That's a really tough one for me, but I'll have to agree with you on the Smashed Blueberry. I was going to write a post today stating what I believe to be the best Holiday Mix Pack of the year. I think it's safe to say that gold medal goes to Beau's. You gotta hand it to them. They threw us a mix back with 4 completely new beers we had never tried before. I haven't dipped into them yet, but with their current reputation, their new beer titles are extremely interesting. I've heard nothing but great reviews on all beers in the four pack.



"OTTAWA — Beau’s All Natural Brewing announced today that the beers to make up the 2012 Holiday Mix Pack, to be called “Best of Beau’s,” have been chosen. The beers to make up the holiday release were chosen by popular vote, online and at the brewery’s retail store in Vankleek Hill, ON.

At the top of the list for the 4-pack was Screamin’ Beaver Oak-Aged Double IPA, an amped-up version of Beau’s Spring Seasonal Beaver River that was dry-hopped and aged on oak staves. The 2011 edition weighed in at 9.9% alc./vol. and 99 IBUS. Screaming Beaver breeches the palate with shot of grapefruit then gives way to nuanced oaky, vanilla flavours along with caramel and citrus.

Also chosen was the recently released inaugural brew of the Beau’s Farm Table series, a Belgian Pale Ale. The Farm Table series was created to explore traditional styles of beer that serve up big, interesting flavours, but with a sessionable ABV. The Farm Table BPA was partially aged in white wine barrels, resulting in a dry, sharp ale with spicy and fruity notes complemented by a citrusy aroma.

Fans also voted Patio Saison into the 4-pack, a 2012 release from Beau’s that never made it into a bottle – the entire batch was served by the glass on patios across Ontario to celebrate the arrival of warm summer weather. At 5.9% abv, the crisp and refreshing ale displays peppery notes in harmony with citrus zest, intriguing floral aromas and a pleasant clove flavour. It has a snappy taste and a dry finish.

Rounding out the selection for the 4-pack is Matt’s Sleepy Time Belgian Imperial Stout, appropriately the first Wild Oats release ever issued by Beau’s All Natural. Sleepy Time is an imperial stout (8% abv) that has been fermented with Belgian yeast and aged on oak staves. Tastes of chocolate, coffee & vanilla are complemented with American hops and a true Belgian character in the finish.

With the beers now chosen, Beau’s is preparing to brew these beers to be on the LCBO shelves in November, in time for holiday gifting and parties. The 4-packs will also be sold directly from the Beau’s retail store, and through BYBO (http://www.bybo.ca), the Ottawa-based home delivery service. A limited release, only 10,000 4-packs in Beau’s signature 600 ml bottles will be packaged for sale."

I can't even find the Beau's Holiday Pack on the website.

I just put my name down for a 6 pack of the Westvleteren. Now let's see if i actually get a call back before i see it on the website. I assumed it would be coming out tomorrow, but the lady said they had them on order, and wasn't sure when they were coming.

EDIT: Just called the LCBO headquarters after the Brampton guy called me back to say they wouldn't have any. There are only going to be three stores in the GTA with them apparently, and they will NOT be taking your name down on a list for it. It's first come first serve, so I'm not sure where ya heard that but it doesn't look to be the case... but I'm still going to try and call the locations and see if they will put me down on a list, just in case.

One was Oakville and the other was Richmond Hill. Don't remember the third now, and there will be none in Durham Region.

Another update. I also just called the Richmond Hill location to see what they said, in case the headquarters girl was wrong. The guy there said that they are getting them at that location, but they don't know when (could be any time) and that they will NOT be taking names down on a lost to reserve them, and not only will it be 'first come first serve', but it is limited to one pack per customer.

Of course, I don't see how limiting them to one per customer will truly work, since you could probably just leave and go back in a few hours and grab another one. Unless they have a special dsiplay or something, with someone watching like a hawk and remembering people's faces. Doubt that.

Stormland. Perhaps the guy you know is doing it under the table for you or something.

So it may be a tough or near impossible answer for most of you here, but I'm curious what some of your favourite brews of the year have been. Whether you thought it was just plain amazing or it was a very interesting and enjoyable beer, post some of your favourites, or the favourite... or perhaps just something you found your self drinking a lot of this year.

For me, thus far, it's been Shipyard's Smashed Blueberry, being both interesting and delicious. I wasn't expecting too much but was shocked by how much i enjoyed it. A blueberry flavoured black IPA that came out for the summer.

For beer not available at the LCBO, and that i grabbed in the States, it would be the Three Philosophers. Maybe my favourite beer I've ever had.

I just brewed my first beer last night.

It's a gluten-free beer since I'm celiac. The second week of December, I'll be trying it out.

It'll be close to a Budweiser beer (unfortunately) because Bud is relatively low in gluten when compared to other beers.

Anyway,

It's done!
I had some today.

It tasted similar to Coors, actually. There was a lot of carbonation still. When you drank it, it had a little bit of flare on the tongue. It went down smooth and was probably about 8% alcohol.

It also turned out very clear.

The funny thing was that we meant to make a 5 gallon batch, but it ended up being 2.5 gallons. Hoooooooly alcohol levels, Batman.

But on the bright side, for it being my first homemade beer - and relatively low in gluten, it turned out great. I couldn't be happier. On to the next batch!

Another update. I also just called the Richmond Hill location to see what they said, in case the headquarters girl was wrong. The guy there said that they are getting them at that location, but they don't know when (could be any time) and that they will NOT be taking names down on a lost to reserve them, and not only will it be 'first come first serve', but it is limited to one pack per customer.

Of course, I don't see how limiting them to one per customer will truly work, since you could probably just leave and go back in a few hours and grab another one. Unless they have a special dsiplay or something, with someone watching like a hawk and remembering people's faces. Doubt that.

Stormland. Perhaps the guy you know is doing it under the table for you or something.

It's done!
I had some today.

It tasted similar to Coors, actually. There was a lot of carbonation still. When you drank it, it had a little bit of flare on the tongue. It went down smooth and was probably about 8% alcohol.

It also turned out very clear.

The funny thing was that we meant to make a 5 gallon batch, but it ended up being 2.5 gallons. Hoooooooly alcohol levels, Batman.

But on the bright side, for it being my first homemade beer - and relatively low in gluten, it turned out great. I couldn't be happier. On to the next batch!

Hopefully tomorrow we will be each trying a Dundee Oktoberfest http://www.dundeebeer.com/ales_and_lagers/oktoberfest and maybe sharing a Wells Banana Bread Beer. http://www.wellsandyoungs.co.uk/home/our-beers/ales/wells-banana-bread-beer

Wow, can't remember how to do the url/text thingy here when I post

It's done!
I had some today.

It tasted similar to Coors, actually. There was a lot of carbonation still. When you drank it, it had a little bit of flare on the tongue. It went down smooth and was probably about 8% alcohol.

It also turned out very clear.

The funny thing was that we meant to make a 5 gallon batch, but it ended up being 2.5 gallons. Hoooooooly alcohol levels, Batman.

But on the bright side, for it being my first homemade beer - and relatively low in gluten, it turned out great. I couldn't be happier. On to the next batch!

Do you have the location for Richmond Hill?

It's the Young and 7 locale. So you'll have to head to the furthest one.

Do let us know as soon as you do. I called Richmond Hill an hour ago and they said they still didn't have them.

EDIT: Nevermind. I don't think i care anymore. It will be impossible to get since i have a life and will not line up for it. Sold out in for minutes at QUeens Quay. I'm sure it's a great beer, but i don't care to get this gay over it. It's probably for the best. If i get lucky, then i get lucky, if not, then i find it pretty annoying how disorganized the LCBO has been during the release of this beer.

http://metronews.ca/food/475414/rare-be ... r-minutes/

I think there was too much press for this release, should have been covert and let the real beer drinkers get it.

Yeah, or just organize it better so that is someone did want to take the day off work or something they could. I was excited about this. It has quickly turned to thinking it's absurd.

I'll just stick to La Trappe Quadrupel... Westvleteren can't be that much better. Maybe it is disguised as such, though, because it is so hard to get. I'll just keep telling myself that.

Queens Quay and Yonge: already sold out of about 110 cases
Bayview Village: have not received their allotment of 10–15, but it could appear any time
Avenue and Lawrence: waiting for about 10 cases
Royal Bank Plaza: cases will appear tomorrow, although they’re “not at liberty to say” how many
Cornwall and Trafalgar (Oakville): 30 cases will be available at 9 a.m. on Friday morning
King and Spadina: expecting 20 cases on Thursday or Friday
Bloor and Bay (Manulife Centre): expecting 10 cases today, which will be made available tomorrow (lineups are expected starting at around 7 a.m.)
Carlton and Church: will put out their allotment of 12 cases when it arrives, as early as today
Highway 401 and Weston (Crossroads): sold out
Queen and Coxwell: expecting a shipment of 30 cases tomorrow
Yonge and Summerhill: sold out
Dupont and Spadina: sold out
King and Dufferin: haven’t yet received expected shipment and not sure if it’s coming
Bloor and Royal York: expecting shipment tomorrow
Laird and Eglinton: expecting 50 cases tomorrow, hopefully for sale at 9 a.m.
Spadina and Dundas: expecting a small shipment on Friday morning; all cases have now left the main LCBO warehouse

Do let us know as soon as you do. I called Richmond Hill an hour ago and they said they still didn't have them.

EDIT: Nevermind. I don't think i care anymore. It will be impossible to get since i have a life and will not line up for it. Sold out in for minutes at QUeens Quay. I'm sure it's a great beer, but i don't care to get this gay over it. It's probably for the best. If i get lucky, then i get lucky, if not, then i find it pretty annoying how disorganized the LCBO has been during the release of this beer.

http://metronews.ca/food/475414/rare-be ... r-minutes/

Oh goody!
It's the Young and 7 locale. So you'll have to head to the furthest one.

Do let us know as soon as you do. I called Richmond Hill an hour ago and they said they still didn't have them.

EDIT: Nevermind. I don't think i care anymore. It will be impossible to get since i have a life and will not line up for it. Sold out in for minutes at QUeens Quay. I'm sure it's a great beer, but i don't care to get this gay over it. It's probably for the best. If i get lucky, then i get lucky, if not, then i find it pretty annoying how disorganized the LCBO has been during the release of this beer.

http://metronews.ca/food/475414/rare-be ... r-minutes/

Shit son, there is more to come

http://www.torontolife.com/daily/daily-dish/bottoms/2012/12/12/westvleteren-12-in-stores/

Yeah it's fucking retarded. The woman and the HEADQUARTERS said it would only be in three stores in the GTA. Are they trying to cause shit or something? The comments in that link are true and funny. Completely disorganized and complete chaos surrounding such a special and unique release. Phones ringing off the hook, angry employees, line-ups at 8am... Way to completely fuck shit up LCBO.