The Bar Towel

Harviestoun Ola Dubh 12yr old Whisky Aged — Very well balanced stout with nicely integrated wood and whisky character. Relatively dry and easy drinking. Having the 18yr now. Very similar to the 12 (as expected). It would have been worthwhile to do a side-by-side. Great balance, subtle caramel/choco...

I picked up Orval, bottled late Sept 2020. Pretty fresh!

Also FYI LCBO has stopped taking any returns during lockdown. I had planned to return some rather stale beer xmas gifts but was told by the clerk to to hold on to them until lockdown ends... could be a while.

Orval is in stock at one LCBO in Ottawa. It's happening! Can anyone confirm bottling date?

Collective Arts Rhyme & Reason - It's been a while since I had one of these but I'm pleasantly surprised that this two-month old can is quite tasty. The nose takes me right back to the West Coast Era, when this was one of the best things hoppy in Ontario. I'll be on the lookout for some fresher ...

After downing a fantastic Brettal Head this weekend I got to wondering about where I can score some similarly bretty ales. Any advice? I recall Burdock used to do some really good stuff with Brett, anyone else?

Much thanks to the organizers for putting this on. It was great to hear some top local stout makers talk stouts and take on some eternal debates such as stout vs. porter and the merits of cellaring. I'm especially glad Cass asked my question about the lack of banana stouts.. hopefully we see some so...

So I heard through the grapevine that Orval has shown up in the LCBO warehouse, but it's not listed yet. Don't let me down grapevine! I have a few bottles cellared, bottled around 2013-2016. Though I suspect they are past their prime, It would be interesting to compare them to a new batch. I recall...

A few recent stories related to alcohol laws here and abroad The Morana's (Bar Volo) were making a lot of noise in the media and social media about the Skip the Dishes announcement and reversal. Now they're pushing for licensees buy from the LCBO at wholesale prices. Take-out beer from restos is an...

ABInBev's distributors who push the most volume year round are "rewarded" with high allocations of BCBS when it's released. This sounds about right for ABInBev, where BCBS is likely a tiny drop in their massive bucket. But I guess these allocations don't cross the border where we drink a ...

Yea I'm not sure why it's so limited here as there's clearly demand, but perhaps that's how they justify charging $23. I've seen it as low as $9.99 in the US so the rarity and price for us is definitely artificial. Perhaps they could still limit the bottles per person but offer more variants? Guess...

I've been visiting my local fairly regularly, usually mid-week evenings when it's not busy. Following the arrows doesn't really matter when most aisles are empty. No LC-lunacy either. Grabbed my BCBS yesterday without issue. I've driven by a couple times on weekends when there were lines and I opted...

Fullers Imperial IPA — Really nice beast of an ale. Firm Euro hops and massive malt. Fruity, bready, herbal, sweet and bitter. After one year in the cellar this is still quite an impressive brew. Hops have definitely faded (nothing I would call firm) but now drinking like magnificently malty barley...

16688 Best of Belgium - 6 - Pack is now posted as Belgian Beer Discovery Box A fantastic selection of beers from award-winning Belgian breweries Het Anker, Boon and Brasserie Dupont. This pack contains one each of Gouden Carolus Tripel and Classic, Boon Oude Geuze and Framboise, Dupont Moinette Brun...

Harviestoun Ola Dubh 12yr old Whisky Aged — Very well balanced stout with nicely integrated wood and whisky character. Relatively dry and easy drinking.

Harviestoun Old Engine Oil drinking very nicely . Dry and bitter like St. Ambroise, with a softer mouthfeel and bit more heft. I do wish the cans were bigger.