Some would say Niagara Falls are spectacular, magnificent, breathtaking. Niagara Brewing calls them impressive and awe inspiring. They also say, and I quote that this beer is “as impressive as the mighty Niagara itself”. I think a tasting is in order to fact check that lofty claim.
Thrills and chill swills on Clifton Hills.
As an aside, if you’re a beer drinker, a visit to Niagara Falls wouldn’t be complete without a drop in to the Niagara Brewing tap room. Although there is no view of the falls from the bar it is only a short stroll from the cliff side walkways that provide ample photo opportunities of the cataracts of fame and fortune. * And we did just that on our Cross Canada coast to coast toast and enjoyed a tasty tartan tap of an Irish Red. So how does their flagship lager stack up? Time to see if Niagara flies, falters or falls.
A clear pour devoid of any foam or froth or other traditional trappings. Darker than a typical lager, dark and foreboding? It has a light malt aroma to it but with something else going on. The first taste is a malt lager sweet but with a bit of hoppy citrus sour happening? Odd, unorthodox and a bit off-putting. A basic malt background with some unexpected citrus and a smooth finish. The next swig brings lager sweet watery easy going down, a basic larger with a bit of a twist. I can see how some may be enamoured by the citrus (lemon not lime) take on the classic lager that I found at first confounding, then a bit distracting, then tiring. The citrus malt combination reminded me at times more of a pale ale then a lager.
As I was drinking this I thought to myself I would like to try this on tap and see how it stacks up. Is this a segue to a sequel? Perhaps.
I certainly wouldn’t put Niagara lager in the same league as Niagara Falls. Sharing the name but not the fame.
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