The name the North Portal is in reference to the entrance to the NORAD North Bay Underground Complex, a bunker built in the 1960’s * to house a series of super computers whose purpose was to allow Canada and the USA to coordinate a military response in case of an attack. I visited the facility just before it was decommissioned, it resembled something from a Bond movie or perhaps Dr. Evil’s island. I seem to remember at that time they were monitoring for possible terrorism activities. It was also the go to facility to track Santa’s progress each Christmas eve.
South River, North Portal. Other than a certain balance and juxtaposition in the name, which provides the opportunity to write an interesting story on the can, ** this beer has nothing to do with, nor bears any resemblance or relation to, an underground cold war defense bunker. No connection whatsoever other than it being named after the entrance to one.
This brew pours a bit darker than the average ale but not quite amber. Nice coloring with a thin but not insubstantial head. A mild malt aroma. Nice malt flavour, no bitter or hops or aftertaste, easy drinking. Perhaps a bit of caramel in the taste, this borders on an amber Ale in a few ways. Nice smooth finisher. A crushable traditional ale.
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