Grand River Brewing

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:37 am

They put the 'ART' in artisinal (aka fuck the BJCP).

They're one of the few breweries that use a natural water source, and it happens to be really hard. Probably more like Munich than anything, which makes for some unique brews.

The Curmudgeon isn't a textbook IPA, but I like it 'cause it's flavourful & different.

The Russian Gun isn't a stereotypical Imperial Stout either... but I think it's one hell of an 'old ale'. I was saddened to find out they were out when I visited this year. I'm down to my last 2 bottles from last year!

JohnnyB · Post by **JohnnyB** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:36 am

Have really enjoyed everything I've tried from them, their seasonals most of all (Russian Gun, Curmudgeon, even the Highballer). Feel i should retry their more sessionable year-round beers though after hearing great things about them, haven't had the galt knife since i started getting into beer, don't think i've had any others. Just waiting to come across the Plowman's ale as soon as I can, really glad they're having such good distribution with their beers.
Overall i think they manage to do something a bit unique in each style they attempt to give it a flavour of its own. While I didn't like the new labels at first I've gotten over it quickly (was hoping to add the classic curmudgeon bottle to my collection but found out this year i'll have to do without). In one of the product circulars at the LCBO (which I'm pretty sure have product highlights submitted by the brewery) it said something about the new labels being designed as trying to draw reference to simpler times, which after reading that I found to be rather in line with the nature of the beer and the brewery (core focus being the recipes and not the marketing)

ritzkiss · Post by **ritzkiss** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:49 am

I've had some really tasty bottles from them and some really poor bottles, I feel the consistency has suffered a little as of late. When they're on they have some really quality, tasty offerings which, as Derek noted, have a unique quality to them.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:02 pm

Derek wrote:They put the 'ART' in artisinal (aka fuck the BJCP).

No offense, why do 70% of people spell 'artisanal' wrong? There is no such thing as an 'artisin.'

phirleh · Post by **phirleh** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 3:06 pm

Belgian wrote:
Derek wrote:They put the 'ART' in artisinal (aka fuck the BJCP).
No offense, why do 70% of people spell 'artisanal' wrong? There is no such thing as an 'artisin.'

I think it's closer to 50%, Derek and I got it wrong, you and JesseM got it right

JesseM · Post by **JesseM** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 3:58 pm

Most people are just afraid of 'anal'.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 4:21 pm

Belgian wrote:
Derek wrote:They put the 'ART' in artisinal (aka fuck the BJCP).
No offense, why do 70% of people spell 'artisanal' wrong? There is no such thing as an 'artisin.'

I don't know... surely they can't all be finishing the week with a Project X Barley wine... or can they?

midlife crisis · Post by **midlife crisis** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:09 pm

I am a huge GR fan and used to stop in any time I was anywhere near Galt. Now that some of their core beers seem to be showing up in the LCBO I don't necessarily need to drive to the brewery, which is great. I really appreciate the "bottled on" date stamp, and how they seem to consistently get very fresh beer into the stores. But the new labels really do suck.

heebes · Post by **heebes** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:41 pm

The new labels are much better than the previous ones. I like the streamlined consistency. I agree they could have been so much more, but the previous comment about going back to an old feeling and the labels matching their beer; simple sessionable solid offerings makes alot of sense. Over the past year I've greatly appreciated Grand River and will continue to support them from now on.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:58 pm

I'm not one to care about labels, but I actually really like the style of the new ones!

The previous one's looked a little low-budget:
http://grandriverbrewing.com/our-beers/ ... wmans-ale/

S. St. Jeb · Post by **S. St. Jeb** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 12:29 am

First tried beers from this brewery a year or two ago and only thought of them as average. Found the Curmudgeon better this year than I remembered from the past, really like the Russian Gun, and I like the Highballer Pumpkin too but thought the Great Lakes Pumkin Ale was a little bit better.

It's interesting to see the acolades for this brewery on this website. I will have to try their others brews again when I get the opportunity.

saints_gambit · Post by **saints_gambit** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:06 am

They should probably just crowdsource label designs from volunteers. Couldn't be worse than what they have and they could make it a contest or something. Get some attention. Go with a "we know beer, we don't know marketing" angle.

NRman · Post by **NRman** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 12:19 pm

saints_gambit wrote:They should probably just crowdsource label designs from volunteers. Couldn't be worse than what they have and they could make it a contest or something. Get some attention. Go with a "we know beer, we don't know marketing" angle.

Interesting idea. It works for Jones Soda.
http://www.jonessoda.com/gallery/index.php

Would every label need to go through Social Responsibility?
Which raises another question - who is protecting the children from the Jones Soda labels? Does 7-11 have their own SR?

JesseM · Post by **JesseM** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 1:32 pm

NRman wrote:Would every label need to go through Social Responsibility?
Which raises another question - who is protecting the children from the Jones Soda labels? Does 7-11 have their own SR?

No, it's not beer, so there's no need for them to get all sanctimonious with their double standard, since we all know that beer is the only substance out there that can potentially pose a threat to society.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 4:04 pm

Derek wrote:I'm not one to care about labels, but I actually really like the style of the new ones!

The previous one's looked a little low-budget:
http://grandriverbrewing.com/our-beers/ ... wmans-ale/

Maybe I've looked at too many wine labels to fault those old Grand River ones.