#maltyale

When breweries go to the trouble and expense of sending out promo packages, they almost invariably and quite logically focus on new beers. So when a recent mailing from Big Rock featured a six-pack of Traditional Ale, a brand more than three decades old, I was a bit surprised. But I was also happy to have the chance to revisit it, as it had been quite some time since I’ve had a Trad. It seems be little changed from the beer that I drank fairly regularly in its earlier days – a laid-back aroma and flavour with mellow notes of chocolate and toasted nuts; a finish that is fairly dry and twiggy with a slight minerality; and a body that is on the light side for a brown ale, but perfect to carry the flavour and cleanse the palate for the next mouthful. . . . . . #beer #craftbeer #beerphoto #craftbeerphoto #beerreview #craftbeerreview #albertabeer #albertacraftbeer #brownale #maltyale #sessionale #bigrockbrewery #startanewTRADition

Back in 2010, I gave Wellington Brewery a lot of grief over Silver Wheat Ale, a heavily filtered and nearly flavourless wheat beer that was inexplicably released to celebrate the brewery’s 25th anniversary. It was a definite low point for a once-pioneering brewery that made its name on flavoursome and authentic UK-style ales, and thankfully, the years since have seen things turn around with a renewed focus on solid core line-up and a rotation of interesting and experimental seasonal brands. The latest highlight is a nod to the brewery’s early years: a return visit from Iron Duke, a strong ale that was retired from the regular line-up several years ago. Said to be brewed using the original recipe from 1986, it’s expectedly malt-forward, but also multi-dimensional in aroma and flavour, with beautifully layered notes of cocoa, dried leaves, prunes, coffee, a hint of spice, and a dry finish with a pleasant warmth. A true Ontario classic that is available now in the Welly Re-Booted Vol. 3 mixed pack. . . . . . #beer #craftbeer #beerphoto #craftbeerphoto #beerreview #craftbeerreview #ontariobeer #ontariocraftbeer #strongale #maltyale #wellingtonbrewery #wellyrebooted #tryawellyon