We regularly post tasting notes from our Friday Staff Tasting, providing you with our take on all the latest craft beer arrivals. This week the theme is West Coast brews. We got some brand new ones from Ninkasi and Breakside in Oregon, as well as some returning favourites from our Sunshine Coast friends at Townsite and Persephone. Equally exciting is the fresh batch of Four Winds’ popular (and delicious!) Wildflower Saison.
Townsite Lil’ Red 2.0 6% 650ml (Powell River)
Pours a hazy reddish chestnut colour. Bright aromas of tart berries and vinegar on the nose. Mildly sour palate with berry and banana notes and a balancing malty sweetness.
Townsite Barrel Aged Cardena Quad 10.5% 330ml (Powell River)
Pours a deep chestnut brown colour. Enticing notes of dark fruit, raisins, banana, bubblegum and booze. Sweet and tart on the palate with notes of sherry, marzipan and dark fruit. Two Rufus Paws Up from: David
Four Winds Wildflower Saison 6.5% 750ml (Delta)
Pours a slightly hazy golden-orange colour. Robust notes of dried herbs, fresh fruit, mint and spice on the nose. Notes of herbal tea, spice and tart fruit on the palate, with a crisp, bitter finish. Two Rufus Paws Up from: Chanda & Mitch
Persephone Smoked Porter 7% 650ml (Gibsons)
Pours a deep, dark reddish brown colour. Huge umami notes of smoked salmon and soy sauce on the nose. Very savoury smelling. The palate is incredibly complex with a bit of sweetness and notes of smoked salmon, meat and and seaweed minerality.
Ninkasi Expo ’58 Belgian Pale 5% 650ml (Eugene, OR)
Pours a bright pale yellow colour. Notes of spice cabinet and citrus on the nose. Dry and crisp on the palate with Belgian spice notes and a hint of hop citrus. Light-bodied and quaffable!
Ninkasi Hop Cooler IPA 7.2% 650ml (Eugene, OR)
Pours a deep yellow colour. Bright pine, juicy fruit and cannabis notes on the nose. Very complex palate with juicy fruit notes, mint, pine and melon. Two Rufus Paws Up from: Adem
Breakside Bourbon Barrel Aged Aztec Chocolate Chili Ale 9% 330ml (Portland)
Pours a deep orange-brown colour. Chocolate, chili and cherry notes on the nose. More chocolate richness on the palate with sweet fruit and a bit of chili heat on the finish. Nicely balanced. Two Rufus Paws Up from: David