2016 Polkies - Dubbels, Tripels & Quads, oh my! Ales Part 3

I wanted to include this as kind of a bonus post mostly because these three Belgian or Belgian inspired styles of beer have quickly become three of my favourite things about my growth as a beer drinker. I never thought I would ever clamour to try any of them and their fruity, malty and warming alcohol properties. Most of the best ones still come from Belgium and the very best from the recognized 11 Trappist Monastery Breweries, of which 6 are Belgian, 2 in the Netherlands and one each in Austria, Italy and the United States. They sell beer not for profit but to provide for the monastery's needs and any actual money earned after that is used in helping those in need. So you are kind of doing a bunch of good deeds just buy purchasing the beer and then drinking it so you can buy more. Circle of life stuff here folks.

The Dubbels, Tripels and Quads are in reference to the strength of the beer and as you will see, secular brewers here in Canada and around the world are now trying their hand at these styles...some with great success. At best I am scrapping the very surface of what is out there and in 2017 I vow to explore this even more. For now the ones I have tried are all available here in Ontario, usually at the LCBO for a very reasonable price, or at a brewery near you. Try them, I did and it has changed a lot about me.

Dubbels

1. New Limburg Brewing Dubbel

A late night thinking beer from the late summer, this 7.4 % slow sipper was the perfect antidote to a hectic day. Smelling plum and dark malt with a sticky dark fruit, plum and roasty body with licorice, brown sugar, caramel and raisins. Finish was warm and boozy with a tart and bold malty kick. It took my worries away and was a revelation that a Canadian brewer could indeed compete on the world stage in this style.

2. Scourmount Abbey Chimay Red (Belgium) - A classic any way you look at it and available in my local LCBO all the way from a Belgian Trappist Monk Brewery for a very reasonable price. $7.45 for a 750ml bomber...unreal. Toasty and sweet malts on the sniff with caramel, apple, plum, cherry and a crisp but filling finish with plum, figs and dates. Boozy backend but not overpowering.

3. St. Bernardus Prior 8 (Belgium) - Available in a seasonal Mix pack at the LCBO with 5 other beers from this Belgian brewer. 8 % and smelling sweet sugar, malty raisin and caramel. Creamy body with bready caramel, raisins, cherries, burnt sugar and a hint of coconut. Warming but not boozy...delicious.

4. Great Lakes Brewing Body Dubbel

5. Second Wedge Brewing Deraillier

Tripels

1. Cameron's Brewing Dry Hopped Tripel

The very first time I actually got the banana note from a beer and enjoyed the fruity earth tones of Belgian style yeast was this 7.5 % Tripel. It was an eye opener when I first tried it in February and was one of the beers that kick started my eventually abandoning macro beers altogether. Smelling that banana and then sipping to find more of it with bubblegum, clove,  candied sugar, orange peel, lemon zest and a peppery coriander finish that was a revelation. Many of my growler fills contained this golden beauty until it was gone.

2. Beau's All Natural Brewing New Lang Syne - A big slow sipper at 9.0 %, this one was shared on Valentines day and was a hit. Earthy and fruity on the nose, it had loads of orange peel, lemon zest, clove and banana with a tart, almost sour kick from the wine barrel aging. Lovely and available again this year, a great treat for New Year's Eve.

3. St. Bernardus Watou (Belgium) - Another gem from the mix six seasonal pack I grabbed in mid November. 7.0 % with a light fruity sniff of apples, peach and banana. The flavours were more of that with banana, clove, orange peel and lemon joining in. Earthy yeast with candied sugar and a peppery finish. So refreshing and smooth.

4. Sawdust City Brewing/Nickel Brook Brewing 11.05 (2016)

5. Brasserie St. Feuillien Tripel (Quebec)

Quadrupels

These are indeed the favourite of all the Belgian style beers I have tried. There are some outstanding ones out there that have yet escaped my glass and in 2017, I shall make them mine. Make no mistake though, the ones listed here are outstanding and should be on your must try list.

1. Abbaye St-Remy Trappiste Rochefort 10 (Belgium)

At this point, the discussion on Quads always begins with this Belgian piece of heaven. The fact that it is available at an LCBO (and online for home delivery!!) for $4.35 is almost larceny. This Trappist Quad is a premier slow sipper at 11.3 % and one of the best beers in the world, bar none. First poured into my glass on a humid August night, dark candied fruits, plums wafted up from the glass. Strong and bold with raisin, plums, chocolate, orange and cloves in a a velvety smooth body. Warming and sticky on the finish with more dark fruits and a sweet malty kick. I buy it often and with no worries because it always makes my heart sing.

2. St. Bernardus Abt 12 (Belgium) - Another Belgian giant, this was in both the big 750 ml. bomber format ($10.70) and the Mix six that hit shelves this fall. Available at the LCBO online and in store, it is another must buy. A slow sipper at 10 %, this one smells of sweet malts, plums and figs. Smooth on the sip with toffee, caramel, molasses, candied fruit, brown sugar, fig and plum somehow coming together in a creamy and warming body. Lingering with a sticky finish, it hides that ABV very well.

3. Block 3 Brewing Through the Quad - Quite simply, the best non Belgian Quad I've had. Big and bold with plums, raisin and a deep sweet malt note. Figs, molasses and candied fruit with a tart booziness make this 10 % slow sipper from St. Jacob's a reason to take what is happening here very seriously. Give us some time and we will challenge the best in the world in every damn style of beer there is.

4. 5 Paddles Brewing Midnight Paddler

6. Brouwerije Van Steenburge Gulden Draak 9000 (Belgium)

While the lists aren't long, my love for these styles continues to grow. Now to tackle the really hard stuff...IPA's and Pale Ales up next. This is gonna hurt, but what a way to go!

Cheers!

2016 Polkies - Porters & Stouts - Ales Part 2

There is something special about a dark beer, especially as a dessert or in the winter. That's not to say I don't drink porters and stouts all year, but they just feel right as the temperatures head south and the snow flies. With over 70 stouts and 50 porters under my belt this year, these two roasty beauties are among my favourite styles and it was a lot of fun reminiscing about them as I whittled the lists down to the best 10 of each, plus a bonus 5 American stouts just because.  It could easily be 20 and some of my favourites were left off...I know, a real First World problem to be sure. Onward to the Polkie's for 2016's Favourite Porters and Stouts.

Porters

The origins of the porter are from 18th century England and they actually predate the term stout, which was derived from the name for a stronger porter. Although they did fall out of favour and ceased to be brewed in the 1950's. Brought back to life in the late 70's, they have grown to become not only a staple of most craft brewers but are increasingly gaining many non craft beer fans like Mrs. Polkaroo for their roasty chocolate and coffee combinations.

1. Collective Arts Stranger Than Fiction

Coming in at the number one spot is one from my Hometown brewers, Collective Arts. Bold roasted malt with a coffee forward and bittersweet dark chocolate middle. Hopped up finish to this one but not crazy, just enough before more lingering black coffee. I call it dessert in a glass every damn time and continue to sing its praises to everyone who asks...and even those who don't.  Easy to find and amazing in my glass.

2. Clifford Brewing Porter - First encountered on a beer cruise in Hamilton harbour, I am equally impressed by this more chocolate forward porter and it's outgoing and friendly creator, Brad Clifford. Smooth and roasty with some vanilla and a nutty bit before the sticky bittersweet finish. It is the first craft beer that Mrs. Polk liked and has led her to discover a world of amazing flavours. In the LCBO finally and looking forward to a Clifford Brewery someday.

3. Block 3 Brewing Guy on a Buffalo - Enjoyed on a humid June night sitting under the stars. Big roasted coffee forward porter with a creamy dark chocolate and smooth but bitter finish. Slow sipping but easy drinking. Plus it introduced me to these videos, which never fail to make me smile. Guy on a Buffalo on the Drunk Polkaroo's Youtube channel.

4. Muddy York Brewing Porter - Mrs. Polkaroo's favourite beer and one I could drink any time of the year. Low ABV make it easy to session them and the smooth chocolate note brings a smile any time we share a few. Bitter coffee and a delectable feel on every sip keep me heading across Toronto to get more.

5. Collective Arts Imperial Porter - An 8.6 % slow sipping, warm and boozy dark chocolate and bitter coffee surprise in the middle of December. Multiple trips to refill on this limited availability brew became necessary after the first sip.

6. Great Lakes Brewery Harry Porter

7. Barnstormer Brewing Parachute Porter

8. Cameron's Brewing Obsidian Rum Barrel Aged Porter

9. TWB Co-Op Pullman Porter

10. Bellwoods Brewery Bounty Hunter

Stouts

As mentioned, a descendant of the noble Porter, Stouts now occupy a special place in my heart for helping me learn to slow sip and enjoy all that happens to a beer as it warms up. From barrel aging to adding cherries or other fruit, these big roasted beers are in my glass all year long.

1. Nickel Brook Brewing Café Del Bastardo

As stouts go, this 12% ABV Pilot Project from Nickel Brook stands out today, even 10 months later. A late February pickup, this very coffee forward, vanilla, oaky bourbon, dark chocolate and warming alcohol made me take notice that I was in for something special. Rumour has it that we may see it again and one can hope that this amazing beer would make its way into my glass again. And this time I'll make sure I buy many, many more bottles.

2. Grand River Brewing Russian Gun - Big, bold and rebranded in Tall Boys. This Russian Imperial has loads of dark chocolate, licorice, nuts and a warming booziness. Cocoa on the back with a coffee bitterness. 8 % of delicious in a can.

3. Amsterdam Brewing 2014 Tempest Imperial Stout - My first ever cellared beer, I hung onto this one for 15 months before caving in and trying it. 9.0 % and smooth with big coffee up front, dark chocolate and then the warming boozy backend with dark fruits and figs lingering with more coffee and cocoa. Worth the wait.

4. Brasserie Dieu De Ciel Peche Mortal (Quebec) - From our trip to Tabernac in Quebec city comes this Imperial 9.5 % Coffee stout. Creamy and smooth but with a big black coffee punch. Cocoa on the sticky backend with coffee again dominating the finish with some residual hoppiness. Brought some home and shared...1 left in the beer cellar and that's it.

5. Nickel Brook Brewing Bolshevik Bastard - The basis for all the amazing connotations of barrel aged stouts from this Burlington Brewer was released in Tall boys in late fall to great fanfare. Smooth and creamy with bittersweet cocoa, licorice, tobacco and a warming boozy coffee finish. A staple in the winter for me.

6. Beau's All Natural Brewing Tom Green

7. Muskoka Brewery Shinnicked Stout

8. Great lakes Brewery 2015 Solstice Stout

9. Niagara Oast House Brewers Bourbon Coffee Milk Stout

10. Double Trouble Brewing French Press Vanilla Stout

And now for 5 more from our neighbours to the south. I found these on a couple of trips and through a few beer saint gifts. Not better than anything we make up here but just as good and a joy to drink.

1. Founder's Breakfast Stout - From Michigan, this 8.3 % creamy coffee forward beer made me wish I had picked up 12. It was one of the first stouts that caught my attention with the roasty coffee flavours being balanced by a sweetness. A must buy when south.

2. Oskar Blues Ten Fidy - A beer saint gift from my friend Robin, this one is now available at very select LCBO's, mainly in Toronto. Dark chocolate, hints of cherry, molasses, and coffee. A 10.5 % slow sipper that hides that ABV so very well. Try one if you can get your hands on this North Carolina legend.

3. Stone Brewing Company Coffee Milk Stout - Only 5 %, this California beer brings a smooth lactose feel with lots of dark chocolate and a bittersweet finish with more of the same in addition to some coffee. Drinks bigger than it is.

4. Left Hand Brewing Nitro Milk Stout - Great fun to pour hard, my first nitro beer and one that sold me on the concept. Super creamy with dark chocolate, coffee and some hoppiness on the very sticky sweet finish. Just a damn fine beer.

5. Southern Tier Choklat - At 10 %, this one took a bittersweet cocoa front and balanced it with a bitter, hoppy coffee finish. Warming and boozy, it took my mind of the snowstorm that was raging outside.

There you have it my friends, my favourite porters and stouts from 2016. I can't help but feel like I've left some of my favourite children out in the cold but it was what I needed to do to share my love of these dark and roasty beauties.

See you tomorrow for the best of Dubbels, Tripels and Quads.

Oh My!

Cheers!



2016 Polkies - The Grab Bag - Ales Part 1

In the beginning, I was a lager man. Dedicated to crushing as many tasteless yet intoxicating beers as I could until I found the light.
Ales have become my saviour, from Blonde to Tripel, and I honour my favourites today with this edition of the 2016 Polkies. In order to do justice to all of them, I've broken it down to the next 4 days after reviewing all the beers that populate my Year of Beer. Today is the grab bag of styles that I tried less than 15 beers of in each this year. Tomorrow is Porters and stouts, the 28th brings Dubbels, Tripels and Quads (Oh, my!) followed by Pale Ales on the 29th. Finally, on the 30th I will parse down the more than 170 different IPAs I've tried this year into a more manageable list. Changing gears midstream is always an option when you realise how many awesome beers are out there. Read on and enjoy!

Blonde Ales


1. New Limburg Brewing Belgian Blonde


.

From the heat of August comes this refreshing, but strong 7.1 % delight. Earthy, orange scent and lemon zest, more orange, Belgian yeast and floral notes on the sip. Crushable despite it's ABV, this one was a hit on the patio. The brewery is located in an old school house and one you should make the trip to see.

2. Nickel Brook Brewing Cause & Effect - A beauty of a crusher at only 4.7 %, this blonde ale has orange off the top with lemon and a hoppy backend. The toasty malt body provides a nice balance and its availability at local LCBO's is a real plus. Great session beer.

3. Brimstone Brewing Enlightenment - Another great brewery to visit, this time located in the basement of a old church in Ridgeway, Ontario. This LCBO offering has floral top notes with a toasted malt body that has more flowery, lemon and earthy tones. Crushability factor high and only 5.5 %, so crush away.

4. Belhaven Brewing Speyside Oak Aged Blonde Ale (Scotland)

5. Collective Arts Brewing Stash

Brown Ales

1. Anderson Craft Ales Brown

From a spontaneous road trip to London comes this aromatic and delicious Brown Ale from one of the best newcomers to the Ontario Craft Beer scene in 2016. Anderson Craft Ales have a wonderful space to enjoy a flight or pint and I was so happy to have visited.

Even in my flight, the scent of nutty chocolate was noticeable and when I sipped, more of the same followed with a toasty caramel and slight bitterness on the sticky finish. Far and away one of the best brown ales I've ever had. Go and try it yourself.

2. Left Field Brewery Eephus Oatmeal Brown Ale - From their spacious and baseball themed brewery in early March to an LCBO near me in December, this 5.5 % smooth cocoa and vanilla beauty has become an easy grab for anyone in under a year. The oats give it a great feel and the lingering coffee and chocolate on the finish are bang on. Big bomber bottles out there now, try it and join the team.

3. 5 Paddles Brewing Old Man's Paddle Pantry - A collab beer with Manantler, Old Flame and the Brewers Pantry, this one was a beer saint gift that kept on giving me joy. Only 3.8 %, a crusher if ever one was invented, this spiced table beer brought toasted cocoa scents, chocolate, toffee and molasses on the front and a peppery kick on the finish. A great one off beer that brought many smiles to this house.

4. Crux Fermentation Project Freakcake (USA)

5. St. Pancrace Walker (Quebec)

Cream Ales

1. Innocente Brewing Purgatory

As is often the case, this Waterloo brewery kicks a style into the stratosphere with a take I've never seen before. Innocente has one of the best logos and some real IPA chops but it is this dark cream ale that caught me eye in early April. Only 4.3 %, crushability factor high and with chocolate, coffee, vanilla in a creamy roasted malt body, you've got a real treat in your hands. Some smokiness and a slightly bitter finish makes it a perfect choice for anytime.

2. Muskoka Brewing Cream Ale - Another Muskoka beer that can be found either in the Survival packs or on it's own, the Cream Ale is a biscuit caramel beauty that finds a home wherever I go.

3. Hell Bay Brewing Dark Cream Ale (Nova Scotia) - A beer saint gift from the East Coast, this one was different for sure. Dark chocolate, tobacco, licorice and a creamy feel that finished with a roasted coffee flavour. One to look out for when we head east this summer.

4. Sixpoint Brewing Sweet Action (USA)

5. Bell City Brewing Eureka Cream Ale

Strong Dark Ales

1. Abbaye Notre-Dame de Saint Remy Trappistes Rochefort 8 (Belgium)

This category could be a short one, this beer is that damn good.

 For under $4 at the LCBO I can get this amazing Trappist Ale. A 9.2 % slow sipper, this one is a regular for any day in my house. Dark fruits, think plum and raisin, toffee, molasses and a warming finish in a creamy smooth malt body create a joyous experience every time I open a bottle.

2. Chimay Grand Reserve Blue (Belgium) - Another Belgian beauty that is easily found locally. Big ABV, 9.0 %, but smooth with lots of dark fruits and spices. Malty body with a sticky finish, always a slow sipper and one to share.

3. Het Anker Classic (Belgium) - Part of a seasonal pack that was found at the LCBO, this one had plums, cherry, molasses and caramel in a smooth roasty body. Lingering and sticky malts on the finish.

Best Bitters

1. Muddy York Brewing Major Smalls

A trend that will continue to crop up as we go along is seeing beers from this Toronto brewery. This late fall release was a toasted malt dream in a glass. Caramel, bready and biscuit with a slight bitterness on the sticky sweet finish. A low (4.6%) ABV brew that drinks like a slow sipper.

2. The Collingwood Brewery Kingpost ESB - New name, same delicious toasted malt flavours. Used to be Fireside, now Kingpost, this 5.8 % toffee and caramel flavoured has a nice bitter hop kick on the finish. LCBO available and a must buy, especially in the cool winter months.

3. Wellington Brewery Quick Brown Fox - Available in the Welly One Offs 4 pack this winter, a 6.0 % nutty caramel and floral beer that had a bit of a hoppy backend. I hope to see this again in the future as a single but it's great as part of that mix pack, all 4 beers are solid.

4. High Park Brewing Across the Pond

5. Robinson's Brewery Trooper (England)

Golden Ales

1. Brouwerij Huyghe Delerium Tremens (Belgium)

I called this the Most Dangerous beer in the world and I'll stand by that. This Belgian Extra Strong Golden Ale comes in at 8.7 % but with its bubblegum, banana, candied sugar and spicy coriander notes, you would swear it was a crushable beer. Hiding that ABV is so much deliciousness and I had to be careful and slow down with it. Limited availability at some Beer stores, get some!

2. Silversmith Brewing Hill 145 - A 4.0 % crusher that had a spicy rye kick to go with some floral and malty tones. Dry and bitter on the finish but super refreshing and made in honour of a great battle won by Canadian Soldiers at Vimy Ridge. That made it even better.

3. Innocente Brewing Fling - Crisp with a toasted malt body containing floral notes and the spiciness I love in this style. Dry and sharp with some citrus on the finish. Another reason to visit this awesome brewery.

4. Redline Brewhouse 5:01

5. Descendant's Brewing Reynard the Fox

Lagered Ales (Kolsch style)

1. Beau's All Natural Brewing Company Haters Gonna Hate

I love a happy accident that results in a great beer. The 8.0 % version of Beau's signature Lug Tread makes for a great slow sipper. Mango on the sniff with lots of slow rolling carbonation. Creamy feel with a malty front before the pineapple and pine on a hopped up backend that lingers with a dry citrus kick. Beauty.

2. Bell City Brewing Real McCoy - Big toasty malt smell with lots of bready, toffee and caramel notes. Full and creamy on the texture with a surprising bit of bitter hops on the finish.

3. Old Tomorrow Track 85 - Notes of apple and toasted malts on the sniff. Bready caramel and some fruity notes before the dry bitter but refreshing finish.

4. Beau's All Natural Lug Tread

5. Arch Brewing Chesterfield

Red Ales

1. Bell City Brewing Mad Mechanic of Belfast

Billed as an Irish red ale, this toasted malt focused beer from Brantford's Bell City is a caramel and toffee dream. Bready and creamy texture with a sticky sweet caramel finish. A real gem of a beer that made multiple trips to Bell city a must for the rest of the year.  One beer I happily shared with friends. Perhaps we shall see it again in 2017.

2. Royal City Brewing Remembrance Red - A great beer that also helps our wounded warriors get better. $1 from every bottle went to the charity of the same name and with the bready, brown sugar and caramel notes along with the hoppy finish everybody is getting something awesome.

3. Schoolhouse Brewing Big Red Schoolhouse (Nova Scotia) - A beer saint gift from the coast that came in with a big 7.5 % ABV. It was a caramel malt bomber with loads of toasted malt goodness and a nutty but piney hop finish. Grapefruit and caramel on the

finish and I was so happy to have a friend like the Keltic Devil getting me this treat.

4. Cameron's Brewing Ambear Red Ale

5. Innocente Brewing Inn O' Slainte

That's it for today my friends...so many more beers to go and I will admit, I am loving the look back for not just the beer but the memories of this amazing year.

See you tomorrow!

Cheers!



2016 Polkie Awards - Lagers

When contemplating my favourite beers from the last year, I must admit there are times when it seems to be all Porters, stouts and IPAs. But there is always a place in my heart and fridge for the well made and humble, yet often daring styles that can come from the simple lager. A straight up beer is not something I indulge in often, but with the variety and quality that I have found, it makes it fun to be able to share my favourite 3 picks for the 2016 Polkies in a few categories.
 Lagers make their appearance today, Ales have been pushed to tomorrow, there were just too many for one day. I know, what a wonderful world I live in when my problems are that I had too many great beers this year. See you back here tomorrow for the top fermenting lovelies.

Lagers

This bottom fermenting style of beer is the most popular on the planet. Long the only kind of beer I drank, I didn't know they could be made so flavourful and with such impact on the senses.

1. Muddy York Brewing Gaslight Helles

My visits to Muddy York are truly some of my favourite moments from the last year and now that Mrs. Polk loves their beer, its even better. This 5.2 % Lager brought me joy when I had it in early April with its caramel, cereal and malt sweetness followed by a light bitterness. Eminently crushable yet a delightful sipper too. It has become a must buy whenever we go to the brewery and one you should get into your glass.

2. Muskoka Brewery Craft Lager - A lovely crisp and clean lager that often is found in their various Survival Packs as well as in singles. Hints of lemon, grassy notes and sweet malt with a slight bitter on the finish.

3. Hockley Valley Brewing Classic Lager - A new label this year for the Classic lager but the same clean grain, sweet corn, grassy and lingering bitterness means it's one to enjoy with anyone.

4. Cameron's Brewing Captain's Log Lager

5. Old Flame Brewing Vienna Lager

6. Sawdust City Brewing Little Norway

7. Amsterdam Brewing 3 Speed

8. Elora Brewing 3 Fields

9. Nickel Brook Brewing Lux Lager

10. Beau's All Natural Brewing Vienna Lager

Dark Lagers/Swarzbier

For most of us, these two styles are one in the same. Dark roasty malts in a lager that are less aggressive than a porter or stout, which are ales. More carbonated generally and a bigger feel than a standard lager.

1. Silversmith Brewing The Black Lager

One of the first stops I made early in January, Silversmith Brewing in Virgil blew me away with this dark, roasty lager. Dark chocolate, coffee and a hint of dark fruit make this a contender to be in the top ten of the year. A repeat visit to this beautiful brewery to get more is a must.

2. Rainhard Brewing Dancing with the Devil - Big in the ABV at 8 %, this Swarzbier brought real balanced dark chocolate, coffee and a crisp hopped up finish to my life in March. Smooth and balanced, not a hint of that booziness in this one.

My first experience with Rainhard and I was an immediate fan.

3. Spindrift Brewing Abyss (Nova Scotia) - A gift from the east, this 4.2 % crushable beer drank bigger than it's ABV. Dark chocolate, nutty, coffee and a hoppy presence on the backend. It's only shortcoming is distance...Something I will fix when we hit the coast this summer.

4. Beau's All Natural Brewing Dark Helmut

5. Hop City Brewing 8th Sin

6. Cameron's Brewing Black Forest

7. Side Launch Brewing Dark

8. Grand River Brewing Enigma

9. Waterloo Brewing Dark

10. Brooklyn Brewing Insulated (USA)

Bocks/Doppelbocks

Traditional brewed in winter for consumption in spring, these strong, usually dark beers are a favorite of mine for their slow sipping smoothness.

1.  Silversmith Brewing Chubocka

It was by luck and happenstance that I stumbled upon the last bottle of this rich, bready caramel and toffee beauty. I had stopped in for more of The Black Lager and couldn't resist a new beer. Creamy, smooth and a toasted malt dream. Big at 6.3 % but not boozy at all. Hope to see it again someday, I'd buy many, many more.

2. Cameron's Brewing Deviator Doppelbock 2012 Single Bourbon Barrel - Released late in the year, this classic Doppelbock was taken to new heights when aged for 4 years in a bourbon barrel. Dark and rich, with plum, raisin, molasses and an oaky bourbon note to bring it all together.

3. Northwinds Brewery Nighthawk Bock - From cottage country and a wonderful brew house that makes outstanding food, a 6.5 % Bock to warm the insides. Chocolate, plums, nuts and a lingering cocoa and coffee with a warming backend.

4. Ayinger Celebrator (German)

5. Lake of Bays Midnight Bock

6. Schloss Eggenberg Samichlaus Classic (Austria)
7. Cameron's Brewing Deviator Doppelbock Oak Aged
8. Tree Brewing Captivator

India Pale Lagers

A relatively new style to me this year, the IPL is a hopped up lager that brings the best of both worlds to my glass.

1. Redline Brewhouse Kollision Hoppy Lager

A trip north resulted in meeting new friends and sharing beers. This is a very crushable 5.3 %, 35 IBU hazy grapefruit, pineapple and pine kicker of a beer. Toasted malt body for a balanced and juicy beer. Glad to have more of this in the fridge right now.

2. Cameron's Brewing 12 Mile IPL

Available in the Summer Brewmaster's Selection Pack, this 5.2 % crusher was a mainstay in the fridge for me. Balanced malt body with lemon, grapefruit and a dry but clean bitter finish. Every fans dream is to see this as a single next summer.

3. Amsterdam Brewing Pale Rider IPL - Another mix pack available beer that has Hop heads clamouring for a single release, this fall release was a very refreshing, 4.2 % crushable treat with orange, grapefruit and a toasty body that smooths out that bitterness just right.

4. Spindrift Brewing IPL (Nova Scotia)

5. Yuengling Brewery IPL (USA)

Whatever your drinking today, I hope you are enjoying it with your friends and family. May your Christmas be merry and the memories you make all joyous.

Happiness is found when we share our love and beer with those around us.

Raise your glass and your standards,

One beer at a time!

Cheers!