Tag Archives: gulf island brewery

Dandy Hobo – Saltspring Island Ales

by Mike

Limited Release

Coming from Salt Spring Island’s Saltspring Island Ales (Gulf Island Brewery) comes the “Dandy Hobo” a light golden rye ale that was brewed with fennel, cumin and caraway.  This limited release was only available for tastings and growler fills at the brewery.  The beer poured a light golden colour with a white head.  The aroma consisted of sweet fruits, spices, mild malts, fennel, caraway and some rye.  The flavour was of huge fruits up front with caraway, fennel, very mild spice from cumin, malts such as rye and a very mild tart finish.  The alcohol content came in at 5%.  This was a very refreshing ale and just as tasty as it was experimental!  I hope that this beer some day sees the light of day in a bomber release.

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Saturnalia Gruit – Saltspring Island Ales

by Mike

Limited Release

Coming from Salt Spring Island’s Saltspring Island Ales (Gulf Island Brewery) comes the “Saturnalia Gruit” an Ancient Ale using no hops as the style predates hops being used in beer.  This beer pours a dark brown colour with an off white head.  The aroma consists of sweet anise, malts, chocolate and cinnamon.  The flavour is of sourness and tartness with cinnamon, chocolate and anise.  The alcohol content comes in at 5%.  This is a very interesting beer for sure.  I really enjoyed the bottle for sure but I am not sure what I think of this style of beer but I am sure happy to see a style reborn none the less!  If you have never had a Gruit before pick up a bottle right away to see what you think.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:  Named for a Roman Festival of mythical revelry, our ’Saturnalia’ Gruit is made without hops, using a special blend of herbs and spices. A darker brew with notes of chocolate, cinnamon and anise, Saturnalia is our second foray into the realm of ancient ’Gruit’ Ales. Raise a glass of this truly unique beverage and share a toast to independence and eccentricity.

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Creme Brulee Vanilla Stout – Saltspring Island Ales

by Mike

Limited Release

Coming from Salt Spring Island’s Saltspring Island Ales (Gulf Island Brewery) comes the “Creme Brulee Vanilla Stout”.  This beer was made as a collaboration with Liquor Plus liquor stores on Vancouver Island.  This milk stout pours a deep opaque black with a brown head.  The aroma consists of vanilla, sugar, caramel, lactose and chocolate.  The flavour does not vary much from the aroma.  The alcohol content of this brew is 8% but does not show this much at all.  This was an amazing imperial milk stout with lots of flavour to be had!

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