I had a startling realization ta few days ago, as I grabbed a couple of beers for the weekend: one of my new standard beers, which I’ve been drinking on draught for what feels like ages, is a beer I’ve never actually reviewed. Indeed, I interviewed Brock Shepherd a year and a half ago about Burger Bar, and his intentions to start brewing beer. In the ensuing 18 months or so, Brock has grown Kensington Brewing Co., started contract brewing at Wellington Brewery, and seen his product listed at the LCBO. As I picked up yet another couple of Augusta Ale’s in their lovely can, I realized, I hadn’t reviewed it on draught, because Brock told me he would be bottling in the not-too-distant future. When I got bottles from him, there were already murmurings of the LCBO, so I decided to wait, thinking it would be better to give some support once it arrived. Then I forgot about it, and when I could buy it for myself, just started doing so, taking for granted the stunning rise it had made, outpacing many of it’s contemporaries. So now I’m remedying that oversight. At this point, I assume many (if not most) beer lovers in Toronto have found Augusta Ale on tap or cask (in it’s AAXH “Xtra Hopped” format) at a quality craft beer bar. It might even have become a standard in your repetoire, like me. But perhaps you haven’t sought it out at the LCBO. And while I don’t want to give away the ending, if you have to stop reading right this instant, because your pants are on fire and the water in your office is off, hop out to the fountain outside, douse yourself and once the blisters have set in, get yourself to your local LCBO and pick up a few cans.
Sometimes InstaGram pics work awesome, then other times…..
From a 473ml tall-boy can with a best-before date stamped near the shoulder of the can (tricky to find, but it’s there), Augusta Ale pours a slightly hazy dark yellow, nearly the colour of my homemade marmalade. A generous 2″ of head drops to a bunch of messy foam that leaves a heap of lace on the glass. Aroma is immediately grains, malty with a touch of caramel. Hops are right there too, lemon peel and astringent and a bit leafy, but not over-powering. Very well-balanced, and leaning more towards a British style than an American, but make no mistakes, there are some serious west-coast smells here. Taste is more the same same, lovely fresh grains, sweet and aromatic like a wheat field in late summer. Touches of grass/hay and earthy notes. The hops have much more feel than aromatic pop on the front of the palate, giving a promounced dryness and hints of earthy/herbal qualities. The citrusy note is clear on the finish, but is not a big shot of C-hops like in a lot of other pale ales. Again, on the English/USA style teeter-totter, either the yankee is skinny, or they Brits fielded a fat guy, because the balance between the malt and hops is wonderfully executed. Surely some of these hops are new-world, but the end product is one that I could see myself sitting in a little garden behind a pub drinking from a cask, reading my book and ignoring the rest of the world. Super sessionable and easy going, the body is medium-light with a nicely active carbonation. The finish lingers gently with hops, but isn’t sticky or puckering. Just a great quality pale ale, that has become one of my go-to beers for a reason.
Cheers to the Kensington crew!
About The Brewery
At the KBCo, we strive to produce beer that reflects the diverse history of the Market. From our flagship Augusta Ale to our robust, West-coast style Baldwin FishEYE PA, our goal is to brew delicious, sessionable beer that you can enjoy day in and day out. With any luck, you can experience a little bit of Kensington Market in your glass, no matter where you are!
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