Gray Drinks Beer

This blog will document my path to finding my favourite beers.

[graydrinksbeer]

Hopworks Ace of Spades Douple (Imperial) IPA 9%

For a beer that boasts 100+ IBU I was shocked to find this not hoppy or bitter at all. Proclaims citrus but all I taste are sweet dried fruit. Bad batch?

4-2-2

[graydrinksbeer]

Hoyne Brewing Helios Dortmunder / Golden Lager

I'm not much of a lager fan but this is probably as good as it gets on that front. If you like lager beer, buy this.

3-3-3

[graydrinksbeer]

Fernie Brewing Company The Griz Pale Ale

3-1-1

My first Fernie Brewing beer was a massive disappointment. Tasted no different than your average Kokanee. After providing tasters to others somebody even said that it was worse than Kokanee.

Save some money and buy yourself a six pack of Cariboo instead.

[graydrinksbeer]

Red Racer Maple Bacon Breakfast Ale

Was exactly what the name implies. So that’s good?

1-2-1

[graydrinksbeer]

Oh man. Tasty stuff. 2-5-4

[graydrinksbeer]

3-3-2

[graydrinksbeer]

Phillips Brewing Company Electric Unicorn White IPA 6.5%

Pours light and cloudy with a good head like a normal wheat ale. Only a slight taste of hops sets this apart from any other of this summer's wheat ales.

Not particularly sharp or bitter (like an IPA) which makes drinking smooth and easy. Calling this a perfect summer beer would be an understatement.

3-4-4

[graydrinksbeer]

Phillips Cabin Fever 8.5%

This wasn't my first tasting of Cabin Fever, so expectations were already high. It pours very dark with a perfect amount of head.

The first taste is actually quite light but it finishes much more like a stout would. While perhaps not intentional, there's a bit of a smokey aftertaste that definitely puts me into a cabin or camping mindset.

You'd think it'd be really filling, but about half way through the bottle all I wanted to do was pour another glass.

Buy this one while you still can.

4-3-4

[graydrinksbeer]

Hoyne Hoyner Pilsner 5.3%

Wasn't expecting much going into this, it was what I call a 'safe buy'. Boy was I glad I played it safe.

This is exactly what you think a pilsner should taste like. While there was nothing particularly special about this brew, it was delicious nonetheless.

Light tasting, super easy to drink, nothing was overpowering. If you're looking for an easy choice, you couldn't make a safer bet.

2-3-4

[graydrinksbeer]

Parallel 49 Vow of Silence 9.8%

Wow. I couldn't have been more excited for a beer (well, I guess I could have, given the 4.5). It poured a little darker than I was expecting and plummeted downhill from there.

I didn't think it was possible for me to not enjoy a Belgian-style beer, but this totally missed the mark. Almost non-existent carbonation left too strong a taste that I didn't particularly pine for.

4.5-1-1

[graydrinksbeer]

KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren Saison D'Erpe-Mere 6.9%

Please ignore the terrible pour that you're witnessing in that photo. It was the wrong glass and a super bubbly beer.

I'm not sure who gave it an award to be in the top 25 beers of the year, but it certainly deserves a nod. Super refreshing and made me wish it was summer already.

There was something oddly sweet that I couldn't quite put my finger on (berries, perhaps?). Great flavour start to finish.

Likely difficult to find at a regular liquor store, but will snag it again if I have the chance.

4-4-4

[graydrinksbeer]

Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Wild Ale 8.8%

Tastes as strong as the percentage says it is. Drinks smooth enough for me, but for people just getting into strong beers it might come off way too strong.

A lighter color (forgot to take a picture of it in a glass) and a great way to kick off the night.

At the end of the day, it wasn't anything particularly special and I'd rather support a local brewery with a similar beer.

3-4-2