Maple syrup on my pancakes, a Maple Leaf on my flag, more Maple Leafs names on the Stanely Cup. These are all maple moments I can fully support. Maple in my beer, not so much. Wildwoods Amber resulted in some major maple misgivings, while the Curious Club’s Pancake Brunch Stout scored some points for service above and beyond despite (not because) of the maple.
But this evening we are toasting with one of our favourite Saints, the patron Saint of beekeepers everywhere, yes it’s none other than the venerable, august, dare I say revered, St. Ambroise of McAuslan Montreal fame. A thrice super suds status recipient! Can they score one more with this pour and make it four? And with maple no less? Or will this Ale á l’érable * be an Ale t’érable? Time to do some maple bending, that would be bending the elbow, not the tree. *
A dark amber fall leaves pour with a bright white early snow froth. A fine looking pint if ever there was one. Malt and maple on the nose, subtle but present and accounted for. Wow, a super sweet maple syrup sip. Sweeter than sin. I was hoping it would settle down a bit. Now the aroma is coming out all maple. Very sweet over the top maple, not balanced with the malt, but the malt complements the maple instead of the other way around. It’s too sweet for a big swig, I’m saying from experience (couldn’t resist a big swig but wish I did).
Whether I was being climatized or the maple mellowed is hard to say but one way or another this brew surprised me with a non-subtle almost over the top but at the same time tasty maple malt mixer.
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