Glory & Gold
Nickel Brook Brewing Co. - Burlington

 

500 mL wax-sealed bottle in a carton from the LCBO; packaged Oct 20 2021 and served barely chilled. This seems to be an evolution of their "Cuvée", a spiced strong ale that NB has been brewing annually for well over a decade.

Pours a muddy weathered bronze colour, briefly sporting a half-inch cap of bubbly, soapy, light tan-coloured head that fades within two or three minutes' time. A frothy collar is the only remnant of note, with no cap and little in the way of lace; looks ok, but the nose is where things get interesting. Somewhat sour and vinegary, with oak, bourbon and alcohol also coming through quite clearly; additional hints of cinnamon, brown sugar, dark fruit, cardamom and peppercorn provide plenty of additional depth.

There's a cacophony of flavours here: it's all over the place for sure, but I don't entirely dislike it. Earthy, spicy and oaky at the forefront, with allspice, cardamom, orange peel and raisin backed by brown sugar sweetness. The bourbon flavours develop more toward the back end, as do those funky, vinegary lacto sour notes; hints of cinnamon, peppercorn and vanilla, too. Not sure if it's due to the oak/tannins or something in the spice bill, but it finishes with this lingering bitter, herbal aftertaste that I found tiresome... my palate did adjust to this eventually, but it took a while (possibly related to the 9.5% dulling my senses over time). Medium-full in body, with light carbonation that gently prickles the palate, complementing the brew's peppery spiciness. I'll be frank: it's not what I'd call super-drinkable, but I'll finish the bottle.

Final Grade: 3.94, a B+. Glory & Gold is one of Nickel Brook's most unique seasonal offerings. Some folks will see this carton on the shelf and think to themselves "you had me at bourbon barrel aged" before buying it immediately - but the truth is this brew is categorically NOT for everyone. It's a very strongly spiced, moderately sour ale with big oak flavours - there's almost nothing subtle about this beer, and even a few traits that I don't find especially endearing. 500 mL is probably too much for one person, but split it three ways and it'd make a wonderful holiday dinner digestif. I've still got a 2019 in my cellar, as well as an even older (2016?) Cuvée, which I plan to crack open later this year.

 

 

 

 

500 ml wax capped bottle, stamp on bottle says packaged on 23/10/19. Served in a snifter, the beer pours a murky brown color with about an inch light tan head that stayed around for a very long time. There's also a good amount of lacing. Aroma is nice, the brew smells like dark fruit, vanilla, bourbon, red grapes/wine, vinegar and some herbalness. Taste is similar to the aroma, but with the addition of some ginger, lime and oaky flavors. It's fruity, tart, and spicy with a decent amount of barrel character. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's slick and easy to drink with a moderate amount of soft carbonation. There's a lot going on with this brew with the dark fruit, brett, spices and bourbon barrel aging. Liked this more and more the longer I drank it, certainly worth picking up if you get the chance to try some! $11.99 a bottle.

Bottle at Las Buenas Pulgas, served in a trappist glass. Hazy amber color, two fingers head with long retention, crying lacing. Aroma is tart, 0oak, citrics, spices, cardamom, Brett's, dried fruits, notes of vanilla and cinnamon. Medium body, dry texture, flat carbonation. Dry finish. Taste follows the aroma, with vinegar notes. Rich and complex. Very good.

 

 

 

They say you need guts for glory. So, does this one have both plus a touch of gold? Let us see...
Poured into a tulip long stemmed beer glass. Pours dark caramel wood thick and opaque. A decent collar commences then subsides to subtle line. Really nice look for a winter’s night here. Nose is complex here. Strong malt begins with definite bourbon deeply embedded. Copper and gunpowder round out the middle with a coriander undertones. A strong herbal finish as well. Taste is slightly soured fruit with herbal undertones. Not bad overall. Guess I expecting a more caramel taste given the colour. This one is unusual but given it is a one off, a fine way to bring in the new year.

 

December 2 2019

500 mL Bottle. ABV 9.5%.
Appearance: Veiled Chocolate brown, visible sediment under moderate carbonation, creamy light tan head under one finger somewhat decent retention, broken cap remains
Aroma: funk, spice, Brett, grape, prune, vinegar, woody,
Mouthfeel: slightly boozy, medium body, slightly mouth coating,
Flavour: funk, spice, Brett, prune,
Overall:

Review: 82

Bought at LCBO. 2019. Aged 2 years in Bourbon Barrels. Cuvee style. I felt a little underwhelmed with this beer. Both myself and my wife agreed that there was a bit of a vinegary taste to it. After several more sips, a tart flavour was starting to replace the vinegar taste, but unfortunately, not replacing it completely.

It's an interesting beer, but for the price, I won't be buying it again.

Review from notes. 500 ml wax seal bottle purchased from the brewery. Cost was $9.95 CDN. Appears to be rebranded 2019 version of their Cuvee. Poured cold into a pint glass. This is 2019 vintage.

Appearance - Hazy, ruddy brown color with red highlights. Two fingers of dense light tan head coalescing into a half finger that stays the duration of the glass.

Smell - Plenty of spices, ginger shows up slightly along with all spice and some funkiness going on too with brett. Wood is subtle but certainly kicking around in the back. Grapes and white wine show up in the nose too.

Taste - Quite tart initially, white wine, grapes, and oak shining through most of all. Some funk from the brett and a decided bitterness that reels everything in. Spices are used sparingly but effectively.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied, quite effervescent, shockingly easy to drink. Booze is super duper well hidden here.

Overall - A very well crafted brew that adds nicely to the Cuvee lineup. Definitely worth a try if you can get your hands on it.

EDIT- January 5, 2022. A bottle sitting in the fridge for two years was found and consumed. Also 2019 vintage. No real changes other than the flavours do have more of a orange marmalade and citrus flavour than initially remarked upon.