Sweepstakes
Tobermory Brewing Company & Grill

 

Clear, pale gold (SRM 3-4). A three-inch, fluffy white head gradually compresses, leaving thick patches of lace and a tall pillow after several minutes. Swarms of fine carbonation chaotically bustle throughout and disappear after the final pour adds a light haze of yeast.

Sweet citrus of lemon pith and tangerine mix with light pine. These contently work together, however, it is all just a little too simple.

Upon entry, there is a quick bite of ginger, followed by bitterness and lemon pith. The sweetness is a full step back, as I expect from the East Coast variant of this style. The bitterness does carry into the throat and long into the finish. Warmth adds mild earthiness.

A medium body and soft velour texture work with the spritzy carbonation that is just short of fizzy. Alcohol is as expected.

There is some fine beer being brewed on the Bruce Peninsula of Ontario, Canada. This is a top-notch IPA which I enjoyed before dinner and imagine would go well with pizza.

 

First had on draft into 18-oz. pilstulpe, at Tobermory Brewing, Tobermory, Ontario, Canada, where was told Sweepstakes, which was listed at 6.00 ABV, is actually brewed by Tobermory’s affiliated brewery, Powerhouse, in London, Ontario. Not to insult Powerhouse or Tobermory, but reminiscent of Wicked Weed‘s Pernicious.

Sample at beer festival. Pours misty pale straw - almost like a Wit - aroma: citrus and tropical fruit - flavour: a mourhful of hop - yet still can’t overcome the rich fruit - pineapple, peach. Yum