Leela
Burdock - Kensington Market

 

this is an absolutely gorgeous beer, both in packaging and in the glass, the kind of beer i searched toronto for and finally found, surprised these guys arent getting international attention for stuff this good. this one struck me as the essence of the place, lots of wine beers, both barrels and fruit, and this one presents itself as a rose of cab franc grapes in the glass, stained glass pink with a lazy airy bubbly head that doesnt distract from the sexy clarity and delicate look of the liquid. its aged on the fruit skins, and i immediately get their tartness and tannic properties when i sniff it. there is a wonderful lambic-esque mature wild funk here too, faint iodine and chamomile and brett, delicate and interesting, i could be in italy instead of canada right now with this. the flavor is as good as the nose, the fruit and the yeast interacting brilliantly, and really a true lambic ferment profile, bacterial and bretty in perfect proportion, and so mouthwatering, dry for how fruity it is too, no alpha acid from what i gather, musty wood, rose petals, a kiss of honey, and a dry brine element in the finish. just enormous complexity and overall quality. as good a beer/wine hybrid as anyone makes, and a beer i will fondly remember for a very long time. this place is incredible, and this beer is really who they seem to me to be at heart. near perfect, my highest praises!