Quatre-Centième

Quatre-Centième (7.5%): a strong pale ale from Canada. This is a strong ale from the venerable Quebec brewery Unibroue (by now you should know I'm a big fan of theirs).

• Pours a troubled light golden liquid.
• Great citrus aroma with a touch of sugary grape.
• Flavor is lemon-like with a subtle touch of spice.
• After taste is fairly acid, citrus-like with notes of apricots.
• Good buzz.
• Bottle/label is a bit tame by Unibroue standards. 

Verdict: a great ale, highly recommended. 

Grade:A

LABATT BLUE DRY 8.1

Labatt Blue Dry 8.1 (8.1%): a malt liquor from Canada. For some reason I was pretty sure I had reviewed this already (see the review for the 6.1 % variant here). Anyways I was in the mood for a 40, .... yes I'm a gangsta.

• Pours a fairly light golden liquid. Carbonation is pretty high.
• Has a slight cereal aroma. 
• Definitely has that Canadian "metal taste".
• Sweat corn-like aftertaste (not disgusting I must say).
• Mega buzz , but hey it's quite normal with such a high ABV.
• I don't know about that bottle design/label. Looks okay I guess.

Verdict: better than the 6.1% variant. Decent for that particular style. 

Grade: B-

Unknown Russian Beer

I recently got this Russian lager as a gift but since I can't read those funny Cyrillic scripts I'm afraid I can't review it. It was fairly decent, tasted like a German pilsner. Deserves a B-.

Bavaria 0.0%

Bavaria 0.0% (0%): a non-alcoholic beer from the Netherlands. I guess we're gonna have to start the new year on a low note. This is a 0% alcohol beer from the well-known Dutch brewery Bavaria.

• Pours a pee-like golden liquid.
• Smells like .... rotten veggies! 
• Tastes like cornflakes and ....rotten veggies!
• Aftertaste reminds me of cheap artificial sweetener.
• No buzz, well that's quite normal.
• The can doesn't look too bad?

Verdict: non alcoholic beer isn't a good concept to begin with ... but this one is truly AWFUL!

Grade: F

Happy New Beer 2012

Dear Readers,

Phil's Beer Bar wishes you all a Happy New Beer ... errr New Year 2012!

Les 3 Brasseurs Bière de Noël

Les 3 Brasseurs Bière de Noël (7.2%): a strong amber ale from Canada. This is a seasonal brew available around Christmas time at Canadian locations of the French pub chain "Les 3 Brasseurs".

• Pours a medium amber liquid.
• Has a strong grape aroma.
• Surprisingly: flavor is very thin. It's basically like drinking water. hum hum ...
• Aftertaste has a slight touch of honey-like sweetness.
• Weak buzz.
• At least I got a cool beermat out of this! (see below). 

Verdict: this was quite disappointing. It won't kill you but I can't recommend this (way too thin, especially for the style).

Grade: C-

A cool beermat provided with this beer

Merry Christmas!

Harpoon IPA

Harpoon IPA (5.9%): an IPA from the US. Had this one on tap at a restaurant in Boston.

• Pours a nice orange-gold liquid.
• Aroma is fruity, a bit raspberry-like.
• Flavor is also fruity with notes of peach, raspberry and citrus.
• Aftertaste is fairly bitter with a touch of caramel.
• Maybe I was tired ... but I had a mega buzz out of this.
• I like the artsy, colorful label/bottle. 

Verdict: very solid American IPA. Recommended. 

Grade:A-

St-Ambroise Apricot Wheat Ale

St-Ambroise Apricot Wheat Ale (5%): a fruit beer from Canada. This is an apricot-flavored white ale from the well-known Montreal brewery 'McAuslan Brewing'.

• Pours a nice orange/golden liquid.
• It does smell like .... apricot.
• Flavor is a very agreeable mix of peach, apricot and orange.
• Aftertaste is nutty and roasted.
• Good buzz.
• I'm feeling this orange variant of the St-Ambroise label.

Verdict: this one was delicious. I need more!

Grade: A+

Sleeman Red Ale

Sleeman Red Ale (5.5%): an amber ale from Canada . Also sold as "Sleeman Rousse" in Quebec.

• Pours a nice medium amber liquid.
• No aroma.
• Tastes like cardboard .... with a slight hint of nuts.
• Aftertaste is also "cardboardy".
• Fairly good buzz.
• The beautiful color goes well with the transparent bottle. 

Verdict: pretty bad flavor. Avoid.

Grade: D