The Bar Towel

Perhaps I'm jumping the gun a bit, but has anyone spotted any of the LCBO's Winter beer release at any stores downtown? I know it's not officially due for a couple of weeks, but some of September's beers started leaking out in late August, so you never know...


Greg

I haven't seen any yet. FYI, here's the full listing for the winter release (excludes gift packs):

Weltenburger Kluster Asam-Bock 500 ml
St. Peter's Winter Ale 500 ml
Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome 550 ml
Paulaner Salvator 330 ml
Daleside Morocco Ale 500 ml
Slavutich Christmas Beer 500 ml
Mahr's Brau Wheat Bock 500 ml
Duyck Jenlain Biere De Garde Ambree 330 ml
XO Beer 375 ml
Leffe Brune 330 ml
Corsendonk Pater 750ml

I picked up Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome at the Crossroads LCBO at Weston Road and the 401 at the beginning of October.

I just picked up some Paulaner Salvator, this morning at the Queens Quay LCBO, and the other day I purchased the Marstons Oyster Stout.

Good Hunting, Cheers, Doug

On 2002-11-01 11:09, DougShoemaker wrote:
I just picked up some Paulaner Salvator, this morning at the Queens Quay LCBO ...

Hmmmm. I was at the QQ store today, and no Salvator. Just a tag on an empty shelf. After looking in the inventory system, one of the employees told me that the beer had never been in that store in particular and has yet to be delivered to any of the stores in general.

Given Doug's statement, I doubted the clerk, but didn't protest too much.

Anyone know the real scoop? Speculation is welcome.

I'm afraid I picked up the last two bottles of the Salvator on Saturday at QQ!!!

You wicked, wicked man! :~)

It seems the Paulaner Salvator, after one bottle had been checked by Quality Control, the rest of the case was released to the Queens Quay location. That was on Friday. They went fast. I understand more should be back on the shelf by Wednesday.

Cheers, Doug

Paulaner Salvator is back at Queens Quay LCBO.
Good Hunting, Cheers, Doug

The winter releases have arrived at the LCBO at Orion Gate here in Brampton and before the official release date! That has got to be a first!
The brews on the shelves are as follows:
Winter Welcome
Daleside Morocco
Pualaner Salvator
Mahrs Brau Wheat Beer
Duyk Jenlain Biere De Garde Ambree
and XO.
The last four on the list weigh in at 7% alc or more and are not for the faint of heart!!

If anyone manages to find a bottle of XO that isn't skunky, please let me know. I had some at the Montreal beer fest in 2000, and loved it, but the bottles I picked up in both the 2000 and 2001 Winter releases at the LCBO were off. My fingers are crossed for this year, but I fear that I might be cursed...

Damn those clear bottles, damn them to hell!

Greg

I was at queens quay today and they had a bunch of the winter realease out, from what I remember, there was:

mahr's wheat bock
paulaner salvator
sam smith winter welcome
daleside morocco
corsendonk pater
xo
jenlain biere de garde

kp

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Kid Presentable on 2002-11-09 15:35 ]</font>

The XO "skunkiness" that is being referred to here - and in one of the other posts - is NOT a defect or, rather, a skunking.

The way it has been explained to us is that the process by which the XO Cognac is dripped into the wert during fermentatation - and the addition of some natural aromas (spices, etc.) - ALL of which are listed clearly on the label (something we went through a big stink with the LCBO over) causes this beer to "separate" slightly if it is treated to extreme alternating temperatures.

This separation has no effect on the taste, mouthfeel, or enjoyment of this beer.

We were asked to - and HAVE - put a "warning" on the label know to this effect which tries to explain or at least excuse this phenomenon.

I, myself, am no chemist but I can assure you that this separation, what appear to be particles, floating around in some of the older batches was perfectly NORMAL and perfectly HARMLESS.

Their patented process of producing this beer has been modified a bit, apparently, to try and reduce this from happening as much - only because of its unsightliness - but ... bottom line ... the BEER is FINE !!

Enjoy with candied nuts, dessert or chocolate or as a wonderfully uplifting aperitif!

Cheers, Paul

On 2002-11-12 15:11, Rubaiyat wrote:
The XO "skunkiness" that is being referred to here - and in one of the other posts - is NOT a defect or, rather, a skunking.

Paul, the explanation is appreciated and I'll keep it in mind when I try some of this year's XO release.

But I can tell you for certain that the bottles of XO that I purchased at the LCBO during the last couple of Winter beer releases had a MUCH stronger and unpleasant "skunky" aroma and flavour than the samples I had at the Montreal beer festival in the summer of 2000. I honestly think that they had gone off due to being improperly handled and displayed at the store.

Greg