The Bar Towel

Yesterday's release: Secret Beach - Saison Cuvée. 8.4% ABV, 31 IBU. A blend with Norman Hardie 2014 County Cab Franc Rose.

Lemon and crisp with a very dry finish. Lots of green grape notes in there as well.

Would be an great hot summer night dinner beer. Worth trying if you see it.

Juggarnaut day.

They are also selling two cases of last year's batch at $20 a pop. Yes, 500ml for $20... thankfully, I still have some 2015's stashed away.

Vertical coming later tonight

The 2015 has mellowed nicely, a year ago it was all bourbon with lots of heat, now it's a nice taste of bourbon with vanilla and dark dried fruit. Top notch.

The 2016 is less bourbon than last year, but has quite a nice resin hoppiness in the finish. Not sure it'll lay down as nicely as the 2015.

Masterplan wrote:Juggarnaut day.
They are also selling two cases of last year's batch at $20 a pop. Yes, 500ml for $20... thankfully, I still have some 2015's stashed away.

Great timing, I will go by there tomorrow!

My visit will be brief, and therefore affordable. Thanks.

Masterplan wrote:My top three are:
Sons of Sydenham (SOS)
Peach Don't Kill My Vibe
Layla (although some have questioned it's balance)
.... Juggernaut is more bourbon than stout.

The 'current' Juggenaut I got around Christmas is pretty nice... first one I opened very much a stout with ample smooth coffee, sweet black fruit and chocolate, warming alcohol. The bourbon oak has a nice caramel-corn quality that compliments the brew. A bit of peppery and herbal overtones completes the package.

Agree the SOS kicks it! Always get that when it's on tap.

Belgian wrote:

Masterplan wrote:My top three are:
Sons of Sydenham (SOS)
Peach Don't Kill My Vibe
Layla (although some have questioned it's balance)
.... Juggernaut is more bourbon than stout.

The 'current' Juggenaut I got around Christmas is pretty nice... first one I opened very much a stout with ample smooth coffee, sweet black fruit and chocolate, warming alcohol. The bourbon oak has a nice caramel-corn quality that compliments the brew. A bit of peppery and herbal overtones completes the package.

Agree the SOS kicks it! Always get that when it's on tap.

This year's Juggernaut is mellower than last years when fresh. However, last years has cellared phenomenonally and blows this year's put of the water.

Belgian wrote:

Masterplan wrote:My top three are:
Sons of Sydenham (SOS)
Peach Don't Kill My Vibe
Layla (although some have questioned it's balance)
.... Juggernaut is more bourbon than stout.

The 'current' Juggenaut I got around Christmas is pretty nice... first one I opened very much a stout with ample smooth coffee, sweet black fruit and chocolate, warming alcohol. The bourbon oak has a nice caramel-corn quality that compliments the brew. A bit of peppery and herbal overtones completes the package.

Agree the SOS kicks it! Always get that when it's on tap.

This year's Juggernaut is mellower than last years when fresh. However, last years has cellared phenomenonally and blows this year's out of the water.

Masterplan wrote:This year's Juggernaut is mellower than last years when fresh. However, last years has cellared phenomenonally and blows this year's out of the water.

I can believe it, this year's is already highly drinkable. Should some be kept anyway, will it cellar phenomenomenonally? Or even just very well?

Belgian wrote:

Masterplan wrote:This year's Juggernaut is mellower than last years when fresh. However, last years has cellared phenomenonally and blows this year's out of the water.

I can believe it, this year's is already highly drinkable. Should some be kept anyway, will it cellar phenomenomenonally? Or even just very well?

Lasts year's needed to settle down, as the bourbon was super dominate. This years I think won't fair as well, but I'll be doing a vertical with the next release., and will keep you posted.

I wonder if they still have a few 2015's kicking around at the brewery. I doubt it. At Xmas they were $20!

I guess you never know how things will age until you age things. At very least SC appear to have no infection issues from barrel aging.

Green Goddess returns Thursday.

Tried a few new ones, including the Abberation Lager and Pineapple Haze IPA.

The Kooks Sour Stout seems like the one brew not to miss, its soured and aged on raspberries for a very integrated result. That one and the meatball sandwich are probably worth a stop by.

Last week they released Protect Ya Brett (in collaboration with escarpment labs), a Brett IPA which was really good.

Thus week it's Instant Crush, a Peach, Passion fruit, and vanilla Milkshake IPA in collaboration with Nickelbrook.

My recent stop at Stone City half a month ago impressed me with the increasingly high quality of its brews. More worthwhile going by than ever.

Disclosure: I grew up mostly in Kingston, so call me a homer if you'd like although I was only guardedly optimistic about SC until pretty recently. It can take time to hit a groove.

Juggernaut is being released on Dec. 15.