The Bar Towel

Has anyone seen this at Beer Store? In a red and white can. I don't recall seeing this before. I decided to pass on this trip (arms full with other brews) but if people like it I would give it a try. I picked up the Bavaria 6.8 % abv or thereabouts. Yes, a lot of those brands are high octane and not meant for flavour but once in a while you hit a good one. I add carbonated water to get them about 5% and then have a go. Also picked up the Niagara Falls ice beer which I haven't tried yet this year. And, the Fax Amber, which for the first time (in my experience) was very fresh and quite tasty. Not a worldbeater but a good commercial beer. Finally, I got some of that Niagara Falls Old Jack, the new formulation at 5% abv, we'll give that a whirl. I never cottoned to the original one, it had a flavour that never seemd quite right to me, but am hoping this new version will prove its worth.

Gary

Niagara Falls Eisbock and Olde Jack, good choices!

Yes, thanks.

By the way I won't dilute the eisbock (thanks for correcting the name) of Niagara Falls Brewery.

Did they shut down the original small plant or was it just the chocolates shop that closed?

Gary

Things have changed at Niagara falls since the moosehead take over....I personally don't like the "new" Old Jack compared to the oringinal...the eisbock does not seem to have changed for the worse but it certainly isn't the great beer it was 6 or so years ago. Have yet to revisit Gritstone and millstone...I'll se how it goes...seems they (NFB) are focused on supplying local pubs like the Angel inn with house brand draft and not really focusing on expanding markets for their packaged product.

as for Stiegl, I haven't seen that in stores for a long time....I recal it being a pretty mainstream commercial Austrian lager.

As for the Bavaria 8.6 I think this is probably the best of the commercial Euro super lagers....huge malt body and enough tank conditioned mellowing to cover the acherhol fairly well..super lagers aren't for everyone but this one stands out for it's well put together formula and mellow malt charcter....why water this down?

Thanks, I hadn't realised Moosehead bought Niagara Falls Brewery. Does that mean all the beers are made in New Brunswick?

Gary

old faithful wrote:Thanks, I hadn't realised Moosehead bought Niagara Falls Brewery. Does that mean all the beers are made in New Brunswick?

Gary

No, they bought portions of Niagara Falls and McAuslan to get better distribution in Ontario and Quebec. Funny thing is, you can't get either of those in New Brunswick Liquor stores (McAuslan is available on tap in select locations), and the NSLC just delisted the McAuslan products it was carrying.

If they bought just a part of Niagara Falls Brewery, does that mean the NFB brands are still made in Niagara Falls? Or are they made in Montreal, now?

Gary

old faithful wrote:If they bought just a part of Niagara Falls Brewery, does that mean the NFB brands are still made in Niagara Falls? Or are they made in Montreal, now?

Gary

As far as I know, they're still made in Niagara Falls.

old faithful wrote:If they bought just a part of Niagara Falls Brewery, does that mean the NFB brands are still made in Niagara Falls? Or are they made in Montreal, now?

Gary

I don't know what plans the Moose has for NFBC but I believe it was simply a tax manouver that drove it. The brewery on Lundy's Lane is one of the most awkward I have ever frequented. At one time, there was only 3 parking spots total and it was a nightmare to turn into or get out of. The variety store next door (now torn down) was showing porn films on a corner TV when I went in once - glad I didn't send my kid in. It has zero room to grow and was never very well set-up. I think the Crivellers put it there originally to showcase their equipment but I don't think that ever worked out. It must be a nightmare turning a truck in. You would think a move to any other facility would pay for itself in short order.

The beauty of Moosehead/Premium Beer distributing it is the province wide sales force. I expect we will see their taps in bars across the province soon. Hopefully they won't dumb down the product too much. The Niagara Pale Ale is the old Conners Best Bitter. I like it to this day.

The Niagara Pale Ale is the old Conners Best Bitter. I like it to this day.

I wonder why I rated this their best ale? Nice orangy citrus pine bite over some substantial cerial malts...nice mellow pale, not as sharp or dry as McAuslin

What is the Brick brewing they sell under the Conners label?

pootz wrote:

The Niagara Pale Ale is the old Conners Best Bitter. I like it to this day.

I wonder why I rated this their best ale? Nice orangy citrus pine bite over some substantial cerial malts...nice mellow pale, not as sharp or dry as McAuslin

What is the Brick brewing they sell under the Conners label?

A lager - I tried it last summer and the sample I had had absolutely no ale characteristics. Very little body and zero fruitiness. It didn't taste bad but it was no ale.

Rob Creighton wrote:

pootz wrote:

The Niagara Pale Ale is the old Conners Best Bitter. I like it to this day.

I wonder why I rated this their best ale? Nice orangy citrus pine bite over some substantial cerial malts...nice mellow pale, not as sharp or dry as McAuslin

What is the Brick brewing they sell under the Conners label?

A lager - I tried it last summer and the sample I had had absolutely no ale characteristics. Very little body and zero fruitiness. It didn't taste bad but it was no ale.

Funny you would say that because to me it tasted the same way...like a lager with ale hopping. This would go along with the rumors I heard that Brick had either lost the Conner's yeast strain by contamination or could no longer get it. I understand Brick bought the Conners trade marks and intellectual property. BTW I thought it was a retired brand for Brick but they have pumped another batch out to TBS.

So are you saying NFB approximated the old Conners recipe and came damn close with some different raw materials?

pootz wrote:So are you saying NFB approximated the old Conners recipe and came damn close with some different raw materials?

And is there any chance that the long-gone but excellent Connors Imperial Stout might make a re-appearance?

(just hoping, really, not expecting)

old faithful wrote:... Finally, I got some of that Niagara Falls Old Jack, the new formulation at 5% abv, we'll give that a whirl. I never cottoned to the original one, it had a flavour that never seemd quite right to me, but am hoping this new version will prove its worth.

This is the third Olde Jack formulation that I'm aware of.

The first was that malty 7.2% beauty that came in the 630 mL bottle. The second is the darker, smoky 5.9% version that to my mind took a lot of its inspiration - maybe all? - from the short-lived Scotch Ale. The current incarnation is the lightest and has in the nose elements of the first's beautiful maltiness, but also has what to my mind is newly featured lemon-pith in the smell and taste.

I was surprised to see that the Maple Wheat has been resurrected and given the awkward name Honey Brown Maple Wheat. I hope to g-d that honey is just an allusion to its colour and isn’t part of the recipe.

Has anyone seen this at Beer Store? In a red and white can.

I saw this today at the local Beer store and bought a few cans. Nice gold all malt euro lager....I believe this is the "salzburg styled lager ...so it has a clear malt bias and is on the slightly sweet side.....nice premium lager...good ingredients, no chemicals or adjuncts......better than most Canaidian national brand lagers....a pleasant find at the evil empire's retail chain.

.....And light years removed from the taste of Steelback