LCBO Spring Release

Spring 2009 - Premium Specialty Beers *Retail prices subject to change

The LCBO has released their Spring line-up and here it is for the first time, complete with the LCBO's tasting notes.

LCBO#/ Product Name/ Size/ Country/ Retail Tasting note

100495 PIETRA 330 Corsica, FRANCE $ 2.55
A specialty bottom-fermentation beer with 6% alcohol strength and a beautiful amber colouring. It is brewed using tradition and craft methods from selected malts and Corsican sweet chestnut flour. Mixed to the malt during mashing, the chestnut is used as a prime ingredient rather than as flavouring. Strong and delicate, solid and soft with a touch of bitterness, the cold PIETRA reveals its generous nature.

67173 TRAFALGAR OAK AGED RYE 650 CANADA $ 3.95
Made with 25% malted rye, pale ale malt, dark crystal malt and noble German hops. Rye beers are an ancient form of beer originally known as Roggenbier. Trafalgar's Rye beer is produced unconventionally with darker malts for a slightly darker colour than typical rye beers and a low amount of hops so the malted rye and oak flavours can dominate. Oak Aged Rye is aged with freshly cut oak for a distinctively mellow and refreshing flavour. Try with a slice of barbequed or roasted pork.

104679 TRAFALGAR CEDAR CREAM ALE 341 CANADA $ 2.35
A classic hand-crafted Canadian Cream Ale, refreshing but substantial, and deep gold in colour. A blend of two-row pilsener and pale ale malts with just a touch of roasted barley, this beer goes through extended periods of cold aging on western red cedar and is finished off with Spalter hops imported from England.

106237 DOPPEL HIRSCH DOPPELBOCK 500 GERMANY $ 3.95
A tasty, Alphine Doppelbock beer using 75% dark-roasted malt which gives a distinct malty, full bodied, yet velvety soft taste with slight bitter hop notes.

105874 GREAT LAKES GREEN TEA & GINSENG ALE 650 CANADA $ 4.95
A unique, refreshing and slightly herbal taste, brewed with fresh green tea and ginseng. Pairs well with sushi, shrimp and seafood

909770 ROGUE BRUTAL BITTER 650 UNITED STATES $ 6.35
Pouring a slightly hazy reddish-gold with a creamy white head, the beer has an inviting aroma of bready malt and citrus-like hops, with some floral and slightly soapy backing notes. The crisp body makes it a great palate cleanser when eating spicy and/or greasy food, as does the flavour, which is hop-forward without being completely over the top with the bitterness. Some notes of grapefruit and spruce rise and linger in the finish, but won't tear your tastebuds to shreds.

113399 KELLS IRISH LAGER (Rogue) 650 UNITED STATES $ 6.35
A clean honey and malt taste with a touch of apple on the tail-end

676577 WESTMALLE TRIPEL 330 BELGIUM $ 3.75
A clear, golden yellow Trappist beer that undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle. It is a complex beer with a fruity aroma and a nice neaunced hop scent. It is soft and creamy in the mouth, with a bitter touch carried by the fruity aroma. An exceptional beer, with a great deal of finesse and elegance. And with a splendid long aftertaste.

893974 WELTENBURGER KLOSTER 500 GERMANY $ 3.35
It pours a dark brown colour with flashes of ruby and a thick beige head. The aroma is rich with notes of earthy malt, toffee and chocolate, and those same notes come through in the flavour, where they're joined by a bit of coffee and some dried fruit (notably prunes and raisins. The body is full with a very soft mouthfeel, and the flavour starts sweet on the palate, but has a moderately dry finish, providing great balance.

439992 ORVAL TRAPPIST ALE 330 BELGIUM $ 3.50
Beautiful hazy orangish amber color with a pretty manilla head. Wet clay, dried citrus, fresh oregano, and tree bark aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a very dry, tart medium-bodied palate with toasted nuts, singed citrus, tart cherry skin, and faint spices. Finishes with an earthy hop fade and a touch of pith.

65763 URBOCK 23 330 Austria $ 3.00
"Cognac of beers" is gold in color with a complex aroma. Malty with caramel notes and apricot flavours. A beer this strong and this pale s a real rarity and a true work of art. Serve with steak or pate or sip after dinner with a cheese course.

*Look for these beers to start hitting store shelves in early March.