Beer O'Clock: My Favourite Beers of 2012

Because we're getting to the end of the year and I already have posts lined up for the next two Mondays, I decided that this will be my last beer post of 2012.

Possibly, the last beer post on The Brown Knowser. I may keep all of my beer posts on my Beer O'Clock blog. Stay tuned.

I don't have an addiction.

And this isn't a beer review. Not really. It's about beer and it's a review, but I'm not reviewing a new beer. Over the past few weeks, I've been looking at this year and I've thought: I've consumed quite a few different ales, stouts, and lagers in 2012.

Some of them have been outstanding and have made it to my regular repertoire of beverages. Some have been special releases or beers that I can't easily access, and they are near and dear to my heart.

And some have been less than appealing, but worth trying nevertheless.

Here is a list of my favourite reviews, in no particular order (actually, that's not true: they're listed in order from most-recent reviews to earlier reviews).

• Pink Fuzz Grapefruit Wheat Ale, Beyond the Pale Brewery—for not being a big fan of wheat ales, I found this beer delightfully refreshing. Lots of flavour and not filling. This will be my beer of choice for a hot summer's day.
• Double-Chocolate Imperial Stout, Mill Street Brewing—one of the best stouts I've ever had. Period.
• Weiss O'Lantern Pumpkin Wheat Ale, Beau's All-Natural Brewing—this was my favourite pumpkin ale of the season. My only regret is that I didn't drink more of it. But I'll be stocking up next year for sure.
• Milk Stout, The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery—not only was this the best stout I've ever had, it may very well be the best beer I've ever had. If you ever want to get me a gift, a six pack of this would be much appreciated.
• St-Ambroise IPA, McAuslan Brewery—I wish this wasn't a seasonal. I would keep this in my basement year-round. Again, I'll be stocking up next year.
• Trail Blaze Organic Brown Ale, Appalachian Brewing Company—a memorable, flavourfull brown ale from a brewery I found as I was passing through Gettysburg this summer.
• IPA, Big Rig Brewing—this is a big, highly quaffable IPA. It's my choice every time I go to this Ottawa brew pub.
• Paradise APA, Mill Street—another seasonal favourite from my favourite Ontario brewery. (They don't pay me to say that, but they should)
• Ambre de la Chaudière, Mill Street—I love this bière de garde, from its aroma to its finish. I could drink this beer all day (if not for the alcohol content).
• Mad Tom IPA, Muskoka Brewery—ever since I first tried this IPA, it's been a regular resident in my basement. Massive hops and excellently balanced, it's a serious ale.

I'm looking forward to new beer in 2013. In fact, I've given myself a challenge. Next year, I will only drink craft beer: no big-company beer. Who's with me?

Cheers!