actually for everyone's benefit, my brother sent me an email of good summer brews. I've pasted it below for all:

Whether you're watching playoff hockey or a mini-skirt parade, no patio experience is complete without a properly refreshing summer beer. Herewith, some new – and newish – offerings to quench your thirst this summer.

Rum Cask Finish Oak Aged Beer (7.4%)
Scottish brewers Innis & Gunn have gotten creative, aging this deep red brew in oak barrels formerly used for rum. The result is a sweet, slightly spicy beer with notes of toffee and fruit.

Alexander Keith's Premium White Ale (5%)
Halifax's best-known brewer has a new offering: a white beer. Don't let its cloudy appearance or suggested orange garnish frighten you; this unfiltered ale, brewed with a hint of citrus and spice, has a clean, crisp finish.

1516 Bavarian Lager (5%)
This BC lager has finally arrived in the East (on tap in Toronto and Montreal). Okanagan Springs brews this beer in accordance with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516, using only four ingredients: malt, hops, barley and water.

Okanagan Springs Extra Special Pale ale (5%)
This other offering from Okanagan Springs is full-bodied with a hint of fruit, and a crisp, dry finish. The dark copper appearance means this pale ale is heartier than most.

Ephemere Pomme (5.5%)
Boasting big Granny Smith apple flavour and a touch of spice, this Quebec beer gets points for originality. It quenches the thirst with a sweet but tart taste, and may soon become an essential guest at your barbecues.

I picked up a sampler pack that included one bottle of the Ephemere Pomme. I really gravitate toward beer that offers a unique taste like this. I enjoyed it.


Thanks for the other links, Dan!

The Ephémère is pretty good. I have one once in a while.

I am actually in Quebec as I type this. I think I'll have to see if I can find some of the 'apple beer' tomorrow! I enjoy unique beers as well to mix it up with the regulars. Cheers.

Eric, is the Ephémère available at the SAQ?

I really like the Ephémère, myself. Easy to find at Bevmo for those of us who have them nearby.

Well, several weeks ago I made it to bevmo along with Evie:


Came home with these (representative sample shown):


Here are my observations on the Hog Heaven Barleywine:

best by itself
sweet, spicy aroma
obviously high alcohol
a bit bitter on the finish
hint of caramel
pleasant, but not my favorite

I've had the Piraat before. Unfortunately, I also enjoyed it more before--I was probably drinking this one with the wrong food, as I so often do.

I haven't gotten to any of the others yet. Unfortunately, Bevmo doesn't have a particularly good selection of barleywines.

Beer porn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4azoTw45cMY

I'm really looking forward to Stone's 13th Anniversary Ale. I just hope I can find it around here.

I just had Stone 13th Anniversary Ale. It's one monster of a beer. Deep red in color, lovely lacy head, piney resinous aroma, the same hop bite you'd expect from any of their other "big" beers, but balanced with good amount of maltiness. This is a quite dry beer with a lovely creaminess in the mouth and a very long, lingering aftertaste. I'm going on 20 minutes here.

I've got another bottle in the fridge that I'll probably have tomorrow. After that, there's apparently no more in the state. The store I got my two bottles from said those might be the last in the state.

Am I the only one posting here any more? Double-u tee eff?

I finally decided to pony up the nearly $9 for a 4-pack of Sam Adams Double Bock and was rewarded with a tasty and smooth monster of a brew. 9.5% abv

Two thumbs way up!