9.1/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 10
Flavor 10
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Along with Diamond Knot and Bhagwan's, this is the third member of my IPA Holy Trinity. Huge citrus flavours, appetizing bitterness, trance-inducing aromas...oh man....just thinking about this beer...oh lord. Excuse me, I need to go to the fridge now.
Tried
on 05 Dec 2000
at 23:30
6.8/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Cascade-accented, and well balanced. I would put it ahead of Anchor myself, but I don't have any illusions about converting the masses on that one.
Tried
on 05 Dec 2000
at 23:27
6.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
The first time I had this it wasn't very smokey, but had some nice leafy hop flavours. The second and all subsequent times those hop notes were gone, but we had a dry smokiness and burnt notes in their place.
Tried
on 05 Dec 2000
at 23:25
7.1/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Assertive, yet balanced, woody bitterness...................................
Tried
on 05 Dec 2000
at 23:22
6.6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 4
Overall 6.5
The most assertive IPA at Hagar's, and thus the most assertive IPA in Canada. Like eating a handful of hops.
Tried
from Can
on 05 Dec 2000
at 23:21
7.5/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 8
Lots of banana and some good clean malt notes. Well above average..........
Tried
on 05 Dec 2000
at 23:19
6.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 6.5
In the early Hagar’s days, this beer was a showcase for BC Kent Goldings. A couple of batches were among the finest APAs I’ve ever had. Then that hop disappeared from the landscape and the beer became more of a standard-issue EPA similar to many others in the region. Today, it’s a golden-amber ale with light bitterness, a faint papaya note, light maltiness, a hint of minerals. Rather light overall, but with nice balance and complexity. A subtle but enjoyable brew. Of all the current Hagar’s brews, this seems to best evidence a shift from Gary Lohin to Howe Sound as it is crafted much the same as the HS beers.
Tried
on 05 Dec 2000
at 23:15
7/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Bright amber colour. Light bitterness, a fair dose of crystal malt chewiness, and light mango/papaya esters. Slightly sticky finish. As with the Narwhal, it is a subtlely complex ale with a distinct Howe Sound imprint. Good on them for using a fun yeast, too.
Tried
on 05 Dec 2000
at 23:14
5.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 4
Overall 5.5
This beer rose to popularity when it was one of Gary’s best brews. These days, it’s fallen on hard times. Hazy yellow colour. Fairly fruity (peach), phenolic aroma. The flavour is malty, but less defined than in the Lohin days. Lightly fruity with a hint of spice. Tiny touch of hop dryness in the finish but otherwise quite sweet.
Tried
on 05 Dec 2000
at 23:12
6.8/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 10
Overall 6
Very cream with some light burnt notes......................................
Tried
on 05 Dec 2000
at 23:07