Three Thirds - Toronto 2006-style

[old faithful]

I went ahead and did my own three threads, i.e., the circa 1700 English beer which was replaced by entire and porter.

I used one-third each Petrus Old Brown, Leffe Brune, and Sleeman IPA.

My logic: the bruin of Petrus, aged 20 months in wooden vats, would be similar to a so-called stale ale of 1700. In fact the beer on its own (as currently sourced from LCBO) is dry and tart, the residual sweetness of 6 months ago is gone, so it approximates I think a stale ale of the time.

The Leffe Brown would represent a young brown beer and while not English, its spiciness and vaguely wild (or maybe multi-strain) yeast taste might approximate what was available in London in the era.

The Sleeman IPA was chosen as a twopenny for its English pale ale fidelity.

The combination is extremely good. It is hard to describe but the drink has a pleasant pre-refrigeration era acidity. The soul is brown malt and slightly sweet, as three threads probably was. There is an English hop character too but withal the beer is spicy and a little "wild", again characteristic of the era I think.

After tasting, I added a dash of Schlenkerla Marzen to impart a touch of wood-kilned malt character. It is interesting how little is needed to achieve this. The rauchbier did not really help the blend but the result was still very good. (It reminded me of an eccentric Church Key smoked ale).

I'd be interested in peoples' reaction who try this or variations of their own.

Gary

[shintriad]

Just in time for the "2-4" anniversary of Strange Brew, comes this concoction! I've never mixed beers before, and I'm a little afraid to...but I'll take note of this combination if I ever get adventurous enough -- or bored enough of what the LC has to offer.