TRUE BREW
JEFF O’REILLY Amazing beer for spring and summer With so many interesting and scenic bicycle
paths in the area – around the Rideau Canal, the Arboretum, the Experimental Farm, the Gatineau Hills and even some adventurous mountain bike trails up at Calibogie Peaks – it was an easy decision to look at bicycles and beer for this “wheels” issue of Bounder. While responsible consumption is always the
best practice and we would never advocate having a drink before or while you are cycling, after a long bike ride there are very few things more enjoyable than a nice cold beer. So, to quote a lyric from Queen’s classic Fat Bottom Girls: “Get on your bikes and RIDE!”
Amsterdam Boneshaker Unfiltered IPA (India Pale Ale) Since 1986, Amsterdam Brewhouse, Toronto’s
first brew pub, has been producing some truly amazing beers, and this is one of their finest. In a fitting tribute to cycling history, the gold
embossed label shows off a comical skeleton taking a ride on what many consider the original true bicycle with pedals – the “boneshaker” or velocipede – complete with stiff wrought iron frame, wooden wheels and iron tires. You can only imagine how painfully uncomfortable it would have been to ride: boneshaker indeed! The beer is just as bold and brazen. With seven
malts to balance off a continuous hopping of the distinctly flavourful Amarillo hops, the beer pours a cloudy, opaque, deep, burnt-amber with a thick, rocky off-white head. Superb aromatics filled with citrus hops
(grapefruit, orange rind), melon, caramel, cocoa, bread crust and herbal tea; big juicy tropical fruit, grapefruit/ orange/pineapple, pine resin, thick caramel, chocolate and dark bready malts are the rich flavours found in this full-bodied and slightly-
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boozy but very well balanced IPA. The complexity of the malt presence and how it stands up to this substantially-hopped brew really makes this an absolutely wonderful beer.
Boneshaker 7.1% ABV (Alcohol by Volume); 65 IBUs (International Bitterness Units); LCB0, 6x355ml bottle $13.95
Central City Red Racer IPA Since 2003, this award-winning BC brewery
(Canadian Brewery of the Year 2010 and 2012) has been wowing beer lovers with big flavours and a dependably solid beer portfolio. The eye-catching cans feature a playful free-
wheeling redheaded pin-up girl on a 50s beach- cruiser style bicycle that just screams retro fun. These cruiser bikes are making a comeback (and not just for nostalgic baby boomers) because they’re comfortable, stylish, durable and perfect for casual, carefree cycling. The beer is a bright copper, like a shiny new
penny (oh wait – I guess I’ll need to find a new analogy soon) with a thick, creamy, white head when poured vigorously: hops galore on the nose – from bright, sweet citrus and pine hop aromas, to floral, to musty/wet grass hop (almost bong-water- like – it is from BC, after all) with lots of toffee and pale malts for good measure. Bready, rich caramel sweetness is found
cavorting with subdued grapefruit, mango and pine before some long, musty/woody hop bitterness, and back to that sweetish malt finish. Medium- bodied with really nice depth of character, this is definitely an IPA worth cycling out to find.
Red Racer IPA 6.0% ABV; LCBO 355ml can $2.45
www.bounder.ca
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