Black Oak Nox Aeterna

The in-laws were back from Florida for Christmas, but sadly (read: finally) they had to go back. The night before they left, they came over for one last visit with the kids and they even bought pizza! Mark and Julie were there too.

Mark and I were a few beers in when it was time for dinner. I was stuck in a pickle though: Jackie picked these up for us but never got around to drinking it with us when she was here. There were two bottles. They were only 500ml. Splitting it seemed like a waste. Having a bottle each would be mean to Jackie.

We decided to be mean to Jackie and drink one each.

This is a breakfast stout, and judging from the last one I had, and loved, and had a spot on the 2014 Top Ten list, I was really going to like it. But with pizza and not waffles? Let’s see.

They poured out black and had no head on them. They smelled smokey and like it was going to be heavy. It tasted (when cold) smokey, heavy and like an oatmeal stout. As it warmed up, it got smoother but still had all the other characteristics from when it was cold.

Even though the name is hard to pronounce, I really enjoyed this offering.

Country of Origin:  Canada
Alcohol Content:  7%
Sequence:  Third
Finished:  Yes
Vessel:  Glass by way of bottle

 

Refined Fool Churchwarden Smoked Porter

We have finally come to the end of the haul I got from Refined Fool back in November. Matt and Dallas were nice enough to give me a tour and point out the additions (which should be done by now). Can’t wait to get back and grab a bunch more.

I was there on the first Friday of the month, which is when they release new beers. I tried it on tap and fell in love with it. I couldn’t wait to get a whole bottle in my belly.

Churchwarden is a smoked porter, and if you have read anything in the last year, I have kinda fallen in love with smoke and porters. Stone started the trend but that German smoke beer blew me away (enough to make the Top 10).

It poured out dark black and smelled like campfire. It was so smokey and awesome. There was a definite burnt flavour to the taste. It was the most amazing thing I drank that day, and so far, the best beer of 2015.

I wonder if they will ever make more?

Country of Origin:  Canada
Alcohol Content:  5.2%
Sequence:  Third
Finished:  Yes
Vessel:  Glass by way of bottle

 

Refined Fool Joe Sent Me Milk Stout

Finally, I get to the first beer of 2015. It’s time to make a new Top 10 List.

Unfortunately, this beer will not be on it. It poured out black and heady. It smelled like stout with the smoke and the dark roasted malts, but it tasted way too sweet.

Yes, I know it’s a milk stout and they are supposed to be sweet, but this was VERY sweet. It did mellow out a little when it warmed up, but not enough to save it.

Country of Origin:  Canada
Alcohol Content:  5.2%
Sequence:  Second
Finished:  Yes
Vessel:  Glass by way of bottle

 

Kilannan Altbier

This was my first new beer in days, and my last of 2014. Yes, I am aware that it is now the end of January, but I had a big backlog of notes, and beer waits for no blogger!

I opened it up to pour out and I heard THUD! There was very little carbonation in the can. If I remember correctly, that’s standard for the style (exhibit A and exhibit B). It poured out a dull brown colour and smelled of malts and sugar.

It tasted malty and flat, like it should, but the dryness was a little more than Creemore or Beau’s was. It wasn’t terrible, just not as good as the others.

This was my first beer from Kilannan, and Altbier is a very different to attempt, so I’ll give them a pass.

Country of Origin:  Canada
Alcohol Content: 5%
Sequence:  First
Finished:  Yes
Vessel:  Glass by way of bottle