Beau's All Natural Beaver River I.P.Eh?

G.M. Gillman · Post by **G.M. Gillman** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 4:40 pm

I've had this three times now and find the beer excellent each time. It is IMO a classic English-style pale ale with a tangy bitterness that also suggests (but in a subsidiary role) some U.S. hop influence and perhaps a shade of German hop.

It's rounded and appetizing but still plenty bitter. It reminds me of the long-departed Ballantine IPA and other quality pale ales in the English tradition.

I wouldn't change a thing except make it more available on draft - it may well be, but I haven't seen it in that form in Toronto IIRC - and ultimately on cask.

Gary

velovampire · Post by **velovampire** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 5:27 pm

Gary, it was on tap (and in fine form, I might add) last night at Marcy, a new bar/restaurant on Roncesvalles at Garden. Nice spot. I imagine the BR will be there at least until the next Beau's seasonal is released. They also had Steam Whistle, Beau's Lug Tread and Stonehammer Dark on tap.

G.M. Gillman · Post by **G.M. Gillman** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 5:29 pm

Great tip, many thanks, I'll try to check it out soon.

Gary

cmadd · Post by **cmadd** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 5:32 pm

Also, it's on tap at the Bellevue in Kensington Market. I believe they carry whatever the Beau's seasonal is.

G.M. Gillman · Post by **G.M. Gillman** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 6:07 pm

Thanks for that as well.

Incidentally, the bottle I bought, at Summerhill, indicates a packaging date of March 14. Clearly the freshness of the product adds a lot to its quality and this would apply even more so to the draft, but also it is a very well made beer.

Gary

The Mick · Post by **The Mick** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 1:27 am

Had this on tap yesterday and it was much better than I remember it being from last year. Maybe freshness was an issue, but last year the hops were muted and boring, this year they were bright and well balanced. Huge improvement.

notdan · Post by **notdan** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:40 pm

The Mick wrote:Had this on tap yesterday and it was much better than I remember it being from last year. Maybe freshness was an issue, but last year the hops were muted and boring, this year they were bright and well balanced. Huge improvement.

Agreed. I loved this beer the first year it came out but it seemed to get scaled back in flavour in subsequent years. Bought a fresh bottle from the LCBO in Ottawa last weekend and it was delicious. Obviously not an American hop bomb, just a really nicely balanced pale ale with a fresh hoppy nose.