Well, new year, right? I needed a big beer for the first New Brew Tuesday. Luckily, I took one such bottle to the cottage for New Year’s, and remembered to photograph it and make notes and everything. I’m nothing if not professional. I am so glad to kick off 2013 beer reviews with a big old bottle from our friends over at Cameron’s. They spent 2012 really kicking things into high-gear, with big new beers, barrel-aged brews and exciting events. Their Rye Pale Ale was a monster, and one of the best beers I had in 2012. In fact, in my review, I called it perfect. So when I was given a few of their barrel-aged bottles, I was pretty excited. The VSPA is a pale ale (might even by the Rye, or a variant therein) aged in a Cognac barrel. For those not in the loop, Cognac and brandy come with identifiers, like XO (Extra Old), SO (Special Old), and VSOP (Very Special Old Pale; seriously), among others. VSPA is a nice homage to that tradition, and an experiment in barrel ageing that I don’t think has been done in Ontario before (I welcome corrections), using a Cognac barrel. But for all that, how does it drink?
VSPA — Cameron’s Brewing Co.
From a 750ml bottle, VSPA pours an opaque orange/golden hue, with 1/2″ of loose white head. Aroma is very fruity, hitting on pears and apricots, with some citrusy hops. There is a gentle oak to the nose, and just a touch of spices. The taste is also big on fruits, more pears, a bit less apricot, but now with kiwi, and lemon juice and peel from the hops. It is quite dry and bitter, hoppy from start to finish. The oak is very delicate and you could miss it if you weren’t careful. There is also a vinous tang from the Cognac barrel, but, unlike some big bourbon barrel-aged beers, it’s quite subtle. The hops are hugely aromatic on the nose and the start of the sip. I’m guessing there is Citra and Nelson Sauvin in there, but as I always say, I’m not a hop ID expert. As it warms, a bit more oak comes out, as well as a touch of black pepper. The mouthfeel is just on the light side of medium, with a moderate carbonation. Despite having Cognac qualities, there is no heat from it’s impressive 7.7% abv. An excellent beer, balancing the tricky act of finding the right beer for the right barrel. Very well done!
Cheers to the crew at Cameron’s.
Buy Cameron’s VSPA
***Update*** It is available at the LCBO, product number #324640. I will be buying more……
Well, I’m assuming some bars around the city may have some bottles, but maybe not. If there is any left, it will be for sale at the brewery, and well worth the effort of getting it. Also, if we apply some pressure, perhaps we’ll see it again some day?
Drink it With
Pork. Probably a roasted loin, or grilled chops, glazed what Sriracha and Marmalade. What, you’ve never done this? Well, pardon me a moment, while I introduce you to the best glaze you never made:
- 1/3 cup Sriracha. Cock Sauce, not real, actually-made-in-Thailand Sriracha, the saltier American version
- 2/3 cup orange marmalade. Home made is easy and great (and Seville Oranges are about to be available again), but E.B. Smith or Smucker’s will do the trick.
Mix the two together, and use to glaze pork, chicken or light fishes.
Seriously, it’s that easy. Here are some varitions: Use more Sriracha if you like it spicy. Use less if you don’t. Try lime marmalade, or the really yummy 5-fruit marmalade I like to make (grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange and tangerine). Spread it on crackers, if you can’t be bothered cooking. Enjoy.
Okay, back to it. For cheese, go with a medium-weight sheep’s milk cheese. I’ve got a great youngish sheep’s cheddar from Monforte right now, that is lovely. And there is no small amount of cool sheep’s milk cheeses from Spain. A nicely fatty rich cheese will give a juxtaposition to the bright citrusy beer, and some touches of tang from the milk will add another layer of interest.
About The Brewery
Cameron’s Brewing Company is a true craft brewery, passionately brewing all natural ales and lagers since 1997 in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Cameron’s is currently available at The Beer Store, select LCBO locations and on tap at numerous bars and restaurants such as Earl’s, C’est What, Stout Irish Pub, Langdon Hall, the Royal Canadian Yacht Club and more. For more information about Cameron’s and its availability, please visit www.cameronsbrewing.com
