Beerfection

Tag: Brasserie Bas-Canada

  • Hadrien DDH | Brasserie du Bas-Canada

    Hadrien DDH | Brasserie du Bas-Canada

    Score: 88/100 – Very Good

    From a 473ml can served cool at 9 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Canned on 07/09/2023 – making this about 5 weeks old.

    I snagged the beer from a local specialty store about 2 weeks ago. I wasn’t sure if I’d make the time to review the beer but after hearing some of the feedback on how good it is… I decided to line up a Bas-Canada breview.

    My recent experience with the brewery has been ok – I’ve been trying to steer away from every new release as I find the value is not always there. As much as I’m drawn to trendy hazybois, they tend to get monotonous. “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”

    Appearance 6/6

    The beer pours an opaque pale gold with 4.5cm of dense, creamy, off-white head which dissipates into a craggy cap within 4+ minutes. Exceptional lacing with great head retention.

    Aroma 24/24

    Strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is intense, hop-forward, and extremely enticing.

    Pronounced citrus (grapefruit + tangerines) and noticeable woody pine take center stage while gentler tropical sweetness (pineapple + mango) add depth and round out any sharpness. Peachy notes and mild floral tones add layers with low crackery malt fighting for airtime. No apparent alcohol or off-notes.

    The dry nose is somewhat pungent and citrus-forward with notes of lime, pine, and low crackery malt. World-class.

    Flavour 36/40

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

    The juicy palate opens up with pronounced citrus (grapefruit + tangerines), stone fruit (peach), pine, and a touch of salt making way for a sharper center where the woody component dials up including some grassy tones and noticeable minerality. The citrus remains while very little – if any – tropical character shows up.

    The long finish is strong and bitter-ish with notes of pine, grapefruit rind, a bit of grass, and low crackery malt. Tasty stuff.

    Mouthfeel 6/10

    Full body with medium-low carbonation. The mouthfeel is creamy, thick, and mouth-coating with restrained alcohol warming and an off-dry finish. Moderate hop-derived astringency with some harshness on the palate. Heavy impact.

    Overall 16/20

    Brasserie Bas-Canada’s Hadrien DDH is a great beer.

    A good-looking hazyboi with excellent foam quality and no ugly murkiness. The wonderful aroma features plenty of layers and character provoking one to take a sip. On the palate, the beer drops out a little bit by lacking the suggested sweetness of the nose while introducing sharper characteristics and hop-burn. The mouthfeel is pleasantly full, but it also diminishes the drinkability by introducing too much hop-derived astringency.

    Overall, Hadrien DDH is a beer worth trying. It starts out incredibly strong with good looks and enticing aroma. It slightly misses the mark on the palate by being unable to match the aromatics while lacking drinkability. Having said that, this is a tasty brew worth picking up when you see it.

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  • #Gatineu Is Trending | Brasserie Bas-Canada

    #Gatineu Is Trending | Brasserie Bas-Canada

    Score: 83/100 – Very Good

    From a 473ml can served cool at 9 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Canned on 20.12.2022 – making this over six weeks old. I picked up the can two days ago from a local specialty shop.

    This was a new shipment so I’m surprised to find out about the canning date. I suppose a triple IPA should hold up for up to two months considering the strength, but I’m a bit concerned how time has impacted this beer. I also discovered this beer was on my wishlist which is always exciting to narrow down.

    My expectations for #Gatineau is Trending are very high.

    Appearance 6/6

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

    Aroma 21/24

    Medium-strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is fragrant and fruity with a mild edginess.

    Pronounced tropical fruit (mango) and citrus (grapefruit) take the lead. Milder stone fruit (peaches) and a trace of melon add layers while low crackery malt plays a supportive role. Mild perfumy alcohol and very little woody-herbaceous tones. Tiny bit of anise at the back.

    The dry nose is strong and perfumy with notes of citrus, grass, floral, sweat, and mild crackery malt.

    Flavour 35/40

    Strong intensity with good balance and assertive perceived bitterness.

    The intense palate opens up juicy with notes of citrus (grapefruit), tropical fruit (mango), stone fruit (peach), alcohol (floral), and salt. The center gets edgy with prominent citrus/stone/tropical fruit notes and noticeable alcohol. Mild grassiness kicks in while an anise spice intensifies and some aspirin character manages to come through.

    The long finish is strong and bitter-ish with significant grapefruit oil vibe, resinous pine, alcohol, aspirin, and low crackery malt.

    Mouthfeel 6/10

    Full body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is creamy, mouth-coating, and prickly with restrained alcohol warming and a medium-dry finish. Moderate hop-derived astringency with some harshness on the palate.

    Overall 15/20

    Bas-Canada’s #Gatineau is Trending is an above average beer.

    The looks are good for an opaque beer. Considering the high alcohol level, the foam attributes are really, really good. The aroma is inviting and layered but it lacks the punch I expect from a triple IPA. The flavour does kick up the depth by a notch, but it has some harsh qualities to it. The mouthfeel unfortunately ends up diminishing drinkability with a combination of hop-derived astringency, alcohol, and bitterness.

    Overall, #Gatineau Is Trending might be a beer worth trying. It doesn’t really offer anything outside of the usual hazy IPAs, but as far as TIPAs go, it does a good job delivering a hefty, juicy, hop-focused beer while keeping the alcohol and sweetness in check.

    I personally don’t find enough value in it to make it part of my regular rotation. Your mileage may differ ;) Next up? A maltiboi from Boréale.

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  • Espèce | Brasserie du Bas-Canada

    Espèce | Brasserie du Bas-Canada

    Score: 87/100 – Very Good

    From a 473ml can served cool at 9 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Canned on 13/01/2023 – making this just over a week young.

    I picked up the can from a local specialty store a few days ago along with a handful of other trendy IPAs.

    Another Bas-Canada hazy IPA added to the list. I’ve had this beer once before and I really liked it. Truth be told, when I picked up the can, I forgot about my previous date with Espèce. At least now we get to have an in-depth look at it.

    Appearance 4/6

    The beer pours a murky pale gold (greenish tint) with 4cm of dense, creamy, off-white head which dissipates into a craggy cap within 4+ minutes. Exceptional lacing with great head retention. I don’t love the hue and the degree of opaqueness.

    Aroma 24/24

    Strong intensity with great balance. The aroma is punchy and powerfully hop-forward.

    Big ripe tropical fruit (mango) and citrus (grapefruit) character lead the way. Woody pine, mild herbs, and noticeable aniseed quality add layers and help with balance. Mild crackery malt rounds out any edges.

    The dry nose is strong and hoppy with notes of citrus, pine, grain, a hint of spice (aniseed), and mild sweaty tones.

    Flavour 35/40

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

    The vibrant palate opens up with salted citrus rind and juicy mango sweetness – making way for a sharper center where woody pine and mild herbal/grassy tones along with mild aniseed spice join the tropical-citrusy vibes. A pinch of salt and very low crackery malt at the back.

    The long finish is strong and sharp-ish with notes of grapefruit pith, mild grass, a bit of pine, aniseed, aspirin, and low crackery malt.

    Mouthfeel 8/10

    Full body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is crisp yet creamy and mouth-coating with restrained alcohol warming and a medium-dry finish. There’s a moderate hop-derived astringency but it still misses the mark of turning acrid on the palate.

    Overall 16/20

    Brasserie Bas-Canada’s Espèce is a great hazy DIPA.

    The appearance is not my favourite; it has that milky quality and a green-ish tint that just doesn’t sit right with me. Outstanding foam quality. Superb aroma – tremendously vibrant with intense fruitiness. The palate follows with massive character but it fails to reach perfection. There’s too much salt, shades of crushed aspirin, and grassy tones that take away from the drinking experience. The mouthfeel starts off rich and creamy, packing quite a bit of impact. However, with gained temperature, the astringency bumps up and diminishes drinkability too much.

    Overall, Bas-Canada’s Espèce is a beer worth trying if you’re into hazy IPAs. The sheer amount of hop-flavour is commendable, but the beer lacks finesse and drinkability and is certainly not part of the brewery’s best.

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  • Machina | Brasserie du Bas-Canada

    Machina | Brasserie du Bas-Canada

    Score: 88/100 – Great

    From a 473ml can served cool at 8 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Canned on 22/12/22 – making this about two weeks young.

    This can comes from a local specialty store which I picked up just a few days ago. I’m always happy to review Bas-Canada’s beers even if I’ve been trying to move away from trendy IPAs. My expectations are high – no surprise given the brewery.

    Appearance 6/6

    The beer pours an opaque gold with 4cm of dense, creamy, off-white head which dissipates into a craggy cap within 5+ minutes. Exceptional lacing and head retention. I miss clear beer.

    Aroma 22/24

    Strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is intensily hoppy featuring a New World flair.

    Sharp citrus (grapefruit + lime) and significant pungency (tropical and vegetal at the same time) dominate the nose. Notable pine and mild aniseed spice add layers. Mild mango sweetness and very low crackery malt at the back. A hint of perfumy alcohol and some floral tones.

    The dry nose is strong and hop-forward with citrus, catty notes, and mild vegetal tones (hmm…).

    Flavour 36/40

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

    The juicy palate opens up with ripe mango sweetness and significant grapefruit and tangerine character with a sprinkle of salt. The center remains juicy and citrus-focused but it also takes on a lot more woody pine, indistinct herbs, and aniseed spice. Mild alcohol note, low grassiness, and crackery malt remain in the sidelines.

    The long finish is strong and sharp-ish with notes of grapefruit peel, pine, mild grass, low aniseed, and a little bit of crackery malt.

    Mouthfeel 8/10

    Full body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is creamy yet crisp with a mouth-coating quality and mild sharpness. The alcohol warming is restrained and the finish is off-dry. Mild hop-derived astringency. Overall no harsh qualities on the palate but the beer has an edge.

    Overall 16/20

    Bas-Canada’s Machina is a great beer.

    The appearance is very good (ya know, for a hazyboi) with exceptional foam attributes. Once the beer warms a bit, a pungent aroma filled with New World hop character leaps out of the glass. The palate follows with intense hop-flavour and somewhat sharp characteristics. Mouthfeel-wise, this lacks the soft, plushy vibe that all of the brewery’s best IPAs have. There’s significant viscosity and only a mild astringency – yet, my palate is overwhelmed and the drinkability ends up lacking. Maybe it’s the hop selection, maybe it’s something else.

    In any case, Bas-Canada’s Machina is a hazy DIPA worth trying. Given my preference for high value beer – I probably wouldn’t buy more of this given the high price. For the first-timers and people with enough disposable income, don’t hesitate.

    Shit, I just realized BreWskey’s Cepage Argentin was supposed to be the next breview on my list! Well, that’s next.

    OMG, read another breview!
  • Hypa X | Brasserie du Bas-Canada

    Hypa X | Brasserie du Bas-Canada

    Score: 83/100 – Very Good

    From a 473ml can served cool at 9 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Canned on 25.08.2022 – making this around 4 weeks old.

    I picked up the beer over a week ago from a local specialty store along with many other Bas-Canada IPAs. Recently I’ve had a few misses with the brewery so I’m curious if my expectations for the brewery are met this time around. It’s been a long time since I had a rendition of HYPA so let’s get to it.

    Appearance 6/6

    The beer pours an opaque pale gold with 5cm of frothy, creamy, off-white head which dissipates into a craggy cap within 3+ minutes. Exceptional lacing with good head retention.

    Aroma 23/24

    Strong intensity with good balance. Exceptional nose; aromatic and characterful.

    Pungent, ripe tropical fruit (mango + papaya) pairs well with zesty citrus (grapefruit + lime + tangerines). Moderate woody pine and mild anise-like spice add layers while low crackery malt ties everything together.

    The dry nose is strong and citrusy with mild grainy-tropical sweetness at the back.

    Flavour 34/40

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

    The somewhat sharp palate opens up with juicy tones as well as salted citrus (grapefruit + tangerines), pine, and grass making way for an edgy center featuring notes of citrus, pine, grass, and spice along with a hint of crackery malt.

    The long finish is strong and sharp with notes of pine, citrus, grass, minerals, spice (anise), and mild crackery malt.

    Mouthfeel 6/10

    Medium body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is crisp, slightly chalky, and mouth-coating with restrained warming sensation and a dry finish. Moderate hop-derived astringency – too much – the beer is harsh.

    Overall 14/20

    Brasserie du Bas-Canada’s HYPA X is a very good beer.

    Nice looks for a hazyboi; good head attributes and juice-like appearance with no chunks in the glass. Outstanding aroma featuring classic New World hop characteristics – only missing a wow-factor that defines a true world-class example. On the palate, however, the beer lacks the balance and beauty of the aroma. The flavour is rather edgy and coloured by acrid hop-characteristics typical of DDH IPAs. Which brings me to the most problematic part of this beer: the mouthfeel. The hop-derived astringency (hop-burn) is simply too much. That, combined with marked minerally saltiness and a chalky quality diminishes the overall drinking experience. A classic issue with the style which is quickly becoming my main reason for not picking up these cans.

    Most trendy IPAs are expensive and they simply don’t deliver enough value for me. That’s the case with HYPA X – it stands out in some aspects, yet fails to meet my expectations for Bas-Canada as one of the best in the domain of Canadian hazy IPAs. It seems like the circle is complete again – I think I need to step away from the trendy stuff and start focusing on the classics as well as the less known beers/breweries.

    OMG, read another breview!
  • Quelque Chose Dans L’eau | 5e Baron + Bas-Canada

    Quelque Chose Dans L’eau | 5e Baron + Bas-Canada

    Score: 95/100 – World-Class

    From a 473ml can served cool at 9 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Canned on 14/10/20 – making this about three weeks old.

    I picked up the beer straight from the brewery just over a week ago.

    We’re back to IPA’s from yesterday’s stout – given the breweries involved in this beer, my expectations are high.

    Appearance 6/6

    The beer pours a hazy pale gold with 4.5cm of moderately dense, creamy, white head which dissipates into a solid cap within 3+ minutes. Great lacing with good head retention. Excellent.

    Aroma 22/24

    Medium-strong intensity with great balance. The aroma is layered and restrained with a beautiful hop-character.

    Sweet orange and gooseberries at the front provide a gentle sweetness and a sense of intrigue which is cut by mild lemon and resin. Moderate peachy quality and low passion fruit add complexity. No grassy notes.

    The dry nose is light with a fruity elegance. Exquisite.

    Flavour 38/40

    Strong intensity with great balance and moderate perceived bitterness.

    The juicy palate opens up with notes of sweet orange, gooseberries, and peaches making way for a delicious center where a subtle citrusy bite, juicy stone fruit, low woody hops, white grapes, and a dash of minerals come together harmoniously.

    The medium-length finish is balanced and of moderate strength with notes of sweet orange, peaches, hints of lime, low minerals, and grainy-crackery malt. Exceptional.

    Mouthfeel 10/10

    Medium-full body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is creamy yet crisp with restrained alcohol warming and an off-dry finish. Very mild hop-derived astringency with no actual harshness on the palate. Excellent.

    Overall 19/20

    5e Baron and Brasserie Bas-Canada’s collaboration Quelque Chose Dans L’eau? is a world-class NEIPA.

    The appearance really stands out with substantial haze through which light can pass creating a beautiful shine. The aroma is nuanced and intriguing and the palate follows exceptionally well. The mouthfeel is creamy and full yet maintaining high drinkability.

    This beer goes down way easier than any 8% ABV beer should – danger zone (I’m lucky I only have one can). This one surpasses my expectations by being a must-try if you’re a beer geek. Highly recommended.

    My compliments to both 5e Baron and Bas-Canada; here the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

    OMG, read another breview!
  • HYPA VII | Brasserie du Bas-Canada

    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!

    OMG, read another breview!
  • HYPA VIII | Brasserie du Bas-Canada

    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.

    OMG, read another breview!