Wandering Monk Belgium IPA
Elora Brewing Co.

This has got more of an IPA vibe about it and less so that of a Belgian without really being a good representation of either. It's missing proper Belgian yeast and funk. And as an IPA it's quite sweet. Looks handsome on pour. Drinkable, but not too successful an effort to my mind.

 

 

 

Poured a deep gold with a lovely thumb of head. Retention on the head is excellent, and when it does begin to break down, you are left with few soapy bubbles and some great lacing.

Smell is leaning toward sweet without getting there too much. One can pick up some nice citrus - orange and grapefruit, along with an earthiness/ resiny aspect. The Belgian yeast can be picked up on the end as well.

Taste follows the nose quite closely. I find the Belgian yeast moves forward a bit, along with some malts, but the hops are still the stars of the show. The bitter resin hops blend very nicely with the soft citrusy/floral hops and give a lovely dominant flavor.

Feel is full bodied with an active carbonation. This makes for a beer that would be tough session in my opinion, but at 8% ABV, this is obviously not the goal. The ABV is well hidden. Finish is a lovely blend of the Belgian yeast and bitter hops.

A very nice surprise. I bought this on a whim (it was fresh), and I would have to say it has turned out to be a real treat. I would happily buy more of this. A great take on an Belgian IPA.

 

Not really IPA and really not Belgian IPA, this beer in nonetheless decent enough to be picked up once or twice, but really not more than that. A bit too sticky from the sugar, it is more malty than anything else.
This monk wandered way off his trail.

500 ml bottle served cold into a weizen glass. Bottled in November 2017, so this should be pretty fresh. Listed at 8.0% ABV.

Appearance - Pours a hazy deep orange and amber colored beer. A big two finger off white head is formed and has incredible staying power. Loads of lacing looking like curtains all around the glass. A great looking brew.

Smell - Rich, earthy hoppiness with lots of leafy aspects and plenty of orange and grapefruit. Not far off La Chouffe Belgian IPA, which is my personal gold standard for the style.

Taste - Leafy, hoppy, some sweetness with subtle hints of tropical fruit. Grapefruit and melon show here. Candy sugar and yeast very well integrated. This is really good stuff. Pear shows here too.

Mouthfeel - Lively body, alcohol perceptible in the back of the throat. Body is fairly heavy and not quite as easy to quaff as the titans, but pretty solid.

Overall - A really good Belgian IPA that is a new world textbook example on what to do when attempting this style. Will certainly pick up another couple of bottles and looking forward to what this upstart brewery has next.

 

Draft at C’est What: Pours rich copper wirh a moderate fluffy off white head that collapses fairly wuickly but leaves good lacing. Aroma: grapefruit, stone fruit, candy sugar. Flavour: grapefruit, spice, some pepper, fruit sweetness, pear, pineapple. Good mouth...