The Bar Towel

Craig wrote:To my great surprise, of all the US IPAs that have hit shelves this year I think my favourite is the Goose Island one. I haven't tried the Lagunitas yet, but I'm pretty sure I've had it in the US and thought it was good but not special.

They have other variants that are a bit more interesting. But for a widely available beer you can get on tap at a neighbourhood bar and in bottles at Trader Joe's, it's pretty good.

Left Field Maris
Left Field Maris
@ Ceili Cottage w/ the amazing Wednesday burger, which I shouldn't tell you about because it already sells out early but that's what we do here on BT.

Yesterday at Forest City Beer Fest and Milos' Craft Beer Emporium:
Twin Pines Hammer Bent Scrumpy (sample)
Block Three Blockhead APA (sample)
Beau's Noo-Broo Gruit Ale (sample)
Stone IPA (sample)
OCB Collaboration Ontario Table Beer (sample)
Bayside Honey Cream Ale (sample)
Beer Lab Brett Lam Berliner - Amarillo (draft)
Beer Lab Hibiscus Gose (sample)
Beer Lab Galaxy Saison (draft)
Nickel Brook Naughty Neighbour APA (draft)

Calabaza Blanca from a year ago, not bad but I think it was better fresh, a bit acetic in the sourness for my liking. Tartness like unripe berry is not bad. Maybe this will go well with food later on!

cratez wrote: Beer Lab Brett Lam Berliner - Amarillo (draft)
Beer Lab Hibiscus Gose (sample)
Beer Lab Galaxy Saison (draft)

These sound tasty. Out of curiosity, where is Beer Lab? It's a bit like googling for "John Smith".

napoleon wrote: These sound tasty. Out of curiosity, where is Beer Lab? It's a bit like googling for "John Smith."

It's a collaboration between Adil Ahmed of Milos' and Nick Baird of Flying Monkeys and they are based in London. AFAIK they brew on a small pilot system in Nick's garage, and the beers are only available on tap at Milos' and sometimes at local festivals. The Brett Berliner and Galaxy Saison were "next level" good and easily the best two beers I had all weekend, so they definitely know what they're doing.

napoleon wrote:Where is Beer Lab? It's a bit like googling for "John Smith".

Ahh, the genius of nondescript brand naming. Either nobody will find you, or the wrong people will!

Last night at home:
Oast House Sweet'n Sow'r Biere de Mars

NRman wrote:http://www.momandhops.ca/beer-lab-new-h ... um-london/

Yeah I stand corrected; they brew on their own system at Forked River (confirmed by Nick). For anyone interested in following them/knowing when their beers are on tap, their Facebook page is usually up to date.

A can of Thornbury Pickup Truck Pilsner, on sale at the LCBO. This is the rebranded King Pils. I liked the old branding better but this tastes just how I remember it. And these cans are fresh, stamped 5224. Using my code deciphering skills: 5=2015 and 224 = 224th day of the year (Aug. 12).

Last night at La Palette and Bar Hop:
Le Trou Du Diable La Pitoune Keller Kölsch (draft)
St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout (draft)
Black Oak Sink Or Swim Citra Saison (draft)
Dieu du Ciel! Aphrodisiaque (draft)

Belgian was right - Palette is a dandy little bistro with an excellent low-key vibe and stellar beer selection. Lots of people chatting at the bar and the classic French food was on point. In addition to the Kölsch they also had Rogue Marionberry Braggot on tap and a few rarities in bottles, so I was quite impressed. Great spot whether you're looking for a nice dinner or just wanna drink at the bar.

Right now:
De Leite Cuvée Soeur’ise

cratez wrote:Belgian was right - Palette is a dandy little bistro with an excellent low-key vibe and stellar beer selection.

Glad if you had a good time. I think the place looks cool & want to go back before the snow flies.

Last night at Thirsty & Miserable:

Black Oak Sink or Swim Citra Saison
Evil Twin Freudian Slip
Evil Twin Ashtray Heart

Drinking a Stone IPA, it's damn good - and I'm reminiscing when this beer cost three or four bucks per 650ml at Wegmans in Amherst, NY. Was always cheaper than Rogue stuff. You guys remember Rogue products up here, before we had Rogue Voodoo Butter Underpants beer or whatever undrinkable stuff in the pink bottles? It was certainly exciting to get Chocolate Stout, Yellow Snow and Brutal IPA, those were 'changing times' in Ontario.

Belgian wrote:Drinking a Stone IPA, it's damn good - and I'm reminiscing when this beer cost three or four bucks per 650ml at Wegmans in Amherst, NY. Was always cheaper than Rogue stuff. You guys remember Rogue products up here, before we had Rogue Voodoo Butter Underpants beer or whatever undrinkable stuff in the pink bottles? It was certainly exciting to get Chocolate Stout, Yellow Snow and Brutal IPA, those were 'changing times' in Ontario.

I believe the chocolate stout led the vanguard, and the hazelnut brown followed shortly after. As improved as things are now, I'd happily take those two beers over the vast majority of recent releases.