After 200 weeks, Ross and Ian are ready for the second attempt at a Century Club evening. We are joined by Keir, and the three of us attempt 100 shots of NS craft beer in 100 minutes. Ross drinks Jake’s Lager from Nine Locks, Ian drinks Toller Gold from Burnside Brewing, and Keir is having Toller Light.
Ian is still busy with his play, but Ross has found some Session IPAs to drink, and even though he invited others to join the session, ’tis a session of one. Trying the “Glory Days” from Candid Brewing Co, the “Session IPA” from Lazy Bear Brewing, and the “New Ross S.M.A.S.H.” from Hill Top Hops’ Brewhouse.
Ian and Ross see “dessert” and “s’mores” on a can and go right for it, even though one is a porter and one is a stout, but with this much sweetness, who can tell. The “Peanut Butter Cup” Dessert Stout from Propeller Brewing, and the “Campfire S’mories” Porter from Paddy’s Brewing.
Ian is available, and not stuck in rehearsals, so we’re clawing our way back to favourite styles just to tide ourselves over and we go with a few Brown Ales. Specifically the “Timber” Brown Ale from Sober Island, the “Honey Brown” from Meander River Farm & Brewery, and the “Honey Brown” from Lazy Bear Brewing.
With Ian being involved in a play, we look for different styles to try, and my wife extolls the virtues of Sour Beer. So she and I try the new Cranberry Sour from the newly rebranded Bay of Fundy Brewing, as well as the Mango Sour IPA from Tusket Falls. Not exactly a sour, but it was in the title.
Ross goes solo, trying some wheat beers, while Ian rehearses for an upcoming show. So there’s the Vineyard Ale, a collaboration with Domaine De Grand Pre winery and Garrison Brewing, also the Orange American Wheat Beer from Great Roads, and the Fool Moon Wheat Beer from North Brewing.
Ian and Ross are fortunate to have some barrel-aged beers to try, and settle on the recent Fisticuffs Biere-de-Garde from Boxing Rock, and we choose Sea Level’s Windward Imperial Stout as comparison, both small-batch barrel-aged beers.
Ross is joined on boxing day, by Ian Smith of Tapestry Beer Bar, to try to remainder of their holiday finds, some of which are on tap at Tapestry Beer Bar. Ross drinks the “Tannen Bomb” from Hell Bay Brewing Co, the “Balsam Blue” from Saltbox Brewing, the “Cinnamon Bun” imperial stout from North Brewing, and the “Chocolate Orange” stout from Nine Locks Brewing Co.
Meanwhile, Ian drinks Sackvegas Brewing’s Odin’s Winter Ale (a recipe from Uncle Leo’s), the “Festivus for the Rest of Us” from Big Spruce, and the Cinnamon Bun as well.
Ross and Ian have a lot of Christmas beers to get through, but they settle, for this week, on Stillwell’s “Czech-Style” Amber Lager, Great Roads’ “Naughty or Nice” Double chocolate stout, “All Lit Up” from Garrison Brewing, and Breton Brewing’s “Milk N’ Cookies” stout.
Ross is joined by David, Keir, and Ananda to drink some of the IPAs in the NSLC that we’ve yet to rate. With some difficulty in availability, we manage to discuss the Kilted IPA from New Scotland Brewing Co, and the First Cut IPA from Lunn’s Mill.
