Drifter
Muskoka Brewery

I really dig this pale ale. Nice fruity tones, some hops. Much less harsh bite than the "Twice as Mad Tom" i used to buy from the same brewer. Bought at Walmart.

A very good IPA. Pours a hazy orange with a thick head. Nose is of stone fruit. An easy drinker with a balance of hops and malt in the flavor. Very little bitterness.

Great IPA. Not sessionable but very enjoyable tropical adventure. Peaches and pineapple.

 

Super hazy pale orange with a large thick head. Inviting strong citrus nose featuring tangerine. Medium malt body, the hops are more resinous here. A balanced mouth-feel.

 

 

473 mL can from the LCBO, one of six included in their latest Survival Pack; best before Jul 9 2022 and served barely chilled.

Pours a turbid, translucent golden-yellow colour, capped with one finger of soapy, foamy white head that dissipates within a couple of minutes. It leaves behind a creamy cap and collar, as well as a lovely curtain of even lace - looks fantastic in the glass. Citrusy on the nose, with grapefruit and orange alongside suggestions of stone fruit, berries, pine forest and graininess.

It's a tasty NE-style pale ale; a mainly fruity flavour profile without a lot of bitterness. Grainy, wheaty pale malts and bready sweetness comprise the backdrop, overlain by notes of melon, berry, pear, passion fruit and grapefruit. Hints of pine and spicy hops at the finish, with stone fruit and citrus pithiness carrying briefly into the aftertaste. Medium in body, with light carbonation that meekly brushes against the tongue; feels soft, smooth and fluffy on the palate, just like I'd expect from a hazy pale ale. Pleasing to sip, and effortlessly easy to toss back.

Final Grade: 3.98, a B+. One of Muskoka's mixed packs from last year contained a 5.6% 'hazy pale ale', and I suspect that Drifter is more or less the same product with a better name, and perhaps some recipe tweaking - the near-identical label art certainly seems to suggest as such, and the listed hop varietals are also the same. I thought it was a good pale ale then, and my opinion hasn't changed much, six months later - it's a worthy, quaffable, hazy Ontario pale ale that I'd purchase as a single, if given the option. Try it if you see it.

473 ml can served cold into a beer mug. LCBO purchase for around $3.70 CDN. Freshest by July 9, 2022.

Appearance - Hazy, peach colored brew with two fingers of loose and fluffy white head. Good staying power and a huge curtain of lacing sticks around on top.

Smell - Muted nose, there's some orchard fruit like pear and apple and soft hint of peach and some breadiness behind that.

Taste - Low bitterness, some pear and apple flavors again. Bready and somewhat watery.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied, light semi-fizzy carbonation and pretty easy drinking.

Overall - Not a brew that grabbed me, there was a pale ale that they come out with in a mixed six pack a few months ago, Drifter seems like it should've been that pale ale, but I think there were a few changes and while it may appeal to the less hop forward fan, it tastes a bit diluted from that original brew. Decent enough, but won't be returning to this one.

I bought a can at 473ml 5.6%. Drifter Hazy Pale ale cool looking can art
Poured into glass hazy 2 finger head
Very smooth and easy to drink lots of balanced out fruit flavors but not overpowering.
Very low bitterness level .
Yup I like this beer and would definitely buy it again

Pours a murky Goldie orange colour, minimal head. The smell is hops and citrus. Taste adds more hoppy bitterness, grapefruit and pineapple notes and some earthiness. Perhaps some orange peel too. mouthfeel is nicely bubbly
March 30 2022