Abbaye-Abdij du Val-Dieu – Grand Cru

Wine like nose. Ripe fruits with alcohol. Malty spicey ripe fruits. Finish is sweet malty. Well balanced. Can’t really tell its 10.5%.

Rating: 4/5

Unibroue – Éphémère Black Current

Another yummy offering from Unibroue. Grape and currents rule the nose with a light spice. Tart & carbonated with light malty taste. Finish is tart but pleasant with a slight spice. Carbonation wanes as it sits out.

Rating: 3.75/5

Orval – Trappist Strong Ale

Nose is sweet and sour. Reminiscent of adhesives. Smooth but thin floral malty taste. Finish is lightly malty. Light although it is 6.9%. I wanted to love it.

Rating: 2/5

After much discussion via Instagram with New Belgium Brewing and a friendly beer nut (jghopslam) I have been happily convinced to try another bottle in the hopes I just had an over oxidized bottle.

Russell Brewing Co. – Blood Alley ESB

Slightly hoppy floral nose. Sweet malty taste that gets overwhelmed by the hop bitterness. Finish is almost like an IPA. Drinkable. It’s quite bitter at 50 IBU but you are warned, as that fact is written right on the front artwork. A little less bitter would really bring out the lovely hidden malts.

Rating: 2.75/5

Hoyne Brewing Co. – Hoyner Pilsner

Pours a gorgeous head. Light floral nose. Complex light malty taste. Finish is a nice silky grass-like flavour. I like this beer. Elizabeth likes it too! (That’s a good sign). It is a Pilsner so expect it to be lighter but also very subtle and complex. Had some hints of banana in the finish.

Rating: 4/5

Hoyne Brewing Co – Big Bock

Sweet herbal malty nose. Malty but almost toffee caramel taste. Also a taste almost like warm hay. Really pleasant. After sitting out in the glass for 20 minutes it got sweeter and more balanced. I would suggest drinking closer to 15 degrees. The carbonation waned after 20 minutes and the flavour really came out. Originally I was thinking 3/5 but I really grew to enjoy this beer. Slightly bitter, malty sweet.

Rating: 4/5

This beer was originally called Big Cock Bock but was denied by the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch.

Russell Brewing Co – Black Death Porter

Herbal medicinal smelling nose. Malty sweet with a creamy texture. Finish is sweet, soft and goes on for a long while. Warms the throat.

Rating: 4.5/5