BRIMSTONE BREWING COMPANY ENLIGHTENMENT PALE ALE

ABV: 5.5%

>by Willard Brooks

Brimstone Brewery operates in a former Methodist Church in Ridgeway, just minutes across the Peace Bridge from Buffalo. It pours a pleasant golden straw color with a nice white head which leaves a pleasing lacing behind in the glass. The mild fruity aroma from a British yeast strain is followed by fruity notes on the palate and an interesting element of more modern hop character. The Enlightenment pale ale is a solid drinking beer which would pair with all manner of dishes and most of life’s occasions—but above all the Enlightenment pale ale is a solid drinking beer best followed by another one. I cannot wait to return to Brimstone in summer to sit out on the patio while enjoying a burger from the in-house farm to table restaurant or some music at the Sanctuary Centre for the Arts. This is a special cosy place put together with utmost creativity by some really talented folks. Go check it out and say hello to Rod Daigle, chief priest of suds at Brimstone, who loves to spread the gospel of good beer to all who enter. See full review of the brewery in this Artvoice issue. BrimstoneBrewing.ca.

WESTBROOK BREWING COMPANY ONE CLAW RYE PALE ALE

ABV: 5.5%

>by Paul Marko

As soon as Westbook debuted this beer in March 2013, it was an immediate hit with both aficionados and plain ol’ beer fans alike. From the second you pop the blue can you’ll be hit with a pungently dank aroma wave (the kind that lures hopheads to drive to Vermont) which immediately invites you to dive into the dense, bubbly head. And when you do you’ll be caught in a complex undertow of grapefruit and orange and malted rye. Normally adding a spicy note to beer, the toasty rye in One Claw offers a softer edge, rounding out the citrus with a beautifully floral counterpoint. Recently, Westbrook has become the American home shop for gypsy brewer extraordinaire Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø, otherwise known as Evil Twin—with at least 8 of his beers now brewed in South Carolina. It seems that instead of merely renting tank space, the two breweries may be sharing a deeper symbiotic relationship that is showing in all their products. And this is a very good thing. If you see One Claw on a beer store shelf—do not pass it by. The sixers get snapped up right quick these days, so sink both your claws into the pack and head to the register. Westbrook is Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Visit WestbrookBrewing.com

PILSNER URQUELL

STYLE: CZECH PILSNER

ABV: 4.4%

>by Chris Groves, Certified Cicerone®

A couple weeks ago I wrote a love letter to my favorite German-style Pilsner. This week, I’m sending a thank you note to it’s famous Czech cousin. Pilsner Urquell, you golden beast, you’ve done it again! You’ve reminded me that simplicity is a recipe for staying power. You defined clarity in clouded times and have taught the world to follow in the shadow of your lagered success. Hell, you were around when people first were widely able to drink from glass if that says anything. You have not lost your integrity in the most historically amazing time to exist as a beer. For this, I thank you. If you’re looking to get your lips around what a true Pilsner should taste like, start here. Soft bready malt and spicy hop aromatics are balanced by a firm bitterness and clean finish. These are words. There aren’t many foods that Pilsner doesn’t complement. If you’re into fish, smoked salmon makes a wonderful pair. If you’re into spicy Mexican, Pilsner cuts the heat. Versatile in so many ways, Czech Pilsner is always at the top in my book of beer cool. Visit pilsnerurquell.com