Day 15: Karoo Red

Karoo Red

Origin: Porcupine Quill Brewing Co. (Botha’s Hill, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa)

Style: Flemish Red

ABV: 5.5%

IBU: 49.4

Description: This is my first offering of craft beer from South Africa and my thoughts drift back to my time living in England. I had placed a note in the climbing gym looking for a partner. I ended up meeting a South African named Waldo pronounced as “Valdoo”. It was at this time I fell into a brewing job and began my long road in beer. Waldo, a climber from South Africa living in Birmingham, made me nervous but he turned out to be a best friend, great climbing partner and source of endless trouble for me. This beer better live up to Waldo’s reputation.

It pours a murky auburn with very little head. Sniffing I get orange peel, slight sour cherry and a hint of fresh emptied wine barrel. Sipping I get a medium level of carbonation, some astringent chocolate notes, cocoa and a waft of black forest cake. The hop rate is in check and I start to get some cooking chocolate hints. Memory takes me back to the time I nicked the cooking chocolate nibs from the cupboard. Sorry dad! There is a real tang starting to assert itself with more sips. But with sour cherry and chocolate like a black forest cocktail from Bavaria. It’s like I am being seduced by the Boer war version of the classic spy trick called a honey pot. This vixen has me enticed and I shall give up all secrets.

I would put this beer in the company of  Duchesse de Bourgogne or the Pilaarbijter – both Flemish reds. It does not get as sour but well within the cricket circle and I say they have knocked it for six. Food-wise, I would like to see this paired with game meat like elk or moose with carrots and boiled potatoes. All round a very nice showing for my first South African beer. Puts Tusker to shame and plants the craft beer flag right square on the horn of Africa. I look forward to more. – C.B.

 

Day 14: Imperial Schwarze Gams

 

Imperial Schwarze Gams

Origin: Privatbrauerei Loncium (Kötschach-Mauthen, Austria)

Style: Bock

ABV: 7%

IBU: Not Listed

Description: Budweiser and Clydesdales. Milk stouts and dairy cows. Brandy and St. Bernards. Some animals are synonymous with certain beers (beer styles) or spirits. But what about bocks and goats? What’s their connection and do goats carry kegs up to mountain tops and have a big ol’ party? I’ve seen countless times the two goats dueling over a pokal glass of bock on the Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock label, but never gave them much thought. Seeing there’s another goat on the label of Loncium’s Imperial Schwarze Gams, I know it’s time to do some research.

Bock, according to Google’s investigative work, started out as an ale made in Einbeck, a Northern German city. Then Munich brewers adapted it using lagering techniques and called it “Einbock” in their Bavarian dialect.  Eventually the name was shortened to Bock, which also means “goat” in German. There! The mystery’s solved! Now I can go drink this beer.

The Imperial Schwarze Gams is a medium-bodied dark bock that pours a beautiful, rich amber colour. The head is thin and dissipates quickly; swirling the glass brings the head back but ever so briefly. Malt is front and centre in its aroma – a little sweet like toasted caramel and vanilla but not heavy handed at all. The flavour is in line with its aroma, but balanced with a bit of hoppy bitterness. To be honest, I was expecting a little bit more complexity – maybe some dark fruits like raisins and plums – especially with the word ‘Imperial’ in its name, but it’s still a solid bock.

This beer would pair well with game meat dishes – how about a whole roasted duck with some seasonal root vegetables?

There are many styles of bock – from the lightest in maibock to darkest and booziest in eisbock. In between you’ll find the traditional bock, weizenbock and doppelbock. Give them all a try and see which style you enjoy best. Some of my recommendations are the aforementioned Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock and Schneider Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock. Want to try something made locally? Check out Moon Under Water’s The Victorious Weizenbock and Vancouver Island Brewery’s Hermannator Ice Bock. – C.T.

Loncium’s logo looks similar to Firestone Walker’s, both featuring a lion and a bear.

 

Day 13: Blackfriar

 

Blackfriar

Origin: The Inveralmond Brewery (Perth, Scotland, UK)

Style: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy

ABV: 7%

IBU: Not Listed

Description: When I remembered about this blog “homework” assignment I was in the middle of watching a documentary on the origins of sea shanties, traditional working songs sung aboard various types of ships in the Golden Age of sailing. So off to the kitchen and out of the packaging I pulled the Blackfriar from The Inveralmond Brewey of Perth, Scotland. The match between the two was serendipitous.

You see, the Wee Heavy style of beer is the type of brew a calloused handed fisherman, or a home bound navy crewmen would crave from the first pub ashore. A form of pale ale characterised by a caramelized malty forward heaviness, they are warming, filling and satisfying. This Blackfriar is a slightly mild version of the style, but it displays itself proudly as an example of a Scotch Ale. Closing my eyes, I could perfectly picture swinging a pint of this beverage while bellowing a sea shanty with the boys at the pub.

Poured as a deep hue of amber with copper highlights in the edges, the colour was beautifully appealing. A fairly calm beige head rimmed the glass while sweet wafts of caramel and toffee overcame the subdued hops aromas. These types of beers should be consumed at almost room temperature which will really change the flavour profile quite substantially, so I sipped lightly at my glass while resting it in both hands. As the temperature rises, the notes of plum, caramel and prune really start to come alive. When I drink a Scotch Ale, I unconsciously slow down to a crawl as I near the bottom of the glass, because it really satisfies until the last drop.

It’s a perfect time for this style of beer, especially with the mild beginnings of a Vancouver winter. I find the late Autumn really relates to Wee Heavy’s as a bridge between the lighter beers driven by hops in the summertime and the dark, rich styles that follow into the darker months. There are quite a few good examples on store shelves right now, but my favourites are the Persephone Wee Heavy, Spinnakers Keg Tosser Wee Heavy Scotch Ale, and the Wolf Brewing Scotch Ale.

If you feel inclined to pick a few up, stop by the grocery store and get a nice cut of meat to grill with some potatoes, or a roast beef sandwich. The two will go really well together. But please, if you’re feeling inspired to belt out a sea shanty or two while consuming a Wee Heavy, please finish chewing first. No need to copy those naval table manners. -C.L.

Day 12: Biere De Noël

 

Biere De Noël

Origin: Big Sky Brewing Co. (Missoula, Montana, USA)

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

ABV: 10.1%

IBU: 35

Description: Biere De Noël from Big Sky Brewing has a spot deep in my heart. Growing up in the States, one of the first breweries that I stumbled across when starting my adventure into craft beer was Big Sky. I feel this is the case for many people living in the Northwestern states. Their perennial beers are very approachable and drinkable yet still have lots of flavour. Another love of mine in the beer world is Belgian style beers, especially ones from American and Canadian breweries.

Bière De Noël is a beautiful deep brown colour with amber and mahogany hues. The aroma of this beer is truly wonderful. There are tons of dried fruit aromas of plums, raisins, figs, and dark sweet cherries pouring out of the glass followed by caramelized sugars, Belgian yeast and alcohol. Big Sky hit the mark with this one. If I didn’t know better I would expect this to be from a Belgian brewery. Upon tasting the beer one sees that the flavour sticks close to the aroma. There are lots of dried fruit though caramelized sugar and Belgian yeast dominate the palate with a lingering bitterness and alcohol warmth.

There are many different options when pairing this beer with food. For me the cheese plate would be the first place to start. This beer would go perfectly with a strong pungent cheese such as Roquefort, Limburger, or Epoisses. One would also pair this with heartier dishes such as Flemish Carbonades (essentially beef and beer stew. Ones could even use this beer for delicious results), really any red meat or game meat, or a Croque Madame (grilled ham and cheese sandwich smothered in béchamel sauce and topped with a sunny-side up egg).

If you were looking for a similar beer most Belgian dark strong ales/Quads would suffice. There are many options such as Straffe Hendrik quad, St. Bernardus 12, Rochefort 10, North Coast‘s Brother Thelonius, Chimay Blue, or Kasteel Donker. I hope you enjoy this beer as much as I did and happy beer drinking. – O.P.

 

Day 11: Tropical Christmas Saison

Tropical Christmas Saison

Origin: Cervejaria Wäls (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil)

Style: Saison

ABV: 7%

IBU: Not Listed

Description:  I have always been confused with saisons in winter. The going story is the style came from the farm for the field workers in the summer. So why make a beer like this for Christmas?

Another mystery is the ingredients: coriander and orange peel. That is the classic ingredients for a Belgian wit. Again the questions come out – why in a saison?

The beer itself pours a lovely medium amber with a thin head. The nose is fairly robust and I can pick up the raisins and figs they used coming through. Strange for a saison but I like a brewer who plays. The pepper that I expect from a good saison is missing and I get a orange gumdrop. The finish is really sweet and cloying. This is a fruit bomb and full of the suggested tropical. Good thing I am wearing my Hawaiian shirt.

For a saison try the Dupont or the Farmhand Ale from Driftwood and pair with fish or salad.

Now I think they have made a Belgian wit and done a very cool example of it. Fun to drink and will go with a big pig roast with fruit. Why they called it a saison I have no idea but I have seen enough bad translation signs that I am willing to look the other way. Hey, I am the guy wearing the Hawaiian shirt in December! – C.B.

Day 10: Stout

Stout

Origin: Gæðingur Öl Brugghús (Skagafirði, Iceland)

Style: Stout

ABV: 5.6%

IBU: Not Listed

Description: From the land of glaciers, volcanoes and Björk, Iceland’s Gæðingur Öl Brugghús, (“Gæðingur Öl” meaning “Thoroughbred Ale”) is a 6-barrel brewery that opened in 2011. Brewing, I’d imagine, has a relatively short history in Iceland, since the prohibition of all alcoholic beverages was implemented  in 1915, and beer remained illegal until March 1989! Why the ban remained in place for so long, I’ll never know, but I’m sure glad Icelanders can make, sell, and drink beer again.

Stout is one of the four beers in Gæðingur Öl Brugghús’ lineup. It pours dark-brown with a surprisingly thin, tan head that dissipates quickly. Its lively carbonation and colour remind me a little bit of Dr. Pepper.

But that’s where the similarity ends. The aroma is of roasted malt, coffee, and a trace of licorice. A sip of it confirms the roasted malt is in the forefront, perhaps a bit too roasted as it overwhelms the brew’s thin body. However, when the stout warms a bit, coffee & licorice finally hit the palate to balance the roasted maltiness.

I’d imagine a succulent pulled pork sandwich would pair quite well with this stout. For someone who’s curious about Icelandic beers, Borg Brugghús makes an imperial stout clocking in at 11.5%ABV (!!) called Garún Icelandic Stout NR.19. Expect notes of chocolate, coffee and licorice. BC breweries also make delicious stouts.  Bridge Brewing‘s All Out Stout and Longwood‘s Stoutnik are ones I’d always recommend.  – C.T.

Man on his thoroughbred

 

Day 9: Cucapá Honey

Cucapá Honey

Origin: Cerveceria De Baja California (Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico)

Style: Amber Ale

ABV: 4.5%

IBU: Not Listed

Description: When I opened this advent calender hole to pull out today’s beer, there was definite excitement. Last year when I purchased this calender, there were a few beers that stood out. The one that surprised me most was another offering from this brewery, Cerveceria De Baja California and their Cucapá branded beers. I had always associated Mexican beer with a certain few labels that may as well be interchangeable, but that beer allowed me to discover that quality and craft sensibilities existed all over the world in one form or another.

Located in Baja California, the Western panhandle of Mexico, the beer is named after the Cucapá tribe that settled in the Northern region. The Cucapá had a deep respect for water and nature, which is where the brewery draws their influence.

This brew pours a deep amber with plenty of rocky white head. The carbonation in it was phenomenal and lively. It really helped to bring the scent of sweet honey and floral hop aroma to the nose.

Although bordering on being a tad sweet for my tastes, it was a very well-constructed beer, balanced in toasted malt flavours and nutty pine bitterness. Enjoyable from start to finish and consistent throughout, it held the taste and showed lively bubbles until the very last drop.

To pair with food, this beer would need something to balance out the sweetness of the malts and honey, like a steak and potatoes or a pasta. If you’re interested to try a beer of  a similar vein, I would suggest the Sleeman’s Honey Brown. – C.L.

Day 8: Anno 1050

Anno 1050

Origin: Klosterbrauerei Weltenburg (Kelheim, Germany)

Style: Märzen

ABV: 5.5%

IBU: Not Listed

Description: Anno 1050 is one of the most visually appealing beers I have had the pleasure of drinking in a while. It pours a brilliant honey-amber color and is bright and sparkling with a wonderful head that persisted the entire time it was in the glass. The first aroma that can be picked sweet malt with underlying aromas of vanilla and graham, there were also hints of creamed corn, which can be a sign of DMS. The taste follows the aroma, upfront is a malt sweetness followed by toasted bread flavours and finishes fairly dry. I also picked up a buttery character in the flavour of this beer, which can be associated with diacetyle, another brewing flaw that can be acceptable in this style in very low quantities.

Overall I felt this was a middle of the road beer. To me that means an everyday drinking beer, one that has a well-rounded flavour and hop character and is not overwhelming. This beer is a good representation of the style, though it’s not the top tier of märzens due to its numerous brewing flaws.

For a food pairing I would go with traditional German fare such as Currywurst and frites (German sausage covered in curry powder and ketchup with French fries), Hasenpfeffer (traditional German rabbit stew), Bierocks (German Meat Turnovers), although this beer would also go with any pub food or food that is somewhat hardy. Finding an alternative beer is somewhat difficult due this being a seasonal style for Oktoberfest, that being said Legacy still has Russell’s Marzen still in stock as well as the Hacker-Pschorr Festbier. There are some beers that would be similar enough to tie you over for the rest of the year, such as the Hacker-Pschorr Kellerbier or Hofbrau Munich Helles.   – O.P.

 

Day 7: Nuclear Free Anzus IPA

The story behind this IPA

Nuclear Free Anzus IPA

Origin: Croucher Brewing Co (Rotorua, New Zealand)

Style: IPA

ABV: 7%

IBU: Not Listed

Description: This beer can be summed up in one phrase “cerevisiae  incognito.” I sip this beer and I suddenly realize I have so much I do not know about New Zealand beers. It is an American IPA but an IPA coming at you from a different direction. Its hopping is not what I am used to and I am pulled into a strange world.

The beer itself pours a golden marmalade shade with a nice creamy head. The nose brings forth a slightly woody fragrance and hints at some resiny hops. The body is medium and the carbonation is in check. What pops forward is the hops. I don’t know what they are using and am really intrigued. New Zealand has its own hop scene that is so foreign to me but at the same time alluring.

As an American IPA it is a little shy but it is balanced and has a level of complexity that really warrants more visits. Maybe it is time we create a new style called after this area? – C.B.

 

Day 6: Fat Man Red Suit Big Sack

Fat Man Red Suit Big Sack

Origin: Bridge Road Brewers (Beechworth, Victoria, Australia)

Style: India Red Ale (IRA)

ABV: 7.5%

IBU: Not Listed, but then there’s this:

hop profile – 9/10

 

Description: Since our friends Down Under celebrate Christmas in the summer time, I’ve always envisioned their Santa to be a fit octogenarian wearing t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops and traveling on a surfboard. Nonetheless, Bridge Road Brewers made this IRA especially for us beer-drinking Canadians, featuring on the label a pudgy, somewhat disgruntled old man wearing an ill-fitting red suit. (Is that what all Santas in shopping malls look like after an 8-hour shift?)

Anyway, Fat Man Red Suit Big Sack pours a big, fluffy tan head with great head retention. It’s cloudy, amber-coloured, obviously unfiltered. Its initial citrusy, tropical fruit-sweet aroma can be attributed to the hops used in this ale – Australia’s Galaxy, Topaz and Enigma. Resin notes come out as the beer warms.

At first sip, this medium-bodied IRA seems aggressively hopped but be patient. When the beer warms up a bit, you’ll discover there’s a nice balance of hops and malt, though the hops ultimately prevail.

An IPA – Amber Ale hybrid,  Fat Man Red Suit Big Sack would pair well with many flavourful meat dishes, and cuisines with spicy heat. Jambalaya is a personal favourite.

More and more breweries are now adding IRAs to their regular and seasonal line-ups. Check out Phillips’ Coulrophobia IRA and Double Mountain’s IRA for their own interpretation of this style. Lovers of Aussie hops would undoubtedly enjoy Russell’s limited release IP G’Day – a variation of their IP’eh brewed exclusively with Galaxy, Ella and Topaz hops.   – C.T.