The Bar Towel

Belgian wrote:Great Lakes Pumpkin is definitely a star. Don't forget guys the LCBO actually ordered enough for us to enjoy this year!!

Fixed.

velovampire wrote:

Belgian wrote:Great Lakes Pumpkin is definitely a star. Don't forget guys the LCBO actually ordered enough for us to enjoy this year!!

Fixed.

In the case of Great Lakes pumpkin ale, it is not actually the LCBO who orders this product. Each store has to order this directly from the brewery., and then the brewery delivers directly to each store. The same goes for a lot of other beer from the smaller micros. This is why heritage products are not generally available in my area, because the brewery delivers direct to stores, and most breweries aren't making 7 hour trips to deliver only a few cases of beer.

Flyers are sent to all the stores, but it is up to the manager or beer person to actually get this in.

velovampire wrote:

Belgian wrote:Great Lakes Pumpkin is definitely a star. Don't forget guys the LCBO actually ordered enough for us to enjoy this year!!

Fixed.

What I was SAYING was GL brewed much more than last year because it ran out too soon last time.

The Brooklyn POST ROAD is now at Cooper St!!

I have to agree with you, Belgian - the Great Lakes is the winner of the 4 pumpkins this year. I find it very well-balanced and drinkable - no problem getting through a bomber or a pint.

Next up, I liked the Post Road - bolder in flavour than the other two, and hoppier, though the balance tends to lean in their favour, and away from the malt.

My least favourite, though still good, was the St. Ambroise Citrouille - just seemed a bit too spice heavy, and the body a tad too thin. Didn't get much pumpkin sweetness either.

I've got a bottle of Grand River Highballer that I picked up on Sunday (bottled Oct. 25th - love it) in the fridge that I'll be cracking tonight - I had a sample that I quite enjoyed at the C'est What Fall fest, and it'll be nice to get a more complete picture on that one. Hopefully GR will have wide enoguh LCBO distribution in a year that we'll see this in stores next fall...

There were a couple dozen Post Road bottles at the Atrium store as of 5:30 today.

velovampire wrote:I've got a bottle of Grand River Highballer that I picked up on Sunday (bottled Oct. 25th - love it) in the fridge that I'll be cracking tonight - I had a sample that I quite enjoyed at the C'est What Fall fest, and it'll be nice to get a more complete picture on that one. Hopefully GR will have wide enoguh LCBO distribution in a year that we'll see this in stores next fall...

Velo - don't forget that Volo is planning to tap a cask of the grand river pumpkin on Friday!

velovampire wrote:... the Great Lakes is the winner of the 4 pumpkins this year. I find it very well-balanced and drinkable - no problem getting through a bomber or a pint.

Next up, I liked the Post Road - bolder in flavour than the other two, and hoppier, though the balance tends to lean in their favour, and away from the malt.

Yeah don't disagree. Trying the Post Road Pumpkin last night I found it quite close to the Great Lakes in flavoring, except that with the GL Pumpkin the slightly oily-feeling heavier pale malt gives it superior body that works really well for this style. It changes the whole balance. I'm personally not a regular drinker of the GL Pale but it's for the exact reasons I DO like their Pumpkin - the bigger feel of the pale malt. It's great against the pumpkin & spice!!

Bobsy wrote:Velo - don't forget that Volo is planning to tap a cask of the grand river pumpkin on Friday!

Yeah - I'm gonna try to make that. Had the bottled version last night, and while good, I preferred the cask sample I had at C'est What. Much softer and more rounded, while the bottled product had some sharp edges to it. Loving the new GR bottles, BTW...