Here's five more beer reviews. A bit all over the place.
Lake of Bays Rock Cut
473 mL can. Pours golden with a foamy white head. Aromas of straw, cut grass, fresh barley and pear. Easy drinking, lightly carbonated and mild. A tasty and simple lager.
Denisons Weissbier
473 mL can. Pours a pale cloudy peach with a thin white head. Aromas of peach, banana, clove, yeasty phenolics. Easy drinking with a medium body and high carbonation. A nice Canadian wheat.
Great Lakes Brewing My Bitter Wife IPA
750 mL bottle. Pours amber with a thick white head, lots of soapy lacing. Big American hop nose, grapefruit, pine, wax, honeycomb and caramel malt notes. Full bodied and thick on the palate, sticky and syrupy. Malty sweet with a huge bitter backbone that goes on and on. A bit much on the bittering hops for me, but love the aroma.
Bush Pilot Stormy Monday
750 mL bottle. Pours muddy brown with lots of haze and a white head. Complex nose of fruit cake, gingerbread, dark rum, spice and demerara. Sweet but offset by a monumental amount of spices, a touch of hops and a whack of booze. Phenolic and hot on the finish, slightly medicinal. Complex and rich, full bodied with a heap of alcohol and full carbonation. Not for the faint of heart.
Bellwoods Monogamy (Simcoe)
500 mL bottle. Pours a hazy beeswax tinged with brown and green, a soapy white head. Aromas of floral, herbal hop, fresh cut grass, grapefruit and tangelo. Clean with just a touch of honey sweetness, caramel malt backbone and a nice lingering hop finish. Medium bodied with good carbonation and smooth on the palate.
Want more? Find more here:
http://www.ratebeer.com/user/169526/ratings/
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Beer Ratings, Part 2
As promised here's another set of reviews, a mix of good and bad here. I wasn't impressed by the Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold, especially considering the quality of their wheat beers, or the Amsterdam Natural Blonde, a brewery that's seasonal releases are often excellent. I did thoroughly enjoy the other four though. The Harviestoun Ola Dubh series is the first beer to be aged in barrels that can be traced back to the original spirit they stored. Barrels were supplied by Highland Park and provide a salty, smoky peat flavor, and barrel numbers are listed on the beer bottle. Two Belgian farmhouse style ales from Goose Island in Chicago were a pleasant surprise, and St. Landelin from La Divine, an interesting take on a French biere de garde.
Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold
500 mL bottle. Pours golden with a white head, no lacing. Aromas of apple, bread, cereal grain and Munich malt. Light and refreshing, little to no aftertaste. A touch of sweetness, and mild floral hop. Highly carbonated and easy drinking. A quencher, but not interesting.
Amsterdam Natural Blonde
473 mL can. Pours golden with a lacy white head. A little straw and apple on the nose. Light bodied and refreshing with high carbonation. Dry with a lightly hopped finish. Boring but good for killing thirst.
Harviestoun Ola Dubh 12 Year Old
330 mL bottle. Pours black with a thin tan head. Aromas of salty peat, oak, wood smoke, black cherry, fig and Dr. Pepper. Moderately sweet and richly bodied; lightly carbonated with a slick, saline mouth feel. Very complex, but well rounded. A must try for fans of whisky, wee heavies or old ales.
Goose Island Sofie
750 mL bottle. Pours a hazy straw color with a foamy white head. Aromas of curacao, bell pepper, biscuit and tropical fruit. A touch of sweetness backed by lacto sourness, vegetal hop and a lightly oaky finish. High carbonation with a champagne like mouth feel. Delightfully refreshing and pleasantly complex.
Goose Island Matilda
750 mL bottle. Pours copper with a foamy white head. Aromas of citrus, melon, herbal hop, yeast and brett funk. Mild malt sweetness well balanced by alcohol bite and earthy hop. Tasty now but would like to see this age up and develop more brett character.
La Divine St. Landelin
750 mL bottle. Pours amber caramel with a thick white head and lots of lacing. Nose of banana, coconut, bread yeast, caramel malt, allspice and a touch of smoke. Fairly sweet, medium bodied with a full mouth feel. Interesting and unique but a little sweet for my liking.
Like normal,
http://www.ratebeer.com/user/169526/ratings/
Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold
500 mL bottle. Pours golden with a white head, no lacing. Aromas of apple, bread, cereal grain and Munich malt. Light and refreshing, little to no aftertaste. A touch of sweetness, and mild floral hop. Highly carbonated and easy drinking. A quencher, but not interesting.
Amsterdam Natural Blonde
473 mL can. Pours golden with a lacy white head. A little straw and apple on the nose. Light bodied and refreshing with high carbonation. Dry with a lightly hopped finish. Boring but good for killing thirst.
Harviestoun Ola Dubh 12 Year Old
330 mL bottle. Pours black with a thin tan head. Aromas of salty peat, oak, wood smoke, black cherry, fig and Dr. Pepper. Moderately sweet and richly bodied; lightly carbonated with a slick, saline mouth feel. Very complex, but well rounded. A must try for fans of whisky, wee heavies or old ales.
Goose Island Sofie
750 mL bottle. Pours a hazy straw color with a foamy white head. Aromas of curacao, bell pepper, biscuit and tropical fruit. A touch of sweetness backed by lacto sourness, vegetal hop and a lightly oaky finish. High carbonation with a champagne like mouth feel. Delightfully refreshing and pleasantly complex.
Goose Island Matilda
750 mL bottle. Pours copper with a foamy white head. Aromas of citrus, melon, herbal hop, yeast and brett funk. Mild malt sweetness well balanced by alcohol bite and earthy hop. Tasty now but would like to see this age up and develop more brett character.
La Divine St. Landelin
750 mL bottle. Pours amber caramel with a thick white head and lots of lacing. Nose of banana, coconut, bread yeast, caramel malt, allspice and a touch of smoke. Fairly sweet, medium bodied with a full mouth feel. Interesting and unique but a little sweet for my liking.
Like normal,
http://www.ratebeer.com/user/169526/ratings/
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Beer Ratings, Part 1
Backlogged with ratings, here's 5, expect 5 more in the near future. A few greats at the LCBO over the course of the spring. For those of you who like a complex beer, take a stab at the Chimay blue label, it's sure not to disappoint, would make a great digestif with some Roquefort and almonds. Hop heads be sure to grab a can (you heard me, "a can"; but it tastes exceptional) of Red Racer IPA for a thoroughly bitter and well balanced IPA. Anyone looking for the authentic Belgian experience, be sure to buy one of the many excellent beers from Brasserie Dupont, including the top notch 'Vielle Provision' Saison.
Dupont Moinette Brune
330 mL bottle. Pours a hazy reddish brown with a thin white head. On the nose, rich nutty caramel malts, yeast and spice bread. Herbal and almost woody with a slightly sour yeasty bite. Malty and well rounded with a touch of sweetness and a bitter finish. High carbonation and a full oily mouth feel. Painfully yeasty, could have been the pour.
Chimay Grande Reserve (Bleu)
330 mL bottle. Pours a dark mahogany with a thick soapy beige head. Aromas of fruity malt, fig, prune, apple and bread, earthy, herbal hop. Highly carbonated with a full body, mildlly sweet and well balanced with both bitter hop and a sour bite. superb balance and flavor.
Dupont Biere de Miele (Biologique)
250 mL bottle. Pours a light gold with a clumpy white head and lots of nice lacing. Aromas of honey, fresh cut grass, cereal grain, yeast and spice, banana and clove esters. Dry with only a slight residual honey sweetness, medium bodied with a sticky mouth feel. A nicely balanced hoppy finish here with lots of floral notes, coriander and pepper. Heavily carbonated. More please.
Dupont Vielle Provision Saison
750 mL bottle. Pours a hazy straw color with a thick foamy white head and lots of lacing. Nose of earthy noble hop, farmy yeast, fresh cut grass, very floral. A touch of lemongrass and ginger like spice, a bit of banana and pear. Highly carbonated and super refreshing with a coating mouth feel and a fine lingering aftertaste. An exemplary beer. Seek this out.
Red Racer IPA
355 mL can. Pours orange copper with a thin white head that dissipates quickly. Nose is big American hop, tangerine, grapefruit, pine, beeswax and a touch of caramel malt sweetness. Moderately sweet with a medium mouth feel and moderate carbonation, the finish is long and bitter, but well balanced, more hop aroma than astringency. Sticky on the palate. A lovely well balanced IPA.
As per usual,
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
El Fogon
My first review for a restaurant outside the country. Not to say that I haven't eaten outside Canada before, just that I've never written about it. I've been fortunate enough to dine in some of the finest restaurants in Madrid, San Francisco, New York, Quebec City and of course, Toronto. I also have a soft spot in my heart for regional treasures, and El Fogon is one such place.
Hopefully you speak a little bit of Spanish, because it doesn't seem as though the servers speak English. Order yourself a Negra Modelo (certainly the best domestic Mexican beer). If you can't have one, or don't feel like alcohol, order a Liquore de Fruita, a mousse like whipped drink of coconut cream, fruit puree and ice. You will be supplied with a plate of sliced radish and cucumber, as well as salsa verde (hot) and salsa roja (hotter), all of which can be used to garnish your lunch, as well as nopales, tiny pieces of marinated cactus. The tacos are all excellent; moist tortillitas de masa harina (small tortillas of corn flour), topped with whatever you prefer. Both the pastor and chorizo (a spicy fresh Mexican sausage) are excellent, and available with melted Queso Oaxaca (the Mexican equivalent of fresh mozzarella). A large serving of Queso Fundido al Champignones (fondue-like melted cheese with mushrooms) relies on the clean flavor of the Queso Oaxaca and the exemplary wheat tortillas (tortillas de harina de trigo). Last but not least, get a side of Cebollitas Cambray (grilled baby white onions, with the stems) as they are likely the most simple thing you will ever eat but are defiantly tasty.
Once you are painfully full, request La Cuenta (the bill) and pay in your choice of American Dollars or Mexican Pesos. Pony up, but don't worry it's surprisingly cheap, and don't forget to tip the grill man!
Snacks for three with tip, copious amounts of beer, water and mango liquore de fruita: $36
El Fogon
Avenida Constituyentes
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
Mexico
If you venture off the beaten path of Avenida 5, the main drag of Playa del Carmen, and walk about three blocks towards Avenida 39, along Avenida Constituyentes you will find 'Taqueria El Sabrocito del Fogon; Carnes y Quesos al Carbon y Nuestra Especialidads'. In this small, open fronted restaurant you will find one of the finest examples of traditional Mexican food. Help yourself to a table if you can find one available; someone will bring you a menu. Notice the cook standing behind the eight foot long wood fired grill (parilla al carbon) and flat top (plancha), because he will cook your meal. At the back of the restaurant is the prep kitchen. If you are there at the right time, you can see cooks preparing the house specialty, cerdo al pastor (shepherds pork) layers of marinated pork, pinapple and onion, roasted on a spit at such a low temperature it's illegal in the USA (it's also painfully tasty).
Hopefully you speak a little bit of Spanish, because it doesn't seem as though the servers speak English. Order yourself a Negra Modelo (certainly the best domestic Mexican beer). If you can't have one, or don't feel like alcohol, order a Liquore de Fruita, a mousse like whipped drink of coconut cream, fruit puree and ice. You will be supplied with a plate of sliced radish and cucumber, as well as salsa verde (hot) and salsa roja (hotter), all of which can be used to garnish your lunch, as well as nopales, tiny pieces of marinated cactus. The tacos are all excellent; moist tortillitas de masa harina (small tortillas of corn flour), topped with whatever you prefer. Both the pastor and chorizo (a spicy fresh Mexican sausage) are excellent, and available with melted Queso Oaxaca (the Mexican equivalent of fresh mozzarella). A large serving of Queso Fundido al Champignones (fondue-like melted cheese with mushrooms) relies on the clean flavor of the Queso Oaxaca and the exemplary wheat tortillas (tortillas de harina de trigo). Last but not least, get a side of Cebollitas Cambray (grilled baby white onions, with the stems) as they are likely the most simple thing you will ever eat but are defiantly tasty.
Once you are painfully full, request La Cuenta (the bill) and pay in your choice of American Dollars or Mexican Pesos. Pony up, but don't worry it's surprisingly cheap, and don't forget to tip the grill man!
Snacks for three with tip, copious amounts of beer, water and mango liquore de fruita: $36
El Fogon
Avenida Constituyentes
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
Mexico
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Update!
Sorry to anyone who looks forward to reading up on what I'm doing! I've been really busy lately; between getting brewing on the go, a quick trip to Mexico and work I have been hard pressed to find time to write! I just posted a handful of beer reviews for you cerveza fans out there, and will be writing a review on a fantastic authentic taqueria we stopped into in Playa del Carmen.
As for the brewhouse, which is yet unnamed (please feel free to make suggestions), we are moving along quite nicely. We jumped into the most advanced style of home beer brewing, known as AG or all grain. In this style, we are the ones responsible for steeping the grains and creating the wonderfully syrupy, flavorful substance known as wort, which we ferment to make beer. In brewing, other than AG, homebrewers rely on powdered or concentrated extracts to create their wort. However convenient, extract brewing simply results in an inferior product and less control over the final result. AG brewing, is unfortunately much more time consuming and difficult to master. In our first batch we encountered a problem in our wort making, but never realized it. We diagnosed the problem as a fermentation issue, which it wasn't, and took the wrong steps to fix it. The final result ended up tasty nonetheless, but a bit heavier than we intended. Batches 2 and 3, were brewed before we noticed that the problem was actually with our mashing (making of the wort) rather than with the yeast (fermentation). Batch 2 was bottled without creating a fix, and batch 3 was treated with a stopgap measure that we felt would improve our final product. With any luck, both will turn out enjoyable, with minor blemishes. Batch 4 is thus far a tremendous success, our mashing problem has been solved and our beers are now coming along brilliantly! Batch 5 is to be brewed this week, as well as a small batch of gluten free cider for my girlfriend. For those of you who are interested, our status is as follows:
Batch 1: Alphabeer, American Pale Ale, Bottled and Carbonated
Batch 2: Unnamed, Weizen, Bottled and Carbonating
Batch 3: Unnamed, Oak Aged Imperial Stout, Secondary Fermentation
Batch 4: Unnamed, California Common 'Steam Beer', Primary Fermentation
Cider: Unnamed, Dry Hopped Cider, Primary Fermentation
Batch 5: Unnamed, Sour Saison, Yet to be Brewed
Batch 6: To be Determined!
Mexico was a lovely trip, great weather, relaxing atmosphere and plenty to do. Aside from attending the wedding and drinking obscene quantities of Dos Equis (which makes me think I should brew a Vienna Lager), we had the opportunity to snorkel with sea turtles, go sea kayaking, horseback riding, tour an underground river (cenote), and visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum.
Keep watch for a review of El Fogon!
As for the brewhouse, which is yet unnamed (please feel free to make suggestions), we are moving along quite nicely. We jumped into the most advanced style of home beer brewing, known as AG or all grain. In this style, we are the ones responsible for steeping the grains and creating the wonderfully syrupy, flavorful substance known as wort, which we ferment to make beer. In brewing, other than AG, homebrewers rely on powdered or concentrated extracts to create their wort. However convenient, extract brewing simply results in an inferior product and less control over the final result. AG brewing, is unfortunately much more time consuming and difficult to master. In our first batch we encountered a problem in our wort making, but never realized it. We diagnosed the problem as a fermentation issue, which it wasn't, and took the wrong steps to fix it. The final result ended up tasty nonetheless, but a bit heavier than we intended. Batches 2 and 3, were brewed before we noticed that the problem was actually with our mashing (making of the wort) rather than with the yeast (fermentation). Batch 2 was bottled without creating a fix, and batch 3 was treated with a stopgap measure that we felt would improve our final product. With any luck, both will turn out enjoyable, with minor blemishes. Batch 4 is thus far a tremendous success, our mashing problem has been solved and our beers are now coming along brilliantly! Batch 5 is to be brewed this week, as well as a small batch of gluten free cider for my girlfriend. For those of you who are interested, our status is as follows:
Batch 1: Alphabeer, American Pale Ale, Bottled and Carbonated
Batch 2: Unnamed, Weizen, Bottled and Carbonating
Batch 3: Unnamed, Oak Aged Imperial Stout, Secondary Fermentation
Batch 4: Unnamed, California Common 'Steam Beer', Primary Fermentation
Cider: Unnamed, Dry Hopped Cider, Primary Fermentation
Batch 5: Unnamed, Sour Saison, Yet to be Brewed
Batch 6: To be Determined!
Mexico was a lovely trip, great weather, relaxing atmosphere and plenty to do. Aside from attending the wedding and drinking obscene quantities of Dos Equis (which makes me think I should brew a Vienna Lager), we had the opportunity to snorkel with sea turtles, go sea kayaking, horseback riding, tour an underground river (cenote), and visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum.
Keep watch for a review of El Fogon!
Beer Ratings Folks!
Ratings, ratings, ratings...
Dieu de Ciel Chaman
341 mL bottle. Pours a clear medium amber color with a thin head and good lacing. Aroma is largely caramel malt and earthy/floral hop. Taste is sweet and malty, with a slightly bittering hop finish, but not as much as I expect from an IIPA. Creamy on the palate with medium carbonation, a touch of herb and fruit esters. A bit boozy and one dimensional; feels like its missing something.
Flying Monkeys 'Matador' Spanish Cedar Aged IIPA
750 mL bottle. Pours a clear amber with a lacy white head. The cedar really dominates the nose on this one. Background notes of yeast, citrus, earth and caramel malt. Fairly sweet and robust with a long bitter finish tinged with toasty wood notes. Full bodied with moderate carbonation, leaves a sticky mouth feel, the high ABV is well in check. An interesting IIPA; not for the faint of heart.
Dupont Cervesia
750 mL bottle. Pours a cloudy honey color with a thick white head. Not so much lacing. Big yeasty funk on the nose, with notes of tropical fruit and a touch of phenolic spice. Fairly dry with a lively carbonated mouthfeel, leaves a pleasantly sour aftertaste. A long complex finish. I really enjoyed this one, to be enjoyed on its own, cool but not cold please.
Kuhnhenn Fourth Dementia Old Ale
355 mL bottle. Pours a deep dark garnet with a nice beige head and lots of lacing. Aromas of dark caramel, fig, prune, rum cake, molasses and candied fruit. Robust, very sweet and sticky, medium carbonation and a full mouth feel. Provides a lingering finish, reminiscent of sweet sherry and tinged with booze. Big and dangerous, consume at your own risk, preferably with good fruit cake or bitter chocolate. Intense.
Grand River Dogstalker April Bock
500 mL bottle. Pours a nice amber caramel color with a tight white head and some lacing. Nice dark bready aroma; roasted almonds, toffee, a touch of grass and earthy hops. A refreshing lager, light to medium on the palate with a touch of sweetness, a well rounded hop finish. Moderate carbonation. A very tasty bock.
As per usual:
http://www.ratebeer.com/user/169526/ratings/
Dieu de Ciel Chaman
341 mL bottle. Pours a clear medium amber color with a thin head and good lacing. Aroma is largely caramel malt and earthy/floral hop. Taste is sweet and malty, with a slightly bittering hop finish, but not as much as I expect from an IIPA. Creamy on the palate with medium carbonation, a touch of herb and fruit esters. A bit boozy and one dimensional; feels like its missing something.
Flying Monkeys 'Matador' Spanish Cedar Aged IIPA
750 mL bottle. Pours a clear amber with a lacy white head. The cedar really dominates the nose on this one. Background notes of yeast, citrus, earth and caramel malt. Fairly sweet and robust with a long bitter finish tinged with toasty wood notes. Full bodied with moderate carbonation, leaves a sticky mouth feel, the high ABV is well in check. An interesting IIPA; not for the faint of heart.
Dupont Cervesia
750 mL bottle. Pours a cloudy honey color with a thick white head. Not so much lacing. Big yeasty funk on the nose, with notes of tropical fruit and a touch of phenolic spice. Fairly dry with a lively carbonated mouthfeel, leaves a pleasantly sour aftertaste. A long complex finish. I really enjoyed this one, to be enjoyed on its own, cool but not cold please.
Kuhnhenn Fourth Dementia Old Ale
355 mL bottle. Pours a deep dark garnet with a nice beige head and lots of lacing. Aromas of dark caramel, fig, prune, rum cake, molasses and candied fruit. Robust, very sweet and sticky, medium carbonation and a full mouth feel. Provides a lingering finish, reminiscent of sweet sherry and tinged with booze. Big and dangerous, consume at your own risk, preferably with good fruit cake or bitter chocolate. Intense.
Grand River Dogstalker April Bock
500 mL bottle. Pours a nice amber caramel color with a tight white head and some lacing. Nice dark bready aroma; roasted almonds, toffee, a touch of grass and earthy hops. A refreshing lager, light to medium on the palate with a touch of sweetness, a well rounded hop finish. Moderate carbonation. A very tasty bock.
As per usual:
http://www.ratebeer.com/user/169526/ratings/
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