Betelgeuse – Mill St Brewery

So Mill St has really grown since it’s inception, and is now one of the biggest of the “micros” in Ontario. I don’t have the numbers, but I imagine most of the beer they sell is Organic and Tankhouse, a lot of which is served on draught in bars around Toronto.  Which is good.  Those are both well made beers which are helping more people realize that beer doesn’t have to come from one of the big three, and that beers can taste interesting and come from close to home.  But with so many other brewers doing all sorts of really wonderful creative things with their breweries, I think Mill St realized they were getting left behind by the small (growing) demographic who would identify themselves as “Beer Geeks”.  Some will hate on Mill St, based solely on their size or the fact that Organic is basically high-class Corona.  But Mill St has done so much for the craft brewing scene in Ontario, so I’m glad to see them introducing beers that will not reach the same crowd who religously drink Organic, Stock or Tankhouse.  They are working at staying creative and I respect that.  Betelguese is one of the beers they have on shelves in the LCBO this summer, with the Lemon Tea Ale, Roggenbeir and Pilsner.  A Belgian style tripel, which is a bit concerning; a lot of people aspire to a tripel, but I’ve tasted some turly awful ones.  Here’s hoping Mill St hit closer to the mark.

Betelguese - Mill St Brewery

Betelguese - Mill St Brewery

From a 355ml bottle with a made on date on the neck, the beer pours a clear golden yellow with not much head.  The foam dissipates pretty quickly to a pretty small film in the cnetre of the glass.  There is no lacing.  The aroma is really sweet and malty, with grains, caramel, honey and yeast all present.  A bit of spiciness as well, I can’t quite pick what spice it is, but it’s pleasant.  Taste is very sweet, again sugary grainy in the mouth, with a  warm alcohol finish that strikes me as being a bit mead-like, but that is a bit astringent.  Some spices show up after the inital sweetness, that might be ginger, pepper and cinnamon, but again, I’m not certian.  As it warms a bit, there is an almost berry-like flavour coming out of the sweetness, and more flowery honey.  The beer is actually pretty thin, especially given it’s weight and sweetness, which prevents it from being cloying.  A light carbonation is surprising, I was expecting it to have the usual fairly active carbonation, but is pleasant enough.  It’s reminding me of a Belgian that I’ve had once or twice at Castro’s, but I can’t remember which.  Abbey des Rocs?  Totally forgotten.  I probably wouldn’t drink more then one of these in any given sitting, and it certianly isn’t my favourite tripel, but for an offering from Ontario, it’s a pretty respectable beer.  If you’re into the style, give it a try, the price is right, and it’s not bad at all.

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