Number two of the Historic Beers four pack I picked up. Commme on Black Creek. Will this beer go down like a rock to head to General Zebulon Pike, or a roaring success like the Bladensburg Races? (Anyone getting this historical, yet subtle US bashing? We did win that war after all, if not all the battles.) It pours an almost opaque brown, with a wee bit of mahogany light filtering through. The head it a bit outrageous, four fingers to spill over the glass on a careful pour. Smells of malts, caramel mostly, and dusty oak (ya I know.) The taste has a good amount of caramel malt, and is a little on the sweet side. A little bitterness on the finish, but just a little. I’m not finding much complexity here, but a passible brew. But I think I’m going to ask the guys to go pick up some historically exceptional beer, when they’re over in Belgium to sign that Treaty of Ghent.

Man I always want Black Creek to do well. It’s just an excellent idea, a historically accurate brewery at Black Creek Pioneer Village. Problem is I’m not always impressed. I’ve gotten a couple of growlers from the Village brewery that have been both excellent, then horrible, and a few bottles from the LCBO which have been meh. But I have high hopes for the Historic Beers of Canada gift pack I gifted to myself. This is number one of four... Pours a opaque black with next to no tan head, even after I brutalized the pour at the end to churn it up. What little head quickly flattens out to nothing. Smells of both caramel and toasted malts, there is a definite sweetness to the nose. The taste is mostly malt, that has both a burnt quality to it, a light sweetness, and yet a thinness which I suspect comes from the wheat. The finish leans toward a burnt flavour. I know the growlers from the Village are all cask, so low carbonation, this beer brewed at Trafalgar comes off the same. Overall the un-aptly named Riel’s dream turns out be more of a disturbing night-sweats kind of thing. What would my Métis ancestors think of naming a meh beer after a hero to their cause?

(bottle) bright, clear amber colour with a small white head; aroma of stewed fruit, honey; balanced flavour with no finish

This ale poured a medium amber colour with a minimal, soapy head. Scents include citrus hops like pineapple, lemon and orange. Grass and a little pine to boot. First swig was a little watery but flavourful with all that citrus / orange peel flavour. Finish is medium bitter with citrus lingering...

Pours a clean rich amber colour with a frothy off-white head, good retention and lots of sticky, foamy and creamy lace. Grainy nose with some butterscotch and caramel notes, all rounded up with some spicy hops. The taste is not really sweet, expected from the nose, but still grainy, and mostly hoppy. Nice bitterness creating some real good dryness in the finish. Those who like bitter and grainy will love this. I just find the bitterness takes away from the rest in the mouth. Other than that, nicely brewed.

Single from the LCBO. Pours a dark brown colour with a creamy beige head, decent retention and some thin creamy lace that disappears quick enough. Roasted malt aromas at first, with notes of coffee, chocolate and even mild hops eventually come out. Smooth mouthfeel with a slight bite in the finish. The base of the taste is the roasted malt again, but with some dark fruit hints makes it taste like a porter, but the feel is not. Not a bad beer and better than I expected.

A bit of chocolate and coffee notes with a very thin texture. Hops are absent of taste and I couldn’t find any potato in there. Very average stout. Olfactif: Un peu de chocolat et du café avec des arrières notes terreuses. L’olfactif ressort moyennement. Visuel: Noire, très opaque. L’épaisseur de la mousse est moyenne, la texture mi-crémeuse et mi-effervescente. De persistance moyenne à courte, la mousse colle légèrement et ne laisse aucune dentelle. Gustatif: Le chocolat se manifeste en entrée de bouche à travers une texture très aqueuse. Le café est également présent, mais en général les saveurs ne sont pas très prononcées. Elles sont surtout chocolatées et légèrement sucrées. Je n’ai eu aucune note de pomme de terre et les houblons ne sont que peu présents. Presque aucune amertume. Une stout plutôt ordinaire.

(bottle) clear very dark brown colour with a small brown head; aroma of roast; slightly sour, refreshing flavour with a long light bitter finish; not bad

This stout poured a deep black colour with next to no head. Scents include caramel, burnt wood and pancake syrup. First taste was a little thin and the carbonation levels were weak but the real roasted flavour with molasses on the side. Finish is with quite burnt and a little sweet. Overall pretty good.