Brewery in Toronto, rated #3 of 1900 new breweries worldwide this year by ratebeer.com, keep your eyes open for a location review, as well as some notes on their beers.  Also on the docket, Yours Truly restaurant and the Sky Yard at the Drake Hotel.

As per usual:
http://www.ratebeer.com/user/169526/ratings/