Wild North: Golden Chai Ale
Lake of Bays Brewing Company

Wild North: Golden Chai AleWild North: Golden Chai Ale
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From:
Lake of Bays Brewing Company
 
Ontario, Canada
Style:
Herb and Spice Beer
ABV:
5.2%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.68 | pDev: 11.68%
Reviews:
3
Ratings:
12
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 15, 2018
Added:
Mar 23, 2017
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by km02600:
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Rated by km02600 from Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Jul 15, 2017
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 2.94 by llamajuice from Canada (ON)

Mar 15, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by GoHabsGo from Canada (ON)

Feb 23, 2018
 
Rated: 4.16 by BigGruntyThirst from Canada (ON)

Jul 14, 2017
 
Rated: 4.52 by StormAles from Canada (ON)

Jun 29, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by Cycle69 from Canada (ON)

Jun 05, 2017
Photo of taxandbeerguy
Reviewed by taxandbeerguy from Canada (ON)

3.47/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
473 ml can served cold into a pint glass. Purchased from the LCBO for around $3.25 CDN. Dated March 16, 2017.

Appearance - Pale bronzy color, that looks filtered and has loads of carbonation coalescing in a small half finger of off white head.

Smell - Spicy notes of cinnamon and cardamom, definitely some leafy black tea notes in there and clove figures prominently as well.

Taste - Some spicy flavors with cardamom and clove shining through most prominently. Less leafy tea flavors than on the nose and the clove shows here too. Subtle suggestion of orange. Not the most cohesive beer.

Mouthfeel - Smooth, surprisingly creamy with light body and good carbonation. Slightly drying finish.

Overall - Wild North Golden Chai Ale certainly isn't a bad spiced beer, but in the end the tea aspect that I was looking forward to was overshadowed by spices. Still a good effort, but not a beer I'd want to consume more than one of in a single sitting.
Apr 30, 2017
Photo of TerryW
Reviewed by TerryW from Canada (ON)

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Coming out of the gate I have to admit that LB beers are not among my faves, simply because they're largely unmemorable and not of the sort to foster any sort of devotion. This is another of those. Interesting on a couple quaffs, but in the end, undistinguished. Spicy like a pumpkin beer without the pumpkin. Not too heavy handed, do it is easy enough to drink.
Apr 26, 2017
 
Rated: 3.25 by Jotora from Canada (ON)

Apr 25, 2017
 
Rated: 4.16 by Boo-urns from Canada (ON)

Apr 11, 2017
Photo of thehyperduck
Reviewed by thehyperduck from Canada (ON)

3.61/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
473 mL can from the LCBO; canned Mar 13 2017 and served well-chilled. Brewed with actual chai tea, as opposed to just the spices typically contained therein (which is usually the case with "chai" beers, at least in my experience).

Pours a mostly clear golden-blonde hue, fogged up slightly by tiny flecks of sediment. Roughly one finger of frothy white head is produced initially, proving to be quite resilient and long-lasted - even after ten minutes have passed, it has hardly changed in size, although it does seem to take on more of a dense, creamy appearance. Cinnamon and cardamom are easily noticeable in the aroma, with notes of vanilla, clove and orange zest taking on more of a background role. Caramelized brown sugar, gingerbread and some tea-leafiness also come through as it warms.

Delivers as advertised; it's a decent spiced ale, though not without its flaws. The profile starts off a little sweet, with gingerbread and toffee coming through, as well as an indistinct fruity quality that shows up mid-sip - apple and prune, maybe? Cardamom is featured on the back end, with the sip concluding on an earthy, spicy note - powdery cinnamon and clove at the finish, followed up by a mild, lingering aftertaste that includes a pleasant tea-leafy bitterness. Medium-light in body, with moderate carbonation that feels a little prickly. Pretty easy to knock back for a spiced beer.

Final Grade: 3.61, a B grade. Lake of Bays' Wild North Golden Chai Ale is alright, though I'd be lying if I said that I planned to pick up more. To be totally fair, spiced beers are not my thing, generally speaking. This one at least manages to make use of the chai tea without being obnoxious and ham-fisted about it - which makes it more drinkable and (quasi-)approachable than beers of this stripe tend to be. After having a few bottles of that seasonal Sleeman Spiced Ale last night, I'd have to say that this one is probably a bit better, but not exactly leaps and bounds ahead. Worth at least one look, assuming that you have any interest in chai spices in your beer.
Apr 07, 2017
 
Rated: 3.25 by Pmicdee from Canada (ON)

Mar 31, 2017
Wild North: Golden Chai Ale from Lake of Bays Brewing Company
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 12 ratings