Montréal based McAuslan provides their take on the West Coast IPA in this St. Ambroise high ABV high IBU high flying bière du jour. We are quite familiar with the patron Saint of beekeepers, having sampled a number of his fine beers. * But will this Eastern take on this West Coast classic make the grade? Only time and a tasting will tell.
A golden burnt orange pour with a one finger solid, dense and in general thick head of foam. Looking good. A malt hoppy aroma with some juice in the background, hops in waiting. The West Coast juice is there, some citrus tropical, and then right into a strong hoppy bitter finish. The pine bitters are resin-nating with me. Strong, steady, but tasty not testy. Not quite a double but not far off. These brews usually suit me best cold but a little less chill is a good look on this brew. When this one warms a bit it accentuates the bitters nicely. It presents a strong pine presence with juice and bitters all in a nicely balanced package.
The heady froth stayed the course, a saintly halo, solid and steady. The brew, a hoppy pine bough slap to the face and loving it. Living proof that you can brew a classic coniferous craft in Québec. Perhaps St. Ambroise should be the Patron Saint of Pine as well? Perhaps.
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