Strong Patrick – Beau’s All Natural Brewing


From Beau’s All Natural Brewing in Vankleek Hill Ontario comes their “Strong Patrick” an Irish-style Red Ale.  The beer pours a deep copper colour with a beige head.  The aroma consists of mild roasted malts, caramel, hint of chocolate and sweetness.  The flavour is of chocolate, caramel, earth, mild roasted malts, hint of oak and whiskey and sweetness.  The alcohol content comes in at 6.7% with an IBU of 24.  Not all Irish-style Red Ales are made the same but this one is definitely a really enjoyable sipper.

Commercial Description:  Strong Patrick is a bold rendition of an Irish-style red ale. Brewed stronger than most, it is luscious and malty, with toasty caramel and coffee. A portion of the ale has been aged in Jameson® Irish Whiskey casks, then reintroduced to add a rich accent of wood and warmth to this year’s blend.

Food Pairing as per brewery:  Traditional style lamb stew, shepherd’s pie, firm goat cheese, warm corned beef with steamed root vegetables, gingerbread with applesauce, shortbread.

Grapefruit Radler – Schöfferhofer


From Binding-Brauerei in Germany comes their “Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Raddler”.  The radler pours an orange colour with a white fluffy head.  The aroma is wholly of grapefruit juice.  The flavour is of grapefruit juice, sweetness with only a hint of grain and wheat from the 50% Hefeweizen.  The alcohol content comes in at 2.5% the standard for the style.  You are not going to go wrong with a good radler in the summer and the summer is on the way!

Commercial Description: As you might’ve guessed we’re from Germany, but what might surprise you is that we’re the world’s first Hefeweizen (wheat beer) grapefruit beer. Best served cold, it’s the perfect casual brew to cool you off during the summer, but it can be enjoyed all year round any time of the day. It’s a true 50/50 blend of total refreshment made from 50% Schofferhofer Hefeweizen blended with 50% carbonated juice of 100% natural ingredients.

Drexl Blackstrap Imperial Stout – Bench Creek Brewing


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’?

IPA NO5 – Collective Arts Brewing


From Collective Arts Brewing in Hamilton Ontario comes their “IPA NO5″ a New England style Double IPA.  The beer pours a mildly cloudy orange with a white head.  The aroma consists of tropical fruit, pineapple, sweetness and floral hops.  The flavour is of tropical fruits, pineapple, melon, juicy notes, sweetness, candi sugar, mild bitterness and some alcohol.  The alcohol content comes in at 8.2%.  This was a really good brew even if it is not the full murk of the style.

Commercial Description:  The 5th in our IPA Series. New England Double Dry Hopped Double IPA. Brewed with massive amounts of Simcoe and Citra hops, this IPA comes in at 8.2% ABV.

ART: MARIO CARPE
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Three Kings Tripel – Fernie Brewing


From Fernie BC’s Fernie Brewing comes their “Three Kings Tripel” a new limited release.  The beer pours an orange colour with a white head.  The aroma consists of orange, candi sugar, Belgian yeast, grainy, bready malts and an overall sweetness.  The flavour is of orange, citrus, Belgian yeast, candi sugar, sweetness, caramel, grain, mild bitterness and some low alcohol burn.  The alcohol content comes in at 8% with and IBU of 29.  Belgian style Tripel’s can border on to sweet but this one dances that line and makes for a tasty brew well worth picking up.

Commercial Description:  Three Kings Belgian-Style Tripel is named after one of Fernie’s most extreme, stunt-filled downhill bike trails, making it the perfect name for this spicy, strong Trappist Ale. A beer fit for a King.  A pale, somewhat spicy, dry, strong Trappist Ale with a pleasant rounded malt flavor and firm bitterness. Quite aromatic, with spicy, fruity, and light alcohol notes combining with the supportive clean malt character. High alcohol, yet very approachable to many a palate.