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We have a trivia question in order to register to prevent bots. If you have any issues with answering, contact us at cass@bartowel.com for help.
Introducing Light Mode! If you would like a Bar Towel social experience that isn't the traditional blue, you can now select Light Mode. Go to the User Control Panel and then Board Preferences, and select "Day Drinking" (Light Mode) from the My Board Style drop-down menu. You can always switch back to "Night Drinking" (Dark Mode). Enjoy!
Trafalgar Cherry Ale
- SteelbackGuy
- Beer Superstar
- Posts: 4613
- Joined: Sun Feb 06, 2005 12:11 pm
- Location: Hamilton, ON
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Trafalgar Cherry Ale
Here is my review on RB:
"Bottle from LCBO # 438- Pours medium transparent cherry red, with a fizzy pink cap with minimal lace. Nose is slightly hoppy with a blast of butter right away. I go in again to look past the diacetyl but cannot get past it. There is a bit of fruit here too, but again, the buttered popcorn is too much. No cherry. The flavour profile isn't as offensive, but that isn't saying much. I get some sweet candy-ish fruit, but nothing that says cherry, cream soda like. The butter is here as well. I get a good dose of hopping on the finish, which would really balance a sweet cherry beer if it were well made. But sadly this one isn't. Flat, thin, bitter fruit finish with butter once more. I liked the Oak Aged Rye and the Left Coast Pale, and I'd go as far as to say they were even very good when fresh. Ultimately, this is a huge step back for a brewery I was starting to have some hope in."
1.5/5
I'd say avoid this one guys and gals!
"Bottle from LCBO # 438- Pours medium transparent cherry red, with a fizzy pink cap with minimal lace. Nose is slightly hoppy with a blast of butter right away. I go in again to look past the diacetyl but cannot get past it. There is a bit of fruit here too, but again, the buttered popcorn is too much. No cherry. The flavour profile isn't as offensive, but that isn't saying much. I get some sweet candy-ish fruit, but nothing that says cherry, cream soda like. The butter is here as well. I get a good dose of hopping on the finish, which would really balance a sweet cherry beer if it were well made. But sadly this one isn't. Flat, thin, bitter fruit finish with butter once more. I liked the Oak Aged Rye and the Left Coast Pale, and I'd go as far as to say they were even very good when fresh. Ultimately, this is a huge step back for a brewery I was starting to have some hope in."
1.5/5
I'd say avoid this one guys and gals!
If you`re reading this, there`s a 15% chance you`ve got a significant drinking problem. Get it fixed, get recovered!
- SteelbackGuy
- Beer Superstar
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- Joined: Sun Feb 06, 2005 12:11 pm
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cratez wrote:I'm curious to know - who comprises the Trafalgar 'target market'? The brewery has the worst possible reputation among beer enthusiasts and, as far as I can tell, very few macro drinkers have heard of them. So how do they sell their beers? Who do they sell them to?
Mike,as one of the "guys behind the counter" I can tell you that for some reason, macro drinkers who occasionally try something else, will often pick up those Trafalgar offerings. And I notice they also buy a lot of 666. Perhaps the packaging is appealing?
If you`re reading this, there`s a 15% chance you`ve got a significant drinking problem. Get it fixed, get recovered!
SteelbackGuy wrote: I'd say avoid this one guys and gals!
WHY?? It's a great idea for us all to buy this, and to return the 3/4 full bottle with a complaint. This brewery is in desperate need of help, and the more people submit criticism, the better.biegaman wrote: I'm less inclined to try it now.
Put another way... you can try this beer and rate it, for free, courtesy of Trafalgar. The LCBO allows you to return all bad products, or even ones you do not like. It's most useful if you can identify a fault though.
Len, you should know better!
In Beerum Veritas
- SteelbackGuy
- Beer Superstar
- Posts: 4613
- Joined: Sun Feb 06, 2005 12:11 pm
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Ohh I'm aware alrightBelgian wrote:SteelbackGuy wrote: I'd say avoid this one guys and gals!WHY?? It's a great idea for us all to buy this, and to return the 3/4 full bottle with a complaint. This brewery is in desperate need of help, and the more people submit criticism, the better.biegaman wrote: I'm less inclined to try it now.
Put another way... you can try this beer and rate it, for free, courtesy of Trafalgar. The LCBO allows you to return all bad products, or even ones you do not like. It's most useful if you can identify a fault though.
Len, you should know better!
To be 100% honest, that is why I didn't mind dropping $5.00 on the bottle. I poured one glass. Drank about half, poured the rest, recapped the remainder and returned it while at work. So yes, a "free" rate if you will and an opportunity to try something new. I enjoyed the 2 cans of Staropramen much more.
If you`re reading this, there`s a 15% chance you`ve got a significant drinking problem. Get it fixed, get recovered!
but you can fill those empty bombers with homebrew + sometime the grass needs a break from waterSteelbackGuy wrote:Ohh I'm aware alrightBelgian wrote:SteelbackGuy wrote: I'd say avoid this one guys and gals!WHY?? It's a great idea for us all to buy this, and to return the 3/4 full bottle with a complaint. This brewery is in desperate need of help, and the more people submit criticism, the better.biegaman wrote: I'm less inclined to try it now.
Put another way... you can try this beer and rate it, for free, courtesy of Trafalgar. The LCBO allows you to return all bad products, or even ones you do not like. It's most useful if you can identify a fault though.
Len, you should know better!
To be 100% honest, that is why I didn't mind dropping $5.00 on the bottle. I poured one glass. Drank about half, poured the rest, recapped the remainder and returned it while at work. So yes, a "free" rate if you will and an opportunity to try something new. I enjoyed the 2 cans of Staropramen much more.
- cratez
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You mean the 3 minute Microsoft Word Clip Art labels? Maybe the fact that they have 'bright colours' on them is what does it for some. Oh well, if they're also reaching for 666 (a great beer), I guess we can't complain.SteelbackGuy wrote: Mike, as one of the "guys behind the counter" I can tell you that for some reason, macro drinkers who occasionally try something else, will often pick up those Trafalgar offerings. And I notice they also buy a lot of 666. Perhaps the packaging is appealing?
It's funny how many local brews have poor labels when there is a glut of cheap graphic designers available in most regions. In just a few hours, with almost no requirements, many of them can put together content which is miles above what a reasonably competent hobbyist will ever produce. You'd think an outstanding label would be worth the ~$250 investment.
drinkvine.com - a better way to find your beer and wine.
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Yeah..there is some real crap out there.Ralphus wrote:It's funny how many local brews have poor labels when there is a glut of cheap graphic designers available in most regions. In just a few hours, with almost no requirements, many of them can put together content which is miles above what a reasonably competent hobbyist will ever produce. You'd think an outstanding label would be worth the ~$250 investment.
The trick... is to try. Try real hard as image is as important as the product inside the bottle. If you fail at either you're screwed.
FYI - We ususally spend between 5 and 10 grand on a product design and launch including plates/film, etc.. Mostly because we change our mind all of the f**king time. But honestly, it is expensive to get into this beer game.
I like Grand River, they belong to 'us' and their ghetto Garagista labels are just fine be me so long as they remain so comitted to what pours out of the bottle. Independence rocks, some of the time!tuqueboy wrote:sigh. ya'd think so, but try telling grand river. truly appalling labels that would be about a D minus in high school art class, and that's being generous.Ralphus wrote: You'd think an outstanding label would be worth the ~$250 investment.
In Beerum Veritas