The Bar Towel

seangm wrote:Origin of Darkness 2020 Series released: https://www.canadianbeernews.com/2020/1 ... -for-2020/

Four beers, each one in collaboration with a different brewery, including a Cognac barrel-aged Baltic Porter with Põhjala(!)

... AND at only $4.50 for shipping ($3.99+hst), its not cost prohibitive if you only wanted to order one of each ($22.95 including tax for the mix 4-pack)
as a result, while ordering a bunch of these, I also ordered Wet Hop and Surround sound: lotus (both only available from the brewery)

portwood wrote:

seangm wrote:Origin of Darkness 2020 Series released: https://www.canadianbeernews.com/2020/1 ... -for-2020/

Four beers, each one in collaboration with a different brewery, including a Cognac barrel-aged Baltic Porter with Põhjala(!)

... AND at only $4.50 for shipping ($3.99+hst), its not cost prohibitive if you only wanted to order one of each ($22.95 including tax for the mix 4-pack)
as a result, while ordering a bunch of these, I also ordered Wet Hop and Surround sound: lotus (both only available from the brewery)

Yep, CA by far has the best shipping price I've seen (outside of free local delivery options offered by some breweries). Ordered the 4-pack plus the glass yesterday, looking forward to them.

I picked up the Origins of Darkness mix pack at the new Toronto store last night. I tried the Almond Milk/Coffee variant and it was ... nothing special. Not a good balance as the coffee steamrolled over the other flavours. The Untappd reviews so far seem to reflect my experience.

roland wrote:I picked up the Origins of Darkness mix pack at the new Toronto store last night. I tried the Almond Milk/Coffee variant and it was ... nothing special. Not a good balance as the coffee steamrolled over the other flavours. The Untappd reviews so far seem to reflect my experience.

I cannot find this on Untappd.

MatttthewGeorge wrote:

roland wrote:I picked up the Origins of Darkness mix pack at the new Toronto store last night. I tried the Almond Milk/Coffee variant and it was ... nothing special. Not a good balance as the coffee steamrolled over the other flavours. The Untappd reviews so far seem to reflect my experience.

I cannot find this on Untappd.

I just tried the Cognac Barrel/Plums and deem it as the worst of the bunch. But, hey, more positive reviews are turning up:

https://untappd.com/b/collective-arts-b ... ee/3999165

https://untappd.com/b/collective-arts-b ... ms/3997766

https://untappd.com/b/collective-arts-b ... ts/3997761

https://untappd.com/b/collective-arts-b ... se/3997634

man the numbered series of ipas are just absolute trash now

jeremyg wrote:man the numbered series of ipas are just absolute trash now

the latest (#15) is an exact re-make of #5, which was the best of the series!

jeremyg wrote:man the numbered series of ipas are just absolute trash now

I thought 13(especially) and 14 were some of the best of the series......and if 15 is an exact remake of 5, will be great also.

I generally like this series, but they did lose me with a bunch. I think they were #6 to #12. Fruit and lactose additions just don't appeal to me.
#15 is drinking nice.

This is probably a bit of a too late post as I think it's nearing the end of it's release, but IPA#20 is a real standout. I highly recommend you get your hands on some before it's gone (just don't shop at the same LCBO I do!). Yes it's big, but it's a solid balanced beer, very much back in form with the best of this series from CA.

I get that (some) brewers want to play with novel adjuncts and processes, but I wish it didn't come at the expense of tank space for good classics like this.

Also, funny that I never saw this on their website. Did they eve have it up for order?

Tapsucker wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:46 pm Also, funny that I never saw this on their website. Did they eve have it up for order?

I feel like I don’t get as many “here’s our new beers to buy” emails from Collective nowadays, but perhaps I’m paying less attention?

Evidently in mid-June there will be some kind of Collective Arts pop-up at Union Station.

https://torontounion.ca/union-market-press-release/

Union Market will open in phases over the next few months. Phase one, now open, includes The Alley, Lena’s Floral Designs, Manotas Organics, My Olive, Chocolatta Brigadeiros, Patties Express and pop-up stores Gemlet and Virtue Vintage. Mid-June, Union Market will welcome Hazukido, #DESI, Kibo and a pop-up concept by Collective Arts. Additional pop-ups and permanent shops will continue to open throughout the year.

Looks like the Collective Arts pop-up is open at Union Station:

https://collectiveartsontario.com/pages ... ion-pop-up

Whether you're rushing home from work or on your way to a game, our new Union Station Pop Up will have all your Collective Arts essentials!

Located near the Foodie Isle, you can grab cans of beer, cocktails, and non-alc bevs to go. If you have some time to chill, you can also sip a cold pint and admire the space's incredible art!

One in Ottawa too.

https://www.canadianbeernews.com/2023/0 ... n-station/

I don't think this could have been done a few years ago. How have the rules changed....or did I just not know.

Not knowing any insider info or financials, I just get the feeling that this is a brewery that's overextended itself and we'll see either a contraction or sale in the near future.