Little Red One with Black Currants (Fellowship 2017) – Strange Fellows Brewing


From Strange Fellows Brewing in Vancouver comes their second of four beer of 2017 in their fellowship club the “Little Red One with Black Currants” a Lambic Style Ale.  The beer pours a deep red with a reddish head.  The aroma consists of black currents, dark fruit, red wine, oak and some tartness.  The flavour is of black currents, dark fruit, red wine, balsamic vinegar, earth, tobacco, tartness and some oak in the finish.  The alcohol content comes in at 6%.  This is a fantastic Lambic Style beer with a very full flavour profile and fits the Lambic style well.  I can not wait for the last two releases of this years Fellowship.

Commercial Description:  After months of tasting, note taking, and patience, we finally feel ready to announce that starting at 3pm this coming Thursday, November 16th we will be releasing our second Fellowship beer – Little Red One Batch 2 (LRO 2).  This West Coast Lambic-Style Sour with black currants from the Fraser Valley has been barrel-aged for over a year and is bottle conditioned. We liked the character that the currants bestowed upon this beer so much in Batch 1 that we decided to add even more black currants for Batch 2! This beer pours a deep red with aromas and flavours of oak, black tea, and tobacco. The currants lend berry character but with a dry herbal note (rather than sweetness).

 

Barleywine Barrel Aged – Black Bridge Brewery


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.

Old Ale 2017 – Moon Under Water Brewing


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.

Barrel Aged Sparkling Wit – Dogwood Brewing


From Dogwood Brewing in South Vancouver comes their brand new “Barrel Aged Sparkling Wit” a beer aged in Pinot Noir barrels.  The beer pours a cloudy orange colour with an off white head.  The aroma consists of wheat, yeast, lemon, wine, vanilla and some mild oak.  The flavour is of Wine but more of a white wine than a Pinot Noir, vanilla, lemon, citrus, yeast, bubblegum, mild oak flavour and a sweet although dry finish with some tannins.  The alcohol content comes in at 6%.  This is one of the most complex beers that I have enjoyed from Dogwood Brewing.  Head over to the brewery to give it a try as this will only be available at the tasting room and select taprooms around town.

Commercial Description:  This Organic Belgian Wit was brewed with Coriander and Black pepper, then aged for 3 months in Organic French White Oak Pinot Noir Barrels. Delicate spicy esters create the perfect base for layer after layer of Flavour that Evolves as your glass warms, creating a thoughtfully refreshing drinking experience. Bright Lemon plays counterpoint to the deeper flavour of vanilla and oak imparted by the young barrels which; like a good pinot noir, pairs well with all types of food. Made with all Organic Local B.C ingredients, this creamy Wit is beautifully rounded in its complexity and finishes Dry with a hint of tannin. We’re very proud of this limited release and sincerely hope you enjoy.

Mad Bruin (Sour Brown Ale) Cellared 4 years – Driftwood Brewing


From Driftwood Brewing out of Victoria BC comes their “Mad Bruin Sour Brown Ale” the second release in their Birds of Pray series.  I have cellared this bottle for just over 4 years.  This beer was aged in oak barrels for 16 months.  This beer pours a deep redish brown colour with a tan head.  The aroma consists of dark fruits, cherry, oak yeast and sweetness.  The flavour is of cherries, dark fruits, huge oak notes, tartness, vinegar notes, earth and some alcohol.  The tartness seems to have really picked up over the 4 years this beer has been in my cellar.  While I liked this beer when it was first released back in 2012 it has aged very well and has upped its game.  I am sad this is the last bottle I had of this beer.

Commercial description:  This Belgian style, Oud Bruin (Old Brown), was aged in oak barrels for 16 months and then blended with a  young ale for a unique profile of delicate malt, acidity and oak ageing. Mad Bruin will continue to develop more complexity with cellaring.

Original review.

img_20161230_2202347