Trafalgar Hop Nouveau

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:36 am

Any word on how the harvest or brewing went?

I brewed my own harvest ale on the weekend. It had an OG of 1.055 and within 3 days it was down to 1.025. It tasted surprisingly good as well!

If they use a neutral yeast, a 15 day ale should be fine.

At which "select LCBO outlets" will we find it?

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:45 pm

Word from Mike at Trafalgar on the state of the beer:

"The beer was brewed and is almost finished fermenting. It tastes
quite nice, not as much "green" in it as I thought. If we get through the
LCBO lab and tasting panel without a hitch, it should be in the stores by
Sept. 25. We'll have some available in our store the 16th or 17th."

TJ · Post by TJ » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:02 am

Any word on this?

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:12 pm

TJ wrote:Any word on this?

Josh Rubin at the Star had some dropped off for him yesterday or the day before for review, so it's been bottled. Here's what posted about it on Twitter:

"First impressions of Trafalgar Hop Nouveau: not bad. Not lots of hop aroma;decent bitterness on finish; touch of resin. Slightly cloudy."

I expect it should be in stores in the next week or so, assuming they push it through quickly.

TJ · Post by TJ » Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:04 pm

"First impressions of Trafalgar Hop Nouveau: not bad. Not lots of hop aroma;decent bitterness on finish; touch of resin. Slightly cloudy."

Hmmm. Not exactly a ringing endorsement is it? Oh well. I'd still like try it...I only hope it comes in singles.

Thanks for the update Greg.

TJ · Post by TJ » Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:21 am

It's listed on the LCBO website at $5.95 for a 650ml bottle.

http://lcbo.ca/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/de ... ber=157784

kwjd · Post by **kwjd** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:30 pm

Just got a bottle from the LCBO. On the side of the bottle it says the hops were picked and beer brewed on September 6th, then bottled on the 21st. So this is about as fresh as you can get at the LCBO.

It is ok... I was expecting more hop taste & bitterness though, especially when "Hop" is in the name of the beer. I agree with Josh Rubin wrote about it. The only other Wet Hopped beer I've had was from Sierra Nevada (that I can remember), and this doesn't live up to that.

TwoPint · Post by **TwoPint** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:39 pm

I've had two... and I like it. I'll be going back for more.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:12 pm

kwjd wrote: It is ok... I was expecting more hop taste & bitterness though, especially when "Hop" is in the name of the beer.

The name doesn't mean lots of hops, it implies the hops are used are new, because they were very newly harvested for use.

Probably an homage to Beaujolais Nouveau which is traditionally drunk after only a few weeks of fermentation. It often makes nearly no impression as a wine, because it's meant to be light & fun.

pootz · Post by **pootz** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:13 pm

TJ wrote:"First impressions of Trafalgar Hop Nouveau: not bad. Not lots of hop aroma;decent bitterness on finish; touch of resin. Slightly cloudy."

Hmmm. Not exactly a ringing endorsement is it? Oh well. I'd still like try it...I only hope it comes in singles.

"not bad" is beer scribe codex for "not too good either" ...the unstated point is it was not 'recommended' .

At the risk of being totally undiplomatic, Trafalgar offerings fail to impress with astounding consistency.

At 5.95 a bomber this is approaching Rogue pricing without Rogue reputation. Take a pass on this...not much of a ratings whore I guess.

TJ · Post by TJ » Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:58 pm

pootz wrote:"not bad" is beer scribe codex for "not too good either" ...the unstated point is it was not 'recommended' .

At the risk of being totally undiplomatic, Trafalgar offerings fail to impress with astounding consistency.

At 5.95 a bomber this is approaching Rogue pricing without Rogue reputation. Take a pass on this...not much of a ratings whore I guess.

Yeah, I doubt that few truly great beers were ever reviewed using litotes. Not bad is hardly the same as good, is it?

I've never had a Trafalgar beer that impressed me.

I fail to understand the LCBO's endless fascination with carrying their products.

Yet something about the idea behind this beer compelled me to get my girlfriend to pick it up for me.

And I don't think I'm the first to say this, but it's a pity their brewing skill didn't match their ambition.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:40 am

I didn't mind this beer today, it has a nice fresh hop character in the English vibe.

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:22 am

TJ wrote:I fail to understand the LCBO's endless fascination with carrying their products.

The LCBO lists their products because they are one of the few Ontario breweries that make the effort to submit so many beers for listings.

Or at least that's what I've been told by several LCBO reps.

JerCraigs · Post by **JerCraigs** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:29 am

TJ wrote: I fail to understand the LCBO's endless fascination with carrying their products.

I'm assuming that they sell well? A lot of the Trafalgar stuff is decent when it is fresh and in good shape, its a shame that it seems like many people do not get to try it in that condition.

northyorksammy · Post by **northyorksammy** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:12 pm

[quote="GregClow)
The LCBO lists their products because they are one of the few Ontario breweries that make the effort to submit so many beers for listings.

Or at least that's what I've been told by several LCBO reps.[/quote]

alternatively, like in most businesses, the reps get great seats for shows and events from T