Whytemud Whysky Lager
Amber's Brewing Co.

A custom barrel release, developed for the Wunderbar Hofbrauhaus in Edmonton, using Amber's pilsener as a base, blended with a non-specified amount of their chocolate stout, and aged for just over a month in used rye whiskey barrels from Highwood Distillery in High River, AB. (Cool - my hometown - though I've never thought much of their bottom-shelf booze...)

This beer appears a clear dark orange-brown colour, with one finger of creamy off-white head, which leaves some crawling painted lace around the pint glass as it dutifully settles. It smells strongly of caramel, vanilla, grainy wood, and spicy, lightly warmed rye. The taste is soft caramel toffee, more sweet woody vanilla, an oily nuttiness, and an understated spicy rye whiskey booziness. Don't go looking for any carbonation here - this is one moderately weighted, super-smooth, creamy offering. It finishes still semi-sweet, and slightly tangy from the barrel and various grain influences.

Practically love at first gulp - when the smooth, silky mouthfeel, and sweet, soft whiskey essence hit me all at once - I had to slow my pace to keep my wits about me. Had I not had a previous engagement, I could have happily sipped at least a few more of these, for a good long while, especially given the standard ABV, and the welcoming environs of this little gem off Whyte Ave. But maybe only until the scheduled live slate of 'Local Indie Punk' got underway...