Tag Archives: candied sugar

Barrel Aged Belgain Tripel – Ravens Brewing Company

by Mike

From Ravens Brewing Company in Abbotsford comes their “Barrel Aged Belgain Tripel” a beer released for the breweries second anniversary.  The beer pours a cloudy golden orange colour with a white head.  The aroma consists of wine, oak, candied sugar, tannin and sweetness.  The flavour is of wine, oak, sweetness, candied sugar, tannins, citrus rind, vanilla and a low bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 9% and shows up in the flavour a bit with an IBU of 25.  While a Tripel is not my favourite style the wine barrels brought the sweetness back a bit for me and made it more enjoyable than most in this style.  This style can be a bit cloying for me usually.

Barleywine Barrel Aged – Black Bridge Brewery

by Mike

From Black Bridge Brewery in Swift Current Saskatchewan comes their “Barleywine Barrel Aged”.  The beer pours a deep reddish copper with a tan head.  The aroma consists of candied sugar, sweetness, toffee, dark fruits, red wine, oak and vanilla.  The flavour is of dark fruits, candied sugar, red wine, toffee, oak, fairly low bitterness and a mild alcohol burn to finish it off.  The alcohol content comes in at 10.5% with an IBU of 35.  I am a massive fan of Barleywine’s and this one is really enjoyable.  I am glad I was able to pick up a few cans while in Saskatchewan.

Commercial Description: Barrel aged for 10 months in recently emptied red wine barrels. Our Barleywine begins with a beautiful port and wet oak aroma, which translates into a luscious, warming mouthfeel. Lightly carbonated with a strong amount of bitterness to balance out the bold dark cherry, red wine, and brandy flavours.

Zombie Repellant Ale 2 (ZRA2) – Category 12 Brewing

by Mike

From Victoria’s Category 12 Brewing comes their “Zombie Repellant Ale 2″ or ZRA2.  This beer is their answer to the Pumpkin ale as they do not seem to like them.  The beer pours a deep copper colour with a tan head.  The aroma consists of caramel, toffee, dark fruity notes, candied sugar, earth and some floral hops.  The flavour is of Belgian yeast, spices, toffee, caramel, dark fruit, citrus, candied sugar, citrus rind, resin and some leafy hops.  The alcohol content comes in at 5.8% with an IBU of 24.  This Anti-Pumpkin beer is really tasty and I will have to get some more of it.

Commercial Description:   Our 2017 ZRA 2 is a Belgian-inspired red ale with a fruit forward aroma, full body and hints of spice from both our Belgian yeast and aromatic hop selections.  In the middle of the night, when all evidence of light has faded, that’s when they come. Be vigilant, be prepared. The throngs of pumpkin beer loving hoards can’t keep you from what you really want… Zombie Repellant Ale. Our ZRA will increase your resolve to fight through the zombie hoards.  Guaranteed to contain no pumpkin.

Blue Bridge Double Pale Ale – Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub

by Mike

From Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub in Victoria BC comes the “Blue Bridge Double Pale Ale”.  The beer pours a cloudy copper colour with a white head with lots of lacing.  The aroma consists of floral hops, citrus and some sweetness.  The flavour is of orange, citrus, toffee, candied sugar, resin, medium bitterness and some alcohol.  The alcohol content comes in at 8.2% with an IBU of 36.  I have not had this one in a while and I don’t know why I waited.  Well worth picking up some the next time your at the liquor store.

Commercial Description:  An emerging new world style, this double pale blends north-west and noble bittering hops and finishes with old world noble aromatic hops to create a complex and floral hop profile. This beer is superbly balanced, masking its strong body and making the beer very drinkable. Beware!

Dear James S.M.A.S.H. Saison – Trading Post Brewing

by Mike

From Trading Post Brewing in Langley comes their “Dear James S.M.A.S.H. Saison” a Single Malt and Single Hop beer.  The beer pours an cloudy orange gold colour with a white head.  The aroma consists of tropical fruit, sweetness, yeast and grassy hops.  The flavour is of tropical fruit, apricot, citrus, candied sugar, yeast and mild bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 6.5% with an IBU of 26.  Trading Post has a knack of making tasty beers and this one is no different.

Commercial Description:  Dear James refers to a letter written to HBC Chief Trader James Murray Yale, urging him not to marry a woman for whom he had been enamoured with during his first years at the fort. Ignoring the outrageous pleas, James married the woman he loved and fathered two daughters with her.  Known as the quintessential artisanal brew, this farmhouse style Saison, has notes of apricots, citrus and spice. Brewed using Bohemian pilsner malt and Mosaic hops, this complex and refreshing beer shimmers a golden straw colour and is perfect for farmers.