Tasting Dieu du Ciel's Route des Épices, while Garrison Arrives at the LCBO

So, in the desire to have something different, I cracked open my Route des Épices from Quebec's excellent Dieu du Ciel.  This is one unique beer - as if you couldn't tell from the style listing on the label!  This is a red rye ale brewed with peppercorns and is, as far as I'd imagine, alone in this category!  That said, however, we could call this a Rye Beer or even a Spiced Beer with no problems.


The beer itself is a gorgeous deep copper red with a thick, white head.  I'll even note the beautiful, smooth, seamless transition from body to head as the fineness of the bubbles and flowing thickness of the initial carbonation seem so noteworthy.  Head retention is fair and the lacing is fine, though not incredibly long-lasting in lacing.  On the nose this beer has a malty primacy, exemplified by brown sugar, alongside fainter hints of bread, nuts, oak, smoke, and a trace of toffee.  I detect no pepper on the nose, but I devour pepper and may well be immune!  Flavourwise, though, this beer begins like a sweet nut brown with toffee, nut and bread flavours most discernible, yet finishes with a bold, spicy, peppery kick that has a lingering finish and gets stronger with every sip!  This is complimented by a sufficiently balancing hoppy dryness.  On the tongue, it is primarily crisp, tingly, lively and medium bodied, while warming from the sharp spices (but not the moderate 5.3% ABV).  This is a very nice beer, but is assuredly not for everyone.  If you like spices and love pepper, as well as beers with a kick, grab one when you can!  Grade: A-


And, in Ontario beer news, those Garrison brews (mentioned by me here) are about to arrive on LCBO shelves and will last until the end of March or until we devour them!  Apparently, according to The Bar Towel, these beers will only be available at 25 select LCBOs and the list of which can be found in that link.  Let me know if you try any - though I hope to get my hands on all five and write about them shortly thereafter!

But, for now... Cheers!

Southern Ontario Beer News & Upcoming Events Roundup

Apparently, the LCBO will soon be stocking a handful of beers from Halifax's Garrison Brewing, including their Black IPA, Grand Baltic Porter, Winter Warmer, Pilsner, and Spruce Beer.  Though I have had none of these seasonal releases of Garrison's, I have had a few of their fine beers and this is certainly a solid craft brewery and I intend to try each of these offerings while they are available in Ontario.  I shall report back!

On the events front, three have caught my attention, but others will no doubt arise:

The first is The Only Cafe's Beer Fest slated for February 3rd and 4th, which will include sampling booths for at least 14 Ontario craft breweries, plus guided tastings, live music, and a meet and greet with Taps Magazine folks.  Oh, and British Columbia's Central City Brewing, and Quebec's highly praised Dieu du Ciel (!!!), and Microbrasserie Charlevoix (brewers of the esteemed Dominus Vobiscum Abbay ales!!) will be represented as well by Keep6Imports!  I just might have to attend both days... and not leave!  Fortunately, The Only has a backpacker's inn so I won't have to leave!  I promise to report back, but don't expect detailed notes - especially if Peche Mortel (at 9.5%) shows up in nitro taps!

Second, is Great Lakes Brewery's Project X, a regular event held the second Thursday of every month (at 9pm I believe?) that always offers a one-off cask/real ale alongside samplings of numerous other beers and paired food.  Each event costs $10 and requires a $10 membership (that comes with a T-Shirt).

Finally, if you just can't wait to try the new Innis & Gunn Irish Whisky Cask Stout (or have an overwhelming desire to drink I&G paired with haggis), The Monk's Table is hosting a reservation-only Innis & Gunn/Haggis paired dinner tasting on January 24th.  I probably won't be making this one, but would love to hear your thoughts!

If you know of more interesting craft beer events in the Southern Ontario area, feel free to share them in the comments.  I will report back on any of these I get to...