The Bar Towel

I assume the "participating brewers" refers, for the most part, to bottles that will be available, since that (non-Canadian) lineup is a replica of breweries of which they currently offer bottles. The Canadian ones, of course, will likely have draft options. Just an assumption.
Ren

I agree that there isn't any taste connection. I don't think there is meant to be. Barn Owl is a series of blends, which I gather may well be wholly different from one another. Whether using a common name is a good marketing approach or not is another matter.
Ren

Barn Owl #2 does indeed contain Grandma's Boy, and does have a sour component to it. I had it when it was briefly on tap a couple of weeks ago and thought it was terrific. Similar to Motley 2014 (which I adored) in the combination of Brett and dry hopping. Surprised to hear such lukewarm reactions a...

Cass wrote:Anyone hear about featured region for this year?

I gather that the aim is to have Oregon featured, though I am not sure if anything is confirmed.
Ren

No, the GLB collaboration is a return of Brettallica, which was done once before as part of the Bellwoods/GLB takeover at Bar Hop (last year, if I recall correctly). I assume the DIPA is something else again. Ren I was referring to this quote from their July lewsletter: "Finding out that we bre...

I'm going to be away for this release. If there is anybody willing to part with a bottle or two, let me know. Happy to trade some of last year's batch or a variety of other things. Let me know what interests you!
Ren

I am in London briefly and just tried the IPA and Double IPA. The Double IPA is pretty messy and I really cannot recommend it - I didn't finish my glass. Maltier than one would expect and not very flavourful. The IPA, however, is much better. It's not going to create waves in Ontario or anything, bu...

I would not be surprised if there was another batch of Midnight, given that they would have had a bunch of empty BOYD barrels to put it in. But I expect we will have to wait until cherry season!
Ren

It's really interesting how palates differ. I found the hops in Heelch to be pretty muted (stale) in both aroma and flavour with a very broad, malty backbone taking center stage. Happy it's in the LCBO, though. My guess is that it depends on how much malt flavour you like in a DIPA. I was skeptical...

The appeal of buying from restaurants/bars, depending on how it is structured, is (a) the ability to purchase, in single bottles, beers that have been brought in privately and are not available through LCBO, and (b) growlers of beer that is not available in bottles and perhaps not from the brewery (...

Cass, is the Brewer's Backyard dog friendly?
Ren

I was completely meh about last year's, and only got one bottle. Needless to say, I was kicking myself a bit after having it. However, the charm of that beer, for me at least, was in the hop profile, and I can't see it getting any better with extended age. Agreed. I loved last year's (one of my fav...

That was the Armand & Tommy, not the regular geuze. But I expect the regular would sell pretty darn quickly as well.
Ren

I realize the relevant people from the LCBO are not reading this, but I would like to assure them that I would buy a hell of a lot of 3F geuze if it was brought in.
Ren

review: opened my bottle of Rodenbach Vintage. important that some of you case hoarders read this. i am betting that MANY of you will be disappointed with this beer. it's a great food pairing beer. if you're looking for complex beer with depth and mouthfeel, this ain't it. it isn't insanely tart. i...