Humulus Felidae | Noctem Artisans Brasseurs

Score: 88/100 – Very Good

From a 473ml can served cool at 9 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Canned on 20/10/20 – making this two weeks fresh.

I picked up this beer from Brou Ha Ha just over a week ago. My first official Noctem breview – after having had a few of their IPA’s recently, my expectations are set above average.

Appearance 6/6

The beer pours a hazy pale gold with 3.5cm of moderately dense, frothy, white head which dissipates into a craggy cap within 2+ minutes. Decent lacing and head retention.

Aroma 20/24

Medium-strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is layered, intriguing, and – of course – hop-forward.

Pronounced citrus (lemon + sweet orange) and perfumy cedar take the lead with milder notes of candied papaya, coconut, and complementary herbs.

The dry nose has a light fruity character with moderate grainy-crackery malt. A very interesting combo.

Flavour 35/40

Strong intensity with sharp-ish balance and pronounced perceived bitterness.

The bright palate opens up with citrus (lemon), herbs, and minerals making way for a piquant center where notes of cedar, lemongrass, and herbs are rounded off by low tropical fruit sweetness (papaya + coconut) and a hint of toasted grain.

The long finish is strong and sharp-ish with notes of zesty lemon, cedar, herbs, mild coconut oil, and low grainy malt. Fascinating.

Mouthfeel 10/10

Medium-light body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is crisp and lively with low creaminess, restrained alcohol warming, and an off-dry finish. Very mild astringency with no actual harshness on the palate.

Overall 17/20

Noctem Artisans Brasseurs’ Humulus Felidae is an excellent IPA.

Decent appearance with no distinguishable particles in the glass. Splitting hairs, the head could be more dense with better retention – but that’s almost trivial. Moving on, the palate fully expresses the unusual, enticing aroma with charming delight! Intriguing layers come together to form a distinctive flavour experience. For example: instead of pine, it’s cedar and instead of mango, it’s papaya. The herbs are offbeat and topped with coconut. A surprisingly light, clean mouthfeel contributes to a relatively high drinkability.

I dig this. Humulus Felidae is a unique, well-executed IPA well worth picking up if you see it. Make sure it’s fresh, however. Thus far, I’ve been impressed by Noctem and I’m looking forward to having more of their beers. Lot’s of hops for me lately, so let’s hit a stout in our next breview.

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HYPA VII | Brasserie du Bas-Canada

Score: 81/100 – Very Good

From a 473ml can served cool at 9 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Canned on 06/10/20 – making this three weeks old.

The beer comes straight from the brewery and was acquired through a friend. The heavy Quebec IPA breview streak continues with relatively high expectations for HYPA VII.

Appearance 6/6

The beer pours an opaque pale gold with 4.5cm of moderately dense, creamy, white head which dissipates into a craggy cap within 3+ minutes. Great lacing with good head retention. Solid looks.

Aroma 20/24

Strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is deep – almost perfumy – and hoppy with an American hop character.

Bold citrus notes (grapefruit + tangerines) lead the way while mild woody character and herbaceous spice take a backseat. Moderate tropical fruit (pineapple + papaya) provides sweetness. A hint of toasted cereal grain at the back.

The dry nose is grainy-crackery with a hint of citrus.

Flavour 32/40

Follows the aroma with strong intensity, sharp-ish balance, and pronounced perceived bitterness.

The palate opens up with significant minerality and bright citrus fruit making way for a zestful center featuring vibrant citrus, mild pine, soft tropical fruit, and high minerals.

The medium-length finish is strong and sharp-ish with notes of marked citrus, moderate salt, mild grass, and low grainy-crackery malt.

Mouthfeel 8/10

Medium body with lively carbonation. The mouthfeel is quite creamy yet crisp with a slightly drying aspect to it. Restrained alcohol warming with a dry finish. Moderate hop-derived astringency creates an edge.

Overall 15/20

Brasserie du Bas-Canada’s HYPA VII is an above average brew.

A worthy appearance connects to a fabulous hop aroma which doesn’t quite come through on the palate. The high minerality provides a salty edge which takes away from the enjoyment of this beer. It’s apparent in the mouthfeel as well where noticeable astringency from the hops paired with the salt leaves my palate exhausted.

Still, HYPA VII is a very good beer, but it can certainly be better. I think the world of beer has lost its sense for brewing salts in a race to create the juiciest, haziest IPA in town. What’s next? – you ask, more hazy IPA’s!

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HYPA VIII | Brasserie du Bas-Canada

Score: 85/100 – Very Good

From a 473ml can served cool at 9 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Canned on 06/10/20 – making this just short of three weeks old.

The beer comes straight from the brewery and was acquired through a friend. I’m continuing on a heavy Quebec IPA breview streak with high expectations for HYPA VIII.

Appearance 6/6

The beer pours an opaque pale gold with 4.5cm of moderately dense, creamy, white head which dissipates into a solid cap within 3+ minutes. Exceptional lacing with good head retention. Looks like juice.

Aroma 21/24

Strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is decidedly hoppy with an American hop character.

Pronounced citrus (blood orange) pairs with lemongrass and milder tropical (ripe pineapple) notes. Low spicy, herbaceous character at the back with a touch of toasted cereal grain.

The dry nose is very citrusy with an underlying grainy-crackery malt.

Flavour 33/40

Follows the aroma with strong intensity, good balance, and moderate perceived bitterness.

The palate opens up bright with notes of tangerines, lemongrass, and minerals making way for a flavourful center where the citrus and grass keep dominating while a sweet tropical fruit character rounds out the saltiness of the minerals. A dash of herbs and spice for complexity.

The long finish is strong and bitter-ish with notes of lemongrass, tangerines, minerals, and low crackery malt.

Mouthfeel 9/10

Medium body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is quite creamy and round with mild tingling on the palate. Restrained alcohol warming and an off-dry finish. Mild hop-derived astringency with no major harshness on the palate.

Overall 16/20

Brasserie du Bas-Canada’s HYPA VIII is an above average beer.

Solid appearance and punchy, inviting aroma set the flavour expectations high. The palate is quite gratifying, but I find the minerals are adjusted too high for my taste and I’m left yearning for less of a salty edge. The mouthfeel is pleasant but some hop burn is introduced as the beer warms.

Having said that, the overall drinking experience is great and I’d gladly drink this again. I casually recommend HYPA VIII to any hop lovers as it really is a very good beer. My expectations for the brewery are very high and I feel like this didn’t quite reach the status of Neron. Next up? More Quebec hazy IPA’s.

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Messenger of Dawn | Reverence Barrel Works

Score: 60/100 – Not Recommended

From a 500ml bottle served at cellar temperature at 11 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. No date information on the packaging.

I picked up the bottle straight from the brewery just over two weeks ago. My expectations are high given the previous beers I’ve had from Reverence.

Appearance 2/6

A gusher. The beer pours a veiled straw with 1.5cm of thin, white head which fully dissipates within less than a minute. The yeast cake from the bottom was roused by the high level of carbonation which contributes to a lot of floating particles in the glass. No lacing with poor head retention. I can’t say this looks appealing.

Aroma 14/24

Medium-light intensity with decent balance. The aroma is nuanced and peculiar.

Quite rustic in character, there are notes of lemon, low charred wood, and pronounced kerosene-like character. Moderate doughy-crackery pale malt creates a round base.

The dry nose is very malty with a grainy-crackery character paired with low charred wood and petrol.

Flavour 25/40

Medium-light intensity with sharp balance and low perceived bitterness.

The sour palate opens up with notes of lactic acid, smoke, and lemon zipping towards a rustic center featuring notes of doughy, crackery malt, plain yoghurt, petroleum, and lemon.

The short finish is faint and sharp-ish with notes of plain yoghurt, lemon zest, charred wood, petroleum, and doughy-crackery pale malt.

Mouthfeel 7/10

Light body with high carbonation. The mouthfeel is crisp, puckering, and sharp with no apparent alcohol warming and a bone-dry finish. Moderate astringency and the high carbonation make for one drying palate sensation. Too much for my tongue.

Overall 12/20

Reverence Barrel Works’ Messenger of Dawn comes across flawed and it taste average.

The appearance is not very pleasing with lot’s of yeast particles floating around the glass. Meanwhile, the aroma has a strange character which is also expressed on the palate. In the last handful of years, after having drunk thousands of beers, I have no recollection of ever detecting an aged Riesling character in the glass. I find it interesting but it does have a solventy quality to it and I highly doubt it’s supposed to be there. With notable astringency, the mouthfeel leans towards drying leaving my palate exhausted.

Unfortunately Messenger of Dawn doesn’t come together as an enjoyable drinking experience. In fact, I won’t be finishing the bottle. Without question, the beer ticks a lot of Lichtenhainer descriptors but it doesn’t deliver a pleasant trip down the flavour road. Not recommended.

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Assiduous: Rye | Reverence Barrel Works

Score: 94/100 – Outstanding

From a 500ml bottle served at cellar temperature at 12 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. The temperature is slightly higher than the recommendation. No date information on the packaging. I picked up the bottle straight from the brewery just over a week ago and my expectations are high given the previous beers I’ve had from Reverence

Appearance 6/6

A gusher. The beer pours a veiled pale gold with 3cm of moderately dense, creamy, white head which dissipates into a solid cap within 2+ minutes. Great lacing with decent head retention. A good looking beer.

Aroma 22/24

Medium-strong intensity with great balance. The aroma is vinous and as beautiful as it is enticing. A well-built oak is paired with pleasant pome fruit (apples + pear), white grapes, and pineapple. A touch of hay with earth and spice along with faint barnyard character and supportive malt-sweetness. Low ethanol for a slight edge and no apparent off-notes. The dry nose is fruity-oaky-spicy. Fuck, yass.

Flavour 38/40

Follows the aroma with medium-strong intensity, superb balance, and moderate perceived bitterness. The palate opens up quite vinous with notes of white grapes and pome fruit making way for a sophisticated center featuring notes of pineapple, alcohol-soaked dried fruit, spice, and whisky (vanilla + oak). The medium-length finish is balanced and of moderate strength with notes of dried apples, spice, low grainy-crackery malt, a hint of wet hay, and oak. So good.

Mouthfeel 10/10

Medium-light body with high carbonation. The mouthfeel is crisp and delicate with a nip of creaminess, restrained alcohol warming, and an off-dry finish. No astringency or harshness on the palate. Excellent.

Overall 18/20

Reverence Barrel Works’ Assiduous: Rye is an outstanding beer.

A gusher, so be careful when opening this – the beer just leaps out of the bottle. A pleasing appearance sets the stage for a charming, balanced, and complex aroma which plays out beautifully on the palate. The mouthfeel follows with an elegant quality and classy weight. I’m impressed.

This beer is worth a trip and it’s my favourite Reverence offering to date. I highly recommend you try this as it’s worth seeking out. In addition, If you’re in search of a gateway beer for wine drinkers, this is it.

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Opus Two | Counterpoint Brewing Company

Score: 94/100 – Outstanding

From a 500ml bottle served at cellar temperature at 12 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Bottled on March.19.2020 making this about six months old.

As a summer (late June) 2020 release, the beer comes straight from the brewery and I acquired it through a friend. My expectations are slightly above average.

Appearance 6/6

The beer pours a veiled gold with 4cm of moderately dense, frothy, white head which dissipates into a solid cap within 2+ minutes. Good lacing with decent head retention. Effervescent.

Aroma 22/24

Medium-strong intensity with sharp-ish balance. The aroma is elegant and complex.

Bright citrus notes of lemon and sweet orange pair with apricots and mild pineapple. A combination of generous oak and white grapes add a vinous quality. Additional notes of grainy-crackery malt, a hint of spice, a touch of earth, and a driblet of alcohol make for one intricate aroma.

The dry nose is quite malty with notes of wet hay, dried fruit, and oak.

Flavour 37/40

Follows the aroma with medium-strong intensity, great balance, and low perceived bitterness.

The sour palate opens up with restrained lactic acidity, citrus (lemon), and white grapes making way for a balanced center where the beer takes on a beautiful, delicate character featuring notes of white grapes, lemon, orange peel, toasted grain, and significant oak.

The short finish is balanced and of moderate strength with notes of dried apricot, plain yoghurt, grainy-crackery malt, a hint of spice, and moderate oak.

Mouthfeel 10/10

Medium-light body with high carbonation. The mouthfeel is light, sparkling, and delicate with restrained alcohol warming and a dry finish. No astringency or harshness on the palate.

Overall 19/20

Counterpoint Brewing’s Opus Two is an outstanding sour beer demonstrating excellent craftsmanship.

Great appearance due to notable foam quality and head retention for the style. The aroma with its nuanced layers is a thing of beauty. The flavour follows with incredible balance and character. If that wasn’t enough, the boys at Counterpoint made sure the mouthfeel is wonderful: pleasant creaminess and a dry finish without overwhelming the palate with acidity.

I highly recommend this. Most sour beers these days lack balance and character. Opus Two has both. It may not be obvious at first, but you’re looking at a rare treat here – one that exceeded my expectations.

My sincere compliments to Counterpoint for creating a remarkable beer. Cheers!

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Cosmic Clouds | SpindleTap Brewery

Rating: Outstanding

From a 473ml can served cool at 9 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. The bottom of the packaging reads 03/2020 – likely BB of March 2020.

This beer was picked up from Whole Foods in Houston and was highly recommended by someone I know who works there. The cans arrived safely in Toronto where I’m very excited to review this.

Appearance

The beer pours a murky pale gold with 3cm of bubbly, thin, off-white head which dissipates into a partial film within 1+ minutes. Poor lacing and fair head retention. As far as beer goes, I still think these haze-bois are ugly.

Aroma

Moderate intensity with good balance. The aroma has a gorgeous and complex ripe fruit character; hops all the way.

Pronounced stone fruit (peaches) and tropical fruit (mango) are complimented by grapefruit and pine. Perfumy, floral undertones and a really interesting fennel character add more complexity and nuance. A touch of ethanol to round out sweetness. An underlying pale malt gives off a crackery impression.

The dry nose is reminiscent of a crackery pale malt with layered hops. Fennomenal 🙂

Flavour

Follows the aroma with medium-strong intensity, good balance, and pronounced perceived bitterness.

The palate opens up very juicy with notes of peaches and grapefruit which set the stage for a complex and hop-forward center where notes of grapefruit, mango, passionfruit, fennel, and mild ethanol compete for attention.

The long finish is relatively intense and quite balanced with notes of grapefruit, fennel, mango, and pine. Hop-jooce. Delicious.

Mouthfeel

Medium-full body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is crisp and somewhat creamy with restrained alcohol warming and an off-dry finish. Mild hop-derived astringency. No harshness of any kind. Great drinkability.

Overall

Spindletap’s Cosmic Clouds is an outstanding DIPA.

It pours out like a juice from a box which I never enjoy, but I quickly forget about the looks as the punchy hop aroma takes over. Amazing hop-complexity from a single hop. The overall flavour is soooo delicious and the mouthfeel contributes to great drinkability forcing me to forget the elevated ABV.

This one’s worth trying whenever you get a chance. I highly recommend it to hop-lovers as well as hop-curious people. The bitterness shows some restraint so I could see this as a gateway to hops regardless of its strength. SpindleTap delivers by exceeding my expectations.

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Westmalle Trappist Tripel | Brouwerij Westmalle

From a 330ml bottle served warm at 14 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Two dates: bottled on 29/10/2018 as well as best before 29/10/2020 – Westmalle has the gold standard for labeling their product clearly.

I picked up this bottle from the LCBO about a month back and just never got around to reviewing it… I suppose mostly because I had new, fresher specimens that were more time sensitive as this had already spent months in the bottle.

Since I’ve had this beer on multiple different occasions, my expectations are above average.

Appearance

The beer pours a brilliant gold with 6.5cm of dense, mousse-like, white head that settles into a thick cap within 6+ minutes. Exceptional lacing with persistent head retention. Highly effervescent.

This would be world-class if it wasn’t for the particles from the sediment. I must say, the bubbles are really tossing those particles around the glass making me think of a beer globe… the most beautiful one I’ve ever laid my eyes upon. You know what, I’m calling it world-class.

Aroma

Strong intensity with sweet-ish balance. The aroma is layered, perfumy, and inviting.

Pronounced esters reminiscent of apples, pears, sweet orange, and mild banana. Moderately low peppery phenols and some clove. Hints of vanilla. Some notes of supporting honey-like malt along with mild, earthy, noble hops and a touch of ethanol at the back.

The dry nose is reminiscent of sugar cookies and fruity esters. How I wish more beers had the depth and complexity of this one.

Flavour

Follows the aroma with strong intensity, great balance, and moderate perceived bitterness.

The palate opens up on the sweet side with a complex fruit bill of apples, pear, banana, and sweet orange. The flavour artfully transforms into a less sweet center where malty notes of honey and bread crust intertwine with noble hops, more sweet orange, and some ethanol. The yeast never leaves the stage by staying in the mix with a peppery, phenolic quality. Is that cloves that I’m tasting?

The relatively long finish is strong and balanced with notes of sweet orange, clove-like phenols, bready malt, some earthy hops, and a kiss of ethanol. I’ve forgotten how much of a joyride a sip of beer can be.

Mouthfeel

Medium-full body with high carbonation. The mouthfeel is smooth, creamy, and round with a pleasant, mouth-coating quality. Restrained alcohol warming of moderate strength and a medium-dry finish. No astringency or harshness of any kind.

Man, this beer has a strong presence on the palate and it bows out eloquently. The Belgians are spoiled.

Overall

Westmalle’s Tripel is a world-class beer demonstrating excellent craftsmanship.

It blows my mind how this has held up against the conditions of travel and storage. It’s pretty much flawless in every aspect of beer. Gorgeous looks with strong, balanced, yet nuanced flavour paired with an exceptional mouthfeel.

I highly recommend this to anyone interested in anything related to beer – ha! Westmalle’s Tripel is a must try and worth seeking out. I’m already looking forward to my next serving of this.

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