In my last post, I talked a bit about my past with Muskoka Cottage Brewery, mainly in Muskoka. But here’s to the future! Muskoka, while making a variety of solid brews (cream ale, lager, light pilsner) is branching out, their weissebier is delicious but would likely be challenging to somebody who might regularly drink their light. And now they are doing seasonals that could well jump them to the front of the line, for quality innovative brews in Ontario. Their first, Harvest Ale, was available in limited draught last fall, but is now for sale in some LCBOs, and on tap at 60 bars in Ontario. I hate to admit to writing these intros *after* I do the review, but let me just say, it’s epic. Stop reading this instant, go buy some, then come back and follow along, okay? And get yourself ready, mid-November will see their next seasonal, Double Chocolate Cranberry Stout! And watch these guys, their starting to charge.
Muskoka Cottage Brewery Harvest Ale
From a beautiful 750ml swing top bottle with a drink-by date on the top-label, this seasonal ale pours a lovely honey orange with a beautiful thick fluffy head and a very active carbonation. Aroma is caramel and sweet grains, and a very clear floral hop. Smells like I might drink the whole bottle now (despite it’s re-sealability). Wow, taste is epic hops, not super bitter, but huge hop flavour. Definitely dry-hopped. Beautiful sweet malts fill out the flavour, and are present throughout the taste, even a little in the finish. But the hops are the big player, herbal and a little flowery, with just a hint of bitter citrus peel. There’s a little hit of tannin dryness, a little like tea. The beer is very carbonated, but also very smooth on the tongue, a little sweet but with that nice touch of dry note from the hops on the finish. I will buy a lot more of this beer. And I think it’s going to go amazing with the curried pumpkin/squash soup Erika is making for lunch. Like, stupid amazing. If Muskoka’s Hefe-Wiessbier was my perfect breakfast beer for today, this is definitely my perfect lunch beer.
Thanks Muskoka, can’t wait for the double chocolate cranberry stout!
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