In a year dominated by hazy juice bombs and big barrel aged roasty beauties, there were some other styles that caught my eye and warrant a little "Hazzah!!" for their contribution to the world of craft beer in 2017. As I combed through my reviews (over 1000 this year), I found some hidden gems in oft forgotten styles that some brewers made a real impact on my beer life in 2017. I'll be sharing my reviews from the times I actually was drinking them for the first 2 of every category to keep this manageable. Many are available year round but some you will have to keep your eye out for as 2018 dawns and the yearly releases kick off. Let's get this party started!
Barley or Wheat Wines
1. 2012 Beard of Zeus - Great Lakes Brewery
Enjoyed while participating in a beer writers brew day at Great Lakes Brewery in early February, this cellar gem was shared among some of my most favourite people in Craft beer. it was a slow sipper that capped an amazing day. Beer and a great time makes for a memorable experience and this remains in my mind long after that day ended. From the review :
"Pours smooth with an off white head, and smelling of dark fruits and sweet malts. On the sip, plums, raisins, toasted malt body with a sweet but boozy backend. Creamy feel with a load of dark fruits and smooth toffee malt notes."
A day I will never forget and a beer that lives in my memory forever.2. Cat Reactivator - Barncat Artisan Ales
A beer saint gift from my pal Adam, also known as The Brew Head, this 10.9 % slow sipping Coffee Barley Wine from Barncat Artisan Ales still resonates even though it appeared in my glass late in February. I'll turn it over to Polk on that night to let you know what I was tasting...
"Pours a deep amber colour with a light tan head that sticks around for a while before heading to the sides of the glass. Smells of coffee and toasted caramel malts. On the sip, smooth body with a sweet caramel, toffee, raisin, plum and brown sugar combining with the coffee kick to make a deliciously dangerous slow sipper. A sticky, coffee and caramel backend with a finish that lingers warmly and softly."
There are a couple more Barncat beers in this countdown and if I could get there more often, I have little doubt that they would take many, many more spots. Thanks to Adam for this one, it was sublime.
4. Two Tonnes of Fun - Beau's All Natural/Gigantico Brewing
5. World Weary - Block 3
Brown Ales
1. (Extra) Terrestrial Imperial India Brown Ale
A hybrid brown ale that took the style to another level late in 2017, Wellington Brewery's (Extra) Terrestrial India Brown Ale brings a verve and boom to this often overlooked ale. A big beer in a big bottle, I bought a few more and enjoyed them immensely. from the review :
"Pouring dark and black with a thick tan head that lingers for some time, it has a big pine scent with roasted notes of dark chocolate and coffee all around. On the sip, it continues in this vein with a resinous pine and citrus grapefruit front and a bitter coffee and dark chocolate backend. It's got some booziness with a nice sticky hopped up backend. It lingers sharp with more resinous pine and darkness."
Not your usual Brown ale and that is a good thing!
2. Brown - Anderson Craft Ales
The reigning champion drops one spot this year, but loses none of what makes it the best straight up Brown Ale in the province. An underrated style that should get more attention, Anderson Craft Ales continues to bring their best to your glass every time. From the review :
"It pours a lovely copper colour with an off white head that lingers a while. Smelling toasty chocolate and a nutty aroma that captured my heart so long ago. On the sip, crisp toasted malt with milk chocolate, a biscuity nut flavour and a slight bitterness on the finish."
As always, spending time with the Anderson clan is another bonus to their great beer, good folks indeed,
3. Nut Brown Ale - Black Oak Brewing
4. Eeephus - Left Field Brewing
5. DeForest Kelly - Forked River Brewing
Dark Lagers/Dunkels
1. Svenchenko 9 - 4 Father's Brewing
A surprise this fall when I found it at a local LCBO, 4 Father's Brewing Svenchenko 9 cruised into the top spot of this dark beer style. From the review :
"Pours a deep mahogany with a thick light tan head that is worthy of its own review. Thick and long lasting, it lingers forever with a solid lacing. Smells of roasty goodness with a cocoa and nutty note. On the sip, a delightfully bold and slightly bitter roasted malt body with dark chocolate, lightly bitter coffee and a clean nuttiness before the dry and dark malty finish."
I loved it so much, I went back and bought a few more. One to keep your eye out for, it was excellent and should be in your fridge.
2. Dunkel - Beau's All Natural Brewing
Part of what makes Beau's All Natural such a favourite around here is their always changing lineup at the LCBO. A beauty Dunkel that is available now and should find it's way into your glass. From the review :
"It pours a deep mahogany with a thick, lacing and long lasting light tan head. Smells of dark malt and fruit. On the sip, smooth and bready toasted malt body with fig, raisin, coffee cherry, caramel and a slightly warming bitter finish. Sticky and spicy with more dark fruits lingering."
Once again Beau's gives us insight into a style of beer many people haven't experienced before. Lovely.
3. The Black Lager - Silversmith Brewing
4. Different Days - Merit Brewing
5. Prost - Muddy York Brewing
Hefewiezens
1. Wag the Wolf - Beau's All Natural Brewing
A beer that grew in my eyes as my palate changed and matured in 2017. Beau's All Natural Wag the Wolf brings the wheat goodness together with a bright citrus grapefruit. Just delightful and no hint of that 6.8 % ABV. From the review :
"Pouring a hazy golden orange with a thick and lacing white head, it smells of grapefruit and orange. On the sip, smooth toasted malt body with a thick wheat feel, loads of citrusy, juicy orange and grapefruit with a peppery coriander backend. Lingering dry and lightly bitter with more citrus, it's so damn good, it went down like a summer crusher."
A definite winner and one I can't wait to see again.
2. Haberdasher Hefeweizen - Muddy York Brewing
Once again Muddy York Brewing hits a style smack on the nose and that's a beautiful thing. From the summer comes Haberdasher Hefeweizen, a fantastic pool beer that had me easing into relaxation. From the review :
"Pours a cloudy orange with a white head that lingers on the surface. Smelling banana, orange and some spice. On the sip, crisp and refreshing with orange, lemon zest, clove and more banana. The finish is dry and spicy with more of the same fruity kick."
Even Mrs. Polk got on board with this one, a hefe for the people!
3. Summerweiss - Muskoka Brewery
4. Wheat - Side Launch Brewing
5. Field Dreams - Fairweather Brewing
Wet Hopped Ales
1. V Bines Wet Hopped IPA - 5 Paddles Brewing
A gift from a friend and what a gift it was. 5 Paddles Brewing V Bines took The Crease by storm with it's juicy hop notes. This Whitby brewer had a lot of great stuff in 2017, but this was one of their best. Showcasing fresh hops done exquisitely. From the review :
"It pours a clear copper colour with a thick white head that lingers a long time and leaves behind a solid lacing. Smells of orange, grapefruit and pine. On the sip, big old hop bomb with loads of orange, grapefruit and resinous pine. Some vegetal hops in there to with a balanced toasted malt body barely containing the awesome that is this beer. Perhaps the best Wet Hopped IPA I've ever had, simply outstanding. Dry and bitter on the finish with a lingering resinous pine and grapefruit." I can't think of a better way to experience the impact fresh hops can have on a beer. A category sure to grow in the fall of 2018.
2. Chinook Wet Hop - Sawdust City Brewing
A surprise to be sure, this Chinook Wet Hop Pale ale was a great addition to my evening. Bold and a little dank, Sawdust City Brewing had a great year and this was one of their most underrated beers. From the review :
"Pours a cloudy gold with a white head that fades to the surface but lingers. Smells of peach and orange. On the sip, a surprisingly hit of dank, herbal notes with orange, grapefruit and lemon rounding out the front. It has a lingering dankness on the finish with more orange and grapefruit lingering, dry and bitter. One of the best wet hop pale ales I've tried this year, bolder and more aromatic than most."
Not the last time you will see this Gravenhurst, Ontario brewer in this year's Polkies.
3. Whitney's Vintage Wet Hopped Ale - Collingwood Brewery
4. Wet Hop - Collective Arts Brewing
5. Wet Hop - Nickel Brook Brewing
And now for the categories where I had less than 5 outstanding entries (rated 4 or better)
Alt Bier - 3 Knocks - Beau's All Natural Brewing
English Pale Ale - Retronym - Great Lakes Brewery
Extra Special Bitter - Bob's Best Bitter - Grain & Grit Brewing
India Pale Lager - 12 Mile - Cameron's Brewing
Lager - Gaslight Helles - Muddy York Brewing
Lagered Ale - Lug Tread - Beau's All Natural Brewing
Pilsner - Unfiltered Pilsner - Rainhard Brewing
Red Ale - Remembrance Red Ale - Royal City Brewing
Winter Ale - Winter Ale - Great Lakes Brewing
Day one and we have first 14 winners of this year's Polkie Awards. It was a an excellent year and tomorrow sees even more great beer and memories coming back. See you then!
Cheers!
Polk
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