The Beer Taster's Notebook

In Praise of Haze It may seem like a misguided topic for an article. After all, everyone is brewing them and everyone is doing them. Or drinking them at least. The haze craze doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon, so what am I on about? Well, it goes by many a name, New England… Read more: In Praise of Haze

Into the Darkness The first black lager I ever tasted was quite confusing. It looked like a stout, it kinda smelled like a stout, but it didn’t quite taste like a stout, and it sure didn’t finish like a stout. Then I never saw one again for years. To be fair, the Schwarzbier (literally “black… Read more: Into the Darkness

The Aroma Files #006: Coconut The Aroma Files #006: Coconut WIt’s not uncommon to pick up faint notes of coconut in our beer, more so in Belgian ales or Kveik fermented beer, and even more so in barrel aged selections.  But without the intentional addition of coconut flavouring, where does it come from?  Lets dive… Read more: The Aroma Files #006: Coconut

A Thirsty Trek through the Nation’s Capital: Ottawa’s Brewing Scene Part 2 In part two, I explore the less walkable, but equally impressive. Bicycle Craft Brewery  850 Industrial Ave #12, Ottawa Having pounded a few extra kilometers into my soles, I finally walked through the doors of Bicycle Craft. The brewery is a bit of… Read more: A Thirsty Trek through the Nation’s Capital: Ottawa’s Brewing Scene Part 2

2025: A Beer in Review My favorite three Ontario breweries for 2025.  This year culminated in a lot, but likely not enough, visits to breweries and tap rooms. While I could probably list on fewer than three fingers the number of non-positive experiences, I could also regale you with all the lovely experiences in the… Read more: 2025: A Beer in Review