The Bar Towel

Henderson's Brewing Co. Pearson Express IPA

Showing at LCBO 3.65.

Not bad for the price, still has an identity crisis between a Weissbier and a sort of OK IPA.

The fruity tones remind me of Schneider. But it has some fullness to it so maybe try one and see what you think.

Belgian wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2023 8:23 pm Henderson's Brewing Co. Pearson Express IPA

Showing at LCBO 3.65.

Not bad for the price, still has an identity crisis between a Weissbier and a sort of OK IPA.

The fruity tones remind me of Schneider. But it has some fullness to it so maybe try one and see what you think.

This isn't the NA version of these beer... think you're in the wrong tread.

Just grabbed a four pack of Guinness 0. I have to say I’m quite impressed. The taste is very very similar to the regular version. I don’t get that “metallic” finish I get in all other NA beers, and it’s overall very satisfying. I’d say the body is a touch thinner than the normal Guinness and it’s also a little bit sweeter on the finish. I think I’d be hard pressed to tell the difference in a blind taste test

sofakingdrunk wrote: ↑Thu Nov 09, 2023 8:27 pm Just grabbed a four pack of Guinness 0. I have to say I’m quite impressed. The taste is very very similar to the regular version. I don’t get that “metallic” finish I get in all other NA beers, and it’s overall very satisfying. I’d say the body is a touch thinner than the normal Guinness and it’s also a little bit sweeter on the finish. I think I’d be hard pressed to tell the difference in a blind taste test

Yeah, I was drinking a lot of this in Ireland...it's honestly as good as it gets. But I think the nitro widget makes all the diff.

Well you guys convinced me to give some NA beer a shot, particularly Guinness. Admittedly I've been dismissive of NA beers and the need to reduce my consumption, but I'm not getting any younger and it's probably not sustainable to drink nearly ever day anymore- even if it's only a couple.

So the Guinness. Wow. I've yet to try an NA beer where it's not painfully obvious; that sweet wort-y thing plus watery finish is usually my issue, but the Guinness is close enough that if you put it down in front of me, it scratches the itch. I don't generally drink for a buzz either, I just enjoy having a beer (or two). It's a ritual of sorts. Sure I could break down the minutiae of differences if I had to, but it's good enough there's no need.

That Upside Drinks website looks promising too. If I can find even a handful of convincing ones across a few styles, I'll be very happy. Since I have no interest in entertaining not drinking at all, it's a great way to get my alcohol consumption down without feeling like I'm giving up anything.

Upside isn't the only retailer in the game, although probably the best in terms of selection. There are others, but I've personally also used:
- https://www.designateddrinks.ca/ (who happen to have cans in a few variety stores around London)
- https://www.neoni.ca/(physical location at the St Jacobs Market, right across from Willibald funny enough)
- https://well.ca/categories/nonalcoholic-beer_6404.html
- https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=non-alcoholic ... -doa-p_3_6 (Stanley Park's have been decent, however the Banded Peak Dry Camp might be the worst NA beer I've had)

MatttthewGeorge wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 4:48 pm Upside isn't the only retailer in the game, although probably the best in terms of selection. There are others, but I've personally also used:
- https://www.designateddrinks.ca/ (who happen to have cans in a few variety stores around London)
- https://www.neoni.ca/(physical location at the St Jacobs Market, right across from Willibald funny enough)
- https://well.ca/categories/nonalcoholic-beer_6404.html
- https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=non-alcoholic ... -doa-p_3_6 (Stanley Park's have been decent, however the Banded Peak Dry Camp might be the worst NA beer I've had)

Awesome, thank you for all these suggestions!

Rouge River has another NA IPA out and it's fantastic. First one (Free Beer) might have been slightly better, but that's probably just personal hop preference.
https://rougeriverbrewingcompany.com/st ... -ipa-473ml

MatttthewGeorge wrote: ↑Wed Dec 06, 2023 8:50 am Rouge River has another NA IPA out and it's fantastic. First one (Free Beer) might have been slightly better, but that's probably just personal hop preference.
https://rougeriverbrewingcompany.com/st ... -ipa-473ml

Nice. I'll be in Markham next weekend, hopefully it sticks around till then.

MatttthewGeorge wrote: ↑Wed Dec 06, 2023 8:50 am Rouge River has another NA IPA out and it's fantastic. First one (Free Beer) might have been slightly better, but that's probably just personal hop preference.
https://rougeriverbrewingcompany.com/st ... -ipa-473ml

Happily it was still there this weekend. You're right, it's excellent. This is the most convincing non-alc IPA I've yet to try, if you handed it to me without saying anything I wouldn't guess it's 0.5%. It's perhaps still lighter in body than RR's typical IPAs, but nothing like most non-alc beer. I'd say it drinks convincingly like a 4-5% pale ale with plenty of aromatic hops.

Thanks for the recommendation!

This might warrant its own post in the events section, but the Only Cafe is hosting a no/low alcohol beer fest this month. Very cool idea, I'm hoping I'll be able to make it.

https://www.nolobeerfest.com/

Very cool idea. Too bad it's not the weekend after when I'm actually in Toronto.

Nice tip on the RR NA IPA, I’ll grab some when down that way.

I have a 12 each of the new Sierra Nevada trail pass and their hop water on route.

So I had this dream the other night where I was in a bar and all the beer was really really expensive. When I asked why, I was told because it was all non-alcoholic.

Crazy those two themes converged. Must be some latent anxieties...

Which begs the question, why are NA beers stocked at the LCBO? They don't stock soft drinks or water. Seems like wasted shelf space.

Tapsucker wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 6:09 pm Which begs the question, why are NA beers stocked at the LCBO? They don't stock soft drinks or water. Seems like wasted shelf space.

That's a really interesting question. And on the flipside, why isn't NA beers sold at variety stores, fast food restaurants and other quick serve places? Feels like it could be an opportunity to expand their offerings beyond just soda. I can't think of a fast food or food court place where I've seen NA beer, and there's no reason why they couldn't sell it as it's not technically beer. Unless I'm missing something?