Fresh Hop Extra Pale Ale by Cannery Brewing

Autumn is a wonderful time for those of us who really like good beer because two kinds of limited release beers hit the shelves: Oktoberfest and fresh hop. I enjoyed a number of Oktoberfest beers this year but I had a hard time finding fresh hop ales in Edmonton. My absolute favourite is Sartori Harvest by Driftwood Brewery but apparently it was not distributed in Alberta this year. Too bad!

Fresh hop ales are made with freshly picked hops during the fall hop harvest. The hops are typically picked and then transported directly to the brewery to be added to beers. Normally hops are dried and further processed for longer-term storage and stability so fresh hop beers are a special treat.

This is my first time drinking and reviewing this fresh hop ale from Cannery Brewing. Cannery has been in business for over two decades and I've been lucky to visit their taproom in Penticton, BC.

Appearance: Fresh Hop Extra Pale Ale comes in a very traditional-looking can that fits in nicely with Cannery's brand, which is admittedly a little dated. This beer was made with Mosaic hops according to the can. I poured it into a Spiegalau IPA glass where it displayed a beautiful golden colour and a slight haze. Head was minimal but laced nicely.

Aroma: This beer smells like grapes, generalized citrus and has a slight resinous character.

Taste: Aroma and taste are closely linked with grapes appearing here again, along with grapefruit specifically. There some very nice fruit flavours happening here and as the beer warmed, the distinct flavour of blueberries started to come through. There's a fuzziness overall which I tend to get with fresh hop beers. Not much in way of sweetness or malt though, which makes this beer somewhat unbalanced.

Overall: I'm happy I tried this fresh hop ale because it is new to me and what was available this year was limited. But I wish this beer had a little bit more of a malt backbone to carry the strong hop flavours. Overall it was just a little too hop-forward for me. I liked it but I didn't love it.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Classic IPA by Nokomis Craft Ales

This is a quick review of Classic IPA by Nokomis Craft Ales from Nokomis, Saskatchewan. Appearance: Classic IPA comes in a traditional 335mL can featuring clean and simple graphic design. The beer pours a little hazy but has a nice copper colour with head that lasts throughout the glass and leaves thick lacing. Aroma: I smell resinous pine and a touch of candy. Taste: Citrus, pine and just the right amount of sweetness. This is a really well balanced. Mouthfeel: Carbonation is slightly less than medium. Body is slightly fuller than average. Perfect for the style. Overall: It's rare to find such a prototypical example of a West Coast IPA released by a brewery that was founded in the last 10 years. I really enjoyed this beer, which is the first I have tasted and reviewed by this brewery. Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Do Stuff Together by Mikkeller

The core purpose of this blog is ostensibly the review of Canadian-made craft beer. But I will veer off-course from time-to-time. This review of an American-style beer brewed in Belgium by a Danish brewer is one of those times. There's a lot to like about Mikkeller . The homebrewer in me loves the story behind the company, from its homebrew roots, to its establishment as a virtual brewery, to its evolution into a global craft beer brand. The marketing professional in me loves the brewery's branding, focused as it is on the illustrative style of their talented art director, Keith Shore . And most importantly, as a fan of craft beer, I love that their output is universally pretty good. Mikkeller's beers are typically sold as singles, at least in Alberta. In fact, I don't believe I've ever come across a four- or six-pack of Mikkeller beer. Do Stuff Together is no different. This is a premium beer with a premium price of just under $10 for a single 473mL can. It is...

One Night by The Establishment Brewing Company and Ale Architect

Appearance: Packaged in a 473mL can featuring a minimalist geometric design inspired by both The Establishment Brewing Company and Ale Architect brands. Beer is yellow, opaque and resembles grapefruit or lemon juice. Head dissapates quickly to a thin film but continues to lace the glass. Aroma: It smells like grapefruit juice. Taste: Despite the appearance and aroma, this beer does not taste like grapefruit juice. Instead, it features the flavour of limes coupled with unidentified tropical fruit. There is also a hint of grass and a touch of tartness. This beer is undeniably delicious. Mouthfeel: There is a light touch to the carbonation which suits the style. The beer features the fluffy mouthfeel expected from a good hazy IPA. Overall: This is a winner. There's a lot to like: the lighter colour, the combination of citrus and tropical fruit flavours, and the perfect New England-style body. Find it and drink it. Rating: 4 out of 5.

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