20 Hazy Years
Black Oak Brewing Co.

473 mL can from the LCBO; dated Nov 10 2021 and served slightly chilled. Ten Bitter Years remains one of my favourite DIPAs of all time, so if this is even half as good as its predecessor, consider me satisfied.

Pours turbid and translucent, its pale golden-hued body capped with more than an inch of rocky, foamy, long-lived white head. Gobs of lovely lace are left in its wake as it seeps down to a creamy, half-inch cap and collar - this is just a fantastic-looking glass of beer. Grapefruit, lemon and peach on the nose, with some grassy, floral notes and soft, wheaty sweetness.

This is a very nice IPA, even in its aged state. I'm getting peach, honeydew melon, grapefruit and orange peel, with hints of mango, bubblegum and pineapple. A bit resiny and floral on the back end, with a tea-leafy bitterness that reminds me of lemon iced tea; this continues into the aftertaste, along with suggestions of peach and mango. Full-bodied, with low carbonation and a juicy, soft, satisfying mouthfeel. I was worried this 12 month-old can would be a write-off, but it is still drinking very nicely if you ask me.

Final Grade: 4.0, an A-. Black Oak! There's a name I haven't seen much of lately. I have been a fan of this brewery for years, with their Nut Brown and Pale Ale in particular being go-to's back in the day. I suppose their distro range has shrunk over the years, as even their mainline beers are only sporadically spotted in these parts. 20 Hazy Years is a quality IPA that I randomly stumbled upon while out of town, but I will keep my eye out for a fresh can and hope to update this review as soon as possible.

 

 

My third beer, following an Omnipollo Zodiak and a Collective Arts Good Monster. Purchased 10/3/21, poured into a Samuel Smith pint glass.

Appearance - thick, nearly opaque dark pineapple gold. Lots of head and super thick lacing. Lacing eased up as I got about half way through.

Smell - strong grapefruit, followed by pineapple and orange scents. A delicious NEIPA and what I expected from Good Monster, honestly.

Taste - Sour and bitter so good it makes me shiver. As close as I'm comfortable going without actually drinking a sour. Strong alcohol aftertaste that detracts though.

Feel - Thick on the tongue, heavy bodied and carrying that alcohol taste.

Overall - a fantastic NEIPA for my tastes. Between this, 10 Bitter Years and their Nut Brown Ale, I don't know how Black Oak isn't more recognized.

473 ml can served cold into a tulip. LCBO purchase for around $4 CDN. Canned July 26, 2021.

Appearance - turbid hazy golden / honey brown colored brew with two fingers of dense frothy white head. Very good staying power.

Smell - Citrusy with grapefruit leading the way, hints of mango and melon, but mostly grapefruit with some resin.

Taste - Grapefruit again with mango and melon for a fleshy and semi-sweet middle. Does have a juicy quality.

Mouthfeel - Heavy bodied, thicker than most IPA's with moderate carbonation. Drinks like a pretty big beer with some drying finish and prickly sensations on the tongue to close.

Overall - Pretty solid NEIPA that has the flavors and aromas down pretty pat and while the feel is good it is heavier than usual, making 20 Hazy Years a 1 beer session.

Can: Poured a hazy/cloudy yellow color ale with a large white foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of citrusy hops notes with light tropical notes is nice. Taste is also a good mix of juicy citrusy hops undertones with light tropical notes and maybe a tad too much residual sugar notes. Body is full with good carbonation. Enjoyable but doesn’t necessarily have the balance from other top NEIPA.