Beer O'Clock: Palomar Lime & Chipotle Ale

Last week, I racked up my second Master of Beer Appreciation (MBA) status at Mill Street Brew Pub in Ottawa. I know, it's a tough life when you consume 85 pints of beer and receive recognition. I, by no means, am a leader in the MBA members at Mill Street. A friend of mine, who has been going to the pub for as long as I have, is either close to his fourth MBA or has just achieved it.

Another regular to the pub, has earned his fifth.

I love beer, but I don't have an addiction.

When you achieve your MBA, you receive a few perks from the pub. You get a pint glass with your name engraved on it. You can take it home or you can keep it at the pub, where you can have your pints served to you in your very own glass.

You also have your name engraved on a plate, which is affixed to a stainless-steel keg that celebrates all of the folks who have earned their MBA.

Also, you are treated for a dinner for two at the pub.

On Friday, I shared my MBA dinner with Lori and the kids. It was a perfect evening with clear skies and no humidity, and a gentle breeze that kept the bugs at bay.

My timing for this dinner was perfect, because the evening before saw the launch of the brew pub's latest one-off and I was very eager and excited to try it.

Palomar Lime & Chipotle Ale (5.5% ABV)
Mill Street Brew Pub
Ottawa ON
Beer O'Clock rating: 4.5

Appearance: a clear, effervescent, deep amber with an off-white head that settles to a thin cap.

Nose: not much off at the beginning, but eventually I detected a slight citrus scent with light caramel.

Palate: my taste buds were immediately met with fresh lime. As the beer washed over my tongue, I caught a wave of smoke, and then a mild burn at the back of the throat, like cinnamon hearts without the sweetness. There is a good balance of malt and hops.

After a few sips, my lips began to tingle a little bit. I had an overwhelming urge to kiss someone. Luckily, my wife was nearby.

Overall impression: I'm not typically one for complex, fruity ales, but Palomar is a refreshing ale with the right amount of bite. I tip my hat to head brewer, Adam Rader, for this adventurous and exciting ale. He has mixed real lime juice and Mexican chipotle peppers into this American amber ale and has created a unique summer thirst quencher.

Because this ale is a one-off, the Ottawa Mill Street pub will have a limited amount on tap. Luckily, it's also available in growlers at the pub.

I highly recommend that you grab some before it's gone. Who knows if and when they'll make more.

I had two pints at Friday's dinner: they count towards my third MBA, right?

Cheers!

Beer O'Clock: MBA and Other Rewards

I feel such a sense of accomplishment.

As many of you know, I have made Mill Street Brew Pub my second home. I try to make an appearance once a week, if not more. I have organized a few tweetups and hope to continue that tradition for as long as the brew pub allows. (I even hope to hold one in December: details will follow.) And I've attended their first Brewmaster Dinner and will be attending my second one this Thursday (and yes, I'll blog about that next week).

And, if that wasn't enough, I write many blog posts from the bar and I'm also working on the sequel to Songsaengnim from time to time.

So it is no surprise that I love that brew pub and will sing their praises every chance I get.

But last week, I earned an honour that I've been working on pretty much since I started going to that pub in January. I've earned my MBA.

Master of Beer Appreciation.

Mill Street has a loyalty program that can earn patrons swag, such as t-shirts, pint glasses, bottle openers, dinner, and more. But the grand prize is what I sought as soon as I joined the program: the right to have your name engraved and affixed to a stainless-steel keg, much like the Stanley Cup (but to me, a bigger deal).

Every time you drink a pint in the brew pub (preferably, a set number of each variety), you earn an initial on your MBA card. When you reach a certain number of pints, you earn the swag. Fill the card and you earn your MBA.

How many pints for an MBA? Eighty: eight-zero.

Now, in truth, I should have earned my MBA sooner. Many times over the months, I either forgot to bring my card, or I would bring the card but forget to present it for an initial. Sometimes, I'd remind the staff and they'd oblige. Other times, I just didn't bother.

But last Tuesday, I officially consumed my 80^th pint and was able to hoist the keg on high. Not only does my name go on the keg, but a computer graphic is etched next to it, signifying me as their writer in residence. I also earned a pint glass with my name etched on the side, which I now keep there as my personal glass.

Hoisting the keg

It would be so embarrassing if I dropped that sucker

GM Peter Chase presents my name plate and personalized pint glass

I feel special. Even though my name is the 53^rd on the keg. I'm in the top 100 (and I don't have a drinking problem).

My 80^th pint was a special one too, and I suggest that you high-tail it to Mill Street to get some before it's gone. I'll be drinking it from my pint glass until it's done.

Which brings us to my review.

Double-Chocolate Imperial Stout
Mill Street Brew Pub
Ottawa, ON (only)
ABV: 7.6% (approx.)

This is one dark ale: so dark, in fact, that when I switched on my very powerful iTorch flashlight, no light passed through the glass. Served in a tapered glass, though, slight tones of red highlighted the edges of the glass. But this is a murky, brownish-black stout with a very creamy, dense head.

Chocolate hits you firmly on the nose, along with malts and a bit of dark-roasted coffee. In the mouth, the chocolate continues in a creaminess that coats the tongue and gives you the impression that you're drinking not beer, but a very special cocoa beverage. The malts are ever-present and the alcohol comes through in a complex and balanced finish. Though the alcohol content is high, it isn't overpowering at all. This imperial stout is perfectly put together and is possibly the best chocolate stout I've ever had.

My hat goes off and I bow to head brewer, Adam Rader. An awesome brew, my friend. On my scale of beer caps, I give the Double-Chocolate Imperial Stout a perfect 5.

As I said, this stout is made in a limited batch. Once it's gone, it will be gone for as long as a year, if not longer. Adam wants to keep this brew special.

That it is.

My thanks to the great folks at Mill Street for making my MBA celebration so special. Thanks especially to Peter, Adam, Hanna, Pete, Kyle, and Victoria.

And a special thanks to my friends, Katie and Tom, who joined me for pints 79 and 80.

Cheers!