First Draught — Not feeling cheery about Bah Humbug

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/12/2017 (3077 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Today’s the final Friday before Christmas, so that means that it’s your final hours of purchases for friends and family! I’m really not a fan of this time of year — I dislike the weather, the early sunsets and especially the bad music everywhere you go!

Yes, I am a Scrooge! For this week’s review, it made perfect sense to review Wychwood’s Bah Humbug Christmas Cheer Ale out of the U.K.!

Bah Humbug pours a bright ruby red with a good amount of micro-carbonation in the body and a light yellowish beige head on top.

The aroma has a sweet aroma to it with notes of honey, caramel, a hint of woodiness, a very light grassy hop presence, and just a hint of cinnamon for a kick of wintry spiciness.

The flavour reminds me of a typical darker British ale — it’s sweet up front and has a bit of a malt-based bitterness to it. There’s notes of caramel, a light amount of cinnamon, vanilla, a light breadiness, light toastiness from the malt that gives it a bit of a metallic sensation on the tongue after consumed, and a light, earthy and woody hop presence that pops up once in awhile.

While the beer isn’t overpowering to the palate in any way, I find it was pretty watered down and lacking in spice compared to most winter spiced ales on the market right now. I think that if this beer had more of a cinnamon and toffee kick to it, it would have been a lot better. I would recommend Big Rock’s Holiday Cheers Ale over this because that one has a lot more character. Available at Liquor Marts in Brandon for $4.11 per 500 ml bottle.

For those who are freaking out and looking for the perfect present, I have a great selection of beverages that are not only made in Manitoba, but also made from Manitoba, by Manitobans!

Crown Royal Northern Harvest — Northern Harvest is possibly considered the top rated Canadian rye whisky of all time to a lot of people. When it won the Best Whisky in the World two years ago, you couldn’t find this Gimli product anywhere unless if you happened to visit a Liquor Mart the moment they received it. This is a toasty, rye whisky with notes of caramel, vanilla and pears. $35.29 per 750 ml bottle (across Manitoba).

Torque Winter Survival Pack — Last week, Torque brought its Winter Survival Pack to Brandon. The 355 ml six-pack is the perfect combination of beers to savour in the case of dealing with a traditional Manitoba winter. With names like 40 Below Smoked Coffee Porter, Dark by Three Wheat Wine, and $#!% It’s Cold Outside Double IPA, it’s going to appeal to wide variety of beer snobs out there. This is a serious last-minute recommendation for a last-minute gift to the beer geeks in your life. Six beers, 355 ml each and available at the 10th Street and Victoria Avenue Liquor Mart for $17.08.

Capital K Tall Grass Dill Vodka — The idea of anything with Clamato juice makes me sick, but caesars are likely one of the most popular cocktails on the Prairies. Winnipeg’s Capital K Distillery has a Dill Pickle Vodka distilled with Manitoba wheat and rye. The product has fresh dill, cucumber, horseradish and peppercorns added to this vodka. I still don’t like caesars but just from the pairings alone, this is going to be a hot commodity for caesar-parties over the holidays. Available for $45.99 per 750 ml bottle in Brandon, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Virden and Killarney.

Nonsuch Saison — It seems like I mention these guys in every column, but that’s how much I like their beer! If you’re wanting to treat the big beer geeks, the ones who love the taste of Belgium, citrusy, yeasty, bubbly beer … or the Cody Lobreau-like beer geeks in the world, this is an excellent treat as a gift. It’s sold really well in Westman so it’s now only available at the 10th and Victoria Liquor Mart for $12 per 750 ml bottle.

In coming days, expect Neepawa’s own Farmery Estate Brewery to release its Pioneer Harvest Stout to make its way to Liquor Marts and vendors throughout Westman soon. I’ve been waiting for Farmery to come out with a Stout ever since it announced its intention to open a brewery in May 2012, so I’m excited!

Pint rating: 2.5/5

» Cody Lobreau is a Canadian beer blogger who reviews every beer he can get his hands on as he believes that he should try every beer twice to get an understanding if it’s truly good or bad.