I have been meaning to post in here more often as I essentially aim to try several new beers every weekend- just never get around to it. Anyway, a couple observations from some recent brews I've purchased-
Finally picked up an Orval Trappist Ale from Co op as it seems to have the reputation of being one of the better Belgian pale ales out there, but I was a little disappointed- especially at $9 for a 355ml bottle (price you pay for a legit Trappist beer in canada I guess). I have never been a huge fan of strong Belgian ales, and this didn't change my mind. Have had plenty of other cheaper Belgian PAs that I preferred- notably the Affligem Blond, which is priced reasonably at $3 a bottle. I am by no means a light beer guy as my favorite style is probably a double IPA, but just never been a fan of belgian tripels, quads, or strong ales.
Also picked up a Ballast point victory at sea imperial porter. Wow, that is one big beer.
The number of IPAs I have tried in recent months are too numerous to mention, but still consider Ballast Point Sculpin my favorite. Maybe Stone's delicious IPA is #2. Those Californians definitely make some quality IPAs.
btw, anyone know of any pub/liquor store that carries Trillium? And yes, I've liquor connect. No luck.
Last edited by Flabbibulin; 06-22-2016 at 09:26 AM.
I have been meaning to post in here more often as I essentially aim to try several new beers every weekend- just never get around to it. Anyway, a couple observations from some recent brews I've purchased-
Finally picked up an Orval Trappist Ale from Co op as it seems to have the reputation of being one of the better Belgian pale ales out there, but I was a little disappointed- especially at $9 for a 355ml bottle (price you pay for a legit Trappist beer in canada I guess). I have never been a huge fan of strong Belgian ales, and this didn't change my mind. Have had plenty of other cheaper Belgian PAs that I preferred- notably the Affligem Blond, which is priced reasonably at $3 a bottle. I am by no means a light beer guy as my favorite style is probably a double IPA, but just never been a fan of belgian tripels, quads, or strong ales.
Also picked up a Ballast point victory at sea imperial porter. Wow, that is one big beer.
The number of IPAs I have tried in recent months are too numerous to mention, but still consider Ballast Point Sculpin my favorite. Maybe Stone's delicious IPA is #2. Those Californians definitely make some quality IPAs.
btw, anyone know of any pub/liquor store that carries Trillium? And yes, I've liquor connect. No luck.
The number of IPAs I have tried in recent months are too numerous to mention, but still consider Ballast Point Sculpin my favorite. Maybe Stone's delicious IPA is #2. Those Californians definitely make some quality IPAs
I still find myself enjoying local brews. The Wildrose IPA and Blindman IPA are my go to's but the Ballast Point Sculpin is definitely one of my favs all well. A buddy of mine just got a shipment of both the Ballast Point Even Keel Mango and Pineapple Sculpin. Pretty excited to try thoses as they are not around often.
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I still find myself enjoying local brews. The Wildrose IPA and Blindman IPA are my go to's but the Ballast Point Sculpin is definitely one of my favs all well. A buddy of mine just got a shipment of both the Ballast Point Even Keel Mango and Pineapple Sculpin. Pretty excited to try thoses as they are not around often.
Ya, the 10th ave National has the grapefruit sculpin on tap I believe, although Ive never been a fan of any type of beer with the ester/fruit stuff. As far as local IPAs, the Wildrose and Last Best are quality beers. No comment on the Big Rock IPA, but the Big Rock Citradelic IPA is actually not bad at all. Village Maiden is a very decent ISA and have never tried the Minhas lazy mutt IPA. Six Corners Triple Summit is a very nice double.
As far as all Canadian IPAs, favorites have to be the fat tug and hop circle.
Last edited by Flabbibulin; 06-22-2016 at 11:27 AM.
So last night went over for a BBQ at a colleagues and he had been in Regina recently to raid Bushwhackers and man do they make some good beer. Not sure if you guys have ever been there BUT if you do find yourself in Regina (Edmonton Junior) make sure you stop by there. It is an oasis in that land of misery.
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So the 4 beers I picked up today were the Chimay red (dubbel), a prearis belma belgian wit, a breakside wanderlust IPA, and the driftwood naughty hildegard ESB. All of the chimay trappist beers are very popular among beer geeks, but I typically stick to the dubbel. i dont hate belgian trippels or quads, but have to be in the right mood. The belgian wit is decent, and certainly a step above other maintream wits like belgian moon, shock top, or hoegarden. Sorry, too much citrus/coriander in those for me. The IPA and ESB were awesome- both from fantastic breweries. Realy hoping to go to the breakside brew pub (maybe a couple time) this summer in portland.
Last edited by Flabbibulin; 06-25-2016 at 05:20 PM.
Picking up on the Troubled Monk discussion last page, finally got around to trying a couple of singles of their's - FANTASTIC. Can't recommend enough; they seem to be off to a fantastic start...
...which is good news, because I know there are a lot of fans of them, but as for local beers I am generally disappointed in Wildrose, Village, Big Rock, most of Brewsters, etc. I am a huge supporter of Canadian craft beer, including local, but I find - speaking generally here - most of the stuff from the "bigger" local Calgary craft brewers kind of blase, for lack of better words.
So last night went over for a BBQ at a colleagues and he had been in Regina recently to raid Bushwhackers and man do they make some good beer. Not sure if you guys have ever been there BUT if you do find yourself in Regina (Edmonton Junior) make sure you stop by there. It is an oasis in that land of misery.
Bushwakker does one of the most Regina things ever by putting out a season 'Blackberry Mead' brew each year at Christmas. It's a limited run and people line up in -40 to get cases of it each year.
The thing is... it's a bubbly fruity light on the pallet brew that's not far off from Wild Rose Raspberry.... on in other words... a summer brew.
I was gifted a bottle a few years ago from my uncle and we shared a few glasses at his place over Christmas, and all I could think was "Man despite the high alcohol content, this would be much better suited to a BBQ in shorts than the dead of winter"
It's bizarre, it's a decent fruity mead/beer and easy to drink, but it's the exact opposite of the heavy dark brews you'd associate with Christmas.
By no means the only noteworthy beers Ive had this summer, but thought Id post today- very impressed with the Wild Rose Belgian Style Pale Ale, although Im having a tough time keeping the head under control- a common difficulty with Belgian PAs I think?
Also had a Stone Mocha IPA... Youre a better man than me if you can drink this beer with a straight face... Sip it like Scotch I guess, and I generally love IPAs and DIPAs.
Going to clean out the kegs and pitch another wort this evening.
Going to try a dark lager, peanut butter and (strawberry) jam. I'm kind of stuck on the peanut butter though; thinking I might boil the PB2 into the wort, or simply add it to the primary. Not sure yet.
Strawberry extract goes into the keg for the final conditioning.
This is going to turn out really well, or really really bad.
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I do a raspberry by putting frozen raspberries in a big hop sack during the primary. You could probably do the same with strawberries, probably a less chemically taste than an extract.
Not sure where to go with the peanut butter though...I would think the oils would be your biggest issue. Sugars will help ferment, though maybe you want to go with a natural peanut butter. Less chance of some other ingredient screwing it up.
Still ,the flavour profile is not something I can picture.
