Joined: 26 Jul 2011 Posts: 2126 Location: Brampton, ON
Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 2:49 pm Post subject: Nickel Brook Headstock 473ml can
Won't bother with an overall review, as most of us have had it.
It holds up well in the can, and at 2.65/tallboy, it's a pretty good deal for such a big beer. I notice a little more of the dark malts in this than I seem to recall, but the hops still taste pretty fresh.
Let's hope they don't make massive batches, and are able the rotate the stock quickly.
But between this, Mad Tom, and Crazy Canuck, there's a good range for local hop fixes...
Edit: For some reason, this isn't in the system yet - not sure what other stores it's at, but I got them at 401/weston... _________________ "What can you say about Pabst Blue Ribbon that Dennis Hopper hasn’t screamed in the middle of an ether binge?" - Jordan St. John
Joined: 10 Aug 2001 Posts: 3818 Location: Parkdale
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:17 am Post subject:
TheSevenDuffs wrote:
midlife crisis wrote:
And Cameron's Rye P.A., if you can get it -- the best of the bunch! Highly recommend.
Has that been bottled? Brewery only?
Yes, bottles at the brewery only, draught at various places around town.
And I agree with midlife crisis - it's one of the best hop-forward beers ever made in Ontario.
As for the Headstock, I look forward to trying the new cans. Distribution just started a couple of days ago, which is probably why it's not showing in the LCBO system yet.
Joined: 15 Mar 2010 Posts: 1330 Location: Toronto, ON
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 2:19 pm Post subject:
Had a few cans on Saturday. The packaging is great, the price is right, and it's a killer take on an Imperial Amber. In fact, to me this beer compares to the better examples of the style, like Red Rocket, Lucky 13, and Hop Head Red. The appearance (deep reddish brown with a cream coloured head), malt profile (toffee and caramel-like, slight sweetness), balanced bitterness, and hop variety (same as Nugget Nectar) all suggest that Headstock is a U.S.-style Red Ale, so it's unfortunate that the brewer is calling it an IPA (likely because of the high IBUs and big hop character). But, misclassifcation aside, I'll be grabbing a ton of this over the spring and summer. It's an awesome brew! _________________ "This whole being pleasant (thing) is fucking exhausting. I'm running out of nice juice to spray at these shit-munchers" - Veep
Joined: 26 Jul 2011 Posts: 2126 Location: Brampton, ON
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject:
cratez wrote:
Had a few cans on Saturday. The packaging is great, the price is right, and it's a killer take on an Imperial Amber. In fact, to me this beer compares to the better examples of the style, like Red Rocket, Lucky 13, and Hop Head Red. The appearance (deep reddish brown with a cream coloured head), malt profile (toffee and caramel-like, slight sweetness), balanced bitterness, and hop variety (same as Nugget Nectar) all suggest that Headstock is a U.S.-style Red Ale, so it's unfortunate that the brewer is calling it an IPA (likely because of the high IBUs and big hop character). But, misclassifcation aside, I'll be grabbing a ton of this over the spring and summer. It's an awesome brew!
Good description - it does seem like a hoppy red ale, which is fine by me...Like I said - 2.65/can is pretty great! _________________ "What can you say about Pabst Blue Ribbon that Dennis Hopper hasn’t screamed in the middle of an ether binge?" - Jordan St. John
Had a few cans on Saturday. The packaging is great, the price is right, and it's a killer take on an Imperial Amber. In fact, to me this beer compares to the better examples of the style, like Red Rocket, Lucky 13, and Hop Head Red. The appearance (deep reddish brown with a cream coloured head), malt profile (toffee and caramel-like, slight sweetness), balanced bitterness, and hop variety (same as Nugget Nectar) all suggest that Headstock is a U.S.-style Red Ale, so it's unfortunate that the brewer is calling it an IPA (likely because of the high IBUs and big hop character). But, misclassifcation aside, I'll be grabbing a ton of this over the spring and summer. It's an awesome brew!
I wonder if the intent was a Nugget Nectar clone? When I was at the brewery a month ago, the guy told me it was hopped with Nugget. At the time I hadn't had it so I expected a west coast IPA, but you are right, the malt profile does lend itself more towards an imperial amber ale.
Joined: 15 Mar 2010 Posts: 1330 Location: Toronto, ON
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 5:38 pm Post subject:
TheSevenDuffs wrote:
I wonder if the intent was a Nugget Nectar clone? When I was at the brewery a month ago, the guy told me it was hopped with Nugget. At the time I hadn't had it so I expected a west coast IPA, but you are right, the malt profile does lend itself more towards an imperial amber ale.
I'm sure you'll agree that Headstock isn't nearly as robust and comlex as Nugget Nectar (no other amber ale is IMO), but it's certainly similar to Cascazilla, Red Rocket, Hop Head Red, etc. I'm guessing they've called it an IPA simply because most Ontarians are not familiar with "hoppy reds," whereas IPAs are starting to gain traction at the 'BO. _________________ "This whole being pleasant (thing) is fucking exhausting. I'm running out of nice juice to spray at these shit-munchers" - Veep
I wonder if the intent was a Nugget Nectar clone? When I was at the brewery a month ago, the guy told me it was hopped with Nugget. At the time I hadn't had it so I expected a west coast IPA, but you are right, the malt profile does lend itself more towards an imperial amber ale.
I'm sure you'll agree that Headstock isn't nearly as robust and comlex as Nugget Nectar (no other amber ale is IMO), but it's certainly similar to Cascazilla, Red Rocket, Hop Head Red, etc. I'm guessing they've called it an IPA simply because most Ontarians are not familiar with "hoppy reds," whereas IPAs are starting to gain traction at the 'BO.
No disagreement here. Cascazilla is a pretty good comparison IMO.
this was unexpectedly great. hoppy and tasty, though I get the feeling once the inital freshness wares off and old stocks start sitting on shelves expired malt bombs are going to be frequent and unpleasent. as of now though this is a great alternative to Mad Tom.
Joined: 26 Jul 2011 Posts: 2126 Location: Brampton, ON
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:17 am Post subject:
elproducto wrote:
This might just be the best IPA in Ontario right now.. amazing.
You clearly haven't tried the RYE PA from Cameron's _________________ "What can you say about Pabst Blue Ribbon that Dennis Hopper hasn’t screamed in the middle of an ether binge?" - Jordan St. John
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