Better Bitters Nickel Brook Ale (pre 2009)

Golden ale with a thick big bubbled head. Non descript light herbal malt aroma. In mouth, a lightly hoped ale with very little else, short in mouth, starting to be a bit off. LCBO in TO, courtesy of Karl.

Had a nice IPA-like malt and hop presence, fairly sweet upfront but with nothing to back it up. In other words, hints at a good beer and then falls on its face. Disappointing.

WowWowWeWa now this is a good beer. Super Hopy yet still smoth in flavor. A very good summer beer due to it’s smooth flavour. Best suited to drinking on a warm summer evening. My only complaint is that it’s not a bitter dispite it’s name.

Sampled at the Brewery, they are certainly very VERY passionate about their beer. I have to say I am as well. Definately not common or bland, a great mix sweet fruitness that I can’t resist! And, very smooth.

Any first impressions?
-A decent, big-bubbled head diminishes atop the caramel-tinged golden.
-Delicate wooden, citrusy hops garnish the grainy aroma.
-Rough cereals and hoppy fruitiness form a simple flavor spectrum.
-A svelte malt body is activated by lively carbonation.

What if you dig deeper?
-An appreciable, dry, wooden hop finish attempts to keep things interesting.
-The sweet fruitiness of peaches and apricots roams within.
-All in all, this is a simple ale which fails to keep me interested throughout the glass.

Bottle; no date.

Sampled from a bottle filled that day at the brewery. Far from being a "blonde or common "golden ale", according to the brewer this ale is a modern revival of the cream ales that were made by most independent commercial Canadian brewers in the 40s and 50s before EP Taylor sanitzed the style with blandness, adujnct ingedients and fast fermentation methods. This is granddad’s cream ale....a fruity accented mild all malt ale with lager dinkability characteristics. .........pours a golden-amber into the glass, fluffy 3 finger sticky white cap that laces well ( good quality malt mix). Aromas of caramel malts , unripened fruits (pears/apricots) and wet hay. Medium-light bodied, creamy mouth feel, mild character with defined malt spine and distinct ale yeast fruitiness. Malts, yeast and hops blend harmoniously in this very drinkable mild-mannered, but tastey, cream ale....finishes semi-wet with a light fruity-peach finish...malty but not sweet. A very well put together cream ale and one of the best examples of the style I have tasted. Seeing how Cream Ale is a Canadian brewing invention of the early part of the last century, its a shame not too many authentic examples exist in today’s cottage brewing industry....this is one of them

Aroma:mixe of fruit and cooked vegetable... Appearance:clear orange,good white head... Flavor:cooked vegetable and bread maltiness...

Orangy pour with a very thin head. Lots of scent, maple and sweet honey. Very full taste for a Canadian beer. Maple honey and maltes. Suprisingly good, a great session beer.