Oakes (33770) reviewed Patio Lanterns from Sooke Oceanside Brewery 6 months ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6.5 | Flavor - 6.5 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7
Pale, some haze. Thin, relatively weak head. The aroma has a fair bit of apricot puree - it's a decent fruit character. It still comes in a bit like an afterthought versus the best-integrated fruit beers around. The palate also has a decent apricot character, but also a light malt and a bit more alcohol taste. There was a beer in BC back in the 90s that was a strong fruit ale that came across too boozy to make sense - the Tall Ship Raspberry Ale - and this calls to mind that beer in terms of its structure and balance. It's far from perfect but I can appreciate it.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
Draft on the brewpub patio on 13th August 2025. Clean and bright orange/apricot colour, wispy white head. Apricots abound but in a pleasant and tasty way, really liked it. Not normally a fruit beer type, so didn't order this until I'd tasted some one else's in our group.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
On my second flight at the brewpub patio, 13th August 2025. Light mahogany red body, beige crust. Malty, with a dark fruit feel, very drinkable, my sweet tooth picking up the subtle caramel and toffee flavours as the beer warmed in the afternoon sun.
BlackHaddock (17491) reviewed Bear Beach from Sooke Oceanside Brewery 7 months ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6.5 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 8
On my second flight on the patio of the brewpub on 13th August 2025. Dark brown, tanned roof. Malty with a plum and dark fruit mixture doused in mocha. Not enough alcohol to be a true Baltic Porter and it doesn't taste like one in my eyes! Liked it though.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 8
Part of my second flight on the deck of the brewpub on the afternoon of 13th August 2025. Black with a tanned crust. Dark malty front with a mean coffee aroma and taste, bitter and grainy at first but settled down a little as it warmed in the sunshine.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6.5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
Draft at the brewpub on 13th August 2025. Bright Pilsner look, white crown for a while before turning into a wisp and collar in the afternoon sunshine on their deck overlooking the sea. Fairly dry and hop forward, pleasant without blowing my socks off. Had two flights after this thirst quencher.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 5 | Overall - 6
Part of my second flight on the deck of the brewpub ; 13th August 2025. Their attempt at producing a Guinness I suppose. It's fine to be honest, dry-ish in nature with a malty front and fairly weak watery body depth. Scored objectively as this was not a favourite of mine.
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 8
Part of my first flight at the brewpub on 13th August 2025, sat on the deck in the afternoon sunshine and light sea breeze overlooking the ocean. Great location and a very pleasant old style West Coast IPA. Piney rather than too citrussy, solid malt base, bitter but tasty.
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6
First beer on my first flight on the patio of the brewpub on 13th august 2025. Clean and clear pale golden body, wispy white head. Decent refreshing Lager, but no real aroma or standout flavours, just a regular easy going one. Light grassy feel towards the finish.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
On my first flight on the patio of the brewpub on 13th August 2025. We had left Renfrew and it's rain 45 minutes earlier, so this seemed a good choice for a beer. Red hue to the clean dark amber body. Caramel/toffee aroma and taste front, calms down nicely with a dark fruit trace and slight hop bitterness. I had a large can of this later at a friends house in Victoria, tasted the same. Liked it.