We regularly post tasting notes from our Friday Staff Tasting, providing you with our take on all the latest craft beer arrivals. We tasted a huge number of beers this week, and more than a few were from breweries that are new to store, like Woodland Empire (Idaho), Kaapse (Netherlands), Boulevard (Kansas City, MO) and Het Uiltje (Netherlands). And, yes, there were some great local releases as well. We’ve started the new year (traditionally a slower time of the year) off with a bang. We have lots of exciting things coming up—including more extreme beer events—that we’ll be announcing soon. For now, though, here’s what’s new.
Phillips Sky High Grand Fir Ale 5% 650ml (Victoria)
Pours a bright pale yellow colour. Vegetal notes of carrot greens, fresh herbs and forest on the nose. Very gin-like aroma-wise. Strong evergreen forest notes on the palate—herbaceous and spicy with mild finish.
The Bruery Jardinier 4.9% 750ml (San Diego)
Pours a hazy pale yellow colour. Bright notes of fresh-picked hops, citrus and Belgian yeast spice on the nose. Dry on the palate with juicy, mouth-watering notes of lemon and grapefruit. Refreshing and tasty.
Steel & Oak Roggen Weizen 5.6% 650ml (Vancouver)
Pours a hazy orange-brown colour. Exotic orange, spice and banana notes on the nose. Big spicy rye and clove notes on the palate with a malty roundness and hints of banana.
Woodland Empire Electric Warrior Oatmeal Stout 5.3% 650ml (Idaho)
Pours a dark black-brown colour. Big hit of dark chocolate on the nose. Pleasant smoke and dry, dusty cocoa notes on the palate with a bit of sweetness and a drying finish.
Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale 8.5% 355ml (Kansas City, MO)
Pours a hazy rich yellow colour. Juicy lemon/grapefruit citrus notes on the nose. Intense, strong saison notes of ginger, spice and fruity bubblegum on the palate with a bit of booziness and dry, bitter finish. Huge.
Boulevard Single Wide IPA 5.7% 355ml (Kansas City, MO)
Pours an orange-yellow colour. Notes of juicy citrus and ripe fruit on the nose. Dry and fruity on the palate with a nice bite of hop spice. Well-balanced with a dry finish.
Kaapse Bea Black Rye IPA 6% 330ml (Netherlands)
Pours an intense black-brown colour. Notes of Tootsie Roll, black licorice and citrus on the nose. Major chocolate notes on the palate with spicy rye and a hint of citrus fruit.
Desnoes & Geddes Dragon Stout 7.5% 330ml (Jamaica)
Pours a cola brown colour. Subtle notes of sweet malt and brown sugar on the nose. A uniquely light-bodied export stout with sweet cola notes and hints of brown sugar and coffee.
Dieu du Ciel Grande Noirceur Imperial Stout 9% 330ml (Quebec)
Pours a rich black-brown colour. Intense chocolate, smoke and soy sauce notes on the nose. Equally robust and rich on the palate with big black coffee, smoke and sweet/savoury umami notes. Finishes dry and bitter.
Het Uiltje Schreewueil Imperial IPA 9% 330ml (Netherlands)
Pours a hazy burnt orange colour. Caramel, vanilla and sweet fruit on the nose. Big, sweet and fruity on the palate with notes of caramel and marmalade and a huge bitter finish.
Het Uiltje Oh Buurman… Barley Wine 11.8% 330ml (Netherlands)
Pours a hazy burnt orange colour. Floral dried fruit notes with hints of booze and caramel on the nose. Sweet on the palate with round dried fruit notes and a punch of booze. Warming and delicious.
Bomber 2014 Apex Barley Wine 10% 650ml (Vancouver)
Pours a deep burnt orange colour. Oak, red fruit, vanilla and Rockets candy notes on the nose. Boozy port and red fruit notes on the palate. Bitter finish.