Hey everyone, Whenever I come back home in the summer, I absolutely LOVE hitting the LCBO to see what's new. Being away for a year at a time means there's usually some significant changes from the year before. This year I notice quite a few new Ontario IPA's on the shelves and I've slowly been trying to work my may through some of them. So far the Nickelbrook Headstock IPA has impressed me the most, but I'm looking to try some more. What is your favorite IPA that we can pick up at the LCBO? Alternatively, what's your favorite brew to become a regular at the LCBO since last summer? Thanks! Jeff
anxiously watching this thread as my g'friend is heading to ottawa Monday... feel free to throw in other beers available at LCBO, not just IPAs
The 2 ipa's I usually pick up are mad tom ipa from muskoka and flying monkys smashbomb atomic ipa. When fresh, I personally think they are the best bottled ipas from ontario.
Mad Tom Spearhead HSIPA (supposed to be good, patiently waiting) Red Racer IPA (from BC) Beau's LugTread Lagered Ale(as my other)
Assuming you were already here when Mad Tom and Smash Bomb came to the LCBO, the best new retail IPAs are Amsterdam Boneshaker and Spearhead Hawaiian Style Pale Ale (hitting shelves within days). Headstock is a very good beer but I consider it to be more of a US-style Amber Ale for several reasons (hue, balance, type of hops used, similarity to countless American Reds). Aside from these, my favourite newish regular listings are: Central City Red Racer IPA (6.5% ABV, 355ml can, $2.55) Charlevoix Dominus Vobiscum Lupulus (10% ABV, 750ml bottle, $11.65) Wellington Russian Imperial Stout (8% ABV, 473ml can, $2.95) Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout (5% ABV, 550ml bottle, $4.10) Double Trouble Hops & Robbers (solid ESB, 5.7% ABV, 473ml can, $2.75) And the seasonal and feature beers continue to be the most interesting products available at the 'BO. Check Bar Towel and this forum for full listings. Cheers!
Get them while they are hot: http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/p...M_NAME=RED+RACER+IPA&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN
Just did a side by side of Mad Tom, Smashbomb & Hop Head. Smashbomb is piney and (IMHO) harshly bitter. Mad Tom is citrusy and smoother in the bitterness. Mad Tom has a stellar fruity hop aroma while Smahsbomb is lacking in the hop aromas. Both of these bottles had been on shelves in MB for a short period of time so they should have been fresh. Mad Tom impressed the hell out of me, Smashbomb less so (and all their other beers I have tried I am sad to say :-/ ) I am looking forward to seeing man new beers when I return for Christmas (2 years away).
Inconsistent bottles is the issues. Still one of the better ones in the province if you can find it on draught. Mad Tom is easily the most consistent, awesome in bottles and cans. I've had it range from great to brilliant on draught.
