Tag Archives: brown sugar

Cannon Fodder Barley Wine – Fort Garry Brewing Co

by Mike

From Winnipeg, Manitoba’s Fort Garry Brewing Co comes their “Cannon Fodder Barley Wine” brewed with smoked malt.  The beer pours a deep reddish colour with a brown head.  The aroma consists of mild smoke, roasted malts, caramel and dark fruits.  The flavour is of smoked malts, brown sugar, roasted malts, dark fruits, resin, bitterness, caramel and Belgian yeast.  The alcohol content comes in at 11% with an IBU of 60.  I am not a fan of smoked malts usually but this light smoke is great in this Barley Wine and if you can find it make sure to pick up a few bottles.

Commercial Description:  At a whopping 11% abv, cannon fodder barley wine is best enjoyed one sip at a time. Intense caramel sweetness and the use of smoked malt make for a nicely balanced strong ale. Fermented with Belgian yeast, there is a uniqueness and complexity not often found in traditional barley wines.

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.

Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels 2017- Twin Sails Brewing

by Mike

From Twin Sails Brewing in Port Moody comes their “Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels” a beer aged for one year in Bourbon Barrels for their second anniversary.  This was bottle 309 of 468.  The beer poured an opaque black with a brown head.  The aroma consists of vanilla, bourbon, roasted malts, toffee, brown sugar, chocolate, anise with a sweet finish.  The flavour was of vanilla, bourbon, oak, anise, chocolate, toffee, espresso, roasted malts, brown sugar, coconut and very little bitterness.  The alcohol content is a cool 11.6% that is partially masked by the flavour of this beer.

Commercial Description:  Aged in select bourbon barrels since September 2016, this dense, inky imperial stout has big aromas of fudge, vanilla and espresso.  The palate brings an intense mix of chocolate, char, and coconut and a thick luscious mouth feel that leads into a warming, rich finish.  An intentionally low carbonation brings an exceptional spirit-like character to the beer.

Speedway Stout – AleSmith Brewing

by Mike

From San Diego California’s AleSmith Brewing comes their “Speedway Stout”.  The beer pours an opaque black colour with a brown head.  The aroma consists of chocolate, molasses, toffee, coffee and ash.  The flavour is of chocolate, toffee, molasses, ash, roasted coffee, burnt malts, brown sugar, earth, dark fruit and bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 12% with an IBU of 70.  Well my first experience with AleSmith Brewing went really well.  This beer is really tasty and I look forward to trying more beer from them.  Its a good thing they are available in British Columbia now!

Commercial Description:  Speedway Stout’s ominous, pitch-black appearance has become a hallmark of this modern-day classic. Chocolate and roasted malts dominate the flavor, supported by notes of dark fruit, toffee, and caramel. A healthy dose of locally-roasted coffee from Ryan Bros. Coffee, Inc. added to each batch brings out the beer’s dark chocolate flavors and enhances its drinkability. Despite its intensity, Speedway Stout’s fine carbonation and creamy mouthfeel make it very smooth and surprisingly easy to drink. This beer ages very well and will continue to mature for many years to come.

Food Pairing as per brewery:  This beer’s great balance makes it a very food-friendly Imperial Stout. Pair its roasty flavors and robust mouthfeel with rich beef dishes and char-grilled foods. Both chocolate and vanilla desserts also pair well, as do salty blue cheeses like Stilton or hard nutty cheeses like aged Gouda and cloth-bound cheddars.

ESB – Backroads Brewing Co

by Mike

From Backroads Brewing Co the newest brewery in Nelson BC comes their “ESB”.  This Extra Special Bitter pours a cloudy brown colour with a tan head.  The aroma consists of toffee, brown sugar and a hint of fruit.  The flavour is of mild roasted malts, toffee, brown sugar, semi sweet with some mild bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 4.7% with an IBU of 30.  While it is not quite like any other ESB I really enjoyed it and I hope that I can get more of their beer sooner than the next time I end up in Nelson.