Brakspear Triple

Totally took a chance on this one. I have never heard of Braskpear and I have always been a little unsure as to what a Triple is. Or is it Trippel? I'm sure any experienced beer enthusiast could scoff at my ignorance with such beers but I'd like to highlight that as my advantage for reviewing them. I really don't know a lot about them and each new one I try will further educate me without any immediate cynicism. My naivete and my open-mindedness forge to make me thirsty for more exotic beers! So here I am at the LCBO, mind wide open and the price ($3.35), the "Triple", and the alcohol level all catch my eye at once. So I do need to point out that, yes, this beer is 7.2% alcohol. So, yeah, you can get fairly drunk off the stuff but really I am just focusing on this aspect because it affects the taste of the beer. I swear.

The Triple tag, according to the Braskpear website , is because of a triple fermenting and triple hopping process. I could be wrong but I'm guessing from what I've read on the Wikipedia page about Tripel and the Westmalle Tripel website that Brakspear have produced their own version of a Tripel with this beer. I'm assuming since this is not a Trappist beer (i.e. made by monks in Belgium) so they probably can't call it a Trippel. Instead, calling it Triple. Or maybe I am just overanalyzing this and the simple answer is that Brakspear is an English brewery (Oxfordshire!!! It doesn't get more British than that!) and Triple is the English word. (Duh!)

Either way, from reading the blurbs here, I assume this beer will taste similar to Belgian Trappist beers I've had in the past (notably, the delicious-yet-slightly-overwhelming Chimay beers). I also think that if I enjoy this beer I will need to track down a bottle of Westmalle Trappist Tripel for comparison (and joy).

I pour the bottle into my Chimay glass (go figure) and notice that it's very dark and brown but reminds me more of a dark red beer than a stout or porter. Since it is an English Ale, I'm not entirely surprised by the flavour. It's definitely smooth and tasty but it reminds me of most English Ales that I've had in the past (St. Peters, Boddingtons, etc). The main difference is a tasty malty flavour like a subtle caramel finish. Even though it's 7% alcohol, I don't really find the alcohol that prominent amongst the flavours. Whereas with an Innis & Gunn at times the higher alcohol content can be far from subtle, this is much classier and not all about that.

I am definitely enjoying this beer even if it's not my usual fare of hoppy IPA. After eating some Triscuits and taking another sip, it definitely brings out more of the carbonation but the flavour doesn't change much. This is a fairly clean and smooth beer. The flavour is rich but subtle and balanced - as it is stated on the bottle. Man, these breweries really know what they are doing and talking about simultaneously. It's a beautiful thing. There are no rhetorical curtains here, this is basically what you'd expect from reading the description.

The only criticism I would have is that I went in expecting something more of a Belgian-style knock off but really it's just a malty English Ale. I still enjoy it though so I'm going to give it a thumbs up.

75% : Malty English Ale. Don't dive in expecting a Belgian Trappist-style rip-off. Instead sip back an English Ale that has a more rich caramel-like flavour while still being a very crisp and smooth Ale.

Mt. Begbie Nasty Habit IPA

Now, remember I said before how I love IPAs? Well here is another IPA that I picked up on friday that I just had to try. So, not only is it a giant 650 mL bottle of hoppy IPA beer, but it also has a cool label on it with multiple fonts used in the name and a illustration of the Devil (click for image). Which makes me think of another great IPA that I should really post about in the near future - Great Lakes Brewery's 666 Devil's Pale Ale!

Now at $5.90 for a bottle, it is quite steep, but I feel like since it's 650 mL that is a bit more justified. Most average beer bottles contain around 330 mL so really this is just under two bottles worth of beer. If you consider too that it's 6% beer, after two of these, you won't be as good at doing the math so whatever, it's the taste that matters! Right? Right? Right.

Now, this thing pours pretty damn smooth, clear, and brown. Doesn't have as much of an amber colour as I'm used to, but hey, it's still no dark ass stout so I guess it's pretty red. The aroma, as I take my first sip, is definitely hoppy, reminds me of all the delicious IPAs that I've been lucky enough to drink the past couple years. On first sip, it's really quite pleasant, not too strong and mildly bitter towards the end of the gulp. It's got a very clean taste to it, not too heavy and not too sweet. I'd say the key word here is 'pleasant'. It's inoffensively tasty. Compared to the 666 that I mentioned earlier, I'd say this is a little less bitter and easier to drink. It's still unmistakably hoppy and bitter, but this would be a good beer to start someone on hoppy IPAs. One of the reasons why I say this is because all the intense flavours really disappear from your mouth fast. Unlike most strong hoppy IPAs, the flavour will linger and at times you may need to eat something to tame the beast of bitterness. Really though, when you remove that lingering intensity, you also remove that rich flavour. To me this is very casual. It's a passive and clean experience.

Lets try it with some food. I just made some white rice which is strangely salty. After a bite of the salty rice and a sip of the beer... not much to report. The flavour is almost completely the same. I'm not saying that is a bad thing, but I think that I have to come to the conclusion that while this is a pleasant IPA it's not entirely a unique or bold one.

Okay, so it's not fair of me to complain about this beer when it says right on the label that it's balanced by mountain spring water, or something. I think that this beer aims to be a clear and clean experience. Why knock a beer for succeeding at what it aims? Or maybe I'm assuming its aims? Or maybe I just tried Frank's Red Hot Sauce on a Triscuit and liked it? So much so that I had a second one with even more drops of the fiery stuff. That may be an indication of who you are dealing with - someone who likes flavour. I may like simple flavour or extreme flavour but I like flavour. The problem with this beer is that it does have okay flavour but the flavour is not unique and it comes in an all-too-nice package of clean and clear. It has nothing new to say and it's not screaming that nothing at me either. That is what I look for in everything from beer to movies to books to music to life. I want it to be something interesting and new but also I want it to be stated to me boldly. At least get one of those things right! Right?

Okay, after the big rant there, I have decided that this is a good beer. Good.

75% : Tasty, hoppy, IPA goodness. Very clear and clean. Very passive too. If you're a hophead like me you'll enjoy it, but you won't be blown away. This is the kind of beer that I'd buy for a session of beers to drink after the third or fourth beer when I'm starting to not care as much about flavour but don't exactly want to give in to drinking mediocre beer. I'd also buy this for a friend, so it's kind of a gateway. This and Innis & Gunn would be a good start for those wanting to get into better beers.

Imperial IPA

I found myself wandering the aisles of the St. Lawrence Market LCBO on my lunch break from work wondering if I will in fact find a truly mysterious beer. My plans to acquire Flying Monkey's Cascadian Dark Ale had fallen apart (another post, another day, get ready) but I still craved something new and interesting.
Lo and behold, I saw a little card boldly stating: "Quite possibly the hoppiest beer this side of the Atlantic."
My eyes zoomed into that key word: "hoppiest". I looked up and grabbed the bottle of Imperial IPA that the phrase was attached to and felt confident with (possibly) my new best friend.

Hops are an interesting part of the beer making process. I don't know a ton about them, but if you care to know more there is an awesome Wikipedia page on Hops that will explain the history and purpose of hops. All I know is that they are what makes beer so bitter, tangy, and flavourful. Most of my favourite beers are considered "hoppy" as I generally seek out strong IPAs (Indian Pale Ale). You could say I'm a "hophead", as defined in the menu of C'est What (a brewpub in downtown Toronto with a beer selection plucked from heaven): "A beer geek that seeks out only the bitterest brews."
This statement is an accurate description of me. I am a total beer geek (look where you are) and I love the most hoppiest bitter beers.

Now, just a tip for those who are already turned off by my description of hops. I understand that bitter is not a pleasant flavour - at first - and not something that most people desire from a beer. For those who are casual drinkers of ale and are more comfortable with the lighter lagers readily available at any bar or restaurant I can see why this is a dilemma. However, I know from experience that the best way for you guys to understand how delicious a bitter hoppy IPA is would be by drinking it alongside a delicious meal. The first time I tried the phenomenally incredible beer Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA was with a fresh pizza. Boy did those flavour soften and brighten after taking a bite of food. I don't mean in the same mouthful, but take a bite - swallow - then take a sip of the bitter beer and the harsh elements of the hops will fade as the intense flavour takes over. I guarantee you non-believers that this will have an affect that you will be unable to deny.

Now, back to the Imperial, because I have just opened the bottle and taken the first sip. Wow. This is majorly hoppy. It's definitely got that heavy punch to the tongue kind of intense flavour that I look for in a hoppy beer. That initial sip should be like a spike into your taste buds and only as you continue drinking the beer does the spike turn into tasty brush strokes against your palette. I'm now pouring it into a pint glass and noticing how thick and orange it is. This stuff is probably more unfiltered than it states on the bottle! I cannot see through the liquid at all, however it doesn't run thick like a stout. It's still got a smooth and light consistency, but it's cloudy like a thick fog. At 7.0% alcohol you also feel it pretty quickly, which I'm not complaining about it. Hehehe. There is a definite lingering citrus flavour, as the bottle states on the side of the label, much like a nice grapefruit. However what I'm finding to be most unique about this beer is the initial flavour of caramel. It's really smooth and coasts in then coasts out as the citrusy bitterness takes over. As smooth as this beer is, it's definitely not for amateurs. I'm starting to wonder if it's claim of being the "hoppiest beer this side of the Atlantic" is actually pretty damn accurate.
Lets see how she handles a bit of food. I've just stuffed two Triscuits in my mouth, which I figure with the saltiness will be a good contrast to bring out the right flavours in thee Imperial IPA... Okay, as I guessed it, much softer now. This is an incredible beer. However, much like a great death metal album or great tragic Danish drama, this is something you have to be in the mood for and is clearly not for everyone. At $4.50 a bottle it's not too bad of a price considering it's 500mL of high quality beer. It's actually quite a lot of beer as I am already starting to get full. This beer is an experience, it tells a story, as corny as it sounds, and I am fully going to recommend this to those who like IPAs and trying crazy beers.

90% : Not for everyone, but what an experience. Caramel-meets-harsh-bitter-citrus-explosion. This one is for the hopheads!

Innis & Gunn Original

My first blog post on a beer will be on the delicious whisky cask beer Innis & Gunn. Now what is interesting about Innes & Gunn is how fucking ubiquitous it is. It is the one good quality beer that majority of beer drinkers have tried. That's including your regular Labatt Blue 2-4 purchasers and your Craft Brewery supporting brethren. Everyone generally likes it. It's damn smooth and it tastes slightly dark but really is quite sweet and easy to handle.

It's what you would call a "gateway" beer, as it was for me when I first tried it a few years ago. It was what started my interest in trying more exotic and high quality beers. However, the main issue with all "gateway" products is that you eventually outgrow them upon finding stronger/more interesting things. Just like the first time you heard Green Day, you would one day balk at them and favour Black Flag (or at least one would hope). Priced at $2.95 for just a 330 mL bottle, it also is a good way to ease people into spending more on less beer. Time to stop buying 24 packs of crap and start buying a few beers that will change your life (and make you feel less hungover, less fat, less of a loser, etc). Not to mention that it's also 6.6% alcohol, which for some people I have just described to them a perfect beer.

According to the Innis & Gunn website, it's recommended to match the beer with: steaks, sausages, pork, lamb, stews, scallops, haddock, lemon sole, curry, and all sorts of puddings. Man, there's a lot on the site, and it's all in great detail, however I'm a firm believer that just a good pizza will do the trick. I'm also a firm believer that beer is usually better with food, but more so with the hoppier/bitter beers as it tends to highlight the good flavour and weaken the bitterness for all of you that can't handle it (i.e. Bud Light fans).

So, I open my bottle tonight and take a sip. I'm instantly hit with that so called Toffee and Vanilla that is advertised on the front of the bottle. The third flavour advertised, Oak, is way more subtle - which I personally prefer as I'm not a big fan of the flavour Oak (as I determined from trying a few different oakened wines). Not overly carbonated, very smooth and doesn't leave much of a residue in your mouth, which may sound gross but some beers is kinda preferred. Damn this beer is sweet. It smells sweet and tastes sweet. This is probably one of the most sweetest beers I've ever had and yet it doesn't overdo it and make you feel sick. I also can imagine pairing this with more sweet food would just be a complete disaster.
I'd really have to say that while this is a very good beer, I'd maybe change it from universally likeable to overly diplomatic. It's boldness is anything but unique, it's boldly sweet but it comes in such a smooth and almost weak texture that I feel like it's too passive to fall in love with. I'm more attracted to an obnoxiously interesting beer (the Punk IPA comes to mind).

Still, I must remain unbiased when it comes to evaluating a beer and I will still give this a semi positive rating.

70% : Gateway god of beer. Try it if you want to step into the light, but if you're already experienced then it'll be just that for you - light.

Welcome!

This is a new blog that I've just started due to my intense love for beers of all types. I'll try my best to update at least once a week - which shouldn't be hard considering my weekly trips to the LCBO for the finest of beers. Stay tuned for more!