It's been a little while since my last #Beersaturday post but this week I'm back! I have two very different beers to review with striking contrasting colors. I'm calling this one Black and Yellow like the the 2011 hip hop song by Wiz Khalifa, I'm sure you know the one. But enough of that, let's check out some beers!
Jutsu Pale Ale
Brewery: Bellwoods Brewery Co
Origin: Toronto, ON Canada
Style: American Pale Ale
Abv: 5.6%
IBU: Unknown
Marketing: What a can! Interesting abstract style design of red, yellow and navy blue shapes that create a striking geometric mosaic. It's funky and cool, and I like it!
I'm not sure where the name comes from or what it means but it has an interesting and sort of exotic ring to it. I tried looking on the Brewery's website for an Origin story but found no mention of it unfortunately. It will remain a mystery to me unless someone enlightens me in the comments I guess.
Color: This beer poured a distinct bright yellow color with not a lot of head on top. The liquid was thick and hazy opaque, with an almost milky appearance to it. It poured as thick as fruit juice, like a beer with nectar in it. All in all I was quite intrigued to try it.
Nose: Hoppy and aromatic to say the least. I would go as far as saying that the aroma of this beer was extremely fruity, with distinct pineapple and grapefruit notes and maybe some orange blossom coming through as well. It was a very nice and refreshing aroma overall in my opinion.
Taste: On first sip this beer was strong and bitter. Going back in I noticed some subtle sweetness in the forefront to balance it, and a little tanginess that hit the sides of the tongue. For me it was mostly bitter bitter though. Citrus flavors were very distinct, and again some pineapple and grapefruit on the pallette. To be honest I thought that this beer was actually a raddler at first and had to check the can a few time to see if I accidentally grabbed one by mistake. It definitely tasted like a raddler, sour, or fruit beer to me. It was fresh tasting nonetheless.
Texture: Thick and chewy and juicy. Soft bubble carbonation and a satin mouthfeel underneath it all. Medium bodied.
Impression: Definitley a hop forward beer that reminded me of an IPA, which I'm not big on to be honest. It tasted like tropical fruit punch with a shit ton of bitters in it to me. It was too much for me to say the least. I can see the appeal of a beer like this but it just wasn't my style. I likely won't buy it again. I'll leave it for the IPA and hoppy beers lovers out there.
Black Coal Stout
Brewery: Railway City Brewing Co
Origin: St Thomas ON Canada
Style: American Stout
Abv: 6.0%
IBU: 30
SRM: 30
One of my favorite stout beers. Bold in color an in drinking experience. It pours black as coal with a nice lacey head of mocha foam.
Smokey roasted aroma with coaco, coffee and bittersweet chocolate in the nose and flavor profile. Mildly sweet with a sharp, strong, bitter finish.
The beer gets better as it warms and unlocks more and more flavor and aroma. It will remain on my list of go to beers for sure.
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