Review: Cheli’s Pal Ale

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CHELI’S PALE ALE

I have to say, this summer has been, for me, a summer for Pale Ale. In the past I have avoided picking up pale ale’s in favour of the more robust flavours found in IPA, Porter or Stout. I didn’t realise the variety and complexity that craft brewers are imparting into pale ale. Just more great beer to try!

Cheli’s Pale Ale is from Lake of Bays Brewing Company is the official brewery of the NHL Alumni Association and has crafted an ongoing series of brews that gives a portion of proceeds to support the activities of the NHL Alumni Association.

The series of 750ml bottles honors the greats of hockey’s past. This is an Oak Aged, Pale Ale, and is named for Chris Chelios, perhaps best known for his time playing for the Detroit Red Wings (1999 – 2009). It may be almost sacrilegious to say this as a Canadian, but I am not really hockey fan. In fact I decided to tackle this rather large bottle, while watching Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire of all things. The fact that it’s 750ml’s and 7% abv does make a Harry Potter movie a bit more enjoyable…but I am getting away from the point.

As I poured this pale ale into my favourite, all purpose, footed pint glass I was immediately taken by the abundant aromatics of citrus, orange specifically, filling the air and my olfactory senses. A frothy, bright white head rested comfortably atop a light, amber/orange hued brew.  The malt bill is very light, just a small amount of grain and straw come forward. The hop bouquet however, that’s a completely different story. Here the nose is filled with the heavy aroma of orange and a hint of pineapple, hidden underneath I found flowers and a bit of pine. Initially the flavour is lightly sweet and a bit bitter. It remains sweet throughout, however, the bitterness increases to a moderate level. It’s body is medium and creamy in the mouth. It settles in through the middle and becomes pleasing and balanced, culminating in a finish which is medium in length and presents as lightly alcoholic. ♦♦♦♦◊

New Finds: Game of Thrones…really???

Picked these up the other day. I should start by saying that I have nothing for or against the show Game of Thrones. I’ve never even watched it. I do find it a bit of an unfortunate marketing approach, however, craft beer is a product of contemporary culture and so is the show. And craft brewers often name their products in humours ways to recall all sorts of pop culture (past and present). I will certainly give it a try when the weather starts to cool down. As for the rest of the brews shown here I have sad news…only the Cameron’s Lager is still residing in my fridge.  I indulged in the rest over the past few evenings. The sad thing is that I didn’t make notes and therefore I won’t be reviewing them…until I buy them again that is.

Game Of Thrones: Three–Eyed Raven is a Saison / Farmhouse Ale style beer brewed by Brewery Ommegang

Black Oak Pale Ale is a American Pale Ale (APA) style beer brewed by Black Oak Brewing Co.

Black Oak Nut Brown Ale is a English Brown Ale style beer brewed by Black Oak Brewing Co.

Cross Cut is a American Blonde Ale style beer brewed by MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co.

The 4 Cameron’s beers came as a 4 pack:

Into The Shade is a Saison / Farmhouse Ale style beer brewed by Cameron’s Brewing Co.

Recline Pale Ale is a American Pale Ale (APA) style beer brewed by Cameron’s Brewing Co.

Lager is a Euro Pale Lager style beer brewed by Cameron’s Brewing Co.

Auburn Ale is a American Amber / Red Ale style beer brewed by Cameron’s Brewing Co.

Review: Muskoka Brewery Cream Ale

It’s been quit a few days since I last posted a review, though I have sampled more than one brew in that time…been busy renovating the kitchen. As many of you DIY’ers know, nothing develops a thirst quite like all those trips to Home Depot and Lowes. At the end of the day I think I have found a new favorite, a beer that’s full-bodied and complex, while simultaneously being refreshing and easy to drink. To answer this thirst I present – imagine drum roll and trumpets – Muskoka Breweries unfiltered Cream Ale .

Cream ale, is under the Light Hybrid Beer category of the BJCP guideline. It’s described as being “A clean, well-attenuated, flavorful American lawnmower beer.” When I read the phrase, “American lawnmower beer”, I tend to run for the hills, immediately thinking of flavourless, corn/rice adjunct filled lager. However, this example of cream ale seems about as far way from that description as possible. I would describe Muskoka Cream Ale as approaching something more like a Scottish Light 60/- , but you can judge for yourself.

The cream ale filled the steamed pint glass, a lovely haziness (due to it’s unfiltered nature) accentuated a medium amber colour (not the brilliant, sparkling, pale straw colour expected by the BJCP) with a quickly diminishing, fluffy, warm white head. It had a modest carbonation, not the high carbonation described by the BJCP.  The aroma was moderately sweet notes of bread, toffee with a hint of nuttiness. The bouquet is light and flowery. Taking a sip you find a balanced, light sweetness initially that builds to a more moderate sweet finish. The mouth feel is medium, creamy with a soft carbonation. A perfect beer to cap off a hard summer days work, maybe even after cutting the grass. ♦♦♦♦◊