The Bar Towel

Well, not the light but the pasteurization, possibly. Cans conduct heat much faster than glass (and chill too, yes). So I wonder if cans are pasteurized more intensively to counteract an earlier staling. If so, the increased caramelization might perhaps reduce the body of the beer.

Gary

Interesting, I later did a similar comparison. I agree the beer in the bottle seemed to have more body. I always wonder if pasteurization affects the taste differently too, presumably the process doesn't impact both in exactly the same way. (I sometimes feel I can taste a slight cooked note in the c...

The new bottle format is out now at LCBO. (It's been available in the U.S. for a couple of years now). Judging by the date code, and taste, it's very fresh. Sweet and rich with that inimitable Urquell taste. Much better than the green bottle IMO - I'd guess, all things equal, less light gets in to d...

Beau Beaver River IPEh?, orange-coloured as much English IPA was, very hoppy, more English than American or maybe it's from drinking it at room temperature. Real beer in every way and very traditional. Labatt Blue. Bottle. Very fresh, leaving rings on glass, noticeable mineral hop in the background ...

Good news Cass. I've been in there a few times over the last 25 years - it has been there at least since 1988. It's been through at least four periods, the English-type beer bar with domestic beers and a few Britannic and Euro imports; then, the latter plus a couple or so better-known local craft be...

Wells Young Courage Russian Imperial Stout, 2013 Vintage. Some aged development but nothing to detract from the fine mocha-like flavour. Good sharp neutral bitterness. Some residuum of the pear esters properly noted on the label when the beer first came out. A classic and better than most or all Nor...

Good to know, thanks. Oysters were added originally to stout and other beer to neutralize or prevent acidity (the alkali in the shell did this). There was no intent to add a fishy taste to beer, so if it doesn't have any, I'm good with it. My suggestion is to drink it barely chilled, this way the qu...

Marston's Oyster Stout: This current bottle is the best I've had: fresh natural beer taste where the malts, hops and a mineral note all meld to perfection. No Burton "snatch" (the sulphur smell Marston beer usually has), which is correct and a nod probably to the London origins of porter. ...

Superb new format, stylish and elegant. Love the royal blue - a great success.

Gary

Just got back, a perfect festival with a fine range of beer choices, a nice cider option from a cidery in Niagara On The Lake, and observation of and beer from the brewery (permanent) in the basement of the former church (now arts centre) and around which the event was held. A half-dozen food option...

Tried the newest of the Keith's Hop Series, Celeia, made with a Slovenian hop. All the beers in the line tend to taste somewhat similar to me, this one is no exception. I'm not sure what explains the "house flavour", I suspect the bittering may be low (with the featured hop speaking more f...

McEwan's Scotch Ale. Definitely the best batch since its reintroduction, as good or better than the one last sold in Ontario (10-15 years ago). Good dark malt qualities, slightly fruity and with an oak-like overtone, also a definite light smokiness which is either from roast barley or peated malt. I...

I'm going! Brewery list looks great with a number of names I'm not familiar with, must be breweries or contract operations local to H-W or St. Catherines.

Gary

Pugnacious Pale Ale. This must be dry-hopped, it has a marked nose and taste of unboiled hops on top of the "regular" flavours of good pale ale. I like it half-chilled and decarbonated about 50%, which approximates closely a cask experience. There are English but more specially APA influen...

That Schlenkerla Weizen is great, the real deal. Certain beers just have the "right" taste and lately I'd include also in that group: Golden Pheasant (quite close to Urquell when very fresh but lighter and a bit different); DAB Dark; Junction Conductor draft; Stone IPA; a fine dark weizen ...