Tag Archives: herbal hop

Towers and Trains Early Grey IPA – Steel & Oak Brewing

by Mike

From New Westminster’s Steel & Oak Brewing comes their “Towers and Trains” Early Grey IPA.  The beer pours a golden colour with a white head.  The aroma consists of light malts, earl grey tea and some floral hops.  The flavour is of Earl Grey tea, grainy malts, herbal hops some citrus and a low bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 6.2% with an IBU of 50.  While not a huge tea fan this is a really enjoyable blend of Earl Grey tea and an IPA.

Commercial Description:  Made with organic Earl Grey Tea from our friends just down the boardwalk at The Great Wall Tea Co. this Earl Grey IPA has a perfect balance of west coast hops, bergamot, and a gentle black tea bitterness.

N.E. IPA – Strathcona Beer Company

by Mike

From Strathcona Beer Company in Vancouver comes their “N.E. IPA”.  The beer poured a cloudy orange colour with a white head.  The aroma consists of floral and herbal hops, tropical fruit like mangos and mild citrus.  The flavour is of herbal hops, resin, pine, earth, citrus rind, tropical fruit, mango, caramel malts, bitterness and a dank finish.  The alcohol content comes in at 5.5% with an IBU of 55.  While someone hoping for a total juice bomb may not be totally sold this is a great crossover between the North East IPA and a North West IPA.

Free Dive IPA – Coppertail Brewing

by Mike

From Coppertail Brewing in Tampa Florida comes their “Free Dive IPA”.  The beer pours a golden yellow colour with a white head.  The aroma consists of citrus, grapefruit, citrus rind, pine, floral hops and maybe a dank note or two.  The flavour is of grain, citrus, citrus rind, resin, pine, bitterness, earth, herbal hops and bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at a good 5.9%.  This was a really nice India Pale Ale and a great introduction to this brewery.

Commercial Description:  Whether you’re diving for stone crabs under Tampa Bay’s Sunshine Skyway or just wishing you were, this beer’s got you covered. Expect huge hits of citrus and pine aromas layered over a bright malt backbone. Perfect for a day on the water.

Food pairing as per brewery: Spicy grilled shrimp

Lug-Tread Lagered Ale – Beau’s All Natural Brewing

by Mike

From Beau’s All Natural Brewing in Vankleek Hill Ontario comes their “Lug-Tread Lagered Ale” a Kolsch.  The beer pours a yellow colour with a white head.  The aroma consists of grain, bread, citrus and floral hops.  The flavour is of biscuit, grain, lemon, herbal hops and a grassy finish.  The alcohol content comes in at 5.2% with an IBU of 21.  I do not hut these kinds of ales out personally but this one is definitely right on point for a lagered ale.  If you are looking for a good easy drinking beer you would be doing yourself a good deed to pick this beer up.

Commercial Description:  Lug-Tread is our tribute to the classic Kölsch beers of Cologne, Germany. It is versatile and well suited to any season or occasion, with satisfying, chewy malts to warm in the colder months, and a refreshing, crisp finish to quench a summer’s thirst. The tracks left in the mud from a small tractor’s Lug Tread tell the tale of honest hard work and close family ties.

Food pairing as per brewery:  Pizza marinara, salad Niçoise, brined & slow roasted pork shoulder,picnic fare such as cold roast chicken, Abbey-style cheeses.

Double IPA 128 – Farnham Ale & Lager

by Mike

From Farnham Ale & Lager in Farnham Quebec comes their “Double IPA 128”.  Thanks to Cee of Beer & Other Shhh Podcast for this beer!  The beer pours a copper orange colour with a beige head.  The aroma consists of citrus, grass, pine and some bready and caramel malt notes.  The flavour is of herbal hops, citrus, mild pine, resin, bitterness, earth, caramel and some mild alcohol.  The alcohol content comes in at 7% with an IBU of 128.  I really enjoyed this beer and I am just happy I managed to get my hands on a can of it!