Beerfection

Tag: Ontario

  • Evolution D.T.C | Wood Brothers Brewing Co.

    Evolution D.T.C | Wood Brothers Brewing Co.

    Score: 71/100 – Average

    From a 473ml can served cool at 7 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Canned on 2022-06-09 – making this over 4 weeks old. I got the can from a friend who sourced it directly from the brewery.

    Another Wood Brothers review – fingers crossed this one stands out as their Double Dream Vol.02 was surprisingly average.

    Appearance 4/6

    The beer pours an opaque gold with 2.5cm of puffy, thin-ish, off-white head which dissipates into a partial film within 1+ minutes. Poor lacing with fair head retention. Good but not great.

    Aroma 18/24

    Medium-strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is pungent, dank, and citrus-forward.

    Pronounced dankness with vegetal tones and moderate cannabis character along with prominent sweet oranges. Notable pine and a mild anise spiciness. Ample tropical fruit mostly reminiscent of ripe mango as well as mild grassiness.

    The dry nose is a bit yeasty with nuanced fruit and a hint of water crackers. Quite complex yet not complete.

    Flavour 26/40

    Strong intensity with good balance and pronounced perceived bitterness.

    The intense palate opens up with salted citrus and big tropical fruit (mango) sweetness along with mild woodiness and spice (anise) making way for a sharp center with notes of anise, pine, lime juice, mango, grass, minerals, and low cereal grain.

    The medium-length finish is strong and bitter with notes of citrus rind, salt, pine, grass, and a spicy edge. This is rough.

    Mouthfeel 8/10

    Full body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is quite thick with good creaminess and a slight crispness. Restrained alcohol warming and an off-dry finish. Medium-low hop-derived astringency with mild harshness on the palate. Good but not great.

    Overall 15/20

    Wood Brothers Brewing’s Evolution D.T.C is an average hazy DIPA.

    The appearance is lacking in the foam characteristics with thin-ish structure and so so retention. Any clarity would improve the looks but unfortunately it’s not really part of the style. Aroma-wise the beer has some intriguing layers and moderate off-kilter vibes but it doesn’t captivate my senses. I wish there was just a bit more oomph for the nose. On the palate, the flavour amps up but without restraint; flirting with harshness. Finally, the mouthfeel has pleasant creamy weight to it, but noticeable hop burn chimes in and hinders the drinkability while leaving the palate saturated and unprepared for another sip.

    I really want to like this, but at this price point I want an exceptional beer and unfortunately Evolution D.T.C doesn’t fit that bill. Maybe this is all due to a month in can… maybe not.

    I suppose this a reminder for myself that I’m just not onboard with the trendy IPAs as I often find them harsh, overdone, and lacking in value. I need to check myself before stocking up on them. Having said that, I know there are some truly exceptional brews to be had within the style. And truthfully, they’re incredibly difficult to find.

    OMG, read another breview!
  • Double Dream Vol.2 | Wood Brothers Brewing Co.

    Double Dream Vol.2 | Wood Brothers Brewing Co.

    Score: 62/100 – Not Recommended

    From a 473ml can served cool at 7 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Canned on 2022-06-02 – making this just over 4 weeks old. I received the can from a friend who got it directly from the brewery.

    This might be my first official Wood Brothers review even though I’ve enjoyed their beers before. I’m excited to add these guys to the ongoing breview list.

    Appearance 2/6

    The beer pours a murky, opaque, greenish-orange with 1cm of frothy, light tan head which dissipates into a partial film within 1+ minutes. Great lacing with fair head retention. At least there are no chunks!

    Aroma 12/24

    Medium intensity with good balance. The aroma is fruit-forward and rather muted.

    Notes of pungent tropical fruit and citrus (lime + grapefruit) with a hint of grass and noticeable alcohol. A touch of melon and mild cereal grain at the back. I guess there’s some woodsy (pine) tones as well.

    The dry nose is light and citrusy with mild graininess at the back. I’m surprised how little character leaps out of the glass.

    Flavour 28/40

    Strong intensity with decent balance and pronounced perceived bitterness.

    The intense palate opens up with loads of citrus, a dash of salt, and noticeable alcohol. The center remains citrusy (lime + grapefruit + tangerines), somewhat woody (pine), and boozy while adding low tones of tropical fruit and mild supportive grain.

    The long finish is strong and bitter-ish with notes of grapefruit zest, pine, low lime, alcohol, and mild cereal grain.

    Mouthfeel 8/10

    Full body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is thick and creamy with restrained alcohol warming and a medium-dry finish. Low hop-derived astringency with no actual harshness on the palate.

    Overall 12/20

    Wood Brothers Brewing Co’s Double Dream Vol.02 is an average hazy DIPA.

    First of all, the appearance is unappealing; the beer is murky, lacking in foam, and has an ugly green shade to it. The aroma fails to live up to expectations with surprisingly restrained character. Every now and then I come by a brew that forces me to stop trusting my senses. I have to go and smell a whole bunch of other things just to make sure something didn’t happen to my sense of smell. After pillows, candles, hands, lipbalm, lime water, and armpits, I decided that my smell is fine, it’s the beer that’s lacking. Unfortunately, the palate is not a whole lot better… it’s kind of rustic, limited in depth, and showing the alcohol too much. At least the mouthfeel is good – even if it doesn’t get full marks due to finishing slightly sweet and having a bit of edgy astringency to it.

    Honestly, I’m very surprised how flat this beer falls. Just the other day I had an outstanding IPA from Wood Brothers with a May date on it. It’s hard to say what happened here, but it seems like the beer simply didn’t stand up against age. It’s worth noting that typically I wouldn’t write about a hoppy beer after a month from canning but I thought this time could be different.

    Nevertheless, this doesn’t change much about the way I feel for these talented brewers. Wood Brothers remains a relevant voice in the Canadian craft beer scene and I’m looking forward to my next pint by them.

    OMG, read another breview!
  • Messenger of Dawn | Reverence Barrel Works

    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.

    OMG, read another breview!

  • 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.

    OMG, read another breview!
  • Opus Two | Counterpoint Brewing Company

    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!

    OMG, read another breview!