Merchant Ale House Old Time Hockey Ale

2008-07-19. Dark amber-brown body, near headless. Nutty toasty-roasty malt in the aroma smells like the dust emanating from the bags of a specific type of malt that they used at Black Oak, but I don’t recall what it was. (6+) Same character carries over to the flavour, takes on a hint of the house yeast, hints of florals briefly, light bitterness, glimpses of cocoa, bit threadbare at times. Average palate. Rather decent and shows lots of promise but only delivers on part of it. Nice. Draft at the brewpub

On tap at the Brewery- According to our server, this is one of their "flagship beers" that is always on. Clear deep amber liquid sits beneath a one finger white cap. No lace to speak of. Floral hops and caramel in the nose with sugary grains and cereal. Pretty sweet malts and some bread crust lead into caramel and a nutty component. Sweet, slightly thin ,slightly bitter finish. Good.

Clear light brown ale with a thin off white head. A light diluted malt aroma. In mouth, a rather diluted brown ale, like something they rinsed from the fermentor with water, and put in a keg. Watery like crazy. On tap at brewery, July 28 2007.

Amber brew with small fizzy head op top. Aroma: plenty of sweet malt, woody character, and spice placed behind. Medium bodied, chewy malts .woody, spicy character more prominent. Unfortunately this beer developed Light soapy aftertaste.

On tap, at the brewpub in St. Catharines. Brown/orange colour appearance, small white head. Subtle sweet malt aroma. Medium bodied. A really nice sweet malt base, I was surprised to see this listed as an Amber here, I thought it was a good solid brown ale. My only complaint was that it was a tad watery, otherwise this is a very flavourful brown ale and another good Merchant session brew.