Taps Saphire

SteelbackGuy · Post by **SteelbackGuy** » Thu May 19, 2011 11:47 am

On tap recently at Gambrinus, with many thanks to masters Adil and Milos for acquiring the keg.

This is a solid pale ale. Though I'd simply prefer the Chuck Norris, this was a subtle citric and floral delight that was quite sessionable.

What do you think?

RayOhm · Post by **RayOhm** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:37 pm

I had this in Guelph not too long ago. Im starting to think it was a different beer though. Was more like a fruit beer to me. Sweet Cherries, plums, some spices and a light malt flavour. No hops. Was an overal decent, sessionable beer.

phat matt · Post by **phat matt** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:52 pm

I had it at there growler night and enjoyed it. I agree with your comments on the flavor of the hops. I would preffer a little more hops, but cant win everyone over. If you liked that keep an eye for there all cascade brew. I just had it this past monday and am going to open up my growler of it tonight. It was very nice and had about 10 IBU more than the saphire.

Rob Creighton · Post by **Rob Creighton** » Thu May 19, 2011 8:16 pm

Liking all the comments here especially as I am in Niagara so often. Between the brewing school, Taps and The Syndicate, the beer world (which previously was only across the border) is getting so much better. I'm a big Chuck fan.

Flood · Post by **Flood** » Fri May 20, 2011 7:31 pm

There is still a little left!
Feel free to swing by for a long weekend pint.... Nick and myself will be hanging out!

Cheers to all.

dutchcanuck · Post by **dutchcanuck** » Sat May 21, 2011 1:09 pm

I can't say that i was a fan of the Saphire. It just didn't have the hop character that I like. However, the Taps Cascade was Phenomenal! One of the best beers I think they have brewed to-date.

Keep up it fellas.

Timmy · Post by **Timmy** » Tue May 24, 2011 8:41 pm

I tried the Taps Saphire and def thought the Cascade was a little nicer. Both solid offerings though.

Yapper · Post by **Yapper** » Wed May 25, 2011 7:54 am

I really wish Taps would update thier 'selection currently on tap' on their web page...its atleast 2 years old. I would visit more if i knew there was a new beer being tapped. I accidently had Choke Slam at the Winking Jugde, not even knowing who brewed it due to the tap handle being so small. Since I found out it was Taps I have filled 5 growlers, awsome beer (its unfortunate that people rate this beer when they obviously do not appriciate this style).

I will have to stop into the brewery this weekend to give these 2 new brews a whirl.

JerCraigs · Post by **JerCraigs** » Wed May 25, 2011 9:50 am

Yapper wrote:I(its unfortunate that people rate this beer when they obviously do not appriciate this style).

So only people that love a particular style of something should rate/critique them?

Also:
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/taps-big-e ... pa/142157/
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/13831/67455

Most of those ratings seem like people who like DIPAs... so not sure what you are talking about?

Yapper · Post by **Yapper** » Wed May 25, 2011 11:10 am

I love DIPA's that are 100+ ibu, bitter forward (ie ruination) and would love to see this brewed again. Sorry i didnt visit all the rating sites and read every post....i just noticed a few comments regarding this beer being off balanced. For a beer like this in Ontario its a shame it will be buried as an average 'B' beer.

JerCraigs · Post by **JerCraigs** » Wed May 25, 2011 2:55 pm

"For a beer like this in Ontario..." Well, if it gets more ratings on Ratebeer and manages to keep the same score (~3.65) it will be in the top 8 rated brews in Ontario. Not bad imho.

That would not however be quite enough put it in the top 100 DIPAs on that site. (It would currently need a score >3.77 for that). Still, to be that close to the top 100 is fairly impressive.

A "B" score is not really average on BeerAdvocate either, its better than average...

Sorry to tediously nitpick, but I don't think the beer is being treated unfairly. Most of the comments seem to be along the lines of "Its good but could be better".

phat matt · Post by **phat matt** » Wed May 25, 2011 3:47 pm

I think its a good beer the choke slam. I just think that it is missing the over the top hop aroma. That the beers in the top 100 all have. It needs a bigger dry hop. I also had it fresh from tap and cask. The cask was better of the 2 in my opinion. It had a nicer aroma to it. Which I think is because they dry hopped the cask.

Flood · Post by **Flood** » Fri May 27, 2011 11:32 am

I'm just about to tap a keg of the Cascade single hop at Gambrinus.
It should be on by tonight, latest.

Please feel free to swing by and enjoy one!

dutchcanuck · Post by **dutchcanuck** » Fri May 27, 2011 2:51 pm

I think its a good beer the choke slam. I just think that it is missing the over the top hop aroma. That the beers in the top 100 all have. It needs a bigger dry hop. I also had it fresh from tap and cask. The cask was better of the 2 in my opinion. It had a nicer aroma to it. Which I think is because they dry hopped the cask.

When I had it the first time at Taps's Growler Club, that was my though exactly. No hop aroma! And for me a large part of the flavour and enjoyment of an IPA comes from the aroma.