Tasting Notes: Exploring Unique Flavors in Craft Beers
As the leaves change color and the air becomes crisp, it's the perfect time to indulge in rich, flavorful craft beers. This selection highlights a range of styles, including a luxurious Scotch barrel-aged imperial stout, a cozy pumpkin spiced ale, and innovative pastry sours. Each beer offers a unique experience, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of modern brewing.
Overtone ~ Pure Magic 8.4% DIPA
Pure Magic is an enchanting Double IPA that brings the spirit of a legendary Scottish band to life. This brew features a medley of hops, including Galaxy, Motueka, and Strata, creating a vibrant tapestry of flavours. Upon pouring, you'll notice a hazy golden hue, accompanied by a fluffy white head. The aroma is a captivating blend of tropical fruits, with notes of passionfruit, ripe mango, and citrus. The taste follows suit, offering a juicy explosion of fruitiness balanced with a smooth mouthfeel.
Interesting Fact: The name Pure Magic pays homage to a famous Scottish band, capturing the essence of their iconic song. This connection to music reflects the brewer's passion for creativity and collaboration, using the brew to evoke a sense of nostalgia and joy.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy Pure Magic with spicy grilled shrimp tacos topped with fresh mango salsa. The sweetness of the fruit will complement the tropical notes in the beer, while the heat from the spices enhances the overall experience. Alternatively, pair it with a creamy goat cheese salad featuring mixed greens and a citrus vinaigrette, allowing the beer to elevate the dish's freshness.
Disruption IS Brewing ~ Death By Confetti Cannon 8.0% DIPA
Death By Confetti Cannon is a celebration in a can. This Double IPA, crafted in collaboration with Copper Beech Brewing, boasts an impressive hop profile featuring Nelson, Citra, and Galaxy. The result is a juicy and tropical brew that tantalizes the taste buds. With a light base to let the hops shine, it offers an aroma bursting with citrus and tropical fruits. Each sip delivers a velvety mouthfeel and a delightful burst of flavour that leaves you wanting more.
Interesting Fact: The collaboration for Death By Confetti Cannon not only highlights the camaraderie between breweries but also showcases the creative spirit within the craft beer community. By working together, they’ve created a beer that emphasizes both innovation and flavour.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Pair this vibrant DIPA with a zesty lime chicken salad. The beer’s tropical fruitiness will enhance the citrus notes in the salad, while the light body of the beer allows for a refreshing contrast. Alternatively, enjoy it with spicy chicken wings tossed in a fruity glaze, where the sweetness of the beer complements the heat.
Burnt Mill ~ Perpetual Fog 8.0% Fog DIPA
Perpetual Fog is a hazy Double IPA that showcases the luscious flavours of Nelson Sauvin and Mosaic hops. With a soft malt profile leading the way, this brew bursts with tropical fruits and vinous characteristics. The combination of white grape and bright citrus notes blends seamlessly with hints of berries, creating a layered cocktail of flavours. Each sip is a delightful journey, accentuated by a touch of Enigma hops for added depth.
Interesting Fact: The name Perpetual Fog reflects the beer's hazy appearance, which is characteristic of New England-style IPAs. This style has gained popularity for its juicy, fruit-forward profiles and smooth mouthfeel, making it a favourite among craft beer enthusiasts.
Food Pairing Suggestions: This DIPA pairs beautifully with a rich seafood pasta dish, such as linguine with clams and garlic. The beer’s fruity and vinous notes will complement the brininess of the seafood. For a vegetarian option, try it with a creamy risotto topped with asparagus, allowing the beer’s brightness to enhance the dish’s flavours.
Hackney Church ~ Big Organ 8.0% DIPA
Big Organ is a transatlantic collaboration that brings together British brewing traditions and modern American innovations. Brewed with Chevallier Heritage malt and a quadruple dose of Citra hops, this DIPA is a harmonious blend of depth and brightness. Expect flavours of grapefruit, orange pith, and tropical fruits, all underpinned by the rich, toasty notes from the heritage malt.
Interesting Fact: The use of Chevallier malt connects this beer to Victorian brewing history. This heritage malt was a staple in English brewing, renowned for its ability to add depth and complexity to beers, showcasing how tradition can meet innovation in the craft beer world.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Pair Big Organ with a hearty beef stew, where the malt richness of the beer complements the savoury flavours of the dish. For a lighter option, enjoy it with grilled salmon drizzled with a citrus glaze, allowing the beer’s bright notes to enhance the fish’s flavours.
Hammerton ~ Made In Dark Vol 3 7.9% Scotch Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
Made In Dark Vol 3 is a celebration of a decade of brewing excellence. This imperial stout has been aged in a variety of Speyside Scotch barrels for 20 months, incorporating the essence of fine whisky into its rich profile. The use of nine different malt varieties contributes to a complex flavor landscape, with the aroma dominated by notes of chocolate, dark winter fruits, and a hint of Scotch. The body is luxuriously full, with a dry finish that leaves a warm and satisfying sensation.
Interesting Fact: The barrels used for aging include some that previously held 21-year-old Scotch, adding layers of depth and character to the stout. The aging process not only imparts flavors from the wood but also allows the beer to develop a smoother mouthfeel, enhancing the overall drinking experience.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Pair this decadent stout with a rich chocolate torte or a dark fruit cake. The sweetness of the dessert will complement the beer's chocolate and dark fruit notes. Alternatively, enjoy it with a sharp blue cheese, where the bold flavors of both the cheese and the stout create a delightful contrast.
Abbeydale ~ Imperial Pilgrim 8.0% Pumpkin Spiced Ale
Imperial Pilgrim invites you on a flavorful journey with its rich and full-bodied profile. This pumpkin spiced ale captures the essence of autumn with its family recipe blend of aromatic spices. The result is a fragrant and flavorful experience that evokes cozy, seasonal vibes. Notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice harmonize beautifully with the natural sweetness of the pumpkin, creating a beer that is both warming and satisfying.
Interesting Fact: This ale is brewed to be a bigger version of the classic pumpkin spiced beer, showcasing how brewers can elevate traditional styles. The use of spices not only enhances the flavor but also connects this beer to the age-old tradition of brewing seasonal ales for harvest celebrations.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy Imperial Pilgrim with roasted butternut squash soup topped with a dollop of crème fraîche. The creamy soup will balance the spices in the beer while highlighting the sweetness of the pumpkin. Alternatively, pair it with spiced apple pie, where the flavors will beautifully intertwine for a nostalgic dessert experience.
Pastore x Amundsen ~ Bomba 7.5% Pastry Sour
Bomba is a delightful collaboration that combines the expertise of two brewing powerhouses. This pastry sour is conditioned on a medley of strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, delivering a burst of fruity flavors in every sip. The addition of coconut, cinnamon, and vanilla creates a layered experience reminiscent of a decadent layer cake. Its bright, tart character is balanced by the sweetness of the fruit and the creamy notes from the coconut.
Interesting Fact: The use of coconut and cinnamon in this brew reflects a growing trend in the craft beer scene, where pastry sours embrace dessert-inspired flavors. This innovative approach allows brewers to push the boundaries of traditional sour styles while appealing to a broader audience.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Pair Bomba with a light, creamy cheesecake topped with fresh berries. The tartness of the beer will enhance the dessert while complementing the flavors of the fruit. For a savory option, enjoy it with spicy pulled pork sliders; the sweetness of the beer will balance the heat from the spices.
Vault City ~ Pineapple Upside Down Cake 8.0% Level 3 Sour
Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a playful take on a classic dessert, transformed into a vibrant pastry sour. This Level 3 sour features a delightful combination of pineapple puree, tart cherries, brown sugar, and smooth vanilla. The mixed fermentation base beer adds complexity, while the sweet-tart balance creates a mouth-puckering experience that is both refreshing and indulgent.
Interesting Fact: This beer is part of Vault City's Sour Scale series, which categorizes their sours based on sweetness and tartness. The creative concept allows drinkers to explore a spectrum of flavors while experiencing the unique characteristics of each brew.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy this sour with a slice of upside-down pineapple cake, where the beer’s flavors will echo the dessert’s sweetness and fruitiness. For a savory pairing, try it with grilled shrimp tacos drizzled with a mango salsa, allowing the beer’s acidity to cut through the richness of the dish.
As autumn unfolds, these craft beers provide a delightful escape into rich flavors and innovative brewing. Whether you're enjoying a decadent stout, a spiced ale, or a playful sour, each beer offers a unique experience that showcases the creativity and passion of the craft beer community. Cheers to the flavors of the season!