Legacy - Canadian Farmhouse Ale
Falcon Brewing Co.

473 mL can from the LCBO; no discernible canning date. Listed at 4.8% and served barely chilled. "Brewed in Northumberland County by Legacy Brewing Co.", according to the back label - to me, that suggests that this is actually from a contract brewery, i.e. I don't think it's a Falcon Brewing product, even if it might've been brewed there at some point.

I also can't find any evidence that this is marketed as a bière de garde, so I will not be grading it as such. The back label describes it as a golden ale, so I'm expecting something closer to a Belgian or American blonde.

Pours a relatively clear golden-amber colour; there's a fair bit of sandy sediment swirling throughout its body. Just over two fingers of lumpy, foamy white head rises to the surface, gradually receding over the next five-plus minutes; a thick coat of frothy suds remains in place, encircling a patchy cap. Decent lace deposition: this is a visually appealing beer, but the aroma is relatively uninspired. I'm getting bruised apples, sourdough bread and a light rye spiciness, as well as a floral, grassy note.

A serviceable brew with a robust malt backbone comprised of bready, wheaty malts, toasted grains and rye. I'm also getting orchard fruits, particularly sweet, bruised apples; lightly spicy on the back end, with toasted grains, rye bread and apples dissipating into the aftertaste. Light in body, with low carbonation and a smooth, satisfying mouthfeel; a very crushable light ale.

Final Grade: 3.67, a B grade. When I see "farmhouse ale" on a label, I'm naturally inclined to assume 'saison'. I feel like most beer geeks are also liable to make that assumption, but I think in this case Legacy is just trying to give off the impression that this a rustic-style brew - and sure, ok, I get that. Traditional farmhouse ales were actually not very strong, which means that Legacy could very well be closer to the real article than many modern, higher abv saisons. That being said, if it weren't for the rye, I probably would've graded this more harshly - it's a flavourful malt-forward light ale, but not what I'd call exciting or memorable. Worth a shot at least.

From a 473ml can. Poured into a pint glass. A big one finger fine white head on a cloudy apricot. The head soon diminishes to a thin layer. Lots of patchy lacing.

Spicy malts in the nose. The taste is of toasted malts. Slightly sweet up front with a mild hop finish.

A medium/light body and carbonation. Overall an interesting farmhouse ale. Well worth a try.

At my lady Pamela's house; canned and chilled, 473mL in a pint glass. From The Roundhouse Centre LCBO on Howard Ave. in nearby Windsor. No date stamp. My 1st beer from the Northumberland County, Ontario brewery. Ridiculously embraced by Sundae the cat...