Quick Brown Fox
Wellington Brewery

 

 

Clear copper coloured brew under a heavy film, spotty lace. Nose is malt and caramel, and a whiff of something herbal and so e grain. Rather appetizing. Big malt to taste, caramel, finishes with an appropriately​ bitter dose of hops. This one kind of surprised me as it was nicely balanced and had some simple and appealing aromas and tastes working for it. Best of the retro sampler pack from Wellington I think.

 

Bottle from the lcbo for around $2.

 

Dark amber in colour, virtually transparent, pours with a tall fluffy head which dissipates quickly but leaves significant frothy lacing. Aroma is mild malt with some light hops as well. Taste is lightly spiced bready malt up front with some fruity sweetness, mild hops & a slightly bitter finish. Not my usual choice of style but this went down quickly & was enjoyable along the way.

355 ml bottle served at cellar temperature into a chalice. Purchased for $2.50 as part of a re-released 4 pack of one offs.

Appearance - clear dark amber coloured beer with a thin film of off-white head. Not much in the way of lacing or head retention.

Smell - some earthy hops, faint dark fruits, caramel sweetness and a mustiness that takes you back to a century old dimly lit, wood panelled tap room.

Taste - rich flavors, plenty of bitterness with a nice trifecta of earthy hops, caramel sweetness and a misting of dark fruits of plum and currant. A little but of pepper and spice to keep things interesting. A slight metallic flavor detracts in the slightest.

Mouthfeel - smooth and full bodied with just enough carbonation and a nice drying finish.

Overall - a well crafted and rather enjoyable dry ESB. Glad they brought this beer back to the masses, even if it is for a limited time.

 

 

 

 

 

473 mL can picked up at the brewery, best before Jun 17 2015. Served slightly chilled.

Pours a clear orange-amber hue, producing one finger of dense, creamy, off-white coloured head. It seeps away steadily over the next two or three minutes, leaving behind a generous, foamy collar and a continuous curtain of lace. The aroma is dominated by brown sugar and toffee sweetness, with toasted nuts, bready malts, red apple and leafy notes giving it some added depth.

Notes of caramel and toffee get the flavour profile started, with toasted hazelnut and almonds next in line. Mildly fruity - hints of apple, pear and sultana raisin - with a pronounced, leafy, herbal bitterness that gains momentum nearer the finish. Bittersweet aftertaste, with a lingering astringency that borders on medicinally bitter. Light-medium in body, with restrained carbonation levels that gently prickle the palate, resulting in a smooth mouthfeel. The high residual bitterness and generous abv limit this one's drinkability, but I'd have no problem getting through two cans.

Final Grade: 3.86, a respectable B+. Wellington is no stranger to English beer styles, and Quick Brown Fox ESB is yet another highly quaffable one that they can proudly add to their portfolio. A little stronger than I'd prefer, but the flavour is equally bold to match - this is an impressive example of one of my favourite British 'pub beer' styles, and one that I'd recommend picking up if you're passing through Guelph. A brewery-only release for now, but I'd rather see this in the LCBO than their SPA - part personal preference, part hopeful wishing...