Samuel Adams Summer Ale

Hello all! A month later I have found a new seasonal beer that deserves a mighty good review! Samuel Adams Summer Ale. Another nice seasonal beer from Samuel Adams that needs to be tried. It currently retails at $15.99 for a 6-pack or $2.70 per 5.5% abv bottle.

First thing is first, this is called the Summer Ale. Unfortunately, I think it would be better suited for Autumn. Why you ask? Well let me enlighten you! Though this is a beer that pours golden and you really can smell the aroma of lemon emanating from it, you also get a strong scent of spice and hops that almost overpowers. Once you take a drink, the lemon will be the first thing you notice is the lemon. It caresses your throat and makes you feel like a summer's eve, but then, then it begins to confuse you. You'll see the malts slowly taking over before being subjected to the taste of the spice and before you know it. . . Bam! Hops! Dryness! 

Don't sweat it, though. Even though it reminds me of the Noble Pils, it still feels more like summer. The lemon refreshes you and if you're at all a fan of a dryer, hoppier beer, I suggest giving it a try. If that's not your thing though, I feel ya. Take the "Summer" out of the beer's name and you still have a very solid ale. Go into it with an open mind, it might inspire you to go onto hoppier beers!

Cheers!

O'hara's Irish Stout

Hello beer brethren. Welcome back, it has been a long time again. Instead of focusing on another seasonal, I decided to go towards another Stout that I had actually never tried. It was highly recommended to me by a few customers, so I figured I'd give it a shot. It's a 4.3% abv stout that currently sells for $4.43 for a 500ml bottle.

What can we tell from O'Hara's Irish Stout? It pours very nicely, yet is clearly thinner than Guinness or Young's. It's still a very, very dark stout, with a little bit of an opaque, tan head. It has a lot of the burnt malt aroma and it really comes into full effect once you taste it. Definitely some mocha taste in there, but not that much. Just enough to say "Hey, coffee tomorrow morning would be a definitely good idea!"

Though it definitely is a little drier than most stouts, it still retains some creamy qualities to it. It's definitely a repeat buy, it's a good middle-of-the-road stout as well for people that haven't really gotten to Guinness yet. Cheers!

La Maudite

Hey peeps. It's been a little while in between and I'm terribly sorry about that (not really, but I figured it would be nice to say so.) Tonight, I give you a nice, nice beer from a microbrewery in Chambly, Quebec. It's La Maudite. A beautiful Belgian type Ale that clocks at 8% ABV and currently sells for $5.65 for a 750ml bottle or $14.24 for a six pack of 341ml bottles.

But really, what a beer! Memories of my youth in Montreal put this beer to shame. I remember my friends saying how bad this beer was and how it was just bought to give you a buzz because it was 8% ABV. . . those were the days before I understood what good beers were! You have to know that this is a beer on yeast. Therefore, there will be some yeast particles present. The usual pouring of half the beer, then a quick swill-around and pouring of the rest (leave a bit in the bottom and dump if you hate the particles that much). So no, it didn't go bad, it's how the beer is made.

It does smell yeasty, it has some spice notes to it as well and it pours a darker amber, almost wood-like and is fantastic just as such. But when you taste it, you'll crap bricks. Literal bricks. Fantastic! Fruit forward, by a lot, but then settles with a nice spicy kick still interspersed with some fruit, before settling to more spice and a slight hop taste. Very slight, so to people that hate hops, don't be afraid of it.

Very, very flavorful! You'd be hard-pressed to find a better brew from Unibroue! Give it a shot if you're into trying something different. If at first it scares you, you wouldn't be alone. I felt the same way years ago, but now. . . I can't believe I shied away from it for so long!

Cheers!

Samuel Adams Noble Pils

Once again, I figured a different type of beer should be used to announce the coming of spring. This time, let's look at the Samuel Adams Noble Pils. A pilsner beer that sells for $15.99 for a six-pack -- and you will want to buy a six-pack of this beer.

From the get-go, it is made out to be hoppy. You can smell the hops as soon as you poor it, so anyone that enjoys hops should give it a try just for the dryness that it brings, but what is very interesting once you taste it, is the beautiful citrus taste, mostly on the lime side, that clenches your throat like a fiery fist of delight, encompassed with a savory mess of summer beauty.

Seriously, though, this beer pours beautifully, has a extremely nice, crisp, fresh taste and the hops and bitterness, though prevalent in, moreso, of the floral variety just adds to the character of the beer. It's a definite must-try. . . and if you want to really compare two good spring/summer beers, try it and also check out the Mill Street Lemon Tea one I mentioned previously. They are definitely worth it to get you geared up for the summer. 

Cheers!

Mill Street Lemon Tea Beer

Hello, hello. With the recent arrival of spring, I figured this review should focus on a new arrival at NB Liquor this year; Mill Street Brewery's Lemon Tea beer. It currently sells for $3.49 for the 473ml can. At 5% ABV, it's a very light, incredibly smooth tasting "summer" beer.

This is a flavored wheat beer. So imagine a little bit of citrus taste already married perfectly in the beer and to that, add heaps of tea added in during cold-fermentation to leave you surprised at just how perfectly the two can play together. It's like. . . perfection for a summer beer. The tea and the lemon do not overpower the beer, but instead gives a nice dryer, bitter taste.

Seriously, every time you take a sip, you're left wanting another sip and at 5% ABV, you won't feel guilty having a few after work, or on the beach, or just because they're so tasty. Give this one a shot, it'll surprise your taste buds and you just may have to go back and buy a few more. Cheers!

Greene King IPA

Welcome, welcome. Today I figured I'd go and explore another English Ale. Greene King IPA. It's only 5% abv, which is unusually low, but it still has a very undeniably complex taste. Currently sells for $4.17 for a 500ml bottle.

This beer probably has the nicest hue of any beer I have ever poured.A deep amber, almost stained-wood like color just makes it look so appealing. When poured, you can really see a nice head form with the carbonation lasting very well. 

The taste is fantastic, you're not going to be overwhelmed by this IPA. There is definitely something coy about this beer; it is very complex for the people that do enjoy this kind of beer anyway, even though it is a little underwhelming, but it also offers a nice introduction to the people that want to try something new; to people that want to venture into English beers and IPAs. 

Give this one a try, it is definitely worth a shot. There's a chance you might not like it if you're not into hops, but this beer is so smooth, so satisfying and so drinkable. Go on, adventure, try something new, maybe you'll find something new to try. Alright, drink it now. It's good isn't it? Told you! Now try the others I listed, I know you want to. . . 

Cheers!

Picaroon's Maple Cream

Hello one and all. I am terribly sorry for the delay on the updates, but I decided to be nice and give you a nice seasonal update from the terrific local brewery of Picaroons with their Maple Cream. It is a unique beer that serves up at 5% abv and sells for $3.60 for a 500ml bottle.

This is an amazingly different brew, for those of you that have never tried it before, you can expect the unexpected. This is not the same type of "maple" taste that you see in the hints that are present in the Rickard's Dark; the maple in this offering is prevalent. It is a thicker beer that leaves a beautiful opaque head, smells like fresh maple syrup and goes down incredibly soft and smooth.

Though you may enjoy this beer, it is better enjoyed in moderation. It is still a thicker, fuller beer and one is often enough. It does present itself very well and as far as finding seasonal gems, this is definitely one to seek out. You will enjoy it if you keep your mind open to a different concept.

Cheers!

Fullers London Porter

Hello again, Matt here. Alright so this is our third review of the night, however, we drank seven of them before this last one, the Fuller London Porter. This beer, of course, is a Porter. It is rich and has a dark hue. It pours very nicely, not even close to a Guiness or any regular Stout. With an %5.4 abv, this one sells for $3.99 and comes in a 500ml bottle.

After trying the Young's Double Chocolate Stout earlier, this one has a stronger coffee smell to it. Definitely not a beer to get drunk, even though I'm getting tired right now... Hum...

This is a beer to drink slowly, after a big meal or just to relax and enjoy. Nothing overly impressive, but a good one to start if you are looking to explore Porters and Stouts... just like me! However, I would still start with something like the Young's Double Chocolate Stout, since well... it actually has a taste of chocolate! (Mmmmmm chocolate..) Either one is a good one to start, smooth but slightly heavier than your regular beer.

On this, good night!

Cheers!

Fullers ESB

Hello hello, beer lovers. Patrick again, I thought I should use this opportunity to review a beer myself. So I chose this gem from Fuller's. It's Extra Special Bitter is undeniably interesting. It currently retails at $3.99 for a 500ml bottle. With a %5.9 abv, it does not taste as such at all.

It pours a really nice golden amber hue with a nice head that sticks just long enough to remind you why you purchased this beer. It'll smell like your nose fell in love all over again. And you will like it. The first thing you notice is a faint honey oil followed by vanilla a just the right amount of hops.

But then, then is when your world comes tumbling down. Then your tastebuds appreciate the bitter hops, the honey, the vanilla, the right amount of malts just to pound you in the face with sensory goodness. This is a beer that I was reluctant to try for years. . . I suck. If you enjoy English  Bitters, this one is a must. One of the nicest Bitters I have ever had. Very easy to drink, very easy to enjoy.

Cheers!

Innis and Gunn Blonde

Hello all! First, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Matt and I am one of Patrick's good friends. I am also a beer enthusiast and will be joining Pat with a few brews...all twelve of them.. TONIGHT! Yes.. this will be once of those nights!

Second, I'd like to announce that.... I just popped my cherry. Yes..Yes I know..Isn't that crazy?? Somewhat.. but I'm talking about my Innis and Gunn cherry!! This very delicious beer, the Innis & Gunn Blonde, sells for $2.99.

When you smell it, the smell of oak is dominant. When I had my first sip, the taste of vanilla came to mind right away. It goes down very smoothly with a little hint of oak. This beer is..... ahhhh man... so smooth.. It also has a nice gold hue. As soon as you drink it.... vanilla.. Mmmm..*drool* Who doesn`t like vanilla?? As my first I&G, I couldn't pick a better one! Seriously, give it a try, you'll want more...and more... and more!

Cheers!

Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale

First off, I'd like to wish a Happy New Year to everyone. Hope that 2011 brings good health, good times and good beers! Secondly, I figured I should probably review the first beer that geared me towards seeing beer, crafts, imports. . . as something unbelievable. I bring you Kilkenny's Irish Cream Ale. It is currently only available in 440ml cans for $3.29.

I first had this beer when I turned 18 at the Peel Pub in Montreal. A friend of mine had recommended I try it and I immediately fell in love with this one. It pours with a very high carbonation (Nitro caaaaaaaaaan!) which is always a novelty in it's own. Once the beer settles, it's with a deep amber with an unbelievable head that seems to last forever. Unfortunately, the aroma lacks depth. You can smell the cream, but not much else. When it comes to the taste, it is so smooth. Soooo smooth. At a mere %4.3 ABV, it is incredibly easy drinking with a little bit of caramel taste on the start. Finishes dry, but it is so creamy and smooth. It's a really nice beer that can easily be enjoyed on it's own. For people looking to start appreciating and trying different beers, this is a great place to start at a reasonable price. Give it a shot, I dare you.

Cheers!