A Beer For Everybody

Notice of Hiatus

Anthony L — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:56:13 +0000

Back Soon, Better Than Ever

Dear Readers,

Our apologies for having gone AWOL the past few weeks; we’ve been busy settling back into law school life. No need to worry though, we’ll be back soon enough with plenty more beer reviews and additions like bar spotlights, brewery tours, seasonal recommendations and various other new features. Stay tuned for our imminent return. In the meantime, enjoy your beer and drink responsibly.

Cheers!

Anthony and Gatlin

Posted in News, Various -->

La Maudite

Anthony L — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:39:11 +0000

A Beer Fit For The Devil Himself

Anthony Says:

In addition to being one of my preferred first-wave punk bands, The Damned also happens to be the English translation of one of my favorite Canadian craft brews: “La Maudite”. A product of Quebec based Unibroue brewery, this Belgian-style strong dark ale derives its sinister moniker from the legend of La Chasse Galerie (The Flying Canoe). A staple of Quebecois folklore, La Chasse Galerie tells of a group of colonial era lumberjacks who made a pact with the devil in order to return home to their village in time for Christmas. In exchange for a pledge of their souls, the lumberjacks flew across the winter sky in a canoe helmed by the devil himself. The story ends variously with the lumberjacks returning home safely after having tricked the devil into preserving their souls, or with the canoe crashing to the earth after one of the lumberjacks invoked the name of god. Such ominous imagery notwithstanding, I can assure you that drinking one these won’t result in an eternity of fire and brimstone. Nevertheless, Maudite is a devilishly good beer.

Firstly, much as previously mentioned in our review of La Fin Du Monde, Unibroue’s bottling aesthetics are incomparable. Featuring a handsome image of a flying canoe, backlit by a crimson moon and crowned with a gothically inspired orange serif script, Maudite is no exception. In terms of visuals, the aesthetic pleasure of Maudite’s bottle design is matched only by the actual appearance of the beer: pouring a shade of deep mahogany with a thick lacing of pearl white foam. Much like several other Unibroue offerings, this is a beer brewed “on lees”, meaning only partially filtered and therefore containing a higher concentration of proteins and yeast. This becomes apparent in Maudite’s almost impenetrable cloudiness, and the noticeably darker color where the yeast settles in the bottom quarter of the glass.

The nose of this beer is complex bordering on indescribable. The overall aroma is something akin to a rum-ball crossed with scents of coriander, nutmeg, cloves, candied pears, figs and brandy. While the presence of alcohol is palpable- as one might expect from a brew with an 8% ABV content- it is nicely balanced by an effervescent twang of yeast. Quite honestly, Maudite is one of the most incredibly aromatic beers I’ve had the pleasure of trying. You could easily spend a good 20 minutes just absorbing its aromas and scents without even stopping to take a sip.

While the nose may suggest a sort of fragrant potpourri, Maudite has an equally dynamic flavor profile to match. The initial flavor here is of spicy cloves and coriander, followed by rich bready malts, bitter dark chocolate and sweet wine-like fruity esters: most notably apricot, pear and raisin. Following a mild flourish of alcohol warmth, Maudite finishes in a light peppery tartness that is pleasantly dry. A relatively high carbonation imparts a surprisingly crisp mouthfeel, which also helps to cleanse the sweetness of the malts off the palette and therefore prevents Maudite from feeling overly syrupy and thick.

Maudite is one hell of a brew- no pun intended. This is the beer I give to friends when they question the merit of sophisticated beer drinking. Unfortunately, while they usually concede that the complexity of Maudite is on par with the most refined whisky or cigar, they are usually slightly turned off by the sheer richness of its nose and flavor profile. Perhaps the best analogy can be drawn from the world of single-malt scotch whiskey. When introducing a newbie to scotch you would probably want to serve her a milder Speyside, rather than a fiery peat-rich highland or Islay variety. Much in the same regard, Maudite is not the type of beer that is well suited to the uninitiated; the complex array of aromas and flavors typical to this style of beer can simply be overwhelming.

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Gatlin Says:

This beer is all about class- the curious name immortalizing a French Canadian legend; the artistically decorated bottle; the fancy cork and cage. It doesn’t end there. The qualities of this beer in terms of appearance, smell and taste, are on another level as compared to most brews. This beer proudly and triumphantly ventures into wine drinkers territory and does so without compromise. If you are looking for something to enjoy alongside a fine and robust dinner, this is likely your best bet.

Technical Rundown:

Container: 750 ml brown glass bomber, with cork and cage
Alcohol: 8% by volume, 6.40% by weight
Color: 20 SRM
Bitterness: 26 IBU

Poured into a tulip glass, Maudite conjured up an amazing, white to off-white, 2½ finger head. The head receded to a small-bubbled film in a moderate amount of time and left some minor lacing. The body of this beer is a sight to see: deep ruby, burgundy, mahogany. Maudite is cloudy with little to no visible carbonation.

The smell of this beer can only be described as insane. I had to sit, smell and think for at least 25 minutes before I could even begin to comprehend its complexity. Grapes, berry, apricot, sweet fruits, rum, chocolate could all be identified. Overlaying everything is a very persistent yeastiness that is bready and lightly musty.

The taste wasn’t quite as awe inspiring as the smell, but was nonetheless outstanding. Grapey, wine-like berriness, with subtle hints of dried fruits, registered right away and then faded into a lingering yeasty spiciness. Perfectly balanced and complex, yet totally refined. Maudite would make a perfect substitute for a fine red wine.

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Some Final Thoughts

Anthony Thinks:

Pros

Incredibly complex nose and flavor profile
Surprisingly crisp for a beer this sweet
Great bottle design!

Cons

Bomber bottle unwieldy- not always available in standard sized beer bottles
Incredibly complex nose and flavor profile (!)
Strong flavors can make this an awkward beer to drink- probably better consumed on occasion

4½ stars with a caveat. For the more experienced beer drinker, Maudite is undoubtedly a near world-class brew. Unfortunately, it would rank far lower for those less acclimated to this particular style of beer. Scoring poorly in overall drinkability, Maudite would perhaps be best served to neophytes as a dessert beer paired with something spicy or tart

Gatlin Thinks:

Pros:

Complex aromas and flavors
Outstandingly crisp- no hint of the 9% alcohol content
Amazing quality

Cons:

Can be overwhelming for unseasoned beer drinkers
9% alcohol content can sneak-up on you

A solid 4½ star Belgian strong dark ale. Maudite would easily have achieved a 5 star rating had it not been for the many exemplary brews included within this style of beer. Nevertheless, it is perfect for someone looking to pair a robust dinner with an equally robust beverage

So, What’s On Your Mind?

Posted in Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Pricey -->

Toronto Festival of Beer 2009

Anthony L — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 19:34:30 +0000

Caskapalooza’d

A quick word of appreciation is needed for the thousands who braved the torrential rains to stop by Toronto’s Festival of Beer last weekend. A number of quality breweries- both local and international- were represented and it seems that most people had an enjoyable (and responsible) day or two out sampling great beers and good food.

Our pick for event of the weekend was Great Lakes “Caskapalooza”. Featuring 20 one-off cask ales brewed over only 4 days, hats off to Peter, John and the rest of the team at Great Lakes Brewery for pulling this together; it was worth the price of admission alone. Hope to see Snaggle Tooth Pumpkin Ale, Black Forest Porter and Superior IPA in stores in the future.

So, What’s On Your Mind?

Posted in Events, Various -->

Dogfish Head 120 Minute India Pale Ale

Anthony L — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:17:00 +0000

DogFish Head’s Extreme Adventure

Anthony Says:

Brewed with an inordinate amount of hops, and featuring a staggering 20% alcohol by volume content, it is fitting that Dogfish Head’s 120 Minute IPA arouses some strong opinions. My initial impression upon hearing of this beer was of some sort of volatile isotope; a bottle gingerly removed from a steaming canister of liquid nitrogen. I quite honestly half expected to fall to the floor clutching my throat after sampling this beast of a brew. And I don’t think I’ve ever felt the least bit nervous about the prospects of drinking a beer.

While this impression may have been a bit overly dramatic, drinking 120 Minute IPA is an experience unlike any other. It is, after all, well outside the bounds of anything one normally associates with beer. 120 Minute IPA makes Barley Wine look like Malta. This is high-powered stuff, folks. Having had no idea what to expect from a beer that is closer to a Port than the average IPA, I was pleased to discover yet another exceptional brew from Dogfish Head.

120 Minute IPA poured a brilliant dark maple/golden color with a surprising amount of carbonation. While the head was disappointingly wispy and thin, I suspect this was largely a consequence of the cheap hotel bar glass I was forced to use. A more impressive head would likely be generated by a proper tulip glass or snifter. The nose can best be described as a typical IPA on steroids: floral hops, pine and sharp citrus aromas are immediately and heavily discernable. However, unlike most other IPAs, the sweet scent of malt maintains a dominating presence. Combined with a palpable fusel alcohol, the nose almost reminded me of brandy or perhaps spiced dark rum (Captain Morgan, is that you?).

The taste of 120 Minute IPA is incredibly dense and complex. An initially molasses like sweetness is quickly subsumed by a secondary wave of spicy citrus hops flavors. You can really feel the hops and malts battling to mask the massive alcohol content of this beer. While 120 Minute IPA may be far less bitter than it is malty and sweet, there is nevertheless a cloying alcohol astringency that is unavoidable for a beer this strong.

Ultimately, drinking this beer can only be described as an experience. While it comes in a standard sized beer bottle, you don’t drink 120 Minute IPA as much as you sip it like a fine wine or scotch. The slightly sticky mouth feel- imparted by its heavy malt character- further places it more firmly amongst distilled spirits than fermented alcohol beverages. Indeed, in 120 Minute IPA, Dogfish Head has produced a brew so extreme that it lies on the outer reaches of what can properly be considered as beer. It says much of the quality of Dogfish Head’s craftsmanship that 120 Minute not only retains the qualities of a beer at the strength of a spirit, but also stays true to the IPA style.

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Gatlin Says:

I have waited a very long time to try this one. Dogfish Head’s 120 Minute IPA has become a sort of mythical beast in my mind: both illusory and fantastic at the same time. It is next to impossible to find this beer in Canada. In fact, the only place I know where one can obtain a bottle is at Beer Bistro on King Street in Toronto, Ontario. So I was very proud to finally climb the mountain that is 120 Minute IPA, and did so in the company of both friends and family.

(Note: Just so that everyone appreciates the effort that went into this review, I had to write my notes on the paper tablecloth and look like a huge dork in front of a restaurant of poshly dressed patrons)

Technical Rundown:

Container: 12 ounce brown glass bottle
Alcohol: 20% by volume
Color: 13 SRM
Bitterness: 120 IBU

Poured slow to the center of a brandy snifter, this beer generated a small off-white head which slowly reduced to a large-bubbled film. Moderate lacing was observable. The body showed very little visible carbonation and was a cloudy, tawny, dark copper. The smell from this beer was intense and complex. Alcohol was quite noticeable and reminded me very much of a barley wine. Notes of resinous pine, lemon and a ton of fruits like fig, prune and apricot made me want to jump into the glass. A hint of rum or brandy was present on the finish.

The taste was very much like a barley wine. Dark fruits and alcohol exploded in my mouth with hints of pear and apricot. The bitterness was not even remotely overwhelming and had a great bitter apple-like flavor. The malt backbone was definitely well laid to support all the hopping. Great malty flavors of tawny port and sweet toffee really balanced everything out nicely. The finish was dry but not overly astringent. Far too boozy to be super drinkable but the flavors could keep me going for two servings.

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Some Final Thoughts

Anthony Thinks:

Pros

A truly unique beer
Sheer amount of hops and malt pumped into this brew is impressive
A nice midway point between a beer and a spirit

Cons

Scores low on drinkability- you aren’t going to be drinking this at your Superbowl party
Formidable alcohol content requires careful consumption
Aftertaste is unpleasantly syrupy and sweet

4½ stars. 120 Minute IPA is a tough beer to rate. I can’t imagine, and probably wouldn’t advise, drinking more than one of these in a single sitting. Likewise, this isn’t a brew I’d recommend to anyone but a seasoned beer drinker. That having been said, it is simply hard to overlook the craftsmanship, quality and utter distinctiveness of this beer

Gatlin Thinks:

Pros:

Big, flavorful and boozy
Complexity is through the roof
You will be hard-pressed to find anything comparable

Cons:

Very hard to get your hands on north of the border
A little pricey
Extremely boozy

As an extreme beer (think Sam Adams Triple Bock or Utopias) 120 Minute IPA is a clear 5 star brew. As a double IPA or imperial IPA it’s a solid 4½ star brew. I personally think anyone given the opportunity should try this one at least once. Whiskey, brandy and rum drinkers may particularly enjoy sipping down a bottle

So, What’s On Your Mind?

Posted in Double IPA, Pricey -->

Fuller’s Extra-Special Bitter

Anthony L — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:21:47 +0000

Good, But Not Quite Special

Anthony Says:

Between their complicated common law system, awful food and backwards driving, the British are pretty much the non-conformists of Europe. It is perhaps not surprising, then, that while lager beer reigns supreme on the continent, Britain has remained a bastion of ale brewing. Yet, in spite of its many contributions in this regard, Britain maintains a dismal reputation amongst North American beer drinkers. It seems that most people here associate British beer with warm tepid cask ale and drunken soccer hooligans running amok. For others like myself, however, it conjures up images of stuffy centuries old pubs and affable working class blokes quaffing pints of “bitter”. And when I think of bitter, Fuller’s ESB is the beer that immediately comes to mind.

ESB pours a copper, reddish brown with a medium white frothy head. The nose is heavy on fragrant malt aromas: scents of grain and sweet brown sugar are accentuated by a mildly grape-like fruitiness. Complex flavors of caramel, raisins and slightly overripe fruit easily match the malty nose. While ESB is quite light in respect to bitter hops character, a zesty herbal spiciness and slightly acrid punch of toasted grains nicely offset the otherwise malt-centric flavor profile. In my opinion, the most interesting part of this brew is the mouthfeel. I’d have expected something a little syrupy for a beer that is this sweet, yet the mouthfeel is full-bodied, nicely crisp and pleasantly smooth and oily in texture.

I can’t really claim to be a huge fan of this style of beer; the combination of sweetness and spice reminds me of something more akin to an autum seasonal or a winter ale. Nevertheless, I can say with conviction that you will be hard pressed to find a better quality bitter than Fuller’s ESB. Probably the greatest testament to the quality of this beer is that it gets better as it warms. Rather than turning into an oppressively sweet malty sludge, the flavors shine through ever brighter. Indeed, it’s perhaps not all that surprising that the British like their bitter served at room temperature.

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Gatlin Says:

I find the Brits generally have a hard time impressing me when it comes to any sort of pale ale. While this particular brew does have some great qualities, it nevertheless does not score a homerun in my books.

Technical Rundown:

Container: Tall Boy can, no widget
Alcohol: 5.9% by volume
Color: 20 SRM
Bitterness: 35 IBU

Out of the can and into a new Spiegelau crystal tasting tulip; there emerges a 1.5 finger, off-white, foamy head. The head stuck around quite nicely and yielded some minor lacing. The body was a light shade of golden mahogany with minimal visible carbonation. Scents of oak, vanilla, old leather, plum and raison or grape came through very nicely in the nose. A minor alcohol smell with some date-like sweetness was also detectable.

The taste of old leather came through strongly when swirled in the mouth. Leather is not a very common beer flavor, but I suspect it is really just a combination of musty / caramelly malts combined with astringent bitterness. The finish was well balanced with pleasantly sweet flavors and a lightly cleansing bitterness.

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Some Final Thoughts

Anthony Thinks:

Pros

Great array of malt flavors
Distinct mouthfeel
Can be consumed while warm- good outdoors beer

Cons

A little too sweetish for my liking (although there is no cloying aftertaste)
Maltiness dissuades drinking more than one or two
Style can generally be off-putting for those used to heavily hopped ales and/or lagers

3½ stars. ESB demonstrates an excellent range of malt flavors. As far as bitters go, this could be a marquee brew for the style. Nevertheless, it is a little too one-dimensional to make for a beer I’d regularly reach for. Recommended for beer drinkers who enjoy complex brews that are slightly sweeter in flavor

Gatlin Thinks:

Pros:

Balanced flavours
Very nice appearance
Quality craftsmanship

Cons:

Doesn’t really stand out
I think one would tire of this beer rather quickly
Only available in a can (at least in Canada)

Overall, this is a 3½ star bitter. Some good features here, but not really all that great. For all I know this may very well be the best choice for relaxing after partaking in some typically British activity- anyone who regularly wears a Tillley hat, enjoys foxhunting or plays cricket may “fancy” this beer

So, What’s On Your Mind?

Posted in Bitter, Moderate -->

Beer Summit 2009

Anthony L — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:57:40 +0000

Beer: The Great Unifier

The race politics row that recently engulfed the United States (Gates-Gate?) culminated this past week in the “Beer Summit” held on the White House lawn. Sharing a friendly chat over a couple brews, President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden, Sgt. James Crowley and Henry Louis Gates proved what beer-drinkers throughout the world already knew: there is nothing like a good session to smooth over differences and bring people together. Let’s take a look at the brews selected for the Beer Summit and comment briefly on what they say about the respective participants.

Obama → Bud Light

This beer screams “generic everyman” and really seems to fit Obama’s popular image. While a regular Bud may have been a little too pedestrian for such a cosmopolitan individual, it would have garnered him extra brownie points amongst the Joe-Six Packs of Middle America. It seems this selection was based more on image than on actual taste; I doubt that Obama would otherwise voluntarily imbibe this watered-down excuse of a beer.

Joe Biden → Buckler

Is this even really a beer? No.

Sgt. Crowley → Blue Moon

Some have pointed out that it is slightly ironic that Sgt. Crowley, one of the principal protagonists of the Gates-Gate race controversy, selected a weissbier at the Beer Summit. It is, perhaps, rather ill advised to select a brew that is known as a “white beer” after having been accused of being a racist. Yet, considering that he drank a Belgian style beer produced in Toronto, Canada, I think it far more interesting that he’d choose such a patently un-American brew.

Henry Louis Gates → Sam Adam Light

Ding Ding Ding. We have a winner folks. Henry Louis Gates’ selection is a worthy one, and surprisingly astute for an ivory tower academe. Produced by American craft brewery Boston Beer Co., Sam Adams Light is not only a nod to his New England home state, but also a jab at those big-beer fat-cats that are ruining America. Perfect for a left-wing Ivey League scholar! Overall, this is a quality beer made by an excellent brewer, and for this HLG wins the “Best Choice” award for Beer Summit 09’.

The Big Winner

The folks down at Anheuser-Busch (Bud), MillerCoors (Blue Moon) and Boston Beer Co. (Sam Adams), who can except a nice jump in sales after their brews were featured in the Beer Summit.

So, What’s On Your Mind?

Posted in Editorial, News, Various -->

Liberty Pale Ale

Anthony L — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:24:11 +0000

A Liberating Libation

Anthony Says:

I’m not all that proud to admit it, but the first time I tried Anchor Liberty Ale was for this review. I’ve been eyeing it at my local liquor store for years, but for some reason I just never got around to purchasing it. I even went to the store to buy a few bottles for an Independence Day party this past year, but wound up walking out with a six of Sam Adam’s Boston Lager (not that I regret this decision). Liberty Ale has sort of been the “beer that got away” for me, I suppose. On the other hand, however, Gatlin has been a fan of this brew for quite some time; I’ve got to thank him for finally picking up a couple to review, because otherwise it seems this quality beer would have continued to fly under my radar.

Liberty Ale pours a deep golden hue with a thick bubbly head-pretty much the standard appearance for any good pale ale. Nose is a pronounced pine and citrus, underlain by light floral scents and a hint of sappy malt. Hop aromas shine through nicely, far more so than most pale ales. You can really tell that this beer has been “dry hopped”, meaning fresh hops have been added after the initial boil, thus adding to aroma and flavor without affecting bitterness.

Dry hopping is also apparent in the initially sharp palette bite of herbal citrus hops; this is followed by flourishes of vanilla and honey, and finishes in a lightly lingering caramel malt flavor. With a nicely understated carbonation, Liberty Ale’s mouthfeel is pleasantly full-bodied for the style.

This is a really great American pale ale. While the heavy presence of hops might initially lead one to think IPA, Liberty Ale isn’t at all spicy and retains a perfect balance between hops and malts. This has all the qualities of a great session beer. Perhaps my only complaint would be that, at 6% alcohol content, it’s a little on the strong-side for the style. That having been said, I will definitely be leaving the store with these in hand more often.

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Gatlin Says:

Ahhhhh, Liberty. The sweet goddess walking endlessly by the shores of our individual actualization and hedonistic tendencies. She is the gatekeeper to both our desires and all that we shun. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of Liberty”. Trust me my friends, this beer is tempestuous. Named in commemoration of Paul Revere (who I dressed as for Halloween this past year, but was commonly mistaken for a conservative pirate) and his historic ride, Anchor’s Liberty Ale is currently the best American pale ale available in Ontario.

Technical Rundown:

Container: 650 ml brown glass bottle
Alcohol: 5.9% by volume, 4.80% by weight
Color: 6 SRM
Bitterness: 47 IBU

This beer poured a massive, bright-white head that stuck around forever and left a huge amount of lacing on the glass. The body was slightly hazy and pale, orange-gold in colour. A high amount of carbonation was observed. Pretty much the perfect American pale ale in appearance.

On the nose were strong scents of citrus and pine with very mild malts. Simple yet pleasant, the aroma is ideal for the style. Once swirled in the mouth, a resinous pine flavour emerged, followed by a sharp spicy hop bite and nicely cleansing citrus undercurrent. Subtle oak and vanilla malts were noticeable on the backend. This beer is just so damn good. If it’s available in your area, go pick up a bottle and give it a try.

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Some Final Thoughts

Anthony Thinks:

Pros

Excellent balance between hops and malts
Great beer for all occasions
Extremely drinkable

Cons

Almost closer to an IPA than a pale ale
Not sold in regular sized beer bottles (at least in Canada)
A little too strong for a session beer

4 stars. Liberty Ale is a well crafted American pale ale of exceptional quality- perhaps even the benchmark of the style. My sole concern is that 6% alcohol content is just a little too strong for a good session brew, especially one that is so dangerously drinkable

Gatlin Thinks:

Pros:

Perfect aromas and flavors for the style
Really well crafted (one of the best outside of the trappists)
Very drinkable and refreshing without sacrificing flavor

Cons:

British pale ale lovers may be overwhelmed by the hop presence

This is a solid 4½ star American pale ale. Anyone can and should drink this beer. Perfect for a summer BBQ and goes especially well with fish-and-chips!

So, What’s On Your Mind?

Posted in Moderate -->, Pale Ale

La Fin Du Monde

Anthony L — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:22:32 +0000

The End Of/Best In The World

Anthony Says:

Quebec pretty much puts the rest of Anglo-Canada to shame when it comes to joie de vivre. Breathtaking landscapes, incredible food, stunning women (and men?), chic and disarmingly European cities; it is little wonder that Quebec is called “la belle province”. Perhaps not surprisingly, Canada’s bastion of Gallic charms is also North America’s answer to Belgium when it comes to beer. And with little doubt, the undisputed champion of Quebec brewing is Chambly based Unibroue. Helmed by Belgian-born brewmaster Gino Vantieghem, Unibroue produces some of the best continental-style ales outside of Europe. I learned this much a few summers back, when I was introduced to a beer called “La Fin Du Monde” while attending a French program in Montreal.

To be honest, I remember initially purchasing this beer in part because of its intriguing name, meaning “end of the world” for our non-francophone readers, but primarily because of its incredible packaging. While ultimately it is quality that counts, I’m of the mindset that an interesting bottle design can make a good beer that much better. In this regard, you can’t really ask for more than this. The corked champagne-style bomber, the ominous image of a topographic Quebec shrouded in darkness, and incredible typography all make for one of the most aesthetically pleasing beer-bottles I’ve ever seen. Seriously, I’ve started a collection of these at home.

Moving onto the actual review. Like most Belgian tripels, La Fin Du Monde initially pours pale golden with a thick billowing head. As this is a beer brewed “on lees”, meaning only partially filtered, there is a higher concentration of proteins and yeast. This becomes apparent in the almost impenetrable cloudiness of the beer, and the noticeably darker color where the yeast settles in the bottom quarter of the glass.

Freshly poured, the nose of La Fin Du Monde is near overwhelming. There is an almost bock-like aroma of candied fruit and bananas, but this is offset by spicy hints of cardamom, nutmeg and cloves. A distinct yeastiness adds a bread-like vanilla scent that ties everything together nicely. Quite honestly, you could spend a good ten minutes just smelling this beer without getting bored.

As for taste, an initially sweet, candied malt flavor is perfectly balanced by lightly tart citrus and hops. Adding robustness to the flavor profile is a touch of spicy nutmeg that leaves a lingering peppery sensation on the palette. This nicely complements the alcohol warmth imparted by a 9% alcohol content. And once again, the palpable presence of powdered yeast seems to flatten out and tie together all these disparate flavors perfectly. A bubbly champagne mouthfeel is offset by a pleasantly smooth yeastiness, and the aftertaste is surprisingly dry.

Wow. While a cynic might say a fancy bottle is meant to mask a poor-quality beer, La Fin Du Monde is every bit as good as it looks. This is extremely high quality stuff and it is almost hard to believe that it boasts a mighty 9% alcohol content. According to Unibroue, this beer is named after the belief of the European explorers that they had reached the end of the world upon discovering America. In seems fitting, then, that La Fin Du Monde is a truly world-class beer.

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Gatlin Says:

Much as with Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA, I have very little to say editorially and will likely find this review difficult. La Fin Du Monde is one of the craft brews I first fell in love with and a brew that all Canadians should be proud of: it is the world leader for its style.

Technical Rundown:

Container: 750 ml brown glass bomber, with cork and cage
Alcohol: 9% by volume, 7.20% by weight
Color: 10 SRM
Bitterness: 35 IBU

Off the pour emerged a classic Unibroue monster head: foamy with big and small pearly bubbles. A considerable amount of lacing was left on the glass as the head settled to a very thin film. The body was a semi-cloudy, dark, straw yellow with an excellent champagne like carbonation.

The nose was extremely complex. A number of spicy yeast notes, including coriander and nutmeg, are discernible. Amongst very mild fruit scents, like pear and apple, a slight citrus aroma can also be detected. Overlaying all the smells was a complex herbal smell combined with a touch of winter green.

With a spicy yeastiness upfront, the taste was very similar to the nose. The mouth feel was nicely crisp and displayed champagne like tartness and dryness. An herbal taste with wintergreen also came through.

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Some Final Thoughts

Anthony Thinks:

Pros

Exceptional quality
Superb tastes and aromas
Great bottle design!

Cons

Bomber bottle unwieldy- not always available in standard sized beer bottles
A little on the strong side
Almost too drinkable?

5 stars. Between the incredible flavors, terrific scents and awesome bottle design, La Fin Du Monde is the complete sensory and aesthetic experience. I’d say this brew could be a little much for a less expirenced beer drinker, if only it weren’t so damn drinkable. Well done, Unibroue

Gatlin Thinks:

Pros:

Complex aromas and flavors
Outstandingly crisp- no hint of the 9% alcohol content
Amazing quality

Cons:

Can be overwhelming for unseasoned beer drinkers
9% alcohol content can sneak-up on you

La Fin du Monde is a 5 star triple and as far as I know the best in the world- even better than the trappist triples. Belgian ale lovers absolutely must buy this beer. Anyone looking for a complement to a robust pork dinner may also enjoy goblet or two

So, What’s On Your Mind?

Posted in Belgian Tripel, Pricey -->

Old Milwaukee Lager

Anthony L — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:10:26 +0000

A Mediocre Classic

Anthony Says:

Ah. Old Milwaukee. The spirit of the mid-west encapsulated in a can. The beer our fathers drank and their forefathers before them. The beer that soot laden coal miners and sweat sodden railway workers would reach for upon returning home after a grueling day of work. The preferred brew of the people who built America- there once was a day when Old Milwaukee was synonymous with beer. It is, after all, “a beer with history”. Or so the purveyors of this discount staple would have you believe. I’m not exactly sure about the standards that defined a good beer in 1849- when Old Milwaukee was apparently first brewed- but I can venture a guess that tastes have advanced slightly since Zachary Taylor occupied the White House and Alaska was still known as “Russian America”.

Old Milwaukee pours an uninspiring straw yellow with a limp lip of foam that dissipates rapidly. It looks rather like watery apple juice once settled. The nose is, without doubt, the worst quality of this beer: a faint aroma of raw sewage overlain with heavy corn sweetness. Mouthfeel really doesn’t merit discussion, and dominated by flavors of sweet corn adjunct, there wasn’t all that much redeeming in the taste either. To be certain, however, a cloying chemical after burn persists well after you’ve finished drinking one of these- perhaps as an alarming reminder of the laboratory concoction you’ve just deposited in your body.

I’d like to say something good about this beer, but probably the only thing that comes to mind is that it is cheap and won’t kill you (at least not immediately). It is drinkable, so it passes. Nevertheless, I couldn’t imagine a scenario in which I’d recommend drinking one. Old Milwaukee might be better off left to the annals of American history.

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Gatlin Says:

From what I’ve seen down at the liquor store, this beer is very popular with a certain crowd. Call them what you want, but at least they are not reaching for the Canadian sherry. May God have mercy on those who must drink this terrible garbage water.

Technical Rundown:

Container: 475 ml aluminum can
Alcohol: 5% by volume
Color: 2.4 SRM
Bitterness: 12 IBU

This beer generated a medium white head off the pour that faded extremely quickly to a very small ring. No lacing was visible. The body was a light, straw yellow with little to no visible carbonation. The smell of this beer was uber-displeasing. Hints of what only can be described as manure and urine are noticeable right off the bat. In the background lurks a sweet adjunct smell and a very subtle apple aroma. The taste is sweet corn upfront with a subtle tinge of perming solution. An overall chemical like flavour is omnipresent. The horrid tastes and smells of this beer make it virtually unpalatable.

Vintage 80′s commercial footage. We appreciate the shout-out at 0:11!

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Some Final Thoughts

Anthony Thinks:

Pros

Cheap
Can double as paint stripper in a pinch
Apart from awful adjunct aftertaste, no really offensive flavors

Cons

Objectionable smell
Industrial aftertaste
Would be better in smaller cans

2 stars. American heritage and hipster cache aside, it is tough to validate drinking Old Milwaukee. While I’d give it another go in bottled form, I can’t foresee myself trying the canned variety again in the future

Gatlin Thinks:

Pros:

Dirt cheap
An American icon

Cons:

Taste and smell are both horrendous
Room temperature before you can finish a tall boy…..making the tastes all the more awful

Old Milwaukee is a 2 star cheap beer. This would literally have to be the best beer available at a time when drinking a beer was an absolute must

So, What’s On Your Mind?

Posted in American Lager, Cheap -->

Schlitz Genuine Gold

Anthony L — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:08:49 +0000

A Scholid Budget Beer

Anthony Says:

For reasons still unclear to me, the name of this beer conjures up images of some sort of industrial solvent or motor oil. “Schlitz” sounds like a substance you’d apply to your brake pad to improve lubrication. It just doesn’t seem like something that would make for a pleasant drink. And to be certain, I’m sure there are many people who would agree with that assertion even after having tried it. Needless to say, I was slightly apprehensive before cracking open my first Schlitz in an untold number of years. Much to my surprise, however, I found myself quite satisfied with this iconic buck-a-beer.

Having poured a flat, headless shade of sickly yellow, I’m not going to try and pretend like Schlitz is an aesthetically pleasing beer. The nose is perhaps equally as off-putting: a barely detectable corn adjunct aroma mixed with pear and chlorinated water. When raising the glass to my lips, I was beginning to seriously question whether the money I’d spent on this six-pack could have been better invested in a hoagie or perhaps a couple taquitos. Nevertheless, the first sip of this beer was a pleaser: slightly sweet, but with a subtle bite of hops and a crisp smooth mouthfeel. A light chemical astringency is the only reminder of the cheap adjuncts that are typically added to beers of this price range.

Between the name, appearance and smell of this beer, I’d have expected the harsh adjunct flavors distinctive of mass-produced discount brews. All things considered, however, Schlitz is mild, relatively easy drinking and really quite refreshing. Served cold, this could be a nice budget session beer for the cottage or a buddy’s barbecue.

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Gatlin Says:

Americans reading this review might be surprised to learn that the Schlitz available in Ontario is actually brewed by Sleemans and not Pabst. The gold colored can is exclusive to Canada- as opposed to the traditional white. This was my first time trying this beer and I have to say that it wasn’t that bad. While I don’t usually buy cheap beers, this one would be up for consideration if I had to.

Technical Rundown:

Container: 341 mL aluminum can

Alcohol: 4.6 % by volume

Color: 3.4 SRM

Bitterness: 13.2 IBU

This beer produced practically no head off the pour. What little head that was produced faded very quickly leaving a completely flaccid liquid surface. The body is very light and straw yellow in color. Moderate carbonation was visible.

The nose was just as light as the color. A very faint apple aroma is detectable, followed by a lightly acidic maltiness. Surprisingly, the adjuncts are not strongly discernible in the smell.

Very little taste is apparent, even when you roll the liquid around for a few moments. A slight corn or rice adjunct flavour is noticeable. A very mild, somewhat bitter finish is rather cleansing. Perhaps the utter tastelessness of this beer makes it drinkable.

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Some Final Thoughts

Anthony Thinks:

Pros

Mild flavors
Fairly light presence of adjuncts
Refreshing

Cons

Lacklustre appearance
Not much in the way of flavor
Must be drunk while cold

3½ stars. The ugly appearance of this beer is perhaps only matched by its smell. Nevertheless, you probably aren’t buying Schlitz for its aesthetic qualities. Taste-wise, this is a refreshing, mild and generally easy drinking brew. A solid discount beer overall

Gatlin Thinks:

Pros:

Damn cheap!
Not really any bad flavors

Cons:

Mass produced macro-brew = poor craftsmanship
Not exactly the best tasting beer

All in all, this is a 4 star cheap beer. I wouldn’t order it for a date. However, if things take a turn for the worst and I start hanging out under the expressway, I may just become a Schlitz man. This beer would be perfect for a big college party

So, What’s On Your Mind?

Posted in American Lager, Cheap -->