Tag Archives: top-pick

Lava – Ölvisholt Brugghús – 2010 and 2011 Vertical Tasting

By chris | Published: February 13, 2012
Lava – Ölvisholt Brugghús Vertical Tasting 2010 and 2011

For those of you following along, you will know I am a big fan of Ölvisholt Brugghús, from Iceland.  A young brewery in a country with a young brewing heritage (they had prohibition on beer until 1989.  Yeah.  I know….) these guys are making at least two really incredible beers. Lava, their smoked Imperial Stout, and Skjálfti, their pale ale have both been available at the LCBO.  Lava was available in both this past year’s Winter Warmer’s, as well as the year previous.  I had review it as well as Skjálfti in the past.  A very friendly fellow from their importing agency, Kevin, got in touch with me this year to let me know Lava was coming back, and asked,….  [Read More]

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St Ambroise Special Reserve Russian Imperial Stout – McAuslan Brewing Inc.

By chris | Published: December 7, 2011
St Ambroise Russian Imperial Stout - McAuslan Brewing Inc

There is no secret about my love for McAuslan Brewing from Montreal.  I kind of go on and on about them….. Their Pale Ale makes me quiver, etc.  So, when I was sent a bunch of their brews, I was a little more than excited.  That it included their new barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout nearly put me over the edge.  This is a style that could go badly wrong; both Russian Imperial Stouts and anything barrel-aged have the potential for disaster.  But McAuslan is so damn good at what they do, fear wasn’t even on the radar.  Just pure excitement.  I’ve actually had to wait quite a while to do this review, but today is the day, and here it….  [Read More]

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Brown Ale – Snowman Brewing – 2011

By chris | Published: December 5, 2011
Brown Ale - Snowman Brewing

Frequent readers here will know that I have been championing a pair of brewers here in Toronto who are doing what I thought was the impossible: Brewing gluten-free beers that actually taste like their gluten-full counter-parts. Having had a celiac grandfather and a wife who generally stays away from gluten, I was interested in the concept of gluten-free beer (despite the fact that I eat gluten like it’s going out of style). Of course, what I had found ranged from highly disappointing to just drinkable. If the gluten-free beers available at the LCBO were the only choice, I would drink wine or gin. I had strong opinions that people were being ridiculous, trying to replicate a product where barley was….  [Read More]

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Grande Reserve 17 2011 – Unibroue

By chris | Published: November 21, 2011
Unibroue Grande Reserve 17 2011

Most readers of this blog will need no introduction to the mighty mighty Unibroue, pride of Chambly, Quebec.  One of the best brewers of “Belgian-style” ales outside Belgium, they have remained a massive force in Quebec brewing, even after being bought out Sleeman, and subsequently Sapporo.  Makers of the renowned Fin du Monde, Maudite, Trois Pistoles, Blanche du Chambly and many others, Unibroue deserves its reputation.  But what happens to a brewery like this when you get a new head brewer?  In some cases, destruction.  For Unibroue, though, in 2007 when Jerry Vietz took over, more success followed.  The first beer Jerry created was 17, to celebrate their 17 anniversary.  Three years later, when they entered bottled versions of that vintage….  [Read More]

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St Ambroise India Pale Ale – McAuslan Brewing Inc

By chris | Published: November 18, 2011
St Ambroise India Pale Ale

McAuslan is another one of those breweries, that if you read here enough, you know I’ve got a bit of a thing for.  A big bit of a thing.  Their Pale Ale is just amazing, their Oatmeal stout is one of my favourite stouts, their Citrouille is probably my favourite pumpkin beer; the list goes on.  Needless to say, I was more than happy to receive a selection of their current line-up, including this, their India Pale Ale, as well as their Scotch Ale and new Russian Imperial Stout.  Now, I know that McAuslan makes some very authentic English-style ales, despite being located in Montreal (okay, in a suburb, whatever).  Despite the explosive (dare I say “unlikley”) rise of IPAs….  [Read More]

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pumking – Southern Tier Brewing Co – 2011

By chris | Published: October 3, 2011
pumking - Southern Tier Brewing Co.

So, if you’ve been reading this blog for a while (like, a year, at least), you will know I actually reviewed this beer last year.  I don’t expect that they have changed the recipe or anything, but it’s a good idea to re-review beers from time to time, and as well, I really like this one, so I needed an excuse to buy it.  Southern Tier is a renowned brewer in Lakewood, New York, known for making some pretty big hoppy brews.  pumking is also considered by many to be the best pumpkin ale in the USA.  This is quite a pedigree, so let’s see how it translates in the glass!

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Escondidian Imperial Black IPA – Stone Brewing Co.

By chris | Published: September 14, 2011
Escondidian Imperial Black IPA - Stone Brewing Co.

Okay, if you’re not familiar with Stone Brewing Co. of California, I will assume you’re from Ontario, and give you some grace for our common geographical lacking.  If everyone else will give me a moment to chat to my Ontario cohorts.  Stone is one of the top brewers in the states, producing some amazing beers, including Arrogant Bastard Ale, Stone Ruination IPA, Stone Levitation Ale and many others.  It’s just (go figure), you can hardly get them here in Ontario.  I was lucky enough to share this bottle with Stephen Beaumont yesterday (among others) and just had to take notes for a review.  Stone created this beer for their 15th anniversary, and it’s a big one.  Befitting a brewer of….  [Read More]

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Hop Head IPA – Tree Brewing Co.

By chris | Published: September 11, 2011
Hop Head IPA - Tree Brewing Co.

I know we’ve talked about this before, but it’s just a fact:  There are a lot of awesome IPAs from the west coast.  Now I’ll add the usual caveat: I consider anything west of Regina “West Coast”, which makes calling a beer from Tree Brewing out of Kelowna BC, “West Coast”.  I have done this ever since a BC-born friend of mine referred to me, with no joking in his voice, as an “East Coaster”.  I found this interesting, as there is about 1000km between where I live and where the ocean is. According to Google I can actually be in salt water quicker by heading north (if I’m flying, and seriously, who wold drive?) and going to James Bay,….  [Read More]

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Miami Weiss – Great Lakes Brewery

By chris | Published: September 9, 2011
Miami Weiss - Great Lakes Brewery

Ah Great Lakes, you and your crazy names.  Robohop, Does the Muumuu make me look hefe?, and the classic, Miami Weiss (say it. Remember, that “W” is pronounced like a “V” in German).  Miami Weiss, up until now, has only been available on draught at bars in southern Ontario and at festivals, where it is often served in a dry-hopped cask version.  The funny thing about it, is it’s not a weisse beer.  It would more accurately be called a pale ale, with a lot of wheat in the grain bill.  But you’ve got to love the name.  It’s available for a limited time at the LCBO, and often found at bars around Toronto.

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Dunkel Buck – Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co.

By chris | Published: September 8, 2011
Dunkel Buck - Beau's All Natural Brewing Co.

Okay, I know, I kind of go on and on about Beau’s.  But seriously, this is one of the coolest friendliest breweries out there.  And they just keep on making awesome beers.  Many of you will be familiar with their “Wild Oats” series, which are special batches of beers they make seasonally. Vrienden, Bog Father, and Winterbrewed all pop to mind. So of course, when I heard about their new Wild Oats, No. 10 “Dunkel Buck”, I was excited.  Beer from one of my favourite breweries named after one of my favourite films from my youth.  It’s hard to imagine it could go wrong.  The style of beer is a Dunkel Weisse beer, the dark strong Bavarian-style wheat beer.  For….  [Read More]

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  • Chris Schryer

    Chris SchryerI regularly describe myself as an "ardent supporter of beer", which pretty well sums it up. While I'm not working or busy being a husband and dad (okay, honestly, sometimes while I'm doing those things), I am drinking beer, attending events, visiting pubs, and thinking about beer. I work at Castro's Lounge, my local bar in the Beach, where I host beer events and take part in most things beer-related.

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