Hoyne’s Appleton Extra Special Bitter

Brewer: Hoyne Brewing, Victoria, BC
Style: Extra Special Bitter
ABV: 5.2%
IBUs: Unspecified (but I’m guessing 40s range)

Description: This brew is Hoyne’s latest limited release, which pays homage to Frank Appleton, the man who taught Sean Hoyne the art of brewing and started many breweries. Much like the Swan’s ESB that bears his name, and brewed is the tradition of the classic English Extra Special Bitter, this brew combines (among other things) Thomas Fawcett Golden Promise, Bairds, and Crystal malts with Fuggles and East Kent Golding hops.

Tasting Notes: Buckerfield’s ESB was one of my favorites when I was known to frequent Swan’s brewpub. And I’m happy to see that Sean Hoyne, who apprenticed with Appleton at Swan’s, is carrying on in that tradition, making a clean-tasting, crisp, and dry-hopped ale! Like a kick-ass ESB, it has a good malt base that is slightly sweet and reminiscent of sweet bread, and is packed with dry hops that have notes of grass, dried herbs, and a nice mineral tang to finish it all off.

Appearance: Amber, clear, good foam retention and carbonation
Nose: Rich pale malt, sweet breads, notes of dry hops, grassyand dry herbs
Taste: Crisp malts, good tang, hint of sweetness, dry hops, hints of grass, herbs, minerals
Aftertaste: Lingering hop bitterness, mild malt sweetness
Overall: 9/10

Moon Under Water This is Hefeweizen

Hi all and welcome to another installment from Moon Under Water! Lately, the product lineup has been expanding, and I was sure to do my best to get in on the ground floor. Not long ago, I managed to snag a bottle of one of their first limited releases – their Brewvic Maibock – and was quite pleased. But this latest addition is permanent addition with year-round availability. So I felt that impressions counted doubly here.

Though this is not the first wheat beer to be introduced to the brewery’s product line – i.e. the appropriately named Victorious Weizenbock – this wheat is purer example of the brewing tradition. I’m guessing that with all their success thus far, the brewers felt they needed to add a straight-up German wheat, with no crossovers or merging of styles to speak of. And the end product is certainly consistent with that, a very good, clean tasting hefeweizen that weighs in at an even 5.5% alc/vol. However, it manages to retain some spicy characteristics which are reminiscent of a Belgian Wit as well, mainly in the notes of clove and coriander, and rounds it out with a hint of vanilla.

Appearance: Deep orange, cloudy, good foam retention and carbonation
Nose: Distinct yeasty notes and wheat malts
Taste: Mild wheat malts, very smooth, hints of coriander, clove and vanilla
Aftertaste: Very smooth, hints of wheat malt and yeast, mild spice
Overall: 8.5/10

Overall, I was quite impressed with this beer and will definitely seek it in the future. Though there has been no shortage of limited-release hefeweizens and wits available of late, this one stands out for me as being one of the more drinkable and subtle. Delightfully colored, smooth, clean, refreshing, and with a subtle but discernible spice palate, it is an all around winner and perfect for these last few weeks of summer!

Hoyne’s Off The Grid Red Lager

Hoyne’s is back with another seasonal release! And as luck would have it, this one has arrived in time to meet the hot, inclement weather we have been enjoying here in Victoria. So how appropriate is it that the brewery has decided to produce a nice, refreshing lager? But in keeping with Hoyne’s style of brewing, this lager comes with a twist.

On the one hand, it has a clean, Munich-style crispness, courtesy of the addition of Noble German Tettnang hops and lagering process. On the other, it has a creamy, smooth profile, courtesy of the darker roasted red malt. And as usual, the style and nature of the beer leads to the double-entendre that is it’s name. “Off the Grid” not only refers to the summertime activity of getting out into nature and setting up camp off the beaten path, it also honors the decidedly unusual nature of this lager itself.

Appearance: Deep red amber, clear, good foam retention and carbonation
Nose: Notes of Munich-style hops, slight sweetness, rich malts
Taste: Smooth, creamy malts, slightly syrupy, giving way dry, pilsner-like hop finish
Aftertaste: Slight tang, lingering creaminess and dry hops
Overall: 9/10

Having endured plenty of hot, sunny days and late evenings, and having now sampled this brew out of both a growler and a bottle, I can attest to this beers refreshing nature and its fine taste. I can also tell you it compliments the change of season quite well. Get yourself to the store, get some bottles, chill and enjoy! Preferably on the patio with some spicy barbeque. Congrats Hoyne, another winner. Hope everyone enjoys the heat!

Phillips Leviathan Milk Stout

It’s not secret that the folks at Phillips like to experiment with their beer. And with the new year now upon us, this Victoria-based brewery has shown no signs of slowing down. In fact, three new limited release beers have made it out to the public since 2013 rolled around.

The first was their Bottle Rocket India Session Ale, which I have yet to try. Then came their Twisted Oak Scotch Ale, which I just finished sampling and reviewing the other night. Then came. And last, but certainly not least is their benefit brew, an annual beer that is made specifically for a local charity, where the brewery designs the label, the name, and the product in honor of the charity in question.

This year, they have partnered with the Cetus Conservation Society –  a Victoria-based charity dedicated to preserving marine habitats – to produce Leviathan Milk Stout. And, as I suspect, they were inspired by Parallel 49’s success with experimenting with lactic acid to produce what is known as Milk Stout, a variety of stout which is well rounded and creamy in addition to toasted and tawny. And, true to form, this experiment paid off.

Appearance: Black as tar, opaque and good foam retention
Nose: Rich, deep roasted malts
Taste: Immediate tang and roasted barley, slight smoke, cut by creamy mouthfeel
Aftertaste: Lingering smoke and toasted malts, slight creamy finish
Overall: 8.5/10

All in all, the beer possessed all that is good about a stout, but also managed to round out its roasted and smoky profile with a creamy, smooth texture. It’s quite enjoyable to drink, and offers beer drinkers a few things which they are likely to find appealing. For seasoned beer drinkers and fans of stout, it had the dark, tangy and roasted flavor of a real stout. And for people who like a refreshing brew, the beer is smooth, drinkable and has a good mouthfeel. I recommend getting some before it runs out of stock. And remember, all proceeds go towards preserving marine life!

Moon Under Water Potts Pils Ulfiltered

Good evening to all beer snobs and those aspiring to be one! My apologies for a lengthy absence, but life and clean living have a way of interfering with a heavy sampling schedule. Luckily, I was able to run by my local beer store today, and came across some shiny new bottles that I noticed containing a familiar brand name.

Yes, it seems that The Moon Under Water, the Victoria brewpub/microbrewery that takes its name from the famous Orwell essay (in which he describes his ideal pub) has undergone a recent change in direction and has hence produced an entirely new product line. It seems that the sessional beers it was once famous for are now out and the new product line is in. And according to their website, this includes a Dunkel, a Pilsner, an IPA and a particularly strong Weizenbock.

Interesting and alluring. Unfortunately for me, I was only able to procure samples of the first two, and shall be dedicating reviews to each. First up, their unfiltered Pilsner, known as the Potts Pils, in honor of their brewmaster, Clay Potter. Fashioned using Bavarian malt, Saaz and Cascade hops, this beer is a marriage between old and new, with a west-coast twist and an certain experimental edge. And the result was quite pleasing.

Appearance: Deep golden, slightly cloudy, mild foam retention
Nose: Distinct Bavarian-malt nose, slightly sweet, hint of skunk
Taste: Light malts and dry hops giving way to herbal notes, touch of citrus
Aftertaste: Slight tang and bitterness, lingering herbal touch
Overall: 8.5/10

Not a bad start to this new lineup, Moon. I look forward to your Dunkel, as well as the other products you now have on tap. From what I’ve seen thus far, it is clear the new Modus Operundi around them parts is to merge traditional British influences with the West Coast take on British brewing traditions. Let me just say, I couldn’t approve more! Stay tuned…

Spinnakers Jameson’s Scottish Ale

Next up in the weekend from Spinnaker’s lineup, we have the traditional cellar ale known as Jameson’s Scottish Ale. Though it is not a new brew, or particularly summery, it’s been some time since I sampled it last. As such, I could not resist picking it up so I could re-familiarize myself.

And for the most part, I was pleased and not the least bit surprised. But that’s a good thing in this case. For many years now, I’ve known Scottish Ales to be rich, heavy and malty affairs that generally come dry hopped and smack of the peat moss and smoky flavor of Scotch whiskey.

Named in honor of the Jameson clan who settled in Victoria in 1889, and grew rich of the tea, coffee and spice trades, this beer is a nice take on the traditional Scottish ale, being at once malty and complex, but lighter and less sweet than many of its stronger variants. In addition, the dry hop characteristics provide a slight bitterness that helps balance the flavor.

Appearance: Dark amber/brown and slightly translucent
Nose: Sweet and slightly smoky with a note of bananas
Taste: Heavy malt flavor, slightly coarse, giving way to slight hop bitterness
Aftertaste: A touch of smokiness with a mild bitter aftertaste
Overall: 7.5/10

An Ode to Beer Boots!

How to describe the enviable experience of drinking beer out of a boot? Not any boot, mind you, I’m talking about a glass boot that’s literally filled to the brim with beer. How does one describe that? Well… the word unique comes to mind. And if you’re doing it all by yourself, so does challenging! Fun might come in a close third. We’re talking a lot of beer, and getting at the last of it requires some dexterity, which is hard since that’s when you’re tipsiest. But I digress…

According to legend, the tradition of drinking beer out of a boot goes back to 16th century Germany, where students enjoyed having a few beers, then dueling it out! As midnight neared, duelers laid down their swords and filled their boots with their favorite lagers. This is where the term “fill your boots!” became a popular saying, which loosely translates to “help yourself”.

Naturally, it wasn’t long before health-conscious craftsmen began to develop boots made of glass specifically for this challenge. Then, whenever young men felt like a challenge, they could ask for the boot to be filled and demonstrate their drinking prowess by drinking it down without spillage or vomiting. Apparently, drinking the incorrect way would result in having to “wear the boot home”… Ouch!

To my knowledge, there are only two places on Vancouver Island, possibly even in BC, that carry on this venerated tradition. The first is the Rathskeller Schnitzel Haus, located right in the heart of downtown Victoria. Here, beer can be enjoyed in a 2 liter boot, 1 liter boot, or the personal .5 liter boot. And of course, drinkers can treat themselves to anything on tap, which includes Hackser-Schorr, Warsteiner, Holsten Lager, Festbock and Maibock, Spatenbrau Heffeweizen, Spatenbrau Oktoberfest (available only in the fall), Schneider-Weisse, and Konig Ludwig.

The second is located at the Rim Rock Brewpub in Port Alberni, at the cross-roads of Vancouver Island. A relatively new operation, the Rim Rock has the added distinction of being attached to Nanaimo’s Longwood Brewpub, one of my personal favorites. Here they have the wort for their beer brewed, which is then transported to the pub in Port Alberni where it is fermented. Thus far, they have a lager and a pale ale on tap, both of which can be served in the boot!

Needless to say, I am eager to find more places that can provide this service to the thirsty beer snob! And I’m not much concerned if this journey should take me out of town, out of province, or out of country. There are more out there, I know it. Bavaria and Oktoberfest-themed restaurants can’t be the only places where this still goes on 😉

Hoyne’s Brewing (part II)

And we’re back with more Hoyne! Today, I will be reviewing the second half of their starting lineup, featuring all the flavors I wasn’t able to get my hands on before. But first, I should mention that after my last review, I heard from the brewers themselves!

Well… actually I wrote to them and told them I was impressed with their wares. But to my surprise, they wrote back and even invited me and my darling bride to come by their base of operations and try some samplers. Oh, and they also let me know that they are open for growler sales on Thurs and Fri from 3 – 6 pm and Sat from noon – 6, information I now pass onto you, the consumer!  Do what you like with that, but I for one plan to go! My car has a surprising capacity, and I bet I could fit several growlers in the back…

But I digress. Here’s Hoyne’s Pale Ale and their Pilsner, both of which were consistent with their Bock and IPA (i.e. kick-ass!)

Down Easy Pale Ale: The name pretty much says it all. Pale Ale has a reputation for being hoppy, yet crisp and drinkable, at least when it’s the good kind. And I can honestly say, without doubt or exaggeration, that this beer is true to that legacy. When my wife and I tilted some in our favorite Hofbrauhaus mugs, our first words to each other were “oooooh”. Crisp, clean, drinkable, yet still with a good hop bite and a strong aroma, this beer is an easy-drinker, but still maintains all that is right about a pale ale. Another big hit! 5/5

Hoyner Pilsner: Last but certainly not least. This beer impressed the heck out of me, mainly because it accomplished all that a pilsner usually does, but still found room to go above and beyond. Allow me to explain. Pilsner’s are typically crisp and clean tasting, but have a rather distinct and lingering taste that some would qualify as skunky. However, this beer manages to pull all that off – being crisp, clean and hoppy – but without any skunky aftertaste. In fact, the flavor is quite subtle, combining a light hop bite with a gentle, lingering aftertaste. Which makes for an especially refreshing drink. I’m looking forward to this summer when my wife and I can finally open our patio and invite some friends over! 5/5

Okay, that’s Hoyne’s starting lineup covered. I’m looking forward to any additional beers and seasonals they might choose to release in the near future. Given their performance so far, I imagine they will be appropriately kick-ass. So… hintedy hint hint Hoyne 😉

Hoyne’s Brewing

You ever have this happen to you, where multiple sources tell you you have to try something? Well, that happened to me recently. Everywhere I turned, it seemed people were talking about Hoyne’s brewery, a start-up operation located right here in the heart of Victoria, BC. But of course, I did a little homework before sampling from this beer maker, and was pretty damn impressed with what I found!

For starters, the brew master of Hoyne apparently got his start with Swann’s own brewpub, an operation he started with Frank Appleton back in 1989, which he then took over when the venerable Appleton moved on. He then started the Canoe Club 1998, which he then ran for 13 years before moving on himself to establish Hoyne. As far as I’m concerned, they don’t make credentials better than that!

Okay, enough fawning. Here’s what I’ve sampled thus far, and it just happens to be half of their starting lineup:

Hoyne’s Big Bock: First impressions… great! In fact, I was reminded of Creemore Urbock, one of my all-time favorites. Smooth, malty, lightly hopped, and with a tawny taste that has nice subtle notes that just linger on the tongue. Faint notes of chocolate also give this beer a light trace of sweetness, which is absolutely essential when it comes to good bock! Congratulations, Hoyne! My first sampling and you smacked it out of the park! 5/5

Next up, always a personal favorite, their IPA!

Devil’s Dream IPA: I tasted this one just a few minutes ago, and immediately another comparison came to mind, to another one of my favorites no less! Strong, malty, but with a big hop kick that is strongly citrusy in terms of bouquet and taste, I was immediately reminded of Driftwood’s Fat Tug. This is no coincidence, as both are perfect examples of a true Northwest IPA, using hops and malts that are characteristic of this fine region. Another home run! 5/5

Now I just need to try their Down Easy Pale Ale and Hoyner Pilsner, and given the impression they’ve already made, I expect good things! My apologies to Hoyne for the comparative analysis, but the association was unavoidable. Rest assured that if I had tried yours first, I would be comparing their beers to you! Keep up the good work!

Phillips Mass Extinction

Winter is a time for many things. Cold weather, warm fires, celebrations to mark the new year, and strong drink with which to do it! In fact, barley wine, a long-standing favorite of mine, was created for just such a purpose. In order to keep people festive and plump during the hard, lean, winter months, barley wine was developed to be both tasty, nutritious and VERY strong, thus ensuring good health and good spirits!

And for the winter of 2012, Phillips Brewery, which can always be counted on to come up with interesting beers, has released an Ice Barley Wine to mark the season. Yes, that’s right, an ice barley wine, meaning they fermented it at ice-cold temperatures in addition to fermenting it longer and stronger. I have to admit, this is a new one for me, but given my love of bock beers (which includes Ice Bock), I was intrigued enough to buy some.

I should also note that, in keeping with the Phillips tradition of giving their beers comical names (especially their vintages), this one is aptly named Mass Extinction. How did they come up with this name you ask? Well, it could a reference to the ice fermentation process (i.e. ice age killed the dinosaurs) or the fact that it is VERY strong (at 12% alc/vol it is one of the strongest beers I’ve ever had!); but somehow, you just get the feeling that this beer was meant to be served chilled and could kill a large animal!

Overall, the taste is what one can expect from a faithful barley wine: syrupy, sweet, with a hint of maple, molasses and rich malts. However, this particular one manages to add a certain toasty, almost stout-like quality to the mix, which is not surprising given its dark color. Clearly, the barley was roasted nice and dark before they fermented and froze it to give its sweet, strong flavor.

And since it is a seasonal, I strongly recommend people get out there and sample this strong ale before… okay, my mind is filling up with bad puns and dinosaur jokes right now! Just try the beer! Winter is a time for strong ale and barley wines are no exception! 4/5