Tag Archives: smoke

Drexl Blackstrap Imperial Stout – Bench Creek Brewing

by Mike

From Bench Creek Brewing out of very rural Alberta (Yellowhead Country) near Edson comes their “Drexl Blackstrap Imperial Stout”.  The beer pours an opaque black colour with a brown head.  The aroma consists of roasted malts, smoke, molasses and anise.  The flavour is of roasted malts, smoke, molasses, anise, toffee, sweetness, resin and bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 11% with an IBU of 80.  I have been a fan of Bench Creek Brewing for some time and this beer does not change that opinion at all.  This is a well made Imperial Stout.

Commercial Description:  Y’know what we got here? Charlie Bronson. Mr. Majestyk.Rich biscuity UK base malt and multiple caramel malts for layered toffee and dark fruit flavours got you thinkin’ it’s pretty… But it’s not as pretty as a variety of roasted malts which provide chocolate and coffee depth. In fact, we’re gonna show you with a little demonstration.  Now, see, we’re sittin’ down here, ready to negotiate, and you’ve already given up. It’s still a mystery to you. But we know it’s got generous additions of blackstrap molasses and star anise.  All right, peep this: it’s aged on American oak to fully mimic the flavours and aromas of blackstrap rum. Ey’ yo, yo why you trippin’?

Pacific Northwest Porter – Granville Island Brewing

by Mike

From Granville Island Brewing out of Vancouver comes their new “Pacific Northwest Porter”.  The beer pours a very deep black with a brown head.  The aroma consists of roasted malts, smoke, caramel and earth.  The flavour is of smoke, ash, roasted malts, caramel and a big hit of bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 6% with an IBU of 32.  Once a gain Kevin Emms has made a very tasty brew and should be picked up if you see it.  Granville Island Brewing is owned by Molson.

 

Mélange à Trois (Fellowship 2017) – Strange Fellows Brewing

by Mike

From Strange Fellows Brewing in Vancouver comes their fourth of four beer of 2017 in their Fellowship Club the “Mélange à Trois” a barrel aged Brett Bruin.  The beer pours a deep reddish brown with a tan head.  The aroma consists of brett funk, mild fruit, berries, malt, oak, chocolate and caramel.  The flavour is of brett funk, sour, caramel, toffee, chocolate, roasted malts, smoke, oak, leather, earth, bitterness and citrus rind.  The alcohol content comes in at 6.5%.  Not the standard Bruin but it is a really good brew and I look forward to the 2018 Fellowship.

Not For Nazis Organic Nut Brown Ale – Boundary Brewing (Crannóg Ales)

by Mike

From Boundary Brewing in Kelowna and Crannóg Ales in Sorrento comes their “Not For Nazis” Organic Nut Brown Ale.  This beer was born out of a digital attack that threatened the business and life of the brewer Oliver and his children for hanging an Anti Fascist flag in their brewery.  When Sorrento’s Crannóg Ales stepped up to say hey we have been hanging that flag for many months it moved over to them.  From this horrible situation this beer was born.  If you would like to hear more about the situation take a listen to the Pacific Beer Chat episode where we profiled Boundary Brewing.  The beer pours a deep chestnut brown with a brown head.  The aroma consists of a good nutty start with mild roasted malts, caramel and some residual sweetness.  The flavour was of nuts, caramel, roasted malts, some ash or smoke and a mild bitterness in the finish.  This Organic Nut Brown ale is a great example of what I look for in a Brown Ale.  So get off your couch and help fight hate by picking up a bottle of this brew!

 

Clayburn Smoked Scotch Ale – Ravens Brewing Company

by Mike

From Ravens Brewing Company in Abbotsford comes their “Clayburn Smoked Scotch Ale”.  The beer pours a deep reddish colour with a brown head.  The aroma consists of smoke, peat and caramel.  The flavour is of caramel, toffee, peat smoke, roasted malts, maple, bitterness and sweetness.  The alcohol content comes in at 7.5%.  While I am not a massive fan of smoked beers this one is well made and very enjoyable.

Commercial Description:  Smouldering smoke rises over dark caramel and a rich malty backbone, leaving you with a smooth and decadent finish.