Showing posts with label Swans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Swans. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Sucker Punch Citra Sour by Swan's

This is terrible, two months of no beer reviews! Maybe I will just go back through my notes and not really post anything online. Thinking ahead for the 2106 top beers of Victoria.


Sucker Punch = 6/10

The nose is an odd mixture of red apples and dank. Despite a little thin mouthfeel there is ample tart tropical fruit flavours. Citra is very apparent with both aromas and flavours of lime, melon and pineapple. The tart and lactic character only seems to enhance these flavours. Sour and tart but not overpowering

Taste +3
Aftertaste +1 (quite clean, but still some residual tartness)
Alcohol Content 0 5.5%
Value +1 very tasty
Appearance +1 (fun label art, change of pace for Swan's)

Glassware: Teku. Only because it looks elegant and not everyone has one

Food Pairings: Poached lamb with tangerine glaze.

Cellar: maybe. Citra character will fade for sure, but will Brett take up slack?

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Swans double review Master Blaster and Black Cygnet

It is already April and I have fallen behind in my reviews. Life is rough as Victoria's premier beer blogger. I might also mention only, beer blogger. This makes the premier part easy to claim

Andrew was busy for Victoria Beer Week, which was a great time. He released two beers: the Master Blaster Brett Saison and the Black Cygnet session black IPA. These are on tap and growler releases only. No preamble just review.

Master Blaster = 8/10


It is hard to go wrong with a fruity, spicy saison with the addition of brettanomyces. The nose was floral and tropical fruity from the hops and the brett character just dried that out and added a bit of funky orange peel. One can never have too much mango, dried pineapple or horse blanket. The Blaster was a little hoppy for a saison; I suppose the Northwest Style disclaimer in the name was enough of a warning. A spicy and tropical hop blast harmonized with the earthy and brett tart tang. There were some apricot and cracker malts along for the ride. It tasted a little thin but this was expected from the brett influence. The ending was short with cooling mangos. Very, very nice.

Taste +4
Aftertaste +1
Alcohol Content +1
Value +1
Appearance +1

Glassware: Tulip

Food Pairings: Breaded or poached light seafood with a fruity sauce. I would choose a wild mushroom and risotto with lemon drizzle. The cheese would have to be something fresh goat.

Cellar: Can you cellar a growler?

Black Cygnet = 7/10

I really liked this beer, but I tend to like low ABV beers with lots of flavour. My growler still smells of powdered Nestle Quick and mixed citrus. The Cygnet was a very drinkable mix of weak coffee, dry chocolate, grapefruit, oranges and geraniums all in perfect balance.

Taste +4
Aftertaste +1
Alcohol Content 0
Value +1
Appearance +1

Glassware: Whatever is clean

Food Pairings: Definitely something grilled and fatty. The cheese would be something cheddar and aged.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Legacy Ale Barley Wine by Swan's

It might be a little late in the season for a barley wine. Barley wines invoke images of cold evenings curled up next to a crackling fire while reading Chaucer. In my demented world, barley wines are enjoyed while feeling the warmth of an overclocked GPU while playing online video games. Does pwning some person named Chaucerdude232 count? I digress. Last year this was my favourite beer. How could you not enjoy a pre-aged barley wine for only $7?

Legacy Ale = 8/10


I found this years version a little hot and syrupy. It was still quite nice, but it had big expectations placed upon it. The alcohol warmth and apricot sweetness became apparent as soon as I removed the cap. Sweetness was a major flavour of this barley wine; lots of peaches, apricots and marshmallow. The booziness and mild earthy hops tried their best to temper the syrup. Still, it was a tasty barley wine that is ready to drink now. I'm looking forward to seeing if the alcohol calms down in about six months.

Taste +4
Aftertaste +1
Alcohol Content +1 10.3%
Value +1
Appearance +1

Glassware: Chalice or tulip

Food Pairings: The dish would have to be big, rich and fatty. How about duck pate?  Desert might be nice. I'm thinking apricot upside down cake. As for a cheese, a blue would be bold enough to stand up to this warming beer. It might pair well with a quality feta; the salty feta would be a good contrast to this sweet beer.

Cellar: Might be worth the effort. The malts are pretty thin, but if the alcohol fades....

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Chico Nico by Swan's

Ordinary, nice people often go unnoticed. The same can be said for beer. Geeks always pay attention to the imperial, barrel aged stout with fair trade, organic ingredients. Certainly a wax dipped bottle, signed by the brewer, must be better than any simple pale ale. I'm not going to disagree. However, this does not mean we should overlook common beers on the shelf. Take the Chico Nico for example. This beer will never score 5 stars on Untappd nor 98 on Rate Beer. However, I shared this beer with a non beer geek friend. He said that this was one of the most unique and tasty beers he has drank in a while. This is where the Chico stands out. It is approachable to every palate and delivers a divergent flavour surprise.  

Chico Nico = 7/10

The nose is abundant with tropical citrus notes. Mangos, tangerines, grapefruits, they are all there. Biscuity  and bready malts play host to a blended tropical hop bitterness. The slight astringency is a little soapy but doesn't distract from the sweet tangerine and blood orange linger. Very nice

Taste +4
Aftertaste +1
Alcohol Content 0 5.2%ABV
Value +1
Appearance +1 Growler fills always get bonus points.

Glassware: Any glass will do. May I suggest a nonic as this is the most efficient way to delivery this delicious beer to the face.

Food Pairings: This beer would pair well with almost any middle of the road meal. Nice accompanying cheeses would be a cheddar or gouda.    

Cellar: Why wait?

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Centennial Saison by Swan's and no comment

I think things need to be spruced up around here. Readership is increasing, which is nice. Either that or more bots are subscribing to learn about beer. No one leaves any comments though. Barley Mowat gets lots of comments, especially when I post dumb stuff. Then again, his stuff is interesting and thought provoking. Here are the top five reasons why, I think, no one leaves comments on my blog. I also like making lists.

5. People just read the score I gave a beer and move on. Confirmation of one's palate is important.

4. No one actually reads my crappy blog. They just subscribed to be polite. I can't blame them. The layout is ugly, there are no pretty pictures and nothing else to click on.

3. My description of a beer is the definitive guide and should not be questioned. Highly unlikely.

2. Most - actually all - posts never leave room for debate or opinions. I drink, I comment, I provide food pairings. It is more of a lecture and not a forum for debate. There is no lingering question that needs to be answered. Which leads me to number 1.

1. ??? You fill in the number one reason below in the comment section below - yes there is one. Everyone hates an uncompleted list. True, this is a dirty trick but I'm OK with that.

Centennial Saison = 7/10

This is a very simple beer, but highly enjoyable. The saison part is bang on with dry citrus fruits, spicy yeast, slightly musty with a dry finish. Add to this the juicy tartness of apricots and we have a winner. It didn't linger very long, which only leaves you longing for more.

I can't find a photo of this beer, but VictoriaBeers.com has lots of pretty pictures.

Taste +4
Aftertaste +1
Alcohol Content 0 Didn't say, but it tastes around 6%
Value +1 its nice, very nice
Appearance +1 always tastes better in the brewpub

Glassware: Tulip.

Food Pairings: So this saison is sweet, fruity and slightly spicy. Indian dishes would be an ideal pairing. The fruity sweetness could act like chutney to help calm the spice, yet the spicy yeast would harmonize well. I bet you could use this beer in a reduction to glaze just about anything. Perhaps a spicy pound cake would be nice. It's effervescence could help lift the fat from any dish. Peking duck suits this option nicely.

Cellar: I don't think it was bottled, but if it was, it wouldn't cellar well anyways.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Swan's Legacy Ale (Barley Wine)

Andrew at Swan's was a little late this year with his barley wine release. It was with good reason; the Legacy Ale was aging in a tank for eight months. Patience pays off.

Legacy Ale (Swan's) = 10/10

Barley wines in Victoria range from painful to bland; this one falls perfectly in the middle. There is enough sherry, sweet raisins, dark fruits and earthy hops to make your nose happy. The body is assertive, yet sippable and creamy without being overly warming. Each sip is complex enough to appeal to everyone. The first time barley wine drinker will enjoy the warming alcohol attack with dark fruits, raisins and hints of chocolate. The beer geek will love oxidation gone right with sherry notes and challenging earthy and herbal hops. Everyone's palate will be pleased by the long finish of syrupy raisins and warm sherry. There is enough complexity that cellaring will improve flavours. Do not delay, this is a very limited release.

Taste +5
Aftertaste +2
Alcohol Content +1 9.5%
Value +1
Appearance +1 (Just bonus points to get up to 10 points)

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Swans Trumpeter Pilsner and Eat Your Veggies


Before I rate this beer, we need to have a quick discussion. It is about everyone favourite beer friend: dimethyl sulfide (DMS). DMS is the aroma of vegetables, creamed corn or asparagus. This is not to be confused with diacetyl; which is the flavour of butter and adds a slick mouthfeel to your beer. These flavours are permissible in some beer styles, such as German pilsners. From a judging standpoint this is acceptable, but from a drinking standpoint this might be unacceptable. I have this argument with EskimoDave from time to time.  He is a DMS hater. Conversely, I am a DMS fan. In the right amounts it adds body and sweet vegetable flavours. EskimoDave thinks it provides grossness in a glass. Now that I think about it, I don't think I have even seen EskimoDave eat a vegetable.


Swans Trumpeter Pilsner = 7/10

A soon as the nose hits the glass, the aroma of creamy vegetables and spices fill the nostrils. A slick and chewy mouthfeel delivers spicy hops and big carbonation up front. This settles down to reveal dry straw,a hint of honey and creamed corn. The nice long finish reminded me of pistachios and limes. Very refreshing, if you like your veggies.

Taste +4
Aftertaste +1
Alcohol Content 0 ?
Value +1
Appearance +1 always better in the pub

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Cygnet Ale

Two seasonals from Swan's in the same month? It is too good to be true. One was good; the other..


Cygnet Ale = 5/10

This will be a welcome sip to those -like myself - that like the Tessier's Witbier. The flavour is very similar. It emits greater than expected aromas of sweet wheat, orange, yeast and a little banana. After a tingle and palate cleansing wash, the barrage of flavours begin. Wow only 4.2% delivers all this: tart wheat, oranges, bananas, spicy yeast and hockey card bubble gum. Sadly no aftertaste, just a refreshing ending. Delicious.

Taste +4
Aftertaste 0
Alcohol Content -1 4.2%
Value +1
Appearance +1 at brewpub

Other wheat/wits

Estrella Damm Inedit
Double Wit (Great Divide)
Happy New Beer (Spinnakers)

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Swan's Double Shot Porter

This is great! Two of my favourite things together: coffee and beer. If there was only a donut beer I would be a very happy blogger.

Swan's Double Shot Porter = 7/10

From the nose you know this beer should not be consumed before bedtime. It is heavy with dry coffee grounds with a little chocolate to increase the xanthine aromas. A full mouthfeel of French press coffee emits enough vapours to actually raise your eylids. The lightly added bittersweet chocolate give a nice astringency. A dry and powdery linger of coffee and cocoa remind you that you want another sip.


Taste +4
Aftertaste +1
Alcohol Content 0 5.5%
Value +1
Appearance +1

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Coconut Porter (Swan's)

This brew is always a yearly favourite. Andrew's Coconut Porter won a Gold Medal at the 2010 Canadian Brewing Awards in the fruit and vegetable category. This brew even beat out Quelque Chose by Unibroue.

Coconut Porter 2010 (Swan's) = 9/10

Served in a true pint glass; this brew let off faint aromas of bittersweet chocolate and dry coconut. It was full bodied that started off dry with cocoa but ended juicy. Each sip was creamy with bittersweet chocolate and dry cocoa and coconut. A long slick coating of chocolate coconut milk never went away. A very enjoyable pint.

Taste +5
Aftertaste +2
Alcohol 0 5%
Value +1 (even if the cover band was annoying)
App +1 no label but this is FTW.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Buckerfields Lederhosen Lager

Buckerfields Lederhosen Lager (Swan's)

Ratebeer 3.3 (one rating, thanks Capflu)
Beer Advocate

Taste +2

It has a nice caramel and lightly spicy nose. The taste is the same with a slight spicy hop up front and hints of green apple. A very drinkable brew due to the low carbonation. Since there is no picture you must imagine a copper and ruby coloured brew that you can just barely see through.

Aftertaste +1

A very dry and tart finish, with a glycerin like coating of tart malt and green apples.

Alcohol Content 0 5%

It was not stated, but assumed.

Value 0

It was above average for any other brew. For Swan's it was OK, below average for them. This in a very unfair standard, but one should expect a lot from an excellent brewpub like Swan's.

Ingame Enhancement +1

No gaming tonight but I did have dinner at the Ferris's Oyster Bar upstairs lounge. Thanks Pfizer!

Overall 4/10

It was a tasty beer. It got lower marks because it was below average for Swan's. If it was from anywhere else it would get a 6/10

Red Stripe Lager
Stiegl-Goldbrau and is addiction really so bad?
Lucky Force 8 and 100th review

Friday, August 7, 2009

Swans Extra IPA


Swans Extra IPA

Ratebeer 3.51 80st percentile
Beer Advocate A-

The beer in question is the closest one. Meterman seems very happy with his choice of the Swan's Scotch Ale.

Taste +4

The nose is quite pleasant with both floral and citrus hops. A hop assertive first sip lets you know that this IPA means business. After the hop bite is done, a wash of caramel barely sneaks in before the hops are back at it again. The hop finish is slightly citrus, but not grapefruit, more of a Seville orange.

Aftertaste +2

The bitterness lingers on for ages, imparting flavours floral hops that are not very astringent.

Alcohol Content 6.8% +1

Yippeee.

Value +1

This was a great PNW IPA and it surely will make a regular appearance in the ARC beer fridge.

Ingame Enhancement +1

No gaming this afternoon; just Meterman and I draining some glasses at the best brewpub in Victoria.

Overall 9/10

What can I say, Swan's brews good beers.

Yellow Snow IPA and Resolutions
Hop Goblin IPA
Swan's Oatmeal Stout

Swans Tessier's Witbier


Swan's Tessier's Withier
Belgian White

Ratebeer 2.89 34th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +4

This was enjoyed on tap at the brewpub. The nose is always better at the source; lemon/orange rind, yeast, grass but oddly no wheat noted. Each mouthful was very refreshing with a medium mouthfeel of grass, light citrus, slightly spicy and wheat. There was less carbonation than one would expect from a wit and usually creamy.
Aftertaste +1

The ending was dry and crisp, with just a slight wheat creaminess.

Alcohol Content 0 5%
Value +1

Perhaps one of the best witbeers so far. I wish I had grabbed one from the CBAW next door.
Ingame Enhancement 0

This was one of the few highlight of the ARC beer cask search.
Overall 6/10

Perhaps you think Rickard's White is a true witbeer? No are wrong; this is a witbeer.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Legacy Ale (Swan's)


Legacy Ale (Swan's)

Ratebeer 3.57 79th percentile
Beer Advocate A-
Taste +4

The nose is very slight for a brew of this alcohol strength, maybe it was a little too cold. Just the slightest of fermented prunes, raisins and caramel escaped the tulip glass. Oddly it had a medium mouthfeel, but oh the flavours. Everywhere were tart alcohol soaked raisins, dark fruits, caramel and that wonderful alcohol warmth. The tastes only intensified as the fluid temperature increased. After warming up, additional aroma of vanilla and wood appeared.

Aftertaste +2

There was quite a long mouth coating of alcohol soaked fruits.

Alcohol Content +1 10%

I'm sure glad this come in a 330ml bottle and not a bomber.
Value +1

This was a limited edition, I wish it was available everyday.

Ingame Enhancement +1

After sampling a great beer, even folding laundry feels like fun.
Overall 9/10 BOOM SHIFTY HEADHSOT

This is a great beer and a great tribute to Michael Williams. Michael Williams was a Victoria businessman and heritage developer, who is remembered for his revitalizing various areas of downtown Victoria. Mr Williams passed away in November 2000 and donated his properties, house and vast art collection to the University of Victoria.

Old Cellar Dweller Barley Wine
Phillips Burley Wine

Monday, July 13, 2009

Swan's Coconut Porter and heart and soul


Flavius: Meterman we need to have a funny dialogue, we are losing readers.
Meterman: We are losing readers because your reviews suck.
F: I tried to spruce the reviews up with more descriptive words.
M: Look in your new thesaurus and find new word for blows. As in your blog blows.
F: That is not fair, I pour my heart and soul into this blog.
M: It shows vampire. Now pour something that matters, like me another beer.
Swan's Coconut Porter
Taste +4

You get your standard porter smell here: toast, roasted malt with added coconut macaroons. On its own it is a good porter; the right amount of roasted grains with a touch of sweetness. The coconut adds that extra creaminess and fullness; rather like coconut milk.

Aftertaste +2

Longer lingering sweet roasted flavour, part toast and part coconut macaroon.

Alcohol Content 0 5.5%

Value +1

This was nice, I would get it again. I think it was under $5 for a bomber.

Ingame Enhancement 0

I saw the trailer for L4D2. I wet myself. Is there someway to medically induce a coma until November?

Overall 7/10

Take your above average roasted Porter, then add the thickness and sweetness or coconut and you have a coconut porter. I like it.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Old Towne Bavarian Lager and Beer Hacking

Flavius: I have been reading this book about mind hacking...
Meterman: Not very relevant for you..
F: Under my feet. I was thinking..
M: Good! You should try that more often.
F: I should try and hack my beer drinking.
M: How the hell can you hack beer? Open bottle, drink; repeat as needed.
F: No... Start with the lager or pilsner so as to not coat the palate. Then move on to the stouts and Belgians.
M: You think too much about useless stuff.

Old Towne Bavarian Lager (Swans)

Ratebeer 2.76 26th percentile
Beer Advocate A-

Taste +3

This pale pint has the most amazing sweet hop aroma. I am not a fan of lagers, but this is the exception. You taste a fresh corn and pale malt that is not too sweet. The aromatic hops keep this under wraps. When the light malt fades away the hops take over with a gentle bitter bite. A very drinkable pint.

Aftertaste 0

It drifts off very clean; perhaps a corn syrup and pancake lingering. It was hard to tell.

Alcohol Content 0 5.4%
Value +1

Stellar deal for $3.85 for a true pint.

Ingame Enhancement +1

After a pint of that 8% scotch ale and this one I was feeling no pain. On a hot day in downtown Victoria, there is no better place to be than at Swan's Hotel. I am truly glad that the mini-skirt is back in fashion. I am also glad that I brought my bike.

Overall 5/10

This might make a lager lover out of me; just not those mass produced ones in colourful cans.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Swan's Scotch Ale and Comedy Writing

Flavius: It is hard being a comedy writer
Meterman: Especially since your life is a tragedy
F: No, it is hard to think of the funny monologues.
M: You should try a little harder; most are not very funny
F: What I need to find is inspiration.
M: Look in the mirror. Often I am laughing at you not with you.

Swan's Riley Scotch Ale

Rate beer 3.41 72nd percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +3

There is more of a fruity malt nose, not expected from a scotch ale. Other noted nose offerings include caramel, wood, digested fruit (a.k.a. vomit). Luckily the taste is better than the nose. A little dark fruit sweetness with a little smoke and wood hints. Only the slightest of hops to keep the sweetness is check.
Aftertaste +2

It is a very sticky brew, the mildly tannic flavours lasted forever. It might be a -2 if you are not into bitter plum and raisin tastes.

Alcohol Content +1 8%

Value +1

I would try this one again, it was pleasantly different. And at $3.75 for a true pint, it was a great deal. Sadly the deal is only on Mondays.

Ingame Enhancement +1

I did not bring the laptop so no gaming was happening at the pub. But life is rough, watching the world rush past while you kick back with a good pint.
Overall 8/10

If you are ever in Victoria, stop by the Swan's Hotel and brewpub for good pints.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Swan's Oatmeal Stout


Swan's Oatmeal Stout

Ratebeer 3.1 50th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Swan's is an excellent brewpub in Victoria. The food is slightly better than average, the atmosphere is great and the selection of beer is the best in the city; at least in my opinion. They usually have 8-9 beers on tap and they brew one of each of the major styles of beer. If you go on Mondays its $3.87 for a full pint!

Taste +2

It is hard to describe how dark this beer pours; this black brew grows a tan head that fades fast. You get what you would expect from an oatmeal stout; coffee, bitter chocolate, malt and apricots. The nose is a little hard to take, a bit acidity, reminiscent of vomit. It coats your mouth with a nice oatmeal/glycerin feel. A very drinkable beer, perhaps a little on the watery side for a stout.

Aftertaste +2

This is where it earns extra points; it coats your mouth for a very long time. This coating holds that malt sweetness and bitter chocolate perfectly.
Alcohol Content 5.4% 0

Not a heavyweight stout.

Value 0

If I recall correctly, a 650ml bomber costs under $5 from the Swan's CBAW. This brew was nice, but there are better oatmeal stouts available.

Ingame Enhancement 0

No L4D tonight. I did watch a Youtube video of Farrah Fawcett on David Letterman. I love watching Hollywood stars making fools of themselves while drunk/stoned.

Overall 4/10

Nice but not a superstar beer.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Swan's Raspberry Ale


Swan's Raspberry Ale

Ratebeer 2.96 39 percentile
Beer Advocate B

Taste +3

The nose is ripe with fresh raspberry juice. The first sip is rather cooler like but heavier on the alcohol. You can pick up a lot of malt, but the tart raspberry jam flavour is the most dominant.

Aftertaste +1

After the sweetness leaves, you are left with a tart raspberry vinaigrette taste.

Alcohol Content +1 7%

Value 0

I thought it was a little sweet.

Ingame Enhancement 0

No L4D tonight; it was all Singstar on the PS3. Be thankful you didn't hear my performance.

Overall 5/10

If you like sweet, cooler like beers, this one is for you