This Week in Beer - Ale-induced Anecdotals Part Three

A post by Scott F

Continuing our tradition of bringing you all that's weird and wonderful in the world of beer; check out the stories below to find out what's new with the true nectar of the gods. 

Delirium Tremens Finds its Way onto Ontario shelves

Once there was an absolutely fantastic beer with an absolutely terrible name. That beer was Delirium Tremens, and until last week Ontario’s beer retail monopoly, The Beer Store, had refused to allow it on store shelves. Delirium Tremens refers to the shaking symptoms alcoholics get during withdrawal. To further the analogy, the bottle also features a pink elephant reminiscent of the hallucinations that may be experienced alongside “the shakes.”

Naming a substance after the symptoms one who is addicted to that substance might experience when trying to kick that substance, is a little offside. Sadly, it’s a beer that’s tough to hate. Stuart Kallen gave it the number one spot in his book The 50 Greatest Beers in the World, and yes, it is that good. I found a glass at Pauper’s Pub a couple weeks back and this bold, toweringly fruity Belgian strong ale packs flavours of honey, clove and plum into its 8.5 ABV frame.

More here.

Paying Alcoholics with Beer… Why Didn’t I Think of That! Oh Wait...

Those cleaver Germans have devised to pay homeless alcoholics in food, beer and cigarettes to clean up their cities. Okay, I’ve perhaps overplayed how ridiculous this sounds, as it’s actually a pretty sound project. In exchange for sweeping streets, these folks receive a structured environment which allows for modest alcohol intake. 

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Does Your Beer-making Kit include Volcanic Rocks?

Garage Project out of New Zealand is redefining extreme brewing with every batch. Pushing boundaries is the name of the game, and they do that in spades. One of their beers needs the purest seawater requiring a submarine and professional diver to collect it. Another uses volcanic rocks to flash boil the wort. The wort is then poured through the rocks to caramelizes the sugars and give the beer distinction.

More on the Garage Project. 

Beer Makes You Smarter… I Knew It!

Scientists in Oregano State University  have identified a flavonoid found in hops and beer that increases brain function. Mice given large doses of this flavonoid (it’s just fun to say, flavonoid!) showed marked improvements in adapting to changes in their environments. I knew it! I knew it all along! 

One small caveat the study mentioned is that a human would be required to drink 2000 litres of beer a day to see benefits… well darn.

Ten to the power of five times more information.

The Great Beer Pipeline

A brewery in Belgium is planning to build a two mile beer pipeline under the cobblestone streets of Bruges. No, this isn’t a glorious smuggling operation, nor does it end in a magical beer waterfall. The pipeline will deliver the beer from the brewery to the bottling facility and will eliminate about 85 per cent of the town’s truck traffic.

Check out the story.

Know a cool story in the world of beer? Post it in the comments below. 

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Going Coastal - The Halifax Craft Beer Scene

Casualties of sunny Sunday afternoon

The explosion in craft beer popularity has created more than just a sprawling landscape of new breweries in North America: it's also created a new travel category. We at Real Man Travels have been lovers of beer since the real nectar of the gods first touched out lips, so pairing it with our love of travel seemed only natural. Beer tourism is now a part of every trip we a take. We can be found scouring the local breweries of our host city and chatting up locals on what pint fills their glasses. Recently I had the privilege of taking in the craft beer scene in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Propeller Brewing Company sign at the Gottingen Street Location

Propeller Brewing Company - @PropellerBeer, @PropellerShop

While their name is a playful nod to the sea faring traditions of  Nova Scotia, their beers are all business. I hadn't been in Nova Scotia for more than a couple hours when I met up with Stephen, the retail and tour manager for Propeller Brewing Company at their Dartmouth location for a tour and tasting, A few sips later, and I thought I would never leave.

Stephen showing me around the Dartmouth brewery

Fun Facts: 

• Propeller boasts the title of number one beer in the Canadian Maritimes with their India Pale Ale. The beer it beat out? Propeller's own Extra Special Bitter that had held the spot for 15 years.
• Propeller has been featured as the beer of Canada's own Trailer Park Boys.
• Propeller also offers two sodas. Ginger Beer and Root Beer are available for patrons of all ages

Highlights:

An early fav was their Extra Special Bitter. This English-style brew found its way to the table with many of my meals. It was Revolution, Propeller's Russian Imperial Stout, however, that took the cake for me. A seasonal offering that deserves the cult following it has.

Garrison's seaport location has iconic curb appeal

Garrison Brewing Company - @GarrisonBrewing

Named for the rich military history of Halifax, the fine people at Garrison are definitely a more fun-loving crowd than one might expect from a company boasting a 19th century military canon as their logo. After meeting with Tracy at their beautiful Halifax seaport location, and sampling their beers, I came away thoroughly impressed. Not only has Garrison been busy making exceptional beers, but they have been very active in the Halifax community supporting local groups and brewing up specialty beers for local festivals. One example of this is the Summer Fest Blonde they've made for the Halifax Jazz Festival.

Award winning beer at Garrison Brewery

Fun Facts:

• Garrison Brewing Company hosts and annual "Home Brew Off" where homebrewers compete for the chance to brew a full sized batch of their finest creation with Garrison's brewmaster. The beer is then offered as a limited edition seasonal offering. How cool is that?
• Expansion is underway for a larger primary brewing facility to make even more of their prize winning concoctions
• Garrison offers a line-up of kettle brewed "Cannonball Soda" with five flavours, including chocolate.

Highlights:

Garrison's Irish Red Ale won a place in my beer fridge as an easy drinker with  full bodied flavour.

A line up of 750 mL bottles of North Brewing Company's finest ales

North Brewing Company - @NorthBrewing

This small brewery located in the north end of Halifax on Argicola Street has been making big waves with their Belgian-inspired line up. When I arrived to meet Peter for a peek behind the scenes I didn't know what to think. Situated in what was once a small house was a small storefront with steady foot traffic coming in and out. North Brewing Company is taking a different approach than most start up beer companies. Their primary focus is to make great beer, while minimizing the impact on the environment. While the lofty goal of a zero emission brewery is their mission, their beer is already turning heads. They won "Best New Brewer" from RateBeer.com. What made me fall in love with North Brewing (aside from their beer, of course) was how small it is. It gives me something realistic to shoot for with my own dream of starting a brewery. If you're in Halifax you can buy your 750mL bottle or 1.89L growler from their store front or set out to experience one of their beers at any of these locations.

Behind the scenes at North Brewing Company

Fun Facts:

• Josh, who does most of the brewing, grew up on a Nova Scotian hop farm. They use his hops for their Wet Hop seasonal.
• North Brewing Company's beers are only available in Nova Scotia, so if you're not in the province, you need to get there to try it!
• Gus' 65 Meter Ale is named after the door-to-door distance of the bar Gus' Pub, their first customer.

Highlights:

Gus' 65 Meter Ale was the beer I had to bring home and show off. This Belgian blonde has a fruity taste upfront, perfect for summer. It's a refreshing addition to the Real Man Travels beer fridge.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for Halifax and Nova Scotia's great craft beer scene. Leave us a message letting us know your favourite East Coast beer.

Slàinte!
Sam

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Five Exceptional Beers You Can Get (Almost) Anywhere

A post by Scott F.

Regardless of where you live, finding retailers that carry some of the world’s finer beers can be a struggle. There’s nothing worse than hearing a friend wax poetic about a favourite brew they romantically discovered while finding themselves in Europe - or to read a salivating review written by some vivaciously verbose beer blogger - only to find that your local purveyor of potent potables does not carry it.

This can be particularly difficult in jurisdictions with stricter liquor control laws. Sure, you can track down those fancy brew pubs with stellar revolving beer lists. But for those who like pulling out a great bottle at a party, enjoying a quality drink in the backyard or at the cottage, or drinking alone in their underwear, the need to make such a trip (or perhaps to go outside at all), can be displeasing.    

For that reason we’ve pulled five of our favourite beers that are available more widely than many of the other top-rated selections. These bottles are sure to impress friends and pallets everywhere.

Criteria: Available at more than 75 LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) locations:

1. St Bernardus ABT 12 – Belgium – Abbey Ale, Quadrupel – 10% ABV

Highlighted by its balance, sweet, bitter and hoppy. Fruity nose with cherries and caramel on the tongue. Long considered one of the best beers in the world.

2. Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier – Germany – Hegewizen Ale – 5.6% ABV

Hard to say, great to drink. Smells and tastes of banana and nuts. If that description turns you off, fear not, both sensations are short lived and replaced by a balanced malty flavour.

3. Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue) – Belgium – Belgian Strong Ale – 9% ABV

A traditional strong ale. Fruit and spice all through the nose with flavours of plum and raisin. Smell a hint of clove.

4. Schneider Hopfen Weisse – Germany – Weizenbock – 8.2% ABV

A hoppy wheat beer. Flowers and hops on the nose. Classic citrus flavour with a touch of earthy, grassy taste. Very approachable.

5. Innis & Gunn Original – Scotland – Scottish Ale – 6.6% ABV

A bold selection better suited for after dinner. Rich caramel, vanilla nose with alcohol prominent. Taste is sweet, liqueur-like, with plenty of tasty vanilla and toffee. An absolute treat.

What are some of your favourite, widely available beers? Post in the comments or tweet them to @SFRealManTravel.

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Cooperstown, NY - Brewery Ommegang

a Scott F post

After a few days in New York City catching the sites and sipping on Brooklyn Lager and Brown Ale, we took the scenic route back towards Ontario that brought us through Cooperstown, NY. Home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown is the definition of a quaint little American town.

After checking into the Landmark Inn, a remarkably clean and comfortable bed and breakfast in the heart of town (the manliest B&B in town, of course), we strolled down the road to the main street looking for a bite to eat. We found our way to The Pit at the Tunnicliff Inn, lured in by the promise of $15 steak and crab and a selection of local libations. The highlights of the meal were two beers they had on tap, both from Brewery Ommegang, which just so happened to be 15 minutes down the road in the rolling hills of Cooperstown.

After visiting Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard the next day and picking up some of their famed sweet hard cider we meandered our way towards the brewery. Situated, appropriately, on a former hop plantation (evidently New York was once a hot bed of hop production), Brewery Ommegang’s facilities feel about as far from the United States as one can get.

 

And the beer is distinctly non-American as well. Brewed using traditional Belgian methods, Ommegang beers fuse carefully chosen hops with a variety of other spices (from Coriander to orange peel to grains of paradise!) to create some of the most unique and flavourful beers I’ve ever experienced. I can hear all the country boys out there saying “I don’t want no fancy herb concoctions in ma’ beer buoy!” but fear not my fair-weather friend. Ommegang balances these flavours masterfully so that they all enhance the hop profile without overpowering or even being utterly discernible on the tongue.

With six staple beers in arsenal along with a variety of seasonals and a selection from their parent company lead by the fantastic Belgian ale, Duvel; the variety achieved while staying within one category (Belgian-style ales), is almost mind blowing.

Two clear standouts from the collection that sat particularly well with my pallet were their Rare Vos and Hennepin. Rare Vos, an amber ale at 6.5% ABV, was one of those beers that makes you turn the bottle, stare at the label and say “wow” after your first sip (you’ve done it, and seen it done). You get a slight orange citrus taste but the spice and hop notes are what make this beer one of a kind. Hennepin, otherwise known as “that beer I’d choose with my final meal on death row,” is an exceptional ‘farmhouse ale,’ 7.7% ABV, that again features a complex spice mix that achieves an exceptional balance and mouth feel. It’s hoppy, refreshing, and completely delicious.

I'm always impressed when brewers push the envelope with their beer marketing and packaging. Brewery Ommegang has gone to exceptional lengths to provide a unique story for each of their brews; ranging on topics from brewers on stilts to pigeon races. Check out ommegang.com to read all of the engaging stories. The stories are supported by beautiful packaging and labels. 

Speaking with the guides at the brewery we found out that Brewery Ommegang was pushing out beer at capacity in the Northeast United States which likely means we won’t see the beers at the LCBO or Beer Store anytime soon. If you find yourself in upstate New York, though, Brewery Ommegang, and the beautiful town of Cooperstown in which it resides, are definitely worth a visit and a savour.

And for HBO fans, don’t miss their Game of Thrones-themed beer Iron Throne, and their just announced follow up Take the Black Stout.

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