The Bar Towel

inertiaboy · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 556 Location: Steve, Ottawa West

My wife picked up a few bottles of John By Imperial Stout at the brewery in Carleton Place for me today so I was lucky enough to be able to sample this one tonight.

My initial impressions are that this quite good and definitely different from Tsarina Katarina. Big malt backbone with a nice dark chocolate bitterness and slightly creamy mouthfeel. Tsarina was definitely sweeter and leaning more towards a molasses flavour. The strength is also quite a bit lower, weighing in at 6.7%. In many ways, it reminds me of the old Hart Stout of yesteryear, though I'm finding my memory is getting worse as I get older.

Recommended.

JesseM · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 1307

But I want them BOTH!

Is it even possible for an IS to be at 6.7%? Odd. Although I did hear, or, read, somewhere that John By is supposed to be a slightly milder version of the American IS's.

Vet_Fuel · Joined: 17 Feb 2006 Posts: 22 Location: Hamilton

Has anyone seen it listed on their website? I have seen no clue of it, nor even a hint of the winter warmers release.

Please don't suggest I ask a KGBO store clerk if they have it, it's like talking to a tree (unless you happen to be in his kinesiology class or have a C-cup or better). You'd be better off asking the toothless guitar playin' guy outside the store.

PRMason · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:51 am Post subject:

I have a C-cup and it does me no good at all. Must be the hair on them. The John By is in Toronto, albeit only at Queen's Quay and Summerhill so far. As for the alcohol, our measurement was 3.3% abv higher.
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"Every day above ground is a good one."

inertiaboy · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 556 Location: Steve, Ottawa West

Belgian · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 7012 Location: I Heart TO

JesseM · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 1307

Grand River names all their beers after quasey local historic stuff, or at least local things. The original two beers (Plowman's Ale, Galt Knife Old Style Lager) were sort of throw-backs to classic styles of beer that were popular in the area decades and decades ago. The logo for Town Hall Lager is a picture of Galt's town hall. You get the idea. Scotch Irish isn't the only one. Unless you're just talking about Ottawa.

PRMason · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:01 am Post subject:

Not to mention that Ploughmans Ale is my favourite Ontario beer at the moment.
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"Every day above ground is a good one."

JesseM · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 1307

Plowman's Ale is quite the tasty brew. I've been meaning to go pick up another growler lately since I haven't had it in a while. I'm just a little constrained financially at the moment

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Bytowner · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:39 pm Post subject:

This is a beaut. Absolutely love it Perry.

It's all roasted malt, tastes like I've been chewing on the actual grains. I also get a good deal of tobacco, like I've been smoking a cigar. You know the alcohol is there but it doesn't take over by any means.

This took me back to Ireland, specifically the old-style stouts at the Porter House (except this is much better IMO). Perry, think you might get Whalesbone Oyster House interested in this? This just begs for some oysters!

And I love the reference to the Bytown museum, way to promote Ottawa's heritage.

Raptor2023 · Joined: 15 Oct 2007 Posts: 79 Location: Mississauga

I bought some today at the Wilson and Dufferin LCBO. So, is it really 6.7% in ABV or somewhere nearer 10.0% as Perry states? That's quite a big difference in alcohol and I don't know how LCBO can mess up in their lab testings. But from using the formula as stated in Wikipedia for determining the final alcohol percentage, ((OG - FG) / 0.00738) = ABV, and from Perry's measurements, the final ABV should be at 10.2%. Just being a little curious...

northyorksammy · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject:

people were picking up 6, 12 at a time
fear it is limited

Derek · Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 2926 Location: Kelowna, BC

Strangely, Front street currently still has 184 on hand?

Hopefully a few more (closer) stores will get it.

Bobsy · Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 2075 Location: Toronto

Picked up 6 of these at the Royal York LCBO, which seemed to have a good supply, but doesn't even show up on the LCBO site. Anyhoo, this makes a lovely looking beer, nice and dark with an attractive milk chocolate head. The flavours I get out of this lean towards bittersweet chocolate, and espresso. It really is a fantastically crafted beer, and congratulations to all involved.

sstackho · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 469 Location: Riverdale

None at the Yonge & Summerhill location last night...