Tag Archives: 2017 vintage

Barley Wine (2017 Vintage) – Longwood Brewery

by Mike

From Nanaimo’s Longwood Brewery comes their “Barley Wine” a barrel aged beer from the 2017 Vintage.  The beer pours a deep chestnut colour with a brown head.  The aroma consists of roasted malts, dark fruits, brown sugar, vanilla and sweetness.  The flavour is of dark fruits, roasted malts, treacle, syrupy, brown sugar, sweetness, earth and some bitterness with some alcohol in the finish.  The alcohol content comes in at 11.5% with an IBU of 45.  This was an interesting English Barley Wine and I look forward to trying it again sooner than later.

Commercial Description:  Steeped in lore and tradition, this special annual brew can be enjoyed now or cellared to futher mature.  Mahogany brown with a vast shattering attack of malt, hints of raisin, vanilla and a bitter sweet chocolate finish.  This well aged ale (8 months in oak) is a great finish to any dining experience or simply by itself.  Best enjoyed at cellar temperature.

Woolly Bugger Barley Wine 2017 – Howe Sound Brewing

by Mike

From Squamish BC’s Howe Sound Brewing comes the “Woolly Bugger Barley Wine” 2017 Vintage. After a few years of moving to a 650ml bottle Howe Sound Brewing has opted to move to a 750ml bottle for this beer.  The beer pours a deep reddish brown colour with a tan head.  The aroma consists dark fruits, almost cherry, caramel, some hops bitterness and a sweet finish.  The flavour is of dark fruits, cherry, resin, citrus rind, toffee, caramel, bitterness and alcohol.  The alcohol content comes in at 10.7%

Sofie 2017 – Goose Island Beer Company

by Mike

From Goose Island Beer Company out of Chicago Illinois comes their “Sofie” 2017 a Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale barrel aged in white wine barrels. The beer pours a cloudy golden colour with a white head. The aroma consists of wheat, grain, peppery, fruit, sweetness and some floral hops. The flavour is of grainy, wheat, citrus, lemon, orange peel, peppery, yeast, vanilla and sweetness. The alcohol content comes in at 6.5% with an IBU of 20. Once again this one was quite enjoyable.

Commercial Description:  Our sparkling Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale is wine barrel-aged with an abundance of hand-zested orange peel. Spicy white pepper notes contrast the citrus tartness. The light, refreshing, creamy vanilla finish will excite those fond of Champagne.

Goose Island Beer Co is owned by AB InBev

Tempus Corvi 2017 – Moon Under Water Brewing

by Mike

From Victoria BC’s Moon Under Water Brewing comes their “Tempus Corvi 2017″ a mixed fermentation saison.  The beer pours an orange colour with a white head and tons of sediment.  The aroma consists of tartness, citrusy fruit and sweetness.  The flavour is of orange, tropical fruit, mild citrus rind, sweetness, mild tartness and a dry finish.  The alcohol content comes in at 7.9%.  This was a really good approachable sour and perfect for both the new beer fan or a seasoned beer nerd.

Commercial Description:  A collaboration with local award winning homebrewer, Dave Janssen. Taking inspiration from traditional saison brewers of Belgium and revivalist brewers of North America, Tempus Corvi is a mixed-fermentation saison. We let this saison rest for 5 months in French oak wine barrels where the activity of a diverse collection of Saccharomyces and Brettanomyces yeasts and lactic acid bacteria transformed the beer, adding sourness and additional complexity. With its bright acidity and light body, Tempus Corvi is a refreshing beer ready to drink now or be cellared for continued development along its own course.

Old Ale 2017 – Moon Under Water Brewing

by Mike

From Victoria BC’s  Moon Under Water Brewing comes their “Old Ale 2017″ a beer in the Ancient Ale Series.  The beer pours a deep reddish brown with a tan head.  The aroma consists of spices, mild vinegar notes and semi sweet notes.  The flavour is of mild sour notes, spices, herbal notes,  tannins, earth, oak and some wine notes.  Most reviews I have read spoke of smoke but I did not get that in my bottle.  The alcohol content comes in at 6.9%.  This is definitely a very different beer but I really enjoyed it none the less.  I mean I am always hoping to try new and crazy beer and this one fits that mold.

Commercial Description:  A long time ago.  In a civilization far, far away…  For 9,000 years our history has been shaped by the myriad of ingredients use to crate fermented beverages.  This series pays homage to the variety of starches, spices, fruits and whatever else civilizations of the past have used to satisfy humanity’s love affair with alcohol.