Taps Red Cream Ale

[midlife crisis]

Had an unfortunate experience. Bought a couple (cans) at Dufferin & Wilson LC, having not tried it before. They've gone off - very much vinegar/soured. Definite drain pour. The label on the bottom of the can reads "M 8 06", which I take to mean Dec 8/06. That makes it all the more disappointing -- the beer isn't old or anything. Anyone else experience this?

[lister]

I bought three cans of it from that LCBO. Same opinion as yours. Ugh. If I can find the receipt they're going back. Two of the three were going to be included in two beer gift packs I'm making. Not now!

[JerCraigs]

I got some straight from thebrewery and they were not particularly fabulous.

[pootz]

Taps has to be tasted fairly fresh. I've had remnants of cases in the fridge that went "sour" or cidery after 2 months . When it's fresh its good beer. ..but If you get it unrefrigerated at the LCBO...you take yer chances.

I don't think this stuff goes bad as much as the flavor changes to an acidic state from temperature shock...I had both red cream and the blue label lager go sourish on me after a couple of months and both were refrigerated.

Maybe the crown top on that US bottle does not seal well.

[Rob Creighton]

I picked six Red Cream Ale at the brewery and unfortunetly all were very acidic and off. Too bad - great looking can.

[pootz]

Looks like a full blown QC problem. Anyone contact the brewer?

[pootz]

As QC tasting after having a couple of taps ales on draft today, I just finished a Taps red cream ale and a Taps Chesterton lager that I had bought in the late summer and stored in my beer fridge. Both displayed good heading, fair carbonation, no off aromas but were cloudy and the finish had an almost vinegar-like astringence that was not there in the fresh product. I suspect a filtering issue with yeast and leaving too much protien in the bottled product...but then I think this is a job for a food chemistnot a customer...there is a real QC issue here for this brewer to take care of.

Too bad, I love these beers fresh..they're great...bottled it seems iffy.

[Bobsy]

Picked up a can today. It has a bizarre sweet and sour flavour - not altogether displeasing, but I presume not what they aimed for in crafting a cream ale. Can anyone who has had this fresh confirm that this was not the brewer's in intention? It's weird...if this is an off can, I kind of like it. Makes a good sour ale.

[robinvboyer]

i agree with you 100%, i got the same thing when i had one, this interesting sweetness with a touch of sour. I also agree that i was pretty good!

[BrewerDave]

I picked up some cans at the brewery and I had no problem at all. It must be hit and miss I suppose. I've also recently picked some up at the LCBO and haven't experienced a problem there either.

[icemachine]

I'll have to retry this one, was quite tasty when i tried it at the Brewery a couple months ago. Found a couple bottles of Vanilla Wheat in the back of my fridge from the same trip, they seem to have mellowed and developed a bit of butterscotch mouthfeel

[Magni]

Taps is a good beer nice and fresh, but it's execution in cans is just unfortunate. I had the Taps Premium Lager on Monday and it was as always as good for what it is. Next time I see Bernie I'll be sure to give him a heads up on what people are thinking about his beer.

[Illuminatus]

I've had it twice before, and it was fine both times. Sounds like a QC issue.