Beer review #12: Cannery Brewing I.P.A

This was another one from the Cannery Brewing Sampler pack. After experiencing nothing but good things with their Naramata Nut Brown Ale I'm expecting something special from their offering in the I.P.A department.

I'm still getting used to the Canadian take on I.P.A - a different animal indeed from what I'm used to back in London. Still, the boys at Cannery have been good to me so far so I'm happy to put myself in their capable hands. Don't let me down guys!

Just like before, they've taken their artwork seriously. Even the can looks like it would taste pretty good, all orange and pretty as it is. The Taj Mahal motif makes me wonder if I should have tried this one when I was getting a curry and I've got a lot of time for the nautical crap around the bottom of the can. The blurb tells me to expect 'a rich malt foundation' and a 'lingering hop finish'. Are these claims nothing more than the sadistic lies of a crazed brewmaster?

Probably not, but let's check.

Cannery's IPA looks good on the pour - cloudy, but without any sediment with about 1/4 inch of thick foamy head that dissolves down over to leave a bubbly film and plenty of lacing.

Based on the smell, the back of the can was pretty accurate. I'm definitely getting the hops (not exactly surprising in an I.P.A) and there's plenty of malty fun in there too. The malt fades away pretty swiftly and leaves a lovely hoppy aftertaste that keeps me happy until my next sip.

I'm definitely pleased with this one. It's pretty, it's tasty, and this particular can had been slightly overfilled so when I opened it, it kinda spilled a little but I got extra beer. It packs 6% abv without tasting even a little bit boozy. There's a lot going on here I could see it going nicely on it's own or with a meal with plenty of strong flavours - I've got a nice chicken jalfrezi in mind.

Verdict: 8.5/10

Beer Review #11: Ironhorse Original

I’ve taken the, possibly ill advised, decision to delve back into the world of alarmingly strong lager this week. After a few minutes wandering those aisles of the liquor store that seem to be home to local, colourful, hobo community, I come to a decision: Ironhorse Original.

The sight of a monochrome locomotive rearing towards me from the front of the can certainly grabs my attention but it doesn’t exactly bode well. I’m not expecting a range of delicate flavours from a beer the brewers are comparing to 19th century steam engine.

Still, I’d rather they were up front about what’s inside and you can’t fault them on that front here. There’s an appeal to class around the top of the can with the assurance that it’s brewed with ‘pure spring water’ but then it’s right down to business.; the only other words on the can are the label assuring the easily confused that the can does, indeed, contain beer, and a sub-headline near the bottom saying “BREWED STRONG” in alpha-male capitals.

Overall the whole outside of the can looks less like a marketing strategy and more like an overt threat towards any would-be drinkers. Still I do love a challenge, so here we go.

Locomotive pours like a lager but strangely retains a little film of bone-white head. The beer itself actually looks quite pretty for having come out of such an angry can; it's a dark copper colour without any cloudiness and it doesn't leave any lacing on the glass.

The smell is more like what I was expecting – there are a few grainy tones and maybe a hint of caramel kicking about but aside from that it’s mostly just alcohol.
Given the less-than-enticing smell the taste is surprisingly gentle (as PWB themselves have noted on their website). I’m not getting the dodgy aftertaste you’re apt to find in an extra-strong beer but I'd have to watch myself if I was having an evening on this stuff; it wouldn't be tough to put away a good few cans before you notice how sloshed you've got yourself.

Ironhorse Original is never going to be my go to beer - there's not enough going on in the taste department and the smell leaves plenty to be desired - but for an extra-strong brew it actually isn't too bad. If you're in a hurry to get trollied you could certainly do much worse than a can of locomotive.

Verdict: 5.5/10

Beer Review #10: Naramata Nut Brown Ale

It's 2012, apparently the last year of existence according to the ancient Maya and modern-day mental people, so let's waste no time in jumping back into sampling everything the brewing world has to throw at us.

This week I've gone for Cannery Brewing's Naramata Nut Brown Ale . Picked this one up as part of a sampler pack in November last year and it's been lurking at the back of the fridge ever since. I would have had it sooner but I wanted to make sure I had the chance to make the most of it - it just looks too pretty to chug back on my way to the bar.

Cannery Brewing take their shit seriously by the looks of things; there are promises of 'velvety soft Ale', 'rich, dark malts' and a 'smooth finish'. This is borderline beer-porn and it might sound sleazy if the can wasn't so damn classy looking.

They seem to have hired the same guy who produced WW1 propaganda posters to draw the little mural on the front of the can. These people have mastered the art of making drinking premium strength beer take on the appearance of being wholesome and respectable. Hats off to you boys!

Naramata has set the bar high - but can it measure up to the hype?

It looks nice on the pour. Dark cola brown colour with a foamy brown head that hangs around and some lacing that stays on the glass. It smells chocolatey with lots of malt. There's a hint of caramel lurking just on the edge too.

Taste is a little bit of a surprise - sweeter than I'd expect with lots of nutty flavours in there too. It's quite well carbonated and not too heavy either.

Naramata has been a good start to 2012. It tastes good, it weighs in at 5.5% and the can makes me want to go fishing or do some other rural, wholesome activity. Maybe badger-baiting? Whatever countryside people do.

Verdict 7.5/10