Campfire Rye
Boshkung Brewing Co.

 

Pours the colour of a good red ale. Medium sized head. Rye grain and smoke on the nose. The taste is smokey also, but not overly so. Definite rye flavour. Again, in the right amount. Mouthfeel is relatively smooth
Feb 18 2021

 

 

Smoky light brown body with a touch of copper, the pour rapidly forming a thick and frothy head the colour of tea-stained paper.
Aroma is faint, of sweet caramel malt.
The taste follows the same line, forward with syrupy caramel malt, accompanied lightly with spice (from the rye) and somewhat surprising mild tartness. A knock of hops acts as some bitter counterbalance through the finish, medium dry and lingering as a warm, curious note. Body is medium as is carbonation, although there is an effervescence lacking to compete with the cloying sweetness.

The flavour is interesting, but the feel is distracting and doesn't entice another taste. Although some effort is there, needs more balance to become great.

 

473 mL can from the LCBO; dated Dec 19 2018 and served slightly chilled. Reviewed from notes.

Pours a cloudy, reddish-amber hue, topped with one finger of light beige-tinged foam that holds together for a couple of minutes. A messy band of doily patterned lace is left in its wake, along with a creamy collar and thin, smooth cap. It smells of lightly toasted grains, doughy bread and rye, with hints of smoke and caramelized malts. Not what I'd call aromatic, but it's inoffensive either way.

Tastes good, but straightforward. Bready malts, toasted grain and light rye spiciness are continuous presences throughout the sip, as is an understated toffee sweetness; these are joined by an earthy, herbal, leafy sort of hop note on the back end, with smoked malt and rye spice rounding out the finish. Light smoke in the aftertaste, lingering on the palate for a second or two after each sip. Light in body, with moderate carbonation levels that quickly lose steam; feels smooth and soft in the mouth, particularly later in the session. An affable tipple that I hesitate to call sessionable - while I like the smoke, that flavour is just not something I want to consume in large volumes.

Final Grade: 3.79, a B+. Boshkung's Campfire Rye Ale is a fine brew that I've already enjoyed on several occasions (which is typically a good endorsement). Ontario's beer scene has come a hell of a long way in a short time, but rye beers are one category where there still isn't much in the way of selection - in fact, now that Cameron's RPA and Double Trouble's Fire in the Rye are MIA, there are fewer than ever to pick from, which makes this rye-loving BA a sad panda. This is a serviceable beer that helps to fill in that gap, but I feel that the smoked aspects aren't going to be everyone's cup of tea. Worth a try.

 

This is definitely a rye beer right from the start. Slightly amber in color with a thin head that broke quickly leaving nothing behind. The smell is spicy rye and then a blast of sweetness. Taste is smokey rye, with a sweet backbone. Minor hops present. Feel is lighter than the style would want, and the finish is sweet with a hint of bitter on the tail.

Not a great beer. It seems a flaccid effort for a rye beer, which should be a bit spicier.

On the sweet side of style for an american red - very lightly hopped- with a dash of spive from the rye.