Where Ottawa's Flora Street meets Bank Street, in the lower part of Centretown, an unassuming building has been transformed from a repair shop for cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the city's newest brewery.
From the front, very little has changed: fresh paint and new doors (although, the original shop doorways are still apparent). On the inside, however, a full-fledged brew pub with a bar, tables, and store. The fermentation tanks are clearly visible, toward the back.
Flora Hall Brewing opened its doors a little more than six months ago, and I finally made my way to it last week. On a sunny, early Friday afternoon, its centre door was wide open to welcome in the patrons. Already, several people were crowding the bar and a few tables were filled. The doors to the left of centre led me to the shop, where refrigerator cases displayed several varieties of cans and bottles through glass doors.
Because I was alone and because I had another place to be before making my way home, I didn't stop for a pint. Instead, I grabbed a few bottles and cans, made my purchase from the woman behind the bar (who told me how long the establishment had been open), and left.
I will be back.
At home, I tried my new-gotten gains. I started with the Brett Saison, which is a flavourful take on a classic farmhouse ale. I also poured myself their West Coast IPA and have to admit that while I enjoyed it, I found it less typical of a WC IPA: there were good hops and a nice, floral scent, but I would have liked to have had more fruit. And, while a WC IPA need not be cloudy, I have come to prefer that style.
When I opened the WC IPA, I was hosting my folks, so naturally I offered my father a beer. I held out the WC IPA and another, Flora Hall's East Coast IPA: because my father had had WC IPAs before, he chose the other.
When I cracked open his can and started to pour it into my father's glass, I was met with a beautiful aroma of ripe tropical fruit. This ale poured much like what I expected from the WC IPA, and I told my father, as I continued to top up his glass, that I thought he was in for a real treat.
He was blown away.
I didn't get a chance to try it, myself, until yesterday. Here's my review.
North East IPA (6.5% ABV)
Flora Hall Brewing
Ottawa ON
Appearance: cloudy, pale orange-grapefruit with a creamy-white head that settles thick and clings to the inside of the glass as the beverage goes down.
Lots of effervescence in the initial pour, with large pearls that cling to the inside glass but quickly dissipate. The overall effect in the glass is a frothy grapefruit juice.
Nose: fresh fruit—peach and mango, with a touch of pear—and mild hops.
Palate: a creamy mouthful of grapefruit, mixed with slightly astringent hops, gave me a faintly sour impression. It's quite complex but leaves a gentle but lingering finish. It's like it makes to punch you but then stops, says it's kidding, and pats you on the shoulder.
Translation: it's a friendly, although cheeky, ale.
Overall impression: this is almost what I expected from the WC IPA but also with much more tropical fruit in the mouth. There are good hops that don't overpower and a good mix of fruit, and a pleasing finish that makes you want to drink more of it.
I don't want to say that the WC IPA isn't an enjoyable ale. I liked it and would easily recommend it. But given the choice between west and east, I'd reach first to the east.
Beer O'Clock rating: 4
Now that we're into warmer weather and we can open our windows, the next time you're in Centretown, pop into the open doors of Flora Hall Brewing. I know I'll be back: I'm looking forward to seeing what else they have to offer.
Cheers!
It's been about two-and-a-half years since I had last stepped into the Tooth and Nail Brewing Company, and that surprises me. I really liked the coziness of their tasting area, with a bar, tables, and window seating, looking out onto the corner of Irving and Wellington, in the upcoming neighbourhood of Hintonburg.
Then again, with that first visit, I did review six of the brews they had on offer, so they were well-represented at Beer O'Clock.
So, about two-and-a-half years later, I found myself sitting on one of the stools, at the long table at the front window, looking out onto Irving and Wellington, trying new beer. I sipped their strong, hoppy saison, Agraria, marvelling at the mix of fruit and bitterness. I was pleased to see that they had added a menu that offered light fare, and I enjoyed a pastrami sandwich on a pretzel bun with my brew, as I wrote a new passage for my upcoming novel.
Expect a character, named Irving Wellington, in the book.
My stay was short, but I told myself that I wouldn't wait as long to visit this brewery again. On my way out, I picked up a couple of bottles of another beer that I wanted to try, in the comfort of my home, where I could perform a proper review.
Which brings us here.
Fortissimo Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout (10.5% ABV)
Tooth and Nail Brewing Company
Ottawa, ON
Appearance: dark-roasted, coffee-black. No light can pass through it. A creamed-coffee head pours to a half-centimetre-thick head, which quickly dissipates to a lace that covers the top of the stout.
Nose: coffee and licorice, with a hint of prunes.
Palate: black licorice leads the way, with a strong roasted coffee that follows close behind. The label indicates that this was made with chocolate, but I could not discern any. The bourbon from the barrel comes through in the finish and lingers longer with each subsequent sip. You can tell right away that this is a heavy hitter, as the alcohol can be felt on the tongue and at the back of the throat. As I settled into this Imperial stout, I also picked up tones of cedar and cigar.
Overall impression: when I first started appreciating beer, beyond the giant brewers that created less-than-stellar, middle-of-the-road swill, I developed a strong affinity for stouts. Guinness, in those days, was king. But as smaller, craft brewers came out, I left that Irish staple for greater stouts, like Scotch-Irish Brewing's Black Irish Porter (aka Perry's Porter, or Pee Pee, as the folks at the Arrow and Loon Pub affectionately knew it), McAulan's St.Ambroise Oatmeal Stout, and Mill Street's Cobblestone Stout.
Stouts were my favourite brew, but over the years, I'm discovering that Imperial stouts are not. I mean, there have been exceptions—Perry's Tsarina Katerina 2005 vintage Imperial stout comes quickly to mind—but I find that I can seldom sit down and drink one. I find that the flavour of licorice to be powerful; sometimes, off-putting. The higher alcohol content can influence when I want to sit down with one.
And yet, I still buy them, still drink them, as though when I'm at the cashier, I forget how I feel about them until I pull it out of my cellar, read the label (as though, for the first time), and say, "Geez, why did I buy this?"
While an Imperial stout is not my first choice of beer, I do have an immense respect for them. I like how you can lay them down for a couple of years, like a fine wine. An Imperial stout is bold, brash, and Tooth and Nail's Fortissimo is aptly named.
Fortissimo is a bold example of Imperial stout that retains all of the qualities: coffee, prunes, black licorice, and cedar. The bourbon barrels lend a touch of warmth, and though I couldn't detect the chocolate that Tooth and Nail claim it has, you can never go wrong with chocolate.
Beer O'Clock rating: 4.5
Fortissimo is a great Imperial stout. I bought two of the 500ml bottles, and I'm laying the second one down until December of 2020 (I promise that I'll be back to the brewery before then). I'll see how the cellar treats this brew and will share my findings.
And I'll try not to say, "Geez, why did I buy this?" as I lift it from the wine rack in my cellar, where it rests, next to a 2001 vintage port.
You can find Fortissimo at the brewery only. I suggest you pay them a visit and try out all of their brews.
Cheers!
A few weeks ago, when I was in Montreal with the family, I did something that I've been meaning to do, for years, but never seemed to get around to: I went to a brew pub.
I know, I know... that's no surprise. Neither is it a first for me. I've been to a few brew pubs in my home city, including a couple of visits to my favourite Quebec brewery, McAuslan.
But my second-favourite brewery also has a location in Montreal. It's location has typically been a bit too far of the downtown core or the old port, where I usually hang out, but because DW and I had taken the kids to a cat café for coffee, tea, and a light snack, and weren't that far away, we made one final stop before heading back home.
Located in Montreal's Mile End neighbourhood (home of the famous St-Viateur Bagel Shop), this small, satellite brewery to Dieu du Ciel!'s main St.Jérôme site is cosy and has the feel as though it's been a part of the city for decades, with its simple decor, worn wooden floors in an old building. There is capacity for brewing on site, but not enough for the long list of suds that they have listed on their various blackboards.
Being the day before St.Paddy's Day, DW ordered a rich, super-creamy cream ale, Gaélique. She offered me a sip and my taste buds melded with the warm malts. It was heavenly. I, on the other hand, decided to go dark, and enjoyed their Résurrection Porter. The chocolatey, coffee tones were a perfect blend.
The kids had cola and ginger ale, and munched on a mini pizza. DD17 said the pizza was "okay, but there was something weird to it." But when I asked her if she'd eat it again, she said, "I probably would."
Ringing endorsement.
I was surprised to learn that while you could order a wide range of ales, lagers, and stouts, you couldn't bring any of them home. This brew pub has no space to stock bottles, and so you have to leave empty-handed.
Well, not completely empty-handed. My server gave me the business card for a dépanneur that was around the corner, on St.Laurent Boulevard, and they carried plenty of Dieu du Ciel! four-packs.
Unfortunately, we found neither the cream ale nor the stout at this shop, but I did come away with an Imperial stout and a pale ale, which brings us to my review.
Ultra Mosaika Ultra Pale Ale (5.4% ABV)
Brasserie Dieu du Ciel!
St-Jérôme QC
Appearance: it was the packaging that caught my eye in the dépanneur—a superhero wearing a red body suit over green tights that were laced with a hop design, cape waving in the breeze, a searchlight like the Bat signal, only, instead of a winged creature, a giant hop. He's on a building, overlooking the city. I was excited that this would be one hoppy pale ale.
Pouring it in my glass, I discovered an unfiltered, golden yellow ale that almost glows. Its foamy, white head pours thick and slowly settles to a solid, dense cap. The head clings to the inside of the glass as the beer goes down.
Nose: strong aromas of pine resin and pineapple. The Mosaic hops really come through, warning you that this is one bitter, ultra-pale ale. The fruit is sweet and lush.
Palate: a grassy herbaceous mouth feel gives way to a bitter pine (the bottle says spruce). It's full-bodied and clings to the tongue in a long, full finish. Though this ale comes across as a full-bodied one (it reminds me of a session IPA), it's fresh and not filling.
Overall impression: this pale ale is a real superhero. Strong, but unassuming. Willing to do what's right—please my senses but not overpower them. And it conquers my thirst without a high alcohol content.
Beer O'Clock rating: 4
Ultra Mosaika is available at Broue HA HA, in Gatineau, as well as other dépanneurs and grocery stores in that city. After picking it up at Dépanneur AS, in Montreal, I saw it in IGA extra Famille Plante, on St.Joseph Blvd, at Chemin Freeman (where I can also find the best store-made egg salad sandwiches).
Last weekend, Ottawa's newest craft brewery celebrated its opening in Orleans with a party that included live music, pizza, and even a visit from the mayor.
Oh, yeah, and there was also some pretty awesome beer.
On tap at Stray Dog Brewing Company's grand opening were six ales for tasting, plus a limited amount of a variation on one of those brews. I tried the Summer Slam, a cucumber-infused wheat ale that really refreshed, and a bold New England-styled IPA, Shaggin Wagon, that had lots of powerful hops with nice apricot and mango notes. But my favourite of the beers that I tried at the brewery was the Normandie Saison, which was a classic farmhouse ale with flinty, peppery flavours and a great body.
I really wished that the saison was available in cans. I hope they put it in portable containers in the future.
All three of those ales were available only at the brewery, which is quite the drive from someone who lives in the Barrhaven area. It's not often that I drive out to Trim Road, in the east end of Orleans.
Bearded brewer, Marc, who was out there, mingling with the crowd, gave me a small sample of his Bleu Nuit, which is essentially the Normandie Saison, brewed with blueberries that he sourced from Costco.
Hey, they're good blueberries.
If he puts that in cans, I'll be happy to make the drive out again soon.
I did purchase a six-pack of the beer that was available in cans, and that brings me to today's review. Let's take a close look at the ales that I thought were good, really good, and so-so.
This One California Common (5.2% ABV)
Appearance: deep amber to caramel, with a creamy, beige head that retained much of its solid cap.
Nose: a malty caramel with faint hints of toasted oak. There was something that almost opened my sinus passages as I breathed it in. It reminded me of eucalyptus, though the can says "mint." I didn't get mint.
Palate: comforting malt and a hint of gentle hops. A medium finish left traces of oak that lingered at the back of my throat.
Overall impression: This One is easy-drinking, an ale that you would want to reach for when you're enjoying a cheesy, bacon-topped pizza (I had that at the grand opening and it was delicious!). Expect to see This One on the shelves of the LCBO soon.
Beer O'Clock rating: 3.5
Anytime Pale Ale (5% ABV)
Appearance: an amber-orange with a foamy, off-white head that settled to a thin cap.
Nose: orange citrus
Palate: my first mouthful presented a sharp, powerful bitterness that came off almost as sour, to the point where I thought there was a fault with the beer. I decided to let it sit for a few minutes and tried again. The ale opened up and the bitterness subsided, and as I continued to empty my glass, it began to taste like a typical pale ale, but there was something more to it, something that I couldn't put my finger on. Something that wasn't quite right.
Overall impression: I wanted to like this beer but there was something that didn't seem to go with the flavours that I expected. I didn't detect a flaw; rather, it was like the pale ale was trying to be something more but wasn't quite there.
Beer O'Clock rating: 2.5
One Hop Wonder: Mosaic New England Pale Ale (5.7% ABV)
Appearance: a cloudy orange with an off-white head that quickly settled to a dense lace.
Nose: fragrant hops and orange citrus. It's a gorgeous aroma that had me constantly sticking my sniffer in the glass.
Palate: bold orange and tropical fruit flavours. I can never tell the difference between a west-coast style ale and an east-coast style. The hops are aggressive but not overpowering. It's like summer in a glass.
Overall impression: having tried the Shaggin' Wagon at the grand opening, I would have liked to have tried Mosaic at the same time, as I found their flavours very similar. A great balance of hops and fresh fruit flavours, Mosaic is a beer I could drink over and over again.
Beer O'Clock rating: 4
If their opening lineup is any indication of the success that the folks at Stray Dog are going to have, they are in for exciting times. Stray Dog is definitely worth the drive out to Orleans.
Cheers!
It took me a long time to find this stuff.
Late spring, when Beau's announced that they were releasing a west-coast style IPA, I was all excited. I first discovered West-Coast IPA just over a year ago, when Mill Street launched their fruity, hoppy delight. I loved the lush, tropical-fruit flavours backing up one of my favourite styles of ale, and I couldn't get enough of it.
Since then, I've tried a handful of this trending brew and haven't been disappointed by any of them.
(Okay, one made me turn my nose up: but it was filtered crystal-clear, and I was used to seeing the cloudy, murky body from so many other brewers. It still tasted as I expected.)
So when Beau's announced that they were releasing their own version of a West-Coast IPA, I was like a boy anticipating his date at a prom*. But could I find it? No.
I first went to my local LCBO, but they hadn't stocked it, yet. I then drove to my next-closest store, but again, they had none on their shelves. In Kanata, I found some but it was packaged with three other brews: one, a Lug Tread.
I have no use for Lug Tread.
Every other store I tried was either sold out or offered it in the four-pack. And, for a while, I gave up. If I was in an LCBO, I'd look for it. What would be, would be.
It wasn't until last week, after being away from my Barrhaven LCBO for more than a month, that I found a couple of bottles on the shelf. I snatched them up immediately.
I had my first bottle on Saturday, at a friend's 70th birthday party. I filled a pint glass for myself (it comes in a 600ml bottle) and shared the rest with my long-time friend and brewmaster extraordinaire, Perry Mason (he wasn't the guy turning 70: that friend makes some of the best wine anywhere, but that's another story).
We both enjoyed the ale (Perry's comment was, "it's not bad"), but I knew that I needed to sit down, alone, and focus on all aspects of the beer to truly review it. Which is where I'll now go.
Full Time IPA (6.7% ABV)
Beau's All Natural Brewing Company
Vankleek Hill, ON
Appearance: partially filtered, amber-orange with a creamy, off-white head that settles to a full lace.
Nose: bitter orange.
Palate: hops hit first, followed by tropical notes of mango, orange rind, and a flinty, black-pepper and pine finish.
Overall impression: while this is not my favourite west-coast style IPA, its name says it all: this is a full-time IPA that spends its part time on the west coast. It's a solid IPA for the serious IPA connoisseur, packed with all kinds of flavour to treat your palate.
Beer O'Clock rating: 4
My friend may have said that Full Time is "not bad," but that does mean it's good. For me, it's very good, and if you like full-bodied IPAs with a kick of extra flavour or you already enjoy a good west-coast style IPA, this beer's for you.
It may have taken me all summer to find a bottle of this stuff, but Full Time IPA is worth the wait.
Cheers!
* In my day, we didn't use the word prom—that was American. We called the end-of-high-school dance a grad.
For Canada's 150th anniversary, Scottish brewer Innis and Gunn released a special-edition brew to celebrate this major milestone. After all, it was a Scot who became one of Canada's founding fathers and first prime minister of this great land, so why not get a beer that celebrates Canada from Scotland?
Sadly, I couldn't find it in any of my local beer stores, though I did find an oak-aged stout from Innis and Gunn that I might review sometime down the road.
Not finding the Maple and Thistle Rye Ale by I&G is not the end of the world. It's not a first-world problem.
Luckily, I found another ale by another Edinburgh brewery, and after reading the label, I had to pick it up. I love humourous labels and fun names for beer and, seeing that I'm performing live stand-up comedy, tonight, I thought it would be fitting to share this beer today.
First World Problems Belgian IPA (6.2% ABV)
Stewart Brewing
Edinburgh, Scotland
Appearance: an unfiltered, burnt copper, with an orangy-beige head that pours to a perfect one-centimetre height before quickly settling to a razor-tin cap and then a dense lace.
Nose: fresh, ripe oranges with a touch of floral notes.
Palate: almost-sweet oranges and pink grapefruit, with a tad of ginger and caramel. The hops and malt are perfectly balanced so that it's not too bitter and not too heavily bodied. The finish is short and light, making this a very sessionable IPA.
Overall impression: if not for the high-ish alcohol content, I could drink this all day. No problem. On a hot day where you want a refreshing ale, First World Problems does that without going on the light side of summer ales.
If you find this Scottish beauty in the LCBO or your local retailer of craft beer, your thirst problems are solved.
Beer O'Clock rating: 4
Cheers!
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!
