After a brief hiatus, I’m back to take us through the last half of the Mill St. Brewery Seasonal Sampler we find their famous “Coffee Porter”. As the name suggests it is a porter, with strong coffee characteristics. Go figure. Does this dark beer live up to its name? Will the flavours be complex and balanced or overly bitter? Lets take a look… Continue Reading
In The Glass
No, do not worry! I have not forgotten about you beer lovers. Right were we left off, lets take a look at Mill St.’s Tankhouse Ale. Mill St.’s own American Pale Ale (APA), what can we expect? Let’s take a look!
Jumping right back into the Mill St. Seasonal Sampler lets take a look at the Stock Ale. Mill St.’s Stock Ale is a blonde ale – clear. straw coloured, light body, crisp, with some hints of malt sweetness and low hop presence. Mill St.’s Stock Ale presents the style well – refreshing, clean, and and easy to drink.
I have to admit, I like sampler packs. I think it is a great way to try a variety of beer styles, while also introducing you to what a brewery has to offer. Mill Street Brewery is an Ontario craft brewer that offers these packs on a regular basis, usually including their flagship beers such as Original Organic Lager, Stock Ale, Tankhouse Ale, Coffee Porter and a couple of seasonal bottles. This particular pack includes the Franconian Bock and ESB (Extra Special Bitter).
It was a particulary cold January day, and I was thinking about how far away summer is when I happened to see my unopened bottle of Great Lakes Brewery’s Miami Weiss (Weiss being pronounced with a V). The colourful label and the suggestion of an “American Style take on a wheat beer” had my mouth watering. I gave into the temptation and busted open the bottle into a Weizen glass, letting the beer take on an almost imposing stance with a massive head and hazy golden colour.
Better late then never. The holidays have been a distraction but here is a final look at King Brewery’s “The Three Kings” gift pack. I honestly feel that this a great pick for those getting into craft beers, perhaps those who are used to the light lagers and tend to shy away from flavour forward ales. It’s a small step into craft beers, but most importantly you are supporting your Ontario Craft Brewers. Crisp. light, refreshing, and easy to drink, the King Pilsner is everything you would expect.
As much as I love IPA’s and Stouts, a refreshing lager can be a welcome departure. The multitude of macro-lagers can sometimes overshadow fine examples of the style from craft breweries right here in Ontario, such as the award winning King Veinna Lager from King Brewery. Soft malty aromas and a crisp palate makes this an easy and refreshing beer to drink.
Now that I have found a moment between all my work, I can take a better look at King Brewery’s “The Three Kings” gift pack (LCBO# 251173 $9.95). This is a pretty nice pack, as I’ve mentioned in my previous post. Today I’m starting with the “Dark Lager”. Now this may look confusing to the beer drinker as the word “lager” conjures up images of light beers that we see on TV, but this beer is completely different.
Coming soon: Taking a look at The Three Kings gift pack from King Brewery. (LCBO #251173). Do these three Kings bear any gifts for the beer lover? The gift pack Includes their branded glass, Pilsner, Dark Lager, and Vienna Lager.
The Three Kings
Here it is, the last of the Ontario Craft Brewers 2011 Holiday Discovery Pack. I won’t lie; I was excited to try this beer. The award-winning Black Oak Nut Brown Ale just looks…delicious. It poured a clear brown, with a light tan head. Wonderful nutty aromas, malts, chocolates and light hops. A light and sweet palate, smooth and easy to drink, an all-around enjoyable beer and a great way to finish off the pack.
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