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TGIF: The Freak Show Comes To Town

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Freakshow Crush - Flying Monkey's

Let’s be honest…there are worse ways to kickstart the weekend than with a cold beverage.

And yet, it’s easy to fall into a routine of buying the same couple of beers or spirits at your favorite watering hole or the LCBO. Of course, there’s always going to be your standard go-to’s. But mixing it up (get it…mixing???) makes for a fun outing.

With that in mind, we’re taking a shot (bet you thought we would stop with the drinking puns after that first one) at finding you a weekly selection of spirits to liven up your Friday.

This week why don’t your try…

Freakshow Crush – Flying Monkey’s

“A bright, hazy body and pliable bitterness under an amusing head of ethereal foam. This unique IPA spectacle is animated by a plurality of succulent hops in a crushable array of melon, papaya, and spiky tropical notes.“

The initial pour is a hazy, pale golden yellow, with a tower of puffy and mildly bubbly off-white head. That gives way to some random splotchy and sudsy lace around the glass as it dissolves evenly.

The first scents are of gritty and grainy cereal malt, mixed domestic citrus fruit, some pineapple and kumquat fruitiness. There is also traces of leafy, almost piney green hoppiness. The taste comes across as grainy and crackery pale malt, with hints of orange, tangerine, and lemon citrus zest.

The carbonation is average as it comes to frothiness. The body is a decent medium weight, and mostly smooth. It finishes trending dry, as the hops percolate around the tastebuds

For best pairing, try Freakshow with a veggie selection. Spring greens, hummus or carrots and cool cucumbers. But hops and IPAs are great with classic pub fare like fish ‘n chips, curries or anything of the cheese variety.

You can catch the Freakshow at LCBO, the Beer Store and Select Grocers. And of course, in person at Flying Monkey’s.

What did you think of rhe Freakshow Crush – Flying Monkey’s review? Have a recommendation for TGIF? We want to hear it! Contact us, send a msg to our FB page or an email to [email protected]

TGIF: Spring Into Patio Season

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TGIF: Stand By For Transmission

TGIF: Spring Into Patio Season

Let’s be honest…there are worse ways to kickstart the weekend than with a cold beverage.

And yet, it’s easy to fall into a routine of buying the same couple of beers or spirits at your favorite watering hole or the LCBO. Of course, there’s always going to be your standard go-to’s. But mixing it up (get it…mixing???) makes for a fun outing.

With that in mind, we’re taking a shot (bet you thought we would stop with the drinking puns after that first one) at finding you a weekly selection of spirits to liven up your Friday.

3 Beers To Celebrate Patios

As the clock strikes midnight on Saturday, the longest winter in memory will finally be consigned to the history books. And even though things are not quite back to normal, we can at least look forward to warmer temps…and the return of the patio!

A few eateries around Barrie, like Malone’s Pint House, have already opened their outdoor table settings. And more will follow as the mercury rises.

With that in mind, we’ve assembled a trio of lagers to enjoy when your fav patio returns.

TGIF: Spring Into Patio Season

CLUTCH PALE ALE- REDLINE

Clutch pours an inviting straw colour, topped with a creamy white head. A bombardment of flaked oats provides a luscious and soft texture. Furthermore, it’s hopped generously with Centennial, Amarillo, Citra, and Mandarina Bavaria. This drink bursts with flavours of orange peel, grapefruit, peaches and pine.

Moreover, load of dry-hops are used at the end of fermentation for lush aromas spanning fresh tropical fruit, pine, and citrus. Soft and aggressive at the same time, Clutch is a classic Pale Ale bevy.

Mango Flight Delay – Barnstormer’s

As the motto on the can reads: “California in a glass made better by the north.” The reference is to the boldly hopped style of West Coast India Pale Ales, which this tasty bevy ably captures.

The mango comes through well, while the hops are understated so that at first, it expresses itself as more of a mango American wheat. At the end of the swallow, a low bitterness lingers briefly, bringing forth the IPA character. Moderate sweetness, with supporting malt, and dry overall.

The body reveals a thin lacey foam head and mild-ish carbonation. And at 85 IBUs, the peachy-golden, slightly hazy beer is bitter, to be sure, but appeals greatly due to the balance.

There’s a plump, fleshy core of peach and tropical fruit to anchor the pine-forest hop quality. With four hop varieties lending hints of tropical bitterness and three grades of complimentary golden malts that produce the beer’s golden harvest appearance, this one is a definite California vibe.

JUICY ASS – FLYING MONKEY’S

Juicy is perhaps not the first word that comes to mind when describing an IPA.

But it’s the perfect title use when you talk about hops. Specifically, the American IPA offering from Flying Monkey.

Juicy Ass meshes bright fruity notes, dank hoppy bitterness & fresh verdant resins with sticky malts. That gives it a softly carbonated and unfiltered flavor.

The initial pour is a medium yellow, nearly opaque colour, and clearly unfiltered. There is not much of a head, although a lacy film does trace the glass. The first aroma is fruity, with bright tropics flowing through.

The first taste is less fruity than the first smell, with slight resiny and dank grassy grapefruit hops. That gives way to a pleasant toasty malt taste backing it up. Overall, the taste is well balanced, and the hops are not overpowering, or overly bitter.

There is medium carbonation for the body, and although it’s oily, it is not too dry.

Overall, this is a subtle and complex IPA with fruity hops and pleasant passion fruits. The golden ambrosia brings together hops with notes of pine, tangerine & passion fruit. Plump and fresh, Juicy Ass is a fun, delicious craft beer.

What did you think of TGIF: Spring Into Patio Season? Do you have a recommendation for TGIF? We want to hear it! Contact us, send a msg to our FB page or an email to [email protected]

TGIF: Gateway to Taste

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TGIF: Apparently Blondes DO Have More Fun

Let’s be honest…there are worse ways to kickstart the weekend than with a cold beverage.

And yet, it’s easy to fall into a routine of buying the same couple of beers or spirits at your favorite watering hole or the LCBO. Of course, there’s always going to be your standard go-to’s. But mixing it up (get it…mixing???) makes for a fun outing.

With that in mind, we’re taking a shot (bet you thought we would stop with the drinking puns after that first one) at finding you a weekly selection of spirits to liven up your Friday.

This week why don’t your try…

GATEWAY KOLSCH – SAWDUST CITY

As beer connoisseurs know, taking it slow is the path to an enjoyable sitting.

And this German inspired lager from Sawdust is an ideal sipper.

The initial pour is a pleasantly bright straw color. It gives way to a foamy white 4 finger head, lasting around 5-10 minutes. You’ll detect flavors of corn, lemon, grapefruits, caramel and hops with the first few sips. That gives way to a sharp feel, with lots of zesty citrus.

As for the body, it’s a slick and smooth full body with crispy carbonation. Overall, this is a medium strength finish with plenty of fresh and heavy hints, and thus proper to the style.

Being a German-esque beer, this is best paired with something cheesy. And at 5.0% ABV, you can stay with it all night and no get too bamboozled.

Available at the LCBO and at the Sawdust Brew house.

You can read more about Gateway Kolsch on their website.

Got a review you’d like to share? Interested in becoming a guest beer reviewer? We want to hear from you!

TGIF: Blizzard Warning

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TGIF: Blizzard Warning

TGIF: Blizzard Warning

Let’s be honest…there are worse ways to kickstart the weekend than with a cold beverage.

And yet, it’s easy to fall into a routine of buying the same couple of beers or spirits at your favorite watering hole or the LCBO. Of course, there’s always going to be your standard go-to’s. But mixing it up (get it…mixing???) makes for a fun outing.

With that in mind, we’re taking a shot (bet you thought we would stop with the drinking puns after that first one) at finding you a weekly selection of spirits to liven up your Friday.

This week why don’t your try…

Tiny Little Blizzards – Flying Monkey’s

The initial pour presents a hazy, golden orange color. That includes a rich cap of fluffy white head, leaving strong swaths of lacing. A terrific first look.

You’ll detect tropical notes, grapefruit, mango and pineapple on the first encounter with the aroma. That’s supported with a wheat backbone and a dusting of lychee to top it off. Further, the pleasant smells enhance the experience as the sitting goes on.

As for the taste; expect invitingly delicious blends of tropical, pineapple, grapefruit and mango coming to the fore. Beyond that, there are touches of melon and milkshake shining through, leading to a striking balance between sweet and bitter.

Out of the can, this is a medium bodied mouth feel, featuring soft to medium carbonation. The finish is dry-ish, leaning towards chalky.

Overall, this is an excellent IPA, augmented by Flying Monkey’s artistic can designs.

Best paired with a spicier dish, such as tacos or a burger with barbeque sauce.

Find more about Tiny Little Blizzards on Flying Monkey’s website!

What did you think of TGIF: Blizzard Warning? Have a recommendation for TGIF? We want to hear it! Contact us, send a msg to our FB page or an email to [email protected]

TGIF: It’s 5:01 Somewhere

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Let’s be honest…there are worse ways to kickstart the weekend than with a cold beverage.

And yet, it’s easy to fall into a routine of buying the same couple of beers or spirits at your favorite watering hole or the LCBO. Of course, there’s always going to be your standard go-to’s. But mixing it up (get it…mixing???) makes for a fun outing.

With that in mind, we’re taking a shot (bet you thought we would stop with the drinking puns after that first one) at finding you a weekly selection of spirits to liven up your Friday.

This week why don’t your try…

REDLINE BREWHOUSE – 5:01

As the legendary Jimmy Buffet reminds us, it’s 5 O’Clock somewhere. And this lager from Redline is the beer to celebrate it.

An inviting pour of nice golden lager with a three finger head, it’s a refreshing thirst quencher that boasts hints of citrus and orange. The lightness of the colour is backed up by a gentle lemony aroma. And like other strong lagers, the foamy head dissipates slowly while not detracting from the overall taste.

Although it’s a summery beer (ideal for patio sessions) there is still plenty to enjoy at any time of the year. It’s cracker-esque body makes the can experience vibrant, meaning it will do well in the cooler for an afternoon.

 

If you are looking for a meal to join in, it’s probably best paired with lighter fare. Think salads, chicken dishes or sandwiches.

You can pick up Redline’s 5:01 at the brewhouse. Read more about it right here.

Have a recommendation for TGIF? We want to hear it! Contact us, send a msg to our FB page or an email to [email protected]

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