Storm Chaser
Lake of Bays Brewing Company

 

 

Tallboy from the LCBO; dated Aug 31 2022 and served barely chilled.

Pours jet black and totally opaque, capped with an inch of foamy, tan-coloured head that dissipates over the course of three or four minutes. A webby band of lacing is deposited in its wake, with a frothy collar and a few filmy patches lingering on the surface - looks quite attractive, and the aroma is equally intriguing. Roasted malts on the nose, with notes of blackcurrant, black cherry and piney, earthy hops; also hints of cocoa, citrus and raspberry.

This is a quality black ale: a little on the sweet side, perhaps, but with enough of a hop presence to keep things in check. Roasty at the forefront, with toasty, bready malts, molasses, and hints of cocoa giving way to fruitier flavours of berry and chocolate orange by mid-sip. Hoppy notes of pine and cedar towards the finish, preceding a roasty, slightly bitter conclusion that fades into a roasty, slightly fruity aftertaste. Medium in body, with mild carbonation that gently brushes against the tongue, contributing to its smooth, satisfying mouthfeel - a pleasure to sip, with good drinkability considering its near-6% abv.

Final Grade: 3.86, a B+. Lake of Bays may not be one of Ontario's most renowned breweries, but they are pretty damn consistent, with most of their beers being passable, if thoroughly average. Storm Chaser is not a masterpiece, but it's arguably one of this brewery's best beers in quite some time, assuming that you enjoy black IPAs in the first place. I certainly do, and will keep an eye out for this beer when I'm in the mood for a roasty, hoppy tipple. Worth a shot.

473 ml can served cold into a chalice. Canned September 1, 2022. LCBO purchase for about $3.50 CDN.

Appearance - Dark black in color, a finger plus of loose tan head and some streaky lacing. Imposing looking brew.

Smell - Roasty notes, hints of chocolate and some nuts, melon and pine are spliced in there too. Gives an overall fall-like aroma.

Taste - Again a little of everything. Some sweet fruit notes of melon and canataloupe, hints of pine, traces of woody and some nuts, roasty chocolate and even a bit of treacle. All kind of comes together in a semi-sweet brew.

Mouthfeel - Medium-full bodied, prickly carbonation, slightly harsh hop oil finish, but works here too.

Overall - Maybe it's just a been a year plus since I've had a black IPA, but damn, I rather enjoyed this one. Nice balance, a plethora of flavors and aroma and yet they all just seem to tie together in a nice fall package. Well worth the purchase and I dare say this might be my absolute favorite LOB beer of all time.