Aging in malt whisky barrels from Cape Breton’s Glenora Distillery has added complexity to this deep, dark amber brew. It offers soft red fruit and dark chocolate on the nose and rich fruit cake/liqueur/chocolate flavours, finishing with whisky-infused dry oakiness. Hugely flavourful but deftly balanced.
Hazy, light amber colour. Generous and lasting foam. Gentle spicy notes mix well with hops aromas complemented by touches of honey, lilac and wild flowers. A hint of manure develops in the glass. Very tasty, it feels fresh but the strong alcohol (9%) is also perceived. The light finish provides a nice contrast.
Yellow/pale-brown tint with the characteristic haziness of beers that were aged on lees. Fresh notes of hops hit your nose first followed by herbs (mostly coriander) and light caramel notes. Of light taste and body, with its medium bitterness (IBU=22), it is an ideal companion to salty snacks. Nicknamed "Megadeth," it was created after brewmaster Jerry Vietz met and was inspired by guitarist/singer Dave Mustaine.
One of Ontario’s oldest craft breweries has slowly reinvented the recipe of its IPA to align with beer nerd’s palates: swapping out the hops for brighter, citrusy American and Aussie varietals, and adding them into the beer at the very end of the brewing process to build up to an explosive nose of mango and pineapple riding on a sip of pine and caramel. Worth revisiting if you haven’t tasted it in a while.
Now on Batch #11, Bellwoods' beloved Farmaggedon Saison changes with each iteration due to the barrels selected for blending (usually aged for 6 months or more) and the mix of microflora at work. If you think Brettanomyces is about “souring” the beer, this beauty, where at least 2 different strains of Brett are in play, will prove you wrong. Expect notes of white grape, cherry, lemon and florals with a signature barnyard funk (hay, wet wool, leather).
This Black IPA drinks like an '80s hockey haircut, in the very best way — the hops party is in the front (in the aroma) while the smooth coffee roast and pleasing astringency make up the back. This made-in-Ottawa brew strikes the perfect balance between roasted coffee and citrusy grapefruit. Awarded a gold medal at the 2013 World Beer Championships.