The good folks at Spearhead Brewing Company never seem to rest on their laurels. Forever coming up with new brews to delight their loyal followers (at least, this loyal follower), it's sometimes hard to keep up.
In January, they introduced an oatmeal cream ale that was full-bodied, complex, and extremely satisfying. You should definitely pick some up (Beer O'Clock rates it at 🍺🍺🍺).
This month, it's a new collaboration with Sam Roberts Band.
I have loved the music of Sam Roberts since his debut album, We Were Born in a Flame, nearly 20 years ago, and made a point of seeing him every time he and his band came to Ottawa. I even met him, once, when he hosted an event at the National Arts Centre. He was friendly and kind, and took his time to get to know Kid 1 and me, rather than rushing his way through the crowd to get to his next fan.
A few years ago, when he collaborated with Spearhead to make a British-American-styled ale, I was very excited. This sessionable ale was malty, biscuity, and everything I liked in a good old-fashioned ale.
I was sad to learn, last year, that Spearhead was discontinuing it but little did I know that those crafty folks were planning a new collaboration with one of Canada's premier musicians.
Last week, my friends at Spearhead surprised me with a six pack of this new collaboration and I wasted no time in digging into it. Here's what I discovered.
Spearhead Brewing Company (with Sam Roberts Band)
Kingston ON
Appearance: a clear copper-orange with a creamy-white head that settles to a solid cap. Indeed, I let the ale sit for more than a half an hour, after pouring it, before I drank it, and the head held its own at about 5mm thick.
Nose: orange and grapefruit citrus. A classic IPA aroma.
Palate: I waited more than a half hour to take my first sip because I hadn't heard my doorbell ring when the delivery guy dropped off the six pack. By the time I discovered the package on my doorstep, it was so cold that I wanted to let it settle before I breathed in the aromas or felt the beer in my mouth. There's nothing worse than a beer that's too cold to taste.
In the mouth, I detected flavours of Orange Pekoe tea and grapefruit rind. On the finish, a hint of pine was the extent of the bitterness, and judging by the relatively low IBUs for an IPA, this is expected. While it's a full-bodied ale, with bold flavours, there is no in-your-face bitterness, and I like that. The finish lingers and invites you to have another sip.
Overall impression: great things happen when music and beer collide. Made with Brewers Gold and Eclipse hops, Spearhead also made classic and experimental hops collide. Sort of like Sam Roberts Band, which blends classic rock with experimental, new-world rock.
Collider Fusion IPA is a beautiful, classic IPA that deserves its name. It's easy-drinking, flavourful, and something that I could drink over and over. I'm glad that one of my favourite musicians teamed up, once again, with one of my favourite breweries.
Beer O'Clock rating: 🍺🍺🍺
Spearhead delivers its beer throughout Ontario for a modest fee (or free with orders over $100) and for free in the Kingston area. As I said, their Oatmeal Cream Ale is definitely worth adding to your order with Collider (among the other brews that Spearhead offers). And because both of these offerings are only available for a limited time, get your order in while supplies last. Do it!
Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment