Toronto Circus Riot
Henderson Brewing Company
- From:
- Henderson Brewing Company
- Ontario, Canada
- Style:
- Old Ale
- ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- +6 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 3.88 | pDev: 3.35%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 2
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Oct 17, 2024
- Added:
- Nov 29, 2023
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
Toronto Circus Riot Imperial Old Ale is a robust and complex dark ale, boasting a rich malt-forward aroma with a hint of herbs, along with raisins and nuts in the taste. It has a full body that lingers slightly on the palate, leaving a nutty, caramel-y finish that is surprisingly drinkable.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by thehyperduck from Canada (ON)
3.97/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.97/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
473 mL can from the LCBO; dated Nov 17 2023 and served barely chilled. Originally #37 in Henderson's Ides series. I like old ales, but they're few and far between around here, so it has been years since I've tried a new one.
Pours a clear reddish-copper colour, its complexion ever-so-slightly fogged by the presence of very fine, silty sediment. One inch of foamy, light tan-coloured head rises to the surface, disintegrating within a minute or two. It leaves behind a thin collar and a filmy patch on the surface, with a respectable swath of lace clinging to the glass. Malt-forward aroma of brown/burnt sugar, toasted bread & nuts, with notes of raisin, date, maraschino cherry, earthy hops and booze-soaked fruitcake.
The flavour profile is rich & sweet without being cloying. Toasted bread & nuts, toffee, maybe a little bit of a coffee cake thing going on, with fruitier notes of raisin and date showing up by mid-sip. More caramel/toffee at the finish, with suggestions of herbal hops, baking spice and fruitcake continuing into a malty-sweet, toasty, moderately warming aftertaste. On the fuller side of medium-bodied, with low carbonation that brushes weakly across the palate; feels smooth, soft and just a little slick. Fair drinkability given its abv, but one can per evening is plenty for me.
Final Grade: 3.97, a B+. Henderson's Toronto Circus Riot is a solid take on an old ale, easily one of the more uncommon styles in this province. It's a tad sweet and fairly boozy, but comes together well. Fun stuff - worth a shot if you enjoy strong ales, Scotch ales; that sort of thing. It'd work well on a cold winter evening, but it doesn't strike me as prime cellaring material.
Oct 17, 2024Pours a clear reddish-copper colour, its complexion ever-so-slightly fogged by the presence of very fine, silty sediment. One inch of foamy, light tan-coloured head rises to the surface, disintegrating within a minute or two. It leaves behind a thin collar and a filmy patch on the surface, with a respectable swath of lace clinging to the glass. Malt-forward aroma of brown/burnt sugar, toasted bread & nuts, with notes of raisin, date, maraschino cherry, earthy hops and booze-soaked fruitcake.
The flavour profile is rich & sweet without being cloying. Toasted bread & nuts, toffee, maybe a little bit of a coffee cake thing going on, with fruitier notes of raisin and date showing up by mid-sip. More caramel/toffee at the finish, with suggestions of herbal hops, baking spice and fruitcake continuing into a malty-sweet, toasty, moderately warming aftertaste. On the fuller side of medium-bodied, with low carbonation that brushes weakly across the palate; feels smooth, soft and just a little slick. Fair drinkability given its abv, but one can per evening is plenty for me.
Final Grade: 3.97, a B+. Henderson's Toronto Circus Riot is a solid take on an old ale, easily one of the more uncommon styles in this province. It's a tad sweet and fairly boozy, but comes together well. Fun stuff - worth a shot if you enjoy strong ales, Scotch ales; that sort of thing. It'd work well on a cold winter evening, but it doesn't strike me as prime cellaring material.
Rated by Pmicdee from Canada (ON)
3.66/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.66/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Aug 4 2024
May 17, 2024
Reviewed by scott451 from Canada (ON)
4/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a 473ml can into a tulip. A one finger head on a slightly hazy reddish brown. The head diminishes to a layer. Some lace strings.
Mild malt smells. Sweet dark fruit.
The taste is again dark fruit. toffee. Dark Christmas cake as it warms. Raisin.
Very smooth. medium body and light carbonation.
An excellent Old Ale. Smooth and well balanced. Complex. A bit boozy.
Dec 30, 2023Mild malt smells. Sweet dark fruit.
The taste is again dark fruit. toffee. Dark Christmas cake as it warms. Raisin.
Very smooth. medium body and light carbonation.
An excellent Old Ale. Smooth and well balanced. Complex. A bit boozy.
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