Rogue Invades Ontario

Ontario got its biggest order of American craft beer ever at the beginning of this month, compliments of Oregon's Rogue Brewery. Most of the release is widely available throughout the province with one more hitting shelves later this week, however the Double Dead Guy was in limited supply with only 20 cases available in the entire province. If you missed out on Double Dead Guy the LCBO has ordered 45 more cases that will probably take another 8 weeks to hit shelves, but it's better late than never I suppose. The standout for me from this release has been Captain Sig's Northwestern Ale. Its dry and hoppy, with lots of citrus balanced by a chewy malt that makes it bitter, refreshing and satisfying.

Rogue will also be at Session 99 craft beer festival June 25th at 99 Sudbury Street.

LCBO Summer Beer Release

So, the list of summer seasonal beers was announced via bartowel.com last week and it is much better than most summer LCBO releases. That being said, most of the offerings are on the safe side but there are some gems among this release.  The complete list is:

• Lindeman’s Kriek (355mL, $5.95)
• Lindeman’s Cuvee Rene Gueuze (355mL, $6.45)
• Great Lakes Green Tea Ale (650mL, $4.95)
• Dieu du Ciel! Rosee d’Hibiscus (341mL, $3.10)
• Charlevoix Dominus Vobiscum Blanche (500mL, $3.85)
• Brasseurs de Montreal Coeur Brise Raspberry (341mL, $2.85)
• Trafalgar Cherry Ale (650mL, $4.50)
• Schneider Organic Wiesen Edel-Weisse (500mL, $3.25)
• Schofferhofer Hefeweizen (500mL, $2.50)
• Christoffel Bier (330mL, $2.85)
• Wells and Young’s Banana Bread Beer (500mL, $3.50)
• Dark Star Sunburst Golden Ale (500mL, $3.45)
• Celt Golden Crafted Ale (500mL, $3.45)
• Samuel Smith’s Organic Raspberry Ale  (550mL, $5.50)
• Badger Golden Champion Ale (500mL, $3.50)
• Fuller’s Organic Honey Dew (500mL, $3.25)
• Southern Tier 2XIPA (355mL, $2.95)   

There are some familiar brews that have been included in the past, but there are some solid new additions from Charlevoix and Fuller's as well as Southern Tier's 2XIPA to bring some hops to the table here. 

My personal favorite from this release, aside from the Southern Tier, is the Lindeman's Cuvee Rene Gueuze. This is a pull no punches authentic sour lambic. What makes lambic beers so special is the difficulty of making them due to the fact they are made using wild yeast that is airborne in these Belgian breweries. These don't come around that often in Ontario, in fact this is a first. For what this costs it is an absolute steal when you consider this beer can withstand about 15 years of cellaring. Then Lindeman's Kriek is also worth a try but it is a sweeter lambic, comparable to Mort Subite that is currently available. 

Not the best release but certainly not the worst, lots to be excited about beer wise in Ontario right now.

Back from a super long break!

Hello there!


So, I know it's been a while but just a few updates to post in the happenings of the beer world as it relates to Toronto. The Session Craft Beer Festival returns June 25th at 99 Sudbury. Last year was amazing even though it rained most of the day. This year Garrett Oliver from Brooklyn Brewery will be attending the festival to conduct the opening ceremonies. In addition to Brooklyn Brewery there will be a few new breweries this year including Central City, Phillips, Howe Sound, Microbrasserie Charlevoix, Dieu Du Ciel!, Trou Du Diable, Trois Mousquetaires and Rogue. Also, the 3rd annual Ontario Cask IPA Challenge takes place May 14th and 15th at Bar Volo. It will be a single elimination, 3 round blind tasting of IPA's from all over Ontario. "My Bitter Wife" from Great Lakes will defend its crown against IPA's from Flying Monkeys, Black Oak, Muskoka, Scotch Irish, House Ales, Beau's, Duggan's and more.

Ola Dubh

  The latest installment of brewery features at the LCBO kicked off today, focusing on the Ola Dubh line from Harviestoun brewery. If you are unfamiliar with Ola Dubh, it is a split venture between the brewery and the Highland Park whisky distillery. The premise is that Harviestoun's Old Engine Oil is aged for 6-8 months in Highland Park casks that contained 12, 16, 18, 30 and 40 year old single malt scotch. The result of this is a rich, full ale that is perfectly balanced and mind-boggling in terms of complexity.

  Today I was able to sample the 12 and 40 side by side. The 12 year old is rich and chocolaty while taking on subtle notes of the oak that it's aged in and sets the bar really high for the older Ola Dubh beers. Now, on to the 40. It looks identical to the 12 in terms of appearance but in terms of smell and flavor this is a monster in comparison. This has the nose of a fine single malt but is not over the top. The taste is so smooth with notes of peat from the oak casks coming through followed by a long smoky finish. A slight bitterness is present that compliments all the complex earthy flavours present here. This beer is world class, one of the best I have ever tasted.

  This beer line up is sure to please the craft beer enthusiast and scotch aficionado as well as everyone in between. However, the downside is that these may set you back a few dollars - the 40 year old retails for $18.95 for a 330ml bottle and the 30 is $14.95 but the rest range from $5.95-7.95. They wont be around long and are worth picking up if you want to try something that is both unique and delicious.  

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

 This week the LCBO received Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout again. You may (or may not) remember seeing this last year and because it did so well its back again. Brewed only once a year this ink-black imperial stout is the perfect winter warmer. At a whopping 10% ABV it warms in addition to being loaded with flavor.

  The chocolate flavors are front and center here - considering that this is not brewed with any actual chocolate is impressive. It also has notes of coffee in the nose and palate that conceal the taste of alcohol almost completely. Very drinkable considering its strength - in my opinion this is a world class stout that ranks right up there with Peche Mortel and Stone Russian Imperial Stout. 

  If you have the patience you should grab a few extras to age for a couple years. With its high alcohol content it will hold up for years to come. Also its only $2.55 a bottle so it doesn't break the bank either. Great value for a great beer, go out of your way for this one because its worth it.

IPA's worth picking up

 
  So as you may have noticed in the last little while there have been a few really good beers available through the LCBO. But for all of the hop heads out there some IPA's have made there way to Ontario with perfect timing. Now that Dogfish Head can no longer keep up production of the 60 Minute IPA there is a huge void of hoppy beers available. Southern Tier's IPA is outstanding and available year round as are Duggans #9 and Tankhouse but thats where it ends really.

  For a limited time this is no longer the case. The Dieu Du Ciel! release brought Corne Du Diable, an off-balanced but blindingly bitter west coast IPA that has sat in my top 10 list since first trying it over a year ago. From the east coast there is Garrison Imperial IPA that has an incredible hop presence but is refreshing and drinkable despite its 7% alcohol volume. Representing the west coast is Mt. Begbie Brewing Nasty Habit IPA - this is a much more traditional IPA that still incorporates subtle traits of the west coast style. Nasty Habit may not be as bitter as the other 2 but its still exceptional.

  It's easy to see why IPA's have been the most popular style among the beer crowd. Enjoy these while they are fresh and while you can still find them!

Pumpkin Beers Are Back!

  Now that Fall is here in full effect so are the Pumpkin beers. Now even I, at first, was a little apprehensive when I initially tried one but they are fantastic and now I look forward to them every year. This year there will be 5 pumpkin beers in total available in Ontario. So far 2 are available right now - Great Lakes Pumpkin Ale and St. Ambroise Pumpkin Ale. The offering from Great Lakes is mellower on the pumpkin and spice than the St. Ambroise but would be a great introduction for anyone that has never had a pumpkin beer before. The St. Ambroise is heavy on the spice, most notably the clove, and like every year its outstanding. 

  The other 3 pumpkin beers should surface in the next ten days or so and include: Grand River Highballer Pumpkin Ale from Cambridge, Southern Tier Imperial Pumking and Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale (both Pumking and Post Road Pumpkin hail from New York). So look out for these in the coming weeks as well. 

  Anyway I hope you all had a good holiday weekend and try some pumpkin beers this fall while they are still here.