I played a bit of hockey as a kid and I was a hockey parent. Lifetime fan of the Leafs for better or worse. I think I could even be a colour commentator for hockey night in Canada if I could keep it clean. But when Mike Myers introduced us to the expression “Elbows Up”, I must admit that’s the first time I had heard it. I had to go look it up. I guess it’s a reference to Mr. Elbows. Gordie Howe. His hey day was in the 50’s. * Back then I was sucking on a bottle but it wasn’t a brewski that’s for sure. These days I do bend the elbow every now and then.
So what does “Elbows Up” mean? Not exactly up in arms, more like between arms, as in arm and forearm. In hockey it means play tough, inflict some damage, come out of the corner hurting less than the other guy. A rallying cry in these strange times when Canada’s favourite neighbour (and our only one) doesn’t want to play nice anymore. We did encounter an Elbows Up Lagered Ale from Yellowbelly out of St.John’s on our Newfoundland tour. Another all Canadian recipe, this one seemed like a fitting follow-up to our Canada Day celebrations.
Cowbell’s light lager is a nice golden pour, bright but not light. A touch of foam, trim but not slim. A simple uncomplicated, down to earth and as expected malt light aroma. The first taste is a smooth malt with a touch of graininess and some lager sweet. No bite or bitters on the finish makes for an easy peasy drinkin’ lager. My second sampling succumbed to my parchedness and I big swigged it. Once again, no surprises here, a smooth light passed the big swig test. Any early graininess has faded and folded. Originally coming on like a full tilt lager, it is getting lighter, but malty, no shortage of flavour.
A nice easy drinking craft light lager with good flavour. It had me big swigging, so one elbow up anyway.
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