Tag Archives: Ale

Local From NY

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Craft beer is a lot about enjoying a quality “local” brew.  Brooklyn is a long way from Red Deer Alberta.  Well, it’s about 3,800+ km from Red Deer to Brooklyn New York.  Pretty far from a “local” brew, but what’s in a name? The Brooklyn Local 1
Brooklyn Local 1 - 4

The availability in Alberta is fairly rare. I haven’t seen Brooklyn Beers in Red Deer previously. This particular brew can be found at the Sobeys WESTERN CELLARS on the south end of Red Deer. A quick search on Liquor Connect reveals that it only available in 3 locations in Alberta. Not a local beer but a rare find.

The Brooklyn Local 1 is a Belgian-inspired Strong Golden Ale that is brewed using an old technique of 100% bottle re-fermentation. The Brewery lists the following on their “SPEC SHEET”
Style: Belgian-inspired Strong Golden Ale
Malts: Two-row pilsner malt, Bamberg, Germany plus First-pressing Demerara Cane sugar, Mauritius
Hops: German Hallertauer Perle, Styrian Golding
Yeast: Our special Belgian strain
Alcohol by Volume: 9.0%
IBUs: 26
Original Gravity: 18.5° Plato
Calories: 243 (per 12oz)
Food Pairings: This elegant ale fits nicely with seafood pastas, salmon, shrimp and ham. Thai food is a great match too. Triple crème cheeses love this beer, too.
Availability: Year-round
Format: 750ml cork-finished bottles
Brooklyn Local 1 - 6
I found it went down pretty darn good with Pizza as far as a food pairing. The Srong Ale is strong. 9.0% ABV packs a bit of a punch, if you’re not expecting it you’re in for a bit of a surprise. Drinking one of these big bottles all by yourself and I wouldn’t plan on driving anywhere. It poured with a huge white frothy head. The golden ale was a bit cloudy and the carbonation is one of the most carbonated beers I have had. It produced a steady rate of bubble for a long time. I recommend this one be shared with a friend or three as once you pop that cork it hard to down this strong ale in a short sitting.
Brooklyn Local 1 - 9

Flavour wise, it’s a full bodies ale that certainly has a belgium ale flavor that is reminiscent in a Maudite or a Wild Rose Dubbel. The most famous Belgium Strong Golden Ale is more than likely the classic Duvel. Yet the Brooklyn version is unique with a taste and character all its own. Bottle finishing is somewhat similar to cask finishing for beer. Fermentation in the bottle, gives a natural carbonation. Filtered beer tends to have a relatively short shelf life. Live yeast inside the bottle acts against these processes, giving the beverage a much longer shelf life. A good bottle conditioned beer can maintain its drinkability for many years, and some can be aged for decades. Check out all That Brooklyn Brewery has on Bottle re-fermentation on their web.

Cheers,
@thegoodbeerguy

Wild Rose Brewery

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Wild Rose Brewery

What at first looks like an old construction zone is actually more than that. It’s the Old Currie barracks in Calgary and a green quonset building reminiscent of an army base is now home to the Wild Rose Brewery.

The style of packaging, naming of the beers can be referred to as plain, but really they are minimalistic.  So is the home of the beer from Wild Rose.  It really isn’t much to look at.  It’s not big, fancy, shining and ultra modern.  It’s just cool, simple and well ya just kinds cool.

Sit at the bar inside and your met with a view of the vat, staff working on the next batch of beer, and the varied selection of Wild Rose Brews on Tap.

Wild Rose Brerwery

Wild Rose on Tap

Over Christmas The seasonal beer by Wild Rose was the Cherry Porter. It is no longer available and now it’s time for…


Wild Rose Belgian Style Dubbel. The Belgian Dubbel dates back to a beer brewed in the Trappist Abbey of Westmalle in 1856. Dubbels are now understood to be a fairly strong (6%-8% ABV) brown ale, with understated bitterness, fairly heavy body, and a pronounced fruitiness and cereal character. The Wild Rose version is a dark reddish brown ale.

WR describes it as:
“Brewed using the best Alberta-grown malted barley as a base – this beer is enhanced with a blend of three specialty malts that provide sweet notes of raisin and plum. On the tongue it is rich and malty with a nice balance of clove-like spice from the Belgian yeast used in fermentation. Full of flavour, this delicious brew is deceptively light on the palate.”

If you like the taste, texture and flavour of a “Leffe” you’ll be certain to enjoy the Wild Rose Belgian Style Dubbel.  Pick one up while they are available.  If you can’t find it at your favourite local liquor/beer store you can always pick some up at the brewery.

Enjoy,

@TheGoodBeerGuy

Tis The The Season For Lions Winter Ale

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Lions Winter Ale, GIB - 3
Seasonal beers are brewed to “hit the spot”, and Lions Winter Ale by @itsgoodtobehere  (Granville Island Brewing) certainly does.  A delicious winter ale only available from October thru March by www.GIB.ca is a smooth caramel coloured ale with a hint of vanilla taste. It’s easy to see why this is touted as being BC’s favourite winter beer.
Lions Winter Ale, GIB - 8

A silver medal winner at the 2011 World Beer Championships, do yourself a favour and pick some.  I was fortunate to receive this for my birthday a few weeks ago in the GIB Winter Mingler (12 Beers – 4 Flavours). I love birthdays :-)  GIB has a varied selection of brews to try and many others are also award winning beers.  Here is a link to there PDF product list.

Lions Winter Ale, GIB - 9

Granville Island Brewing is a Vancouver based brewery.  In 1984 they became Canada’s first Micro Brewery.  Located on Granville Island in beautiful Vancouver BC.  GIB has a fine selection of beers that stay true to the craft beer process.  Today they are part of the Molson Coors Family of Global brands.  Chances are where you’ll find Molson on tap you’ll find some Granville Island Beer such as the Lions Winter Ale.

Not sure if you can find some near you?  Try out there beer locator: http://gib.ca/where-to-buy/

Cheers,

@thegoodbeerguy

 

 

Wheat Ale Comes in Red.

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Wild Rose Wred Wheat, a Red Wheat Ale is a nice addition to the “Wild Rose SAMPLER 12 PACK“.  Each sample contains two of Wild Rose Brewery’s Velvet Fog, WRaspberry Ale, Brown Ale, WRed Wheat Ale, SOB and IPA.  Sampler packs are great for finding which brew you prefer or just to have a variety in the fridge.

Pick up a sampler and find a new favourite.  Cheers,

@TheGoodBeerGuy

 

Merry Christmas With A Rogue

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A Chocolate Stout from Rogue Ales,
Rogue Chocolate Stout - 06

Rogue Chocolate Stout - 29

Does it Really Have Chocolate? Yes :-)

A delicious Stout with chocolate aroma and flavour.  Because, who doesn’t like chocolate?  The Stout pours like liquid chocolate, rich milky brown with a gorgeous frothy head.  First the chocolate smell hits you and then you have to taste it.  Very intriguing, fun and tasty.  If you’re not a Stout lover, you may find the dark ale intimidating.

This Chocolate Stout is world-renowned and a winner of many beer awards, most recent are:

  • 2011 Mondial de la Biere - Gold
  • 2010 World Beer Awards – America’s Best Stout & Porter

Do your self a favour and try the Rogue Chocolate Stout.
Rogue Chocolate Stout - 17

It doesn’t have to be an after dinner beer, but it is suited to compliment a beef dinner or dessert.  It’s a tough call to say which is better the Cherry Porter from Wild Rose or the Chocolate Stout.  Both have similarities but yet so vastly different.

The large bottle lacks the ability to seal it so once you pop it open be ready for 2 glasses or better yet share with a friend.

Rogue Ales are made in Oregon.  I love the list of ingredients they have for the Chocolate Stout on the bottle and web site they include 12 Ingredients:

“Great Western 2-Row, Crystal 135- 165, Chocolate & Rogue Micro Barley Farm DareTM & RiskTM Malts; Rogue Micro Hopyard Revolution & Rebel Hops, Rolled Oats, Roasted Barley, Natural Chocolate Flavoring, Free Range Coastal Waters & Pacman Yeast.”

Check out more on the Chocolate Stout Blog.

Cheers and Merry Christmas

Patrick, The Good Beer Guy

@TheGoodBeerGuy

 

A Wild Rose in Wild Rose Country

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“Support Local” I said, and Support Local I Did.
Wild Rose SAMPLER
Wild Rose Brewery has been a pumping out craft beer since 1996.  Slow and steady growth and attention to the craft have put Wild Rose brewery on the map.  It was six years until Wild Rose started putting their tasty brew into bottles.  Large 1 litre size flip top bottles, that would eventually be downsized to the popular size I enjoyed today.

I recommend the 12 pack sampler as an introduction to Wild Rose Brewery.  You’re sure to find one or more beers that will grab you.
Wild Rose WRaspberry Ale

The Raspberry Ale (Wraspberry Ale) is a fun beer.  Light and refreshing with a definite raspberry aroma and taste, and a pinkish hue.  I can see where this would be a great hot summers day beer.  Regardless of the season it is one that is very appealing.
Wild Rose WRaspberry Ale

S.OB Classic English Ale.  Not a very flattering name, but yet a true descriptor.  One thing about Wild Rose Brewery they don’t let the marketing team brainstorm funky names for their beers, they keep it simple.   S.O.B stands for “Special Old Bitter” and is reminiscent of Classic English Ales with a bitter hop character.

Wild Rose Brown Ale.  I enjoyed this one as well.  The Dark Brown colour tends to make the classic Canadian Lager drinker hesitate and be leery that it might be too strong.  Full of flavour yes, big and heavy? No.  Mild hop character and easy drinking rich flavour make this a fan favourite.  One of the original brews fron Wild Rose.
Wild Rose Brown Ale  - 14
That’s one half of the 12 pack sampler.

Stock up for your Christmas gatherings with some Wild Rose Brews. Not only will you be enjoying some tasty craft beer, but you’ll be supporting an Alberta based Micro Brewery. Good to drink, and good for the economy.

Cheers,

@TheGoodBeerGuy

 

 

 

McNally’s Extra, Irish Red Ale

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Another Big Rock brew.

This one is not as popular as some of the lighter lagers and wheat ales, but for those looking for a robust ale… look no further.  I was fortunate to find this 6 pack at the local Sobeys on cheap Tuesday.  The first Tuesday of the month is known for 15% of groceries and few people know that they offer a discount on beer at the Sobeys Liquor Store.  Technically it’s save the GST X2.  Nonetheless you’re saving 10% when you stock up on the first Tuesday of the month.  Not a huge craft beer selection but quality makes up for quantity and this is true with a McNally’s.

Big Rock lists the ingredients as:

  • Blend of pale, caramel and black malts, and three varieties of hops

The “generous bite of hops” is most evident.  If you’re fond of Big Rock Traditional, or the Scottish Heavy then I recomend giving this one a try.  The 7.0% alcohol adds an extra bit of kick to compliment the big taste.  It’s not one I would attempt to drink several at one sitting, but one I would certainly tip one back with on St.Patrick’s day with a hearty bowl of Irish Stew.
Grab a six pack, and try a McNally’s.

Cheers,
The Good Beer Guy @thegoodbeerguy

Scottish Style Heavy

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I had the pleasure of stopping at the Liquor Crossing in Red Deer.  They have a great selection of craft and global brews.  It is truly a hard decision to pick just one while you’re there.  If you’re into stocking your beer fridge/cellar they have a variety of beers to meet your needs.

Today was one of those days where I walked around the beer cooler, picked up a six pack, examined it, then picked up another and walked around in a circle until one grabbed my attention.

Maybe I’m in a Big Rock mood lately but I have to say it’s a good mood.  I don’t recall having tried the Scottish Style Heavy Ale in the past.  Flavourful, tasty and packs a bit of a punch.  You shouldn’t get to carried away consuming this one.  With 7.0% alcohol the heavy has a punch.

Ale’s are quite a bit different from the typical beer you find on tap or at a get together which are usually a lager.  An Ale is a type of beer brewed from malted barley using a warm fermentation with a strain of brewers’ yeast that will ferment the beer quickly, giving it a sweet, full-bodied and fruity taste.  The heavy refers to the alcohol content which at 7.0% is characteristic of Scottish Ales.  It is not a heavy filling beer as some may expect.

This easy drinking, tasty Ale is well worth a try.
Scottish Style Heavy Ale by Big Rock

Big Rock describes it as:

“KILTY PLEASURES

This soulful beast of a beer balances toffee, caramel and vanilla with a 7% alcohol content, as is customary for a Scottish heavy ale. Full body and a beautiful malt flavour warms the palette, imparting hints of peat and plum. Scottish Heavy is aged in oak three times as long as most other ales, which is the source of the beer’s vanilla flavour as well as its light oak aroma and flavour.”
Scottish Style Heavy Ale by Big Rock

Cheers,
Follow the Good Beer Guy on Twitter: @TheGoodBeerGuy