Beer Review

Barrel-aged Saison — Black Oak Brewery

Barrel-aged Saison — Black Oak Brewing Co.

One of my favourite perennial beers is Black Oak’s Summer Saison.  A wicked good saison, with lots of bright citrus notes and classic Belgian spices from the yeast, it’s a heck of a beer.  So I was obviously pretty excited when I was by the brewery and Erica told me she had some barrel-aged Saison […]

The Wayward Son — Radical Road Brewing Co.

There was a time when I would have said that this beer had one of the most attractive and interesting packages.  I mean, a real champagne bottle, very minimally labelled, in a beautiful stained-glass motif box?  Just lovely.  But that time is past.  You see, I have had bottles of Radical Road Canny Man.  That’s […]

Oaktoberfest —Black Oak Brewing Co.

While Bavarians are in full Oktoberfest swing, and the massive tents of Munich are full to overflowing with joyful celebrants, we are just starting to get our dose of German and German-style Oktoberfest beers here in Ontario.  Black Oak’s Oaktoberfest is the first one to come across my desk (or more specifically, into my fridge).  […]

Budweiser Crown — Anheuser-Busch/InBev

Budweiser Crown

People drink with their eyes.  They drink with the memories too.  Even a fairly old and stale Guinness can still taste decent to me, because it sparks memories of incredible Guinness.  Similarly, it can be hard for me to try to stay objective (or as objective as any sentient person can be), when I drink […]

Shawinigan Handshake — Le Trou du Diable

Shawinigan Handshake — Le Trou du Diable

Probably the best label in the beer world, Shawinigan Handshake pays homage to the choke-slamming PM from PQ.  The last in my mini-series on hopfenweisse beers, following Miami Weisse by Great Lakes and Hopfenweisse by Les Trois Mousquetaires, Shawinigan Handshake is a beer I’ve enjoyed numerous times, both on cask at Cask Days, as well […]

Hopfenweisse — Les Trois Mousquetaires

Hopfenweisse — Les Troise Mousquetaires

Following on the tail of Great Lakes Miami Weiss, is another one of these quirky over-hopped wheat beers.  This one from the excellent Quebecois brewer, Les Trois Mousquetaires.  Known for making some epic classic style beers, their Hopfenweisse showcases their ability to pave roads as well as pay homage.

Miami Weiss — Great Lakes Brewery, 2013

Miami Weiss — Great Lakes Brewery

The nature of the growth of the brewing scene, means that new styles are created, and variations on styles become their own.  This is why we now have pales ales, and American pale ales.  Brewers play with things, blend techniques, and tweak recipes.  Such is the case with Great Lakes Miami Weiss.  There are other […]

Lawnmower Arm Saison — Great Lakes Brewery

I think I had Lawnmower Arm Saison before.  I’m not really sure, but it sounded familiar.  But when I was at the Great Lakes Brewery in Etobicoke this week, and I saw it, as a barrel-aged, on sour cherries, incarnation, I had to give some a whirl.  Saisons often have influence from wild bacterias, like […]

Saison de la Canneberg — Great Lakes Brewery x Cassel Brewing

I love this. Here is what I know about this beer: Nothing.  I haven’t even texted Lackey for any insight. I’m pretty sure Saison de la Canneberg translates to “Cranberry Saison”, but that’s all I’ve got.  I know Great Lakes beers well, and I know Cassel is a new Nanobrewery in eastern Ontario. And that […]

Sunny and Share Citrus Saison — Mad and Noisy Brewing

Well, you might remember when I wrote about Mad and Noisy Hops and Bolts IPL a while back. If so, you will probably be as excited as I was to hear that Creemore is back at it, now with their Sunny and Share Citrus Saison. Saison is becoming the hot summer beer (replacing weisse/wit beers, […]