Next Stop
Lake of Bays Brewing Company

473 mL can from the LCBO; dated 02/03/2023 and served slightly chilled.

Pours effervescent and slightly hazy, its golden yellow-hued body topped with one finger of loose, foamy white head that hangs on for a couple of minutes. A full coat of lovely lacing is draped onto the glass, with a tight collar and filmy cap holding steady. Peach juice, mango and apple juice on the nose, with subtly floral hibiscus notes as well as a hint of guava.

A little disjointed, but it's palatable enough. Peach first and foremost, with hints of apple, mango and pineapple also present; tisane-like notes of chamomile and hibiscus gain steam by mid-sip. It finishes floral and spicy, with rosehips and hibiscus dominating overtop a dissipating peach & apple juice sweetness; herbal, tisane-like aftertaste that lingers on the taste buds. Light-medium body with moderate carbonation that gently nudges against the palate; feels smooth and a little slick, with good drinkability.

Final Grade: 3.59, a B grade. Next Stop is just not my jam: I don't think this an awful beer or anything like that, but nearly everything about it runs contrary to my preferences. The fruit side of the equation is too heavily weighted at the forefront, but then that floral, herbal tail end adds a jarring transition. It's just all over the place - and maybe I'm splitting hairs here, but peaches are not a tropical fruit. For the record, I love peaches and I think this is serviceable if taken as a peach beer... but they've marketed it as a "tropical fruit" pale ale. If I were Lake of Bays I'd adjust their angle (e.g. Peach Hibiscus Ale), but it's still worth a shot if you enjoy peachy beverages.

April 6 2023