Fun and exciting times are coming to Beer’d blog…well for me anyway. A week ago my Brewers Beast home brewing kit arrived from Canadian Home Brew Supplies. This Sunday will be my first (of many no-doubt) brew day. I have been saving bottles for quit some time in anticipation of starting home brewing. Perhaps the toughest decision was what style beer kits to buy…decisions, decisions…
For my first 2 kits I went with the Brewers Best IPA and Scottish Ale grain/extract kits. I plan to brew the Scottish Ale kit first. Looks like the easier of the 2. I plan to take picks of brew day and update as my first ale becomes a reality.
Up for a brief comparison 2 brews from Forge & Fire Brewing Co., a Collective Arts Brewing project. First up, the Amber Ale: this is a nicely balanced, deeply copper coloured ale with a full, sweet malt bill with just enough hops to maintain a balanced ale. It is sweet to start with a refreshingly dry finish. A perfect full flavoured summer beer.
(WARNING: Beer geek info ahead) info from company website
Number 2 from Forge & Fire is their West Coast Pale Ale. This is a very refreshing, dark Blonde coloured Pale ale. Hazy, with a large fluffy head, the malt aroma id very light. The charm of this thirst quencher is in the moderately hoppy bouquet boasting resin and a host of citrus, notably grapefruit, orange and pineapple.
I say pick these up and enjoy! :^)
(WARNING: Beer geek info ahead) info from company website
What a surprise this Weisse was. Fermented in open vessels, bottled conditioned and brewed to the same recipie since 1872, it is claimed to be the world-famous Original wheat beer, from Bavaria’s oldest brewery Scheider Weisse. I was shocked at how good this was and wondered how had I not picked it up before now. I discussed this realization, via text with Richard, a fellow beer geek friend, his conclusion was, “I think because it looks European and crappy”. This was not a slight against Europe nor Europeans, Richard enjoys this beer too. But I immediately understood what he was getting at. With the craft beer revolution we have been spoiled with fun and creative packaging on beer these days. Schneider Weisse’s label looks…old and…boring, as if to say there’s nothing exciting and good inside.
Inside this bottle is a surprisingly good/exciting wheat beer. A medium dark sienna colour with a fluffy warm white head. The aroma opens with a light caramel, toasted hay and a hovering banana note typical of wheat beers. A moderately perfume bouquet with citrus of grapefruit and lime round out the scent. The real surprise came in the taste. Starting of sweat and slightly acidic the finish filled the back of my throat and palette with the taste of toasted coconut cookies. I will be looking for more offerings from Schneider Weisse. That is IF, yes it’s a big if, IF the LCBO can manage the difficult task of stocking their store with a variety of beer. THey seem unable to do that at the moment (but that’s a post for a later).
I suggest trying a TAP 7 Original, you may just discover something you didn’t know you wanted. ♦♦♦♦◊
A nice little brew pub, located on Princess St., downtown Kingston. Stone City Ales opened its doors July 2014.
In their own words:
Stone City ales is a small craft brewery located in the heart of downtown Kingston. 275 Princess boasts not only our brewhouse but a tap room and bottle shop. Come hang out with us in the tap room, if we’re brewing you’re going to be immersed in the experience along with us only you get to do it with a beer in hand! In addition to our own beers on draft in the tap room we offer Ontario guest taps, Canadian wine, cider, craft soda and wonderful bites from our kitchen.
It is important to note that we are first and foremost a brewery. We are dedicated to making the highest quality beer possible. We don’t cut corners. We don’t rush anything and no, we don’t filter our beer. We source the best ingredients from around the world and use local ones as often as we can without sacrificing quality. Inspired by the American craft beer revolution and by traditional Belgian brewing we aim to make well balanced beers that will blow your mind.
Our bottle shop allows us to sell take-out beer to you right out of our front door. Buying straight from the brewery means you’re getting the freshest, most tasty beer possible – and we’re selling beer to go until 11pm 7 days a week. We hope to see you soon.
Cheers!
The Stone City Ales Family
I finally got my butt in gear this past weekend and made it to down town Kingston to check out the brew pub and enjoy lunch with my wife. They have an interesting and varied menu, without the typical greasy pub grub. Julie had the Candied BLT, a Ships-in-the-Night-candied local bacon, tomato, crispy iceberg lettuce and garlic aioli served on toasted Bread + Butter sourdough, (which she described as delicious). I decided to try the Banh Mi Gently sandwich, a Vietnamese style sub served on a traditional Vietnamese style baguette (made specially by Bread & Butter Bakery and Fine Pastries) topped with Char Siu pulled pork (Chinese BBQ sauce), sliced cucumbers, pickled carrots and daikon, lime aioli and liver pate all made in-house. A delicious sandwich, which I decide to pair with a glass of Sirena Spring Saison, a limited time specialty brew.
Sirena Spring Saison
I found the Sirena Spring Saison to be a unique summer offering, it opened sweet but quickly moved to a tart and rather dry finish, a nice compliment to the rather sweet Banh Mi sandwich.
Windward Belgium Wheat
My wife decided to try the one and only dessert offering, Cheese Cake Spring Rolls, house-made coffee cheesecake wrapped in phyllo pastry baked and tossed in cinnamon sugar, served with Vietnamese coffee-crème anglaise, (another satisfying menu item). I opted for a second brew instead and had the Windward Belgium Wheat. Foggy and pale golden in colour, it was surprising light in both nose and taste. It had a hint of banana on the nose and was crisp and refreshing.
If you’re in Kingston, passing through or up for a drive I recommend checking out Stone City Ales. Always nice to support local.
The standard line-up at Stone City
•Windward Belgium Wheat: 4.9%, 18 IBU
•12 Star Session Ale: 4.8%, 35 IBU
•Uncharted IPA: 7.0, 70 IBU
•Watchtower Conspiracy Imperial IPA (collaboration with Big Spruce, Cape Breton NS): 9.1%, 85 IBU
•Ships in the Night Oatmeal Stout: 5.6%, 25 IBU
Before I forget – make sure to take some beer home! This is what I left with. :^)
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