2018 Polkie Awards - Day 2 with Belgian styles, Gose and Sour Ales!

 

Belgian style and sour beers may not exactly be the same thing but for the sake of brevity and to allow me to keep the Polkies to just 5 days, they continue for another year to be lumped together on Day 2.
   I am a big fan of Belgian beers and my beer exploration has found many sour, wild and mixed fermentation styles to be most pleasing to the palate. From pounding Old Milwaukee on a daily basis just 4 years ago to yearning for the earthy and fruity Belgian style beers and the face puckering sours our Ontario Craft brewers are making has been as shocking to me as anything. While many of the world's finest of these 10 styles remain European, the gap has closed and continues to do so every year. I always focus on what we brew close to home and that is reflected by the growing list of entrants for each style. It's time to see Polk's Picks on day 2!
Berliner Weisse



1. Nickel Brook Brewing Peach Uber

  The Uber series from Nickel Brook is something to look forward to when the sun starts to heat up and I spend more time outside than in. This year saw the introduction of Peach and oh my, it was a beauty. Real peach notes with a funky and tart lime finish made for a real summer refresher and I was in love!
2. Sawdust City Brewing Coriolis Effect

  Found many times in my glass and straight up representing the tartness of the style, Sawdust City hit a home run with Coriolis Effect. Crushable and lightly sour, it hit the mark and thanks to an assist from the folks at SC, I had lots in my fridge!
3. Nickel Brook Brewing Plum Uber
4. Nickel Brook Brewing Raspberry Uber
5. Sawdust City Brewing Passion fruit and Guava


Dubbels

1. Shacklands Brewing Dubbel

One of my favourite Belgian styles is the Dubbel and this 7.0% one from Shacklands was so damn close to the originators I thought I could here the bells of the monastery. Bready with plum, raisin and fig notes, a slight spice and I was transported to another place and time. A must try if and when it returns.
2. Sawdust City Brewing Can't you find another way to come home for the holidays

  Not many entrants from Ontario in this category that caught my eye in terms of their ability to match or even transcend the traditional Belgian beers , but Sawdust managed to do that with this mouthful of a name for their Dubbel. Adding a cinnamon spiced twist to the bready, dark fruit was a nice surprise and it's still available for online order if you want a little Belgian Christmas in your glass.

Gose


1. Collective Arts Brewing Black Currant and Lemon Zest

  I called this beer vivaciously berrylicious and I stand by that statement! The deepest of purple pours with sharp blackberry, currant and a tart lemon and salt finish. It was a jam in a glass with that gose sharpness that I cans still taste almost 10 months later. Hope to see it return in 2019!
2. Nickel Brook Brewing Duplicitous

 

   With a wide availability and spot on Gose taste, Nickel Brook's Duplicitous has a lot of fans out there, including me. Tart lemon, grapefruit and orange with a sour and salty finish, it is crushable and well received as the heat goes up and the pool opens!
3. Wellington Brewery Pinwheel
4. Nickel Brook Brewing The Pineapple Incident
5. People's Pint Gose Cuervo





Quads
1. New Limburg Brewing St. Arnoldus

  A fine example of a brewery really coming into it's own as New Limburg finds themselves at the top of the Quad charts. I was not a huge fan of this when I first tried it in 2017 but a year later and it is approaching world class. Loads of dark fruit, a warming boozy finish that balances with the malty, slightly sweetened body. I want more of this in my life, it was just amazing.
2. Great Lakes Brewery 2017 Quad

   Aged in pinot noir barrels, this Quad from GLB was a warm, caramel malt, spicy, dark fruit treat in the depths of winter. It was warm and boozy with a full and balanced profile. I wish I had bought a few more to see where it goes in a year or two even though it was on point back in February. Wow.
3. Railway City Brewing 2017 Strongman
4. Sawdust City and Nickel Brook Brewing 2018 11.05
5. Royal City Brewing Brett Quad


Saisons
1. Shacklands Brewing Saison Davenport

  The closest thing to drinking a Saison in Belgium is found in The Junction area of Toronto and once again Shacklands has laid a golden brew to celebrate your hopes and dreams. Saison Davenport is a majestic and spot on take of one of my most favourite styles, the banana, orange, clove and peppery spice finish is delightful and should be on your radar if you want to experience true genius.
2. Sawdust City Brewing Princess wears Girl Pants

  A slow sipping saison with some hoppy kicks and a warming boozy kick make Sawdust City's Princess a real winner. Loads of banana, orange and spice make for a true beauty and that 9.0 ABV is a real kicker! Look for it's return and do not miss out!

3. Merit Brewing The Rally
4. Great Lakes Brewery Saison DuPump
5. Barncat Brewery Cat's Cradle


Sour Ales
1. Nickel Brook Brewing Uncertainty Principle No. 1

  It is always a pleasure to get the latest Funk Lab release from Nickel Brook and this year's series has been spot on. But nothing comes close to the June release of Uncertainty Principle No. 1, mango, pineapple and tangerine with a funky and sour finish hat had me wanting more. It was something I couldn't imagine until that first sip and I was hooked.
2. Fairweather Brewing Tranquillo

   Fairweather had one of the finest years in beer in my memory and the spicy, sour lemon lime zest of Tranquillo was transcendent. It was tart and peppery with a bit of everything I love about sours. Not just overwhelmingly face puckering, it was nuanced and fun.
3. Bellwoods Brewery Mango Apricot Jelly King
4. Bellwoods Brewery Donkey Venom
5. Nickel Brook and Sawdust City Brewing 2017 11.05


Strong Golden Ales
1. Muskoka Brewery Legendary Oddity

   Hitting the shelves of the LCBO on the 2nd day of January, the 2018 Muskoka Legendary Oddity was a wonderful way to start the year. At 7.1%, it wasn't fooling around and the balance was spot on with the warming, boozy notes finding a home with the banana, clove, pepper and bubble gum berry notes. A beautiful example of a style that isn't really found in many places here in Ontario.
2. The Collingwood Brewery 1854

   The only other Strong Golden Ale to reach the zenith this year was the 6,8% barrel aged 1854 from The Collingwood Brewery. A fine take on this traditional style with vanilla and some funk joning the party. Plum and caramel bring a maltier kick and while it was a one and done cellar pull, it was a great way to spend a sunny, summer afternoon.

Tripels

1. New Limburg Brewing St. Barbara

  True Belgian beer lovers keep finding their way to a few places in Ontario that are becoming destinations because they are finding a way to give us what we really want. Close to home and true to style, New Limburg's St. Barbara would be at home anywhere in Belgium with its' balanced and delightful composition. banana, clove, orange peel, lemon zest, clove and a spicy coriander finish make for one slow sipping, 9.0% tripel. It was available at the LCBO and we can only hope it returns.
2. Merit Brewing Tomorrows

  This beer continued to evolve from the first time I tried it and with what we saw from Merit this past year, you know they are dialled in and ready to bring it hard. Tomorrows was a 9.4% front loaded banana, bubblegum, black tea and clove slow sipper that took me to new heights when I returned to it in late May. One you need to experience for yourself to truly enjoy what they are crafting on James street here in Hamilton.

Wild Ales

1. Fairweather Brewing Old Soul

  The fine folks at Fairweather will make multiple appearances on my best of 2018 lists and this wild, barrel aged ale is no different. Tart and funky with stone fruit, apricot and peach dominating and refreshing. It was a smooth and highly rewarding day when I was able to slow sip this 6.5% as the leaves turned and the sun set in the back forty.
2. Bellwoods Brewery Barn Owl No. 10

   There must be something with me and stone fruit this year as the 10th Barn Owl from Bellwoods was neck in neck for top spot. Funky with peach and grapefruit, it had some sweeteness to offset the tart and was a balanced, beautiful treat. Barn Owl changes every time and I really wish I had picked up a few more of this one, it was truly wicked.
3. Bellwoods Brewery Dry Hopped Come What May
4. Shacklands Brewing Raspbretty Bates
5. Bellwoods Brewery Come What May


Witbiers
1. Block 3 #BeerPun

  Block 3 has long been one of our favourite stops whenever we head out to KW and this year they delivered a great crushable Witbier that was gone in a flash. #BeerPun was a crisp and easy lemon, orange peel, banana, clove and spicy pepper mix that was one of the most refreshing beers I had all year, especially in the middle of August on a sunny, warm morning with nothing to do.
2. Wellington Brewery 3 Weeks Notice

  Summer in a glass as Wellington Brewery really stepped up their crusher game as the sun shone and the pool beckoned this year. 3 Weeks notice was a beautiful mix of citrus, Belgian notes and berries with a lovely dry and peppery finish. Hope to see it again when The Grotto opens for the 2019 Summer drinking season!
3. New Limburg Wit
4. Cowbell Brewing Paradise Lime
5. Bench Brewing Stone Road

  There you have it, 10 new Polkie Awards handed out in some of my most favourite styles. I hope to see more beers in some of them as I was at a loss for more than a few examples. As we grow and change as beer drinkers, we can hope that our local breweries will respond as our palates mature and demand more. Sours continue to evolve and the low ABV of Berliners and Wits is most welcome for sessions of hanging outside in the summer and doing nothing but having a good time.
  See you tomorrow when we go into The Darkness once again and explore the Stouts and Porters from Ontario that made me feel all warm and roasty inside.

Cheers!
Polk

2018 Polkie Awards - The Plethora

  

The year in Ontario Craft beer was arguably the best I`ve experienced in my 3 years writing and talking about it. over 700 different beers tried, new breweries visited, new friends made and some of the most amazing times of my life. And now we begin the look back to see what the very best was.
  To celebrate 2018, I will give you my Polk`s Picks for the year as the 4th annual Polkie Awards kicks off with this year`s Plethora post. A grab bag of styles that go together in the tradition of --I haven`t a damn clue, so I put them in this post-- beers.
Enjoy, argue, discuss and lets get it on!!!



Barley Wines

1. Barncat Artisan Ales Greenout

  Barncat is known far and wide for their amazing IPAs and with good reason. They will be making appearances on that hoppy day in a few but this 9.5% American Barley Wine captured my attention and has held it since late July. Bready, dark fruits and a warming, boozy finish were also met with a dank hop pine note at the end. It was unique, it was delicious and it takes top spot in this slow sipping category.

2. Muddy York 1793 Cognac Barrel Aged

  Our pals at Muddy York Brewing had another great year and this marks but the first of many Top 5 appearances in this year`s Polkie Countdown. This dark fruit, raisin and fig, warming and slow sipping malty Cognac barrel aged Barley Wine stepped into our lives in November and was happily shared to celebrate a beautiful day. Subtle and delightful.

3. Great Lakes Brewing 2017 Beard of Zeus
4. Cowbell Brewing 2018 Almanac

5. Frank Brewing Barrel Aged Barley Wine


Blonde Ales

1. Collective Arts Brewing Saint of Circumstance

  The funny thing about some of these categories is that some old favourites can surprise you and leap back into your life with joy. Collective Arts Saint of Circumstance is a crushable 4.7%, widely available and incredible. Lemon, light orange and a biscuit malt body with a dialled up citrus bitterness makes it a winner anytime.


2. Royal City Brewing Two Rivers

  An early pick up, these shortie cans from Royal City set the year off right. cereal grains, toasty biscuit and lemon, apple and a slight bitterness on the finish made for a delightfully easy going Blonde ale. Perfect for the patio or the campsite, it`s 355 ml serving size gave it a beauty start.

3. Nickel Brook Brewing Cause and Effect

4. Henderson Brewing Food Truck

5. Dominion City Brewing Buck a Beer

Brown Ales

1. Shacklands Brewing Brigit

  The rise of Shacklands Brewing has been well documented and enjoyed here at Polk Manor as Jason and Dave bring some amazing Belgian twists to traditional styles in addition to making straight up Belgian beauties. Brigit was a 6.1% coffee, nutty, chocolate and banana treat. It combined the toasty brown with an earthy Belgian yeast for a real surprise winner that was most memorable and deserving of a return!

2. Royal City Brewing Belgian Brown

  Like most beer drinkers, I have a type and when I find a style that has been taken to another level with a little magic, I am hooked. From late January but still living in my mind comes Royal City`s Belgian Brown, an 8.2 boozy and warming wine barrel aged brown ale. Cherry, apple, caramel, chocolate and tart wine tannins. While not a traditional brown, it was such a unique spin I couldn`t forget it.

3. Cameron's Brewing Dark and Sticky

4. Cowbell Brewing McNall's Mission

5. Haliburton Highlands Honey Brown Ale


Hefeweizens

1. Muskoka Brewery 2018 Summerweiss

  First tried at Muskoka Brewery during our stop their during Polkapolooza, this Tropical Wheat version of their Summerweiss was a hazy pouring mango and passion fruit beauty. The beer of summer for me as it made multiple appearances in my fridge and on my timeline. Juicy with banana and loads of citrus, it was an absolute gem.

2. Side Launch Brewing Wheat

  A traditional Hefe that is on point and perhaps the best year round in the category. Lots of banana, orange, clove and pepper with a refreshing and familiar finish. It finds it`s way into my life many times over the year and deserves the recognition as one of the best out there.

3. Rhythm and Brews Hefe Metal

4. Abe Erb Das Spritzhaus

5. Bitte Schon Huron Street

Lagers

1. Wellington Brewery Helles Lager

   Wellington Brewery is one of Ontario`s oldest Craft breweries but that doesn`t mean they rest on their laurels by any means. This classic Helles Lager comes in 355 ml cans and a has a nice low 4.5% ABV with notes of lemon, honey and grass in a toasty malt body. Refreshing and super crushable, this one is a winner all year long.

2. Muddy York Brewing Gaslight Helles

  A long time favourite here since the early days of when we just started to explore Craft Beer, Muddy York`s Gaslight Helles Lager hit the LCBO this year and that meant even more people got to try this toasty, apple, lemon and grassy beauty. Low bitterness and easily accessible to new and veteran craft beer drinkers make this one a winner always.

3. Sawdust City Brewing Little Norway
4. Fairweather Brewing Dream City
5. Cowbell Brewing Shindig


Marzens

1. Rainhard Brewing Smarch Weather

  Rainhard Brewing makes a lot of hopped up treats and barrel aged beauties but the Smarch Weather Marzen was an absolute delight in late October. A bready toasted malt body with toffee, nuts and spice, it was the perfect late fall beer and a champion in every way!

2. Beau's Brewing Marzen

  One of the things I always love about Beau`s is that they give me something to think about when they release a beer. Their 5.5% straight up marzen was a toffee, nutty caramel gem with a light bitterness and an easy going finish. Beautiful.

3. Royal City Brewing Oktoberfest
4. Muskoka Brewery Is There Life on Marzen?
5. Waterloo Brewing Festbier

Pilsners

1. Fairweather Brewing Donna

  Not only is Donna from Fairweather Brewing the top of the Pilsner chart, it`s one of the finest beers of 2018. Clean and crisp with a toasty body, hay and grassy floral notes with a slight spice on the finish give it near perfection. It drank like a beer was meant to be and even though it was late October, I felt like it was August and I was lingering in the Grotto with nothing but leisure in my future. It was the most beautiful beer as I went back for more and that was something I didn't ever do with a Pilsner before.


2. Bellwoods Brewery Bellwieser

 

  One of the toughest choices I had to make this year was in the Pilsner category and that says something about my evolution as a beer drinker and the two top Pils that made my decision so hard. By a hair, Bellwoods Brewery Bellweiser comes second but that is no slight. clean and crisp with apple, lemon and grassy notes. Most excellent.
3. Block 3 Jaromir
4. Merit Brewing To AllMascot Brewing Pilsner
5. Mascot Brewing Pilsner


Radlers

1. Ace Hill Brewing Radler

  In my search for Radler perfection this summer, Ace Hill stood out above the rest with its mix of peach, apple, grapefruit and orange notes. Juicy and refreshing, only 2.5% and crushed all summer long in the Grotto pool!

2. Sawdust City Brewing Graydar

  The radler summer was made better by this slightly tart pink grapefruit and lemon beauty from Sawdust City. Bubbly carbonation gave it a spritz and that 3.5% ABV kept me floating around the pool.
3. Grain and Grit Beer Co. Quenched
4. Waterloo Brewing Grapefruit
5. Waterloo Brewing Raspberry

Red Ales

1. Sawdust City Brewing I, the Mountain and the Leprechaun

  A unique twist on the red ale with a hopped up, slow sipper from Sawdust City for the win. Big and bready toasted malt body with toffee for the base and a citrus grapefruit and bitter pine. An absolute must buy when it comes back out in 2019, malty and hoppy with everything the spring needs.

2. Great Lakes Brewery Dimitrji Fong

  Another swing on the red ale, this time from Great Lakes Brewery and Hungry Brew Hops gastropub. Big and bready with caramel and pine, some citrusy grapefruit pith and a lingering bitter and sweet finish. An outstanding red that is much missed.

3. Innocente Brewing Inn O`Slainte
4. New Ontario Brewing Tree Topper
5. Sleeping Giant Brewing Company Mr. Canoehead


  The following styles had only a few entrants that were outstanding or perhaps I only was able to try a handful and not many impressed. Still love to salute great beer so here we finish with the ultimate grab bag, Lightning Round Polkie Awards!

Altbier - Sawdust City Brewing Ol` Woody Alt
Amber Ale - Hendersons Brewing Henderson`s Best
Best Bitter - Muddy York Brewing Major Smalls
Bock - Junction Craft Brewing Winter Bock
Cream Ale - Manitoulin Brewing Kilarney
Doppelbock - Cameron`s Brewing Deviator Doppelbock
ESB - Clifford Brewing Dark Streets of London
Golden Ale - MacKinnon Brothers Crosscut
Harvest Ale - MacKinnon Brothers Harvest Ale
India Pale Lager - Clifford Brewing Devil`s Punchbowl
Pale Wheat Ale - Sandwich Brewing Prairie Sunshine
Spiced Ale - Nickel Brook Brewing 2017 Cuvee
Table Beer - Merit Brewing SVP
Winter Ale - Great Lakes Brewery Winter Ale

  No doubt that with 22 different style categories, this opening salvo in the look back at my Favourite Ontario Craft beers of 2018 is a big change from even a year ago. Access at the LCBO and the sheer increase in the amount of breweries exposed me to so many more styles and interpretations of them with a nod to tradition but a look toward the future. My palate is ever changing and while we may disagree about which beers we love, we can all agree that it is a wonderful thing that we have so much to talk about.
What a way to start and tomorrow we gander at the Sour, Gose, Belgian-style and Saisons that made me take notice in the last 12 months. See you then and thanks once again for the last 3 years of support!!

Cheers!

Polk

2018 Polkie Awards - A preview

 

2018 is winding down and that means it's time for this old Polk to gather his notes and present the 4th Annual Polkie Awards. Celebrating the best (and worst) of what poured into my glass in the last year, it is with great joy that I will give out kudos and applause to the finest in Ontario Craft Beer. Over 6 days and a myriad of styles, we will use the Instagram and YouTube reviews I did to help me find those beers that stood out from the rest and made me smile with every sip. The schedule will be the same as last year and is a  follows :




Dec 27th : The Best of the Rest (A Grab Bag of styles) (2017 Post Here)
Dec 28th : Sour, Farmhouse Ales/Saisons and Belgian Styles (2017 Post Here)
Dec 29th : Porters, Stouts, Imperial and Barrel Aged Stouts (2017 Post Here)
Dec 29th: My Least Favourite Beer of 2017 (2017 Post Here)
Dec 30th : Pale Ales, IPAs and DIPAs (2017 Post Here)
Dec 31st : The Ten (2017 Post Here)


  The first 5 days are pretty straightforward as I will give you the best of each style, in my humble opinion, and talk a little about each beer on the list. The final day is a little more fun for me as it is not just about a score out of 5 or just the flavour and texture of what I poured in my tulip. The Ten represents my 10 most memorable beers of 2018, the ones that stood out for a variety of reasons, some for what they represented, or the experience when they were had and some because they were so outstanding I can still imagine them to this day.
  While I know and understand the inherent problem with any beer awards, it is with joy that I revisit 2018 and savour what was an amazing year in beer by any standards. Over 720 different beers were part of my trip around the sun and that was barely scratching the surface of what came out in Ontario this year. There were many difficult choices and I will tell you I struggled (I know, a really hard job, right?) with leaving some world class stuff off the lists. I do hope you will enjoy, argue and maybe agree once in awhile with my choices as the year ends on a very, very high note.


Cheers!


Polk

 :

2018 LCBO Gift Packs - Polk's Picks

 

  The holiday season is well under way and as a public service or perhaps because I just enjoy doing it every year, it is time once again for my foray into all the Craft Beer Gift and Mix packs available at the LCBO right now. Some come with extras like glasses or socks and others are annual traditions that appear like the ghosts of Christmas past, only to disappear until the snow flies again next year. Value is all in the eye of the Beer-holder and what may seem like a great pack to you or I will not be for everyone. Know the person you are buying for and that includes yourself.  A little self care during the holidays spent exploring new or returning beers can be a wonderful way to slow down and enjoy the lights and embrace the glow of Christmas.
  I'll give you my opinion on the packs as a Buy Score, as always out of 5, based my own opinion of the style marks and value, with a breakdown of costs per unit and ml., best in pack and my Polk Thoughts. There are some great local Ontario options and more than a few demand your attention, with a nice mix of imports that shouldn't be missed. Logic dictates that you probably won't get to them all so look for the ones that really grab your attention and make sure you enjoy them now. Gifts of beer are meant to be shared so bring something unique to your next party and let the celebrating begin!


**Listed in order of price as of December 4th, 2018**




Hockley Taster Pack - $7.99 3x473 Cans ($2.66 ea/$0.56 ml)

Inside - Dark, Amber and Lager

Best Bet - Dark Ale
Polk Thoughts - Nothing exciting, just 3 core brands at the same price if you buy them individually. Good and to style but boring for most of the craft beer drinkers you know. The Dark is the only one I would buy now for myself.
Buy Score - 3/5


Welly Re-Booted Mix Pack Volume 5 - $10.95 4x355ml Bottles ($2.73 ea/$0.77 ml)

Inside - Pale Ale, Imperial Stout, Chai latte Stout, Coffee IPA
Best Bet - Imperial Russian Stout
Polk Thoughts - A great way to explore Welly releases you may have missed in the past. Classic Imperial stout is key but the Coffee IPA may be the biggest surprise.
Polk Score - 3.75/5


Cameron's Brewmaster Selection Pack V10 - $10.95 4x473ml Cans ($2.73 ea/$0.58 ml)

Inside - Session Lager, India Pale Lager, Red Ale, Cream Ale
Best Bet - The 12 Mile India Session Lager
Polk Thoughts - A fine introductory core 4 if someone is trying to open their palate. Nothing exciting but decent value and the IPL drinks almost like a bigger IPA so it has that going for it.
Buy- 3.25/5


Amsterdam Winter Flight Pack - $11.95 4x473ml Cans ($2.73 ea/$0.58 ml)

Inside - 2 different IPAs, Pilsner, Imperial Stout
Best Bet - Tempest Imperial Stout
Polk Thoughts - While 3 are core, the re-introduction of Tempest sells this pack almost on it's own. That's the major selling point is that stout and if it was sold as a sing,le would be dominating winter. The per can price is amazing for the high quality of the beer.
Buy Score - 4/5 (4.5 is you've never had that stout)


Historic Ales from Scotland Holiday Pack - $12.95 4x330ml Bottles ($2.73 ea./$0.77 ml)

Inside - Floral, Smoky, Elderberry Ales and a Gooseberry Wheat
Best Bet - Ebulum Elderberry Black Ale
Polk Thoughts - I feel like this one is past it's prime with the explosion of craft beer in Ontario. The offerings are pretty uninspired to be honest. A whole box of meh.
Buy- 2/5


Wychwood Beers of Character Collection - $13.50 4x500ml Bottles ($3.38 ea./$0.68 ml)

Best Bet - Classic Hobgoblin Ruby Ale
Polk Thoughts - Another pack that isn't aging well in seasonal rotation. A lot of English ales that taste less than what we can buy locally. Nice bottle art, a decent Untappd opportunity but boring beers overall.
Buy Score - 2.5/5



Railway City Brewing Holiday 3 Pack - $14.75 3x473ml Cans + Glass ($4.91 ea./$1.04 ml)

Inside - A Cherry Porter, Cranberry Lager and India Session Lager
Best Bet - Express ISL
Polk Thoughts - The inclusion of the glass is the draw but the selection could be better. The change from Black Coal stout to the Cherry Porter is a miss for me, that stout is beautiful and really would have made this a better pack. If each beer is $3 alone, that's almost $6 for the glass...
Buy Score - 2.5/5




Innis and Gunn Holiday Pack - $14.95 3x330ml Bottles + Glass ($4.98 ea./$1.61 ml)

Inside - Mystery Beer, Classic IG oak aged and the Rum Barrel aged red ale
Best bet - Blood Red Sky Rum Barrel aged red beer
Polk Thoughts - Another glass to draw attention and the mystery beer is fun. IG tends to be either a fave or not for most folks. I enjoy the OG oak aged version and it was nice to get a tulip glass. A little pricey for what you get though, so that has to factor into your decision.
Buy Score - 3.25/5


Belhaven Brewery Merry Craftmas - $15.95 6x330ml Bottles ($2.65 ea./$0.81 ml)

Inside - Pilsner, Oaked Blonde ale, Wee heavy, Scotch Ale, Oat Ale and an IPA
Best bet - Wee Heavy
Polk Thoughts - While a decent mix of styles, they fall a little flat and for the cost, I would expect more. If you haven't had it, that's 6 more for Untappd but that is about it. The Wee Heavy is by far the best of the pack
Buy rating - 2/5


The Spencer Brewery Gift Pack - $16.75 3x330ml Bottles + Glass ($5.58 ea./$1.69 ml)

Inside - Imperial Stout, Holiday Ale, Trappist Ale
Polk Thoughts - Lovely chalice style glass, 3 big (above 8%) Belgian style beers from the only Trappist brewery in the US. A high cost but good value as a gift for yourself or someone you know who likes this style. The beer is solid if unspectacular and warming. Pricey but fun.
Buy Score - 4/5


Chimay Gift pack - $16.95 3x330ml Bottles + Glass ($5.65 ea./$1.71 ml)

Inside - Tripel, Golden Strong Ale, Quad
Best Bet - Chimay Blue
Polk Thoughts - The highest per ml. cost but with that glass included, one of my personal faves. 3 beautiful beers that showcase amazing Belgian Trappist ales. Worth every penny. 
Buy- 4.5/5


Muskoka Winter Survival Pack - $17.95 6x473ml Cans ($2.99 ea./$0.60 ml)

Inside - Cream Ale, Session IPA, Lager, IPA, Stout, Grissette
Best Bet - Mad Tom IPA
Polk Thoughts - The inclusion of the Moonlight Kettle Grissette is fun and it is always a great party pack with literally something for everyone. Nothing crazy but solid from start to finish.
Buy Score - 4/5


Northern Alliance Mix Pack - $19.00 6x473ml Cans ($3.17 ea/$0.67 ml)

Inside - Golden Ale, Kolsch, Blonde Ale, 2 x Red Ales, Sour IPA
Best Bet - Stack brewing Expansion Sour IPA
Polk Thoughts - An intro of sorts to 6 Northern Ontario breweries in one shot. Wishing to see a Winter one hit the shelves with dark beers for something new. The Red Ales are outstanding as is the Sour IPA, a price point under $18 would have made this an easier sell. A big price per can for a lot of low ABV.
Buy Score - 3.25/5


6 Exclusive Belgian Ales - $19.95 6x330ml Bottles ($3.32 ea/$1.01 ml)

Inside - Quad, Barley Wine, Golden Strong Ale, Dark Strong Ale, Tripel, dubbel
Best Bet - Gulden Draak 9000
Polk Thoughts - I'm a little biased with my love of Belgian beers but this once a year pack is worth every penny. All high ABV beers with big, boozy slow sipping being the goal. A gift for yourself would be to buy 2 and cellar 1 until the summer so the wait for next year isn't so long.
Buy Score - 4.5/5


Erdinger Holiday Variety Pack - $19.95 5x500ml Bottles + Glass ($3.99 ea./$0.80)

Inside - Dunkels, hefeweizens and Kristalweizen
Polk Thoughts - Classic German wheat beer with a stylish and style appropriate glass makes for a great package. Buy it for the education and enjoyment of what wheat beer should be. The price point including the glass is a fantastic deal.
Buy Score - 4.25/5


Lake of Bays Toasty Toes Taster Pack - $19.95 5x473ml Cans + Socks ($3.99 ea./$0.84 ml)

Inside - Pilsner, Stout, IPA, APA, Red Ale
Best Bet - Spark House Red Ale
Polk Thoughts - I love the Holiday socks and both variety and quality of the beer is on point. A good sharing pack with something for almost every taste. Price is just right for Secret Santa at the office with a beer loving friend too.
Buy Score - 4/5


Rochester Mills Beer Co. Milkshake Stout Seasonal Sampler - $20.95 6x473ml Cans ($3.49 ea./$0.74 ml)

Inside - 6 different variants on the Milkshake Stout
Best Bet - Imperial Milkshake Stout
Polk Thoughts - A fun import from the States, the flavourings are pretty on point with Blueberry pancake and Crème de Menthe being the most interesting. Would like more body as I found them a little thin for the style. Fun, but better as a sharing pack between 3 or 4 people.
Buy Score- 3.25/5


St. Bernardus Mixed Selection - $21.95 6x330ml Bottles ($3.65 ea./$1.11 ml)

Inside - 2 x Tripel, Quad, 2 x Dubbel, Wit
Best Bet - Abt 12 Quad
Polk Thoughts - Again we find ourselves in Belgium with some fantastic beer. 6 delightful bottles and despite that high price point, worth every penny. Stars in each category and a great cellar opportunity. Gift for yourself or someone you really, really love.
Polk Score - 4.5/5


Beau's Winter Mix Pack - $21.95 4x600ml Bottles ($5.48 ea./$0.91 ml)

Inside - Lagered Ale, Auburn Lager, Spiced Dark Ale, Juniper Ale
Best Bet - Zwickel German Style Auburn Lager
Polk Thoughts - As a fan of Beau's and their approach to showcasing all sorts of weird and wonderful style I love the 3 unique brews that are in this pack...but I really wish we could see 4. I like Lug Tread but feel that it is out of place here. Enjoyable all the way through with some fun to be had, but another one off would make this one even better. 
Buy Score - 3.75/5


Steam Whistle Gift Pack - $24.95 4x473ml Cans + 2 Glasses ($6.24 ea/$1.32 ml)

Inside - 4 Pilsners and 2 glasses
Best Bet - It's all one beer and all good.
Polk Thoughts - Steam Whistle is the leader when it comes to gift pack glasses and I am always happy to see another. These Reidel glasses are made specifically for the Pilsner and with the easy going accesibilty of this beer, a gift for any type of beer drinker. The price is high but the glasses come in at $11 of that price point and I am fine with that, they are beautiful.
Buy Score - 4/5 


Happy Holidays and may your glass always be full!


Cheers!


Polk