Think Big’Ger
All or Nothing Brewhouse

 

473 ml can served cold into a pint glass. LCBO purchase for $3.25 CDN.

Appearance - Clear bright golden color with a small, tepid head that fizzles out quick. Good clarity and lots of bubbles.

Smell - Some grain, and quite a bit of a metallic vibe transitioning to cooked veggies (beans). Not great although this fades as the beer warms.

Taste - Some graininess initially, quite watery and a subtle metallic bit in the back that also fades as the beer warms. Beer after sitting out is better than cold.

Mouthfeel - Medium-light bodied, spritzy carbonation, about right for the style.

Overall - I've enjoyed a couple of brews from these guys, this wasn't one of them. There's nothing bad here (although the nose is pretty mediocre), but nothing unremarkable and the fact that other superior cream ales exist locally means this is a pass from me.

 

 

473 mL can from the LCBO; the date stamp is illegible. Served slightly chilled and reviewed from notes.

Pours a relatively clear golden-yellow colour, with some very light haziness from the flecks of sediment. The half-inch of loose, bubbly froth initially seated atop fizzles away in less than a minute's time; a thin collar is the only remnant, with very little lace to speak of. Dull, but looks fine for the style - and the same could easily be said of the neutral, clean aroma, which is about what I'd expect from a cream ale. I'm only getting hints of faintly floral, grassy hops on the nose, along with grainy pale malts and cereal sweetness.

Not bad, but not exactly a memorable quaff - it's a passable swiller, nothing more or less. A bit fruity on the front end, like green apples and stone fruit, though the doughy, grainy pale malt sweetness is what ends up dominating the remainder of the sip. Hints of floral hops and lemon citrus crop u p towards the finish, followed up by a grainy-sweet aftertaste that lingers for only a moment. Light in body, with suitably spritzy carbonation levels that lend a crisp, lively feel to this exceedingly drinkable, but otherwise unremarkable beer.

Final Grade: 3.58, a B grade. If you're looking for something inoffensive and sessionable, then All or Nothing's Think Big'Ger is worth some strong consideration. Not an exciting beer by any means, but very approachable - the macro lovers will definitely be able to appreciate this one, particularly Sleeman Cream enthusiasts. All that being said, while I enjoyed this beer for what it was, it's still not my first choice in the category and I don't expect to return to it on a regular basis.

 

March 4 2025