The Bar Towel

Taps: Yeah, I think it would be in the same room at the party as Prima Pils. You would probably never confuse the two, but both have really generous American hopping for a lager. Colour on the HnB is a bit darker, and the malts show through a bit more (going by memory, I haven't had a Victory in months and months).

Thank you, Jeff.

I really liked this beer as well. But rather than Prima Pils, I'd put it more in the ballpark of a hoppier take on Brooklyn Lager.

GregClow wrote:I really liked this beer as well. But rather than Prima Pils, I'd put it more in the ballpark of a hoppier take on Brooklyn Lager.

Sort of an amped up Vienna Lager kind of thing rather than a Pilsner.

I tried a couple samples and it was definitely worthwhile. The hop profile seemed unique to me (although I haven't had nearly enough strong pale lagers). Not entirely a PNW-style citrus bomb, nor was it completely jacked up with noble hops like Sam Adams Imperial Pils.

The bitterness bites you at first but is soon tempered by strong malts. I also found the body heavy, almost syrupy, but pleasantly so.

Next time I find myself at Jack Astor's, I'll be grabbing a pint or two.

It's 5%, I assume, yes?

It's available at the Front & Church Jack Astor's. I like the tap handle. It looks pretty cool. The beer is nice as what others have described already better than I would.

This JA also has Sam Adams Oktoberfest, two Hop City beers, Mill St Tankhouse and Steamwhistle on tap. JA will likely never match better beer bars but it's nice to get a decent brew there when dragged there.

There's a new food menu as well.

chris_schryer wrote:Taps: Yeah, I think it would be in the same room at the party as Prima Pils. You would probably never confuse the two, but both have really generous American hopping for a lager. Colour on the HnB is a bit darker, and the malts show through a bit more (going by memory, I haven't had a Victory in months and months).

Thank you, Jeff.

But Prima Pils doesn't receive American hopping at all. Prima is hopped entirely with traditional German and Czech hop varieties.

Really? My bad, like I said, I haven't had Prima in quite a while. My main memories of it (indeed, looking back to my review in 2010) was that it was fat and juicy with hops. I got some citrusy notes, so would have assumed American, but am by no means a hop savant.

I think even tradtional continental hop varieties can show some juicy/fruity characters if used in large amounts.

Kind of makes you wonder what characteristics a pale lager would show if made with say, cascade, but using the cascade at "typical" pale lager hop rates. How much citrus character would it show, or would it just be a little bit floral?

When I tasted it, there were two hop tastes that seemed clearly American and English. I'd guess Cascades and Fuggles.

If it is not those two, I'd think it would be hops with similar flavours but from the same countries.

Gary

Had it at JA and I certainly liked it more than any other Creemore beer I've had.

Honestly, I'd best describe it as a hoppy Creemore Lager.

I think I want to like Creemore more than I do, but man, I'm just not a fan of that yeast. Sometimes actually feel headachey after about a half pint of a creemore - but maybe it's just how cold they're serving it.

That's a personal thing, though, not the brewery's fault.

I like that this beer has the hoppy bite to compensate for that overwhelming yeast.

Glad to know my local Astors has this and a seasonal sam adams tap.

And hey, if this gets the "chain restaurant" crowd tasting more flavourful beers, maybe this is a really good sign.

Jeff, I agree about Creemore Lager but I didn't get its yeast signature in the new beer.

Gary

Creemore Kellerbier is what keeps their cred with me. I can't say the yeast is a problem, but their beers do make me pretty gassy (TMI. sorry). Maybe it's the yeast.

I'll give this thingy a try, but I'm not going to drag my astor into the place they currently serve to try it. I'm sure more distribution will be on the way.

Kind of related, more to Jack Astor's - in the Cameron's newsletter, they mention that their newest account is with Jack Astor's. Looks like that chain is trying to amp up its craft taps...