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Kish84 wrote:I had no issues at all getting them from Guelph yesterday, didn't see them on the shelf so I asked the guy and he brought out what I wanted. Then had a nice conversation with him about craft beer, and how he used to be a home brewer. I believe his name was Peter and he's the "Wine Expert" of the store. Nice guy!
S. St. Jeb wrote:Just visited the Guelph store showing inventory. Couldn't find it. Asked. They hadn't put it out yet. They brought out a case of each of them. Got what I wanted (some of all 5). It's a good day!
vn. i was there yesterday and didnt see any on the shelf, not wanting to deal with the CSR there, as i have had issues in the past, i left. maybe ill make my way back down there today. i did happen to find Mill Street ESB and Bock sitting in the singles bin. (though i still got attitude from the clerk about the two mill st singles as they were part of the sealed variety pack.. ugh)
I was there somewhere around 2 o'clock. The guy started putting stuff on the shelf when he brought it out for me. Didn't have any problems.
I was a little disappointed in the black ipa to be honest.. I was expecting something dark, and bitter. It's a lot more malty than I would have imagined, definitely under 60 ibu. There's also no roast in the flavor, none at all. Definitely an odd BIPA
Brewbert wrote:I was a little disappointed in the black ipa to be honest.. I was expecting something dark, and bitter. It's a lot more malty than I would have imagined, definitely under 60 ibu. There's also no roast in the flavor, none at all. Definitely an odd BIPA
It's also a blend of the Imperial IPA and their Martello Stout that is then dry hopped, so it isn't "brewed" as a Black IPA or Cascadian Dark Ale.
ErkLR wrote: There are usually 2 or 3 London stores that are usually on the list, but only one this time. Maybe because it's a small brewery and there's less stock available?
Richmond & Fanshawe Park is the only London LCBO that's ever listed for the features. If any of the beers show up at Wellington & Bradley, York & Ridout, or Clarke & Dundas (like they sometimes do), it's either due to a fluke in distribution or because a clerk/customer had bottles transferred to a store (which I'm pretty sure they're not supposed to do, but it happens anyway).
I actually wish that Wellington & Bradley was one of the listed stores since the staff will take a serious look for something if you ask nicely. By contrast, every time these features show up at Richmond & Fanshawe I end up arguing with the staff and getting the manager to grab my bottles.
Maybe I was thinking of the seasonal releases instead of brewery features. Anyways, I have noticed the helpfulness of the staff at Wellington & Bradley. I don't recall ever asking for anything at Masonville.
Mint - it isn't the same, I promise...the GBP is nice.
Also, I bought 4 spruces at once. The first I hated (couldn't finish), the second I thought was ok, and the third I really liked. I'm contemplating having one right now!
Even still, the molasses in the GBP isn't nearly as noticeable in the spuce, I think you'll like it...
"What can you say about Pabst Blue Ribbon that Dennis Hopper hasn’t screamed in the middle of an ether binge?" - Jordan St. John
JeffPorter wrote:Mint - it isn't the same, I promise...the GBP is nice.
Also, I bought 4 spruces at once. The first I hated (couldn't finish), the second I thought was ok, and the third I really liked. I'm contemplating having one right now!
Even still, the molasses in the GBP isn't nearly as noticeable in the spuce, I think you'll like it...
I'm drinking it now. The molasses in the GBP is quite noticeable, but it's not overpowering like in the spruce.
Deep, rich, and murky brown colour, very close to black. Thin tan head dissipates quickly, no lace. Aromatic notes of cacao powder, raisin, coffee, and brown sugar. Chocolate flavour up front, followed by dried fruit, and a fairly strong molasses note. Coffee notes are faint and linger in the background. The beer is medium bodied and lightly carbonated. Mouthfeel is smooth and rich without being heavy.
When I saw molasses listed as an ingredient on this beer, it made me somewhat fearful after their molasses-bomb Spruce Beer. This isn't quite as overpowering. After a few mouthfuls I actually found myself thinking "I could actually get through this bottle." I was wrong. I can't get around this. After drinking half the bottle, I had to pour the rest down the drain. It simply overpowered my palate.
That's still a half a bottle farther than I made it with the Spruce Beer though.
I was very excited to try this from the first moment I heard of it. Each spring I make a pot of 'Spruce Tree Tea'. The tender fresh srpuce tips make a mildly bitter and slightly lemony tasting tea. You can only make it in the first week or two of the new shoots opening, after that they get tough, waxy and strong tasting. I imagine that young tender shoots could be a great addition to a lighter style of beer. Garrison's version has lots of competing flavours and a strong spruce presence as well. The combination is overpowering and not really pleasing. If I see another version of a spruce beer I will be keen to try it but I think Garrison has missed the mark.
I would encourage any homebrewers to consider a spruce brew when the new needles apear in the next few weeks.
