Favourite New Ontario Craft Beers of 2012
2012 was a pretty good year in terms of both the quality and quantity of regularly-brewed Ontario craft beers hitting the shelves at one’s local LCBO or The Beer Store. I selected 12 of them to quantify as favourites, with a few caveats. First, the beers had to be listed at at least 25 retail outlets.
These 12 Beers Debuted at Retail in 2012.
The beers had to be ones that I’ve published a review for, not just tried at a show or festival. Seasonal and one-off beers were not considered, I’ll try to make a list of those next. Re-branded or re-packaged beers were also not counted, however those that were previously available at a brewery’s retail store or at a licensee were. All that said, here are my selections in alphabetical order.
Augusta Ale: King of Kensington
Augusta Ale from Kensington Brewing Company in the heart of Toronto, Ontario pours a slightly hazy golden-amber colour with a large and frothy white head that is slow to burn off, leaving a large collar in its wake, along with a healthy coating of lace. This American Pale Ale smells of toasted malts, caramel and freshly cut grains. A nice floral tone appears after warming.
This Atypical American Pale Ale Tastes Darker Than It Looks
The taste of Augusta Ale is very much in line with the aroma. It’s toasty and malty with a sweet caramel tone. There is a really solid bitter bite that carries a subtle grapefruit rind citrus character. The finish is dry and bitter. The ale is medium-bodied with a light carbonation level. A hearty, bread-like sensation is imparted on the tongue with a mild oiliness behind it. The aftertaste is grainy with a hint of chocolate.