Photography Editor, Christina Manocchio and Features Editor, Brittany Bennett try their hands at “professional” beer tasting for the very first time. Looking to give the student’s an honest review of craft beers easily at the convenience of the LCBO, these two ladies dive into a world they are most certainly not experts of.

 

Hey Day Hefeweizen

Brewer: Granville Island Brewing

Location: Vancouver, B.C.

Price: $2.95

Percentage: 5 %

This cloudy, golden wheat ale began our journey into the craft beers of Canada. It looks like a tall glass of unmixed honey as very little head proceeds from the top. One would assume an organic scent, but instead we find it similar to that of a stinky sock. The sparkling fizz takes your tongue by surprise, giving mixed reviews on whether or not it’s a good one. With split opinions on this odd smelling, sparkling ale, the success of intoxication at least begins it journey with a glowing buzz.

Rating: 2.5/5

 

Prison Break Pilsner

Brewer: Double Trouble Brewing Co.

Location: Guelph, ON

Price: $2.65/ single tallboy

Percentage: 5%

Here we have a clear, royal gold taking the stage with little head but quite the strong smell. The scent is pungent enough to feel in your head, quite an earthy flavour takes your nose by storm. With a simple taste a grainy, dry hop captures the tongue with a slight fruit sensation peeking through the citrus aftertaste. This pilsner has a bold flavour, bringing up the thought of nachos, but then again, that could just be the drunken munchies coming on.

Rating: 3/5

 

HopBot IPA

Brewer: Hop City Brewing Co.

Location: Brampton, ON

Price: $2.90/ single tallboy

Percentage: 7.1 %

 

An orange glow contrasts nicely with a strongly white head foaming from this tropical aroma. The citrus scent bring up thoughts of berries and vacations. With such a captivating smell, the gagging noises that soon follow were quite unexpected. “It’s not that bad, if you deep throat it,” Manocchio manages to spit out. This bitter, lingering aftertaste makes one really wish there were some nachos to help keep this drink down. Squinted eyes and crinkled noses finish this tasting quite quickly to get it done and over with.

Rating: 1/5

 

Pompous Ass English Ale

Brewer: Great Lakes Brewery

Location: Etobicoke, ON

Price: $2.65

Percentage: 4.2%

A 2013-2014 Canadian brewing award labels this dark brown ale, giving high hopes that it will be better than the last. A thick creamy head bubbles just over the glass, topping off the damp, zingy aromas from within. A slight cringe takes down the initial gulp, to be pleasantly surprised with the bitter taste. The fizz sticks to the back of your throat, but no strong aftertaste comes along with the pure sensation. Overall, not so bad.

Rating: 3/5

 

Side Launch Dark Lager

Brewer: Side Launch Brewing Company

Location: Collingwood, ON

Price: $2.60

Percentage: 5.3 %

It looks as if a flat cola was just poured in front of us, as the dense looking beer darkens at the top. The smell brings on the thought, “I’m too drunk for this” as butt holes are considered in comparison. A couple scrunched faces gulp down what has the flavour of 30 year-old bacon or baking gone wrong. Oven baked french fries are necessary in taking this one down, but a half full glass still sits on the counter the very next day.

Rating: .5/5