When I do a beer review post I like to try and find a theme between the beers I showcase, something that ties them together in some way even just loosly. I picked these two beers up at different store locations at different times and didn't give their marketing much thought in the moment. I drank the first beer and really liked the "old school" design of the can and then later on in the week when I went for another beer I saw that the 2nd can also had a retro sort of look to it. Light bulb 💡!
Brewery: Nickel Brook Brewing Co
Origin: Burlington ON Canada
Style: Light Lager
Abv: 4.1%
Marketing: Two tone blue, bronze and white color scheme. Atomic wallpaper and "hang loose" image. The can has a 1970's motocycle daredevil look to it that I'm digging in this moment. Some additional info about the beer is listed on the back of the can and its labeled as one of their "core" beers, so it must be available at all times I'm guessing. An all around great can. Loving it!
Color: On the back it says that this beer pours the color of honey, but no way, I don't think so. Honey is golden amber in color and this is a pale yellow at best. If they said it's the color of yellow straw I wouldn't say anything even though that would be a bit of a stretch. Maybe if I put the beer in the direct sunlight I get some deeper golden hues out of it. Let's try...
The beer had a loose weak head on top as well, that was gone in almost an instant - unfortunate but not the end of the world.
Nose: Nice aroma to it. I'm getting cereals, fresh hay and some citrusy lemon hops notes.
Taste: Very tangy mostly, with only a mild sweetness and a very subtle bitterness. Fresh and crisp tasting with some subtle lemon flavor in background. Very tasty overall.
Texture: Strong carbonation despite the weak pour. Lots of small bubbles in the mouth. Light bodied.
Impression: A summer beer through and through. Very clean and refreshing. Highly drinkable. I would stock my beverage fridge with this if I was having guests over for a BBQ or maybe just to have on hand as a daily go to beer. I don't drink beer each day, but if I did I mean.
Brewery: Bellwoods Brewery
Origin: Toronto ON Canada
Style: Light Lager
Abv: 4.0%
Marketing: Retro style art and lettering. Blue can with contrasting red and bright yellow. Loving the design on this one. Not a lot of additional info about the beer, which is disappointing.
Color: This beer also poured a very pale yellow color and had a flimsy almost non-existent head. Below is another shot in different lighting. I really like the image below and had to include it.
Nose: The first thing I noticed was a distinct lemony aroma up front and a hoppy pine smell that took me a long time to place. Very pleasant aroma overall.
Taste: Mild sweet, tangy, and bitterness in equal parts. Well balanced. Citrusy lemon notes and a distinct flavor that I couldn't pinpoint for a long time until I finally landed on pine. I seriously couldn't tell if it was fruity, spicy, or even a wood of somesort. Pine came to mind in the end. Maybe even a little soapy tasting but in a good way, if that makes sense...?
Texture: Nice carbonation. Mild bubbles. Light in the mouth.
Impression: Overall I enjoyed the beer. It was fun and different and had a lot of flavor and character for a light beer. It was definitely hop forward and drank like a pale ale or mild IPA in my opinion. I'd buy this again. I especially loved the marketing. It would go great at a retro themed party.
