Cranky Reviews

Plan D

Plan D

Mystery Beer D

Nickel Brook Brewing Co.

6.5% Alcohol

A D Beers Diamond

This is our fermentation experimentation termination with the next and last Nickel Brook alphabetical ale, Mystery Beer D. Is it a Cole Porter alliterative and lyrical D for “delicious, delectable, delirious, deluxe and delightful”? Or an Arctic Monkeys “D is for Dangerous”. * Maybe these D Beers are diamonds in the rough, but definitely not a Molson Diamond. ** A somewhat context lacking introduction, I’ll leave it to the Editor to sort out.

They call this mystery beer a Lagered IPA, some would call it a Cold IPA.*** Mine was in the old beer fridge for a sufficient period of time to be a cold lagered IPA. The vibrant hoppy flavours of an IPA combined with the crisp clean finish of a lager. Is this a peas in a pod pint or just cheese and chalk talk? A collaboration celebration or an adversarial aberration? Oil and water or salt and pepper? When it comes to Cold IPAs we delved into the disguised fulfillment of our repressed desire, we philosophized over quantum hugs, and we tried on some track pants while we were at it. Time for Plan D.

A golden clear lager like pour with a bubbly personality and a two finger snow white frother, a pretty pint. A mild fruit aroma through the clouds, no hops in the mix yet. First taste is some fruit and some itty bitty bitters leading to a smooth finish. A bit fizzy but not too busy. The mild fruit continues with slight bitters and a pils finish. Not your father’s IPA that’s for sure. It’s layered sequence or fruit bitters and a slick smooth finish lends itself to an easy drinking IPA. The fruit and malt combine for some funk in the trunk.

And the verdict is that this brew was too soon gone. Looks like both NB and I have got it down cold.

It appears that D is for interesting, easy drinking and tasty.

The COMDB name for this beer is: Got it Down Cold

*Editor’s Comment: The classic Cole Porter song “It’s De-Lovely” originally appeared in the 1936 musical “Red, Hot and Blue”. Ella Fitzgerald’s cover is notable and more recently Tony Bennet and Lady Gaga made a duet of the song. The 2007 song by the Arctic Monkeys “D is for Dangerous” actually indicates that D is for delightful” in the lyrics. The lyric “you’re his favourite worst nightmare” became the title of the album.

**Editor’s Comment: DeBeers out of South Africa at one time controlled 90% of the global diamond market. These days their share of the market stands around 30% of the volume supply. In the late 1960’s Molson introduced Molson Diamond Lager which was discontinued in the early 80’s. In 1997 the brand was re-introduced at a reduced ABV of 2.5% and was available in draft only at pubs across Canada. It didn’t get a strong reception and was phased out soon after.

***Editor’s Comment: A Cold IPA is an IPA that is brewed with lager yeasts fermented at lower temperatures.

Final Rating: A 15 out of 20 Down Cold