*Writer’s Note: I did receive this pack to review free of charge. This did not influence my write-up. *

I was pretty excited to get a package from Beaus with a few more beers to review. They have a number of things coming up for us folks in Manitoba and I’m excited for the future.

I did a pretty in-depth write up about Beau’s when I met with co-founder Steve Beauchesne, but I do want to reiterate a bit about the brewery. Founded in 2006 in Vanleek Hill, Ontario by father and son Tim and Steve Beauchesne, Beau’s is an employee-owned and completely independent Canadian craft brewery. Led by head brewer Matt O’Hara, the focus at Beau’s is to brew interesting and tasty beers using only quality, certified-organic ingredients and local spring water. While not the only completely organic brewery in Canada, they certainly have made a name for themselves with their business practices: they’ve won over 85 awards for their brewing, packaging design and business practices. This includes two gold medals at Mondial de la Biere (Strasbourg, France, and Montreal Quebec); six gold medals at the Canadian brewing awards, seven times “Best Craft Brewery in Ontario” and seven times “Best Regularly Produced Beer in Ontario” at the Golden Tap Awards.

Beau’s is also the official beer for the 150^th anniversary of confederation. This is a pretty amazing achievement and they’ve been in full swing with it. They are planning to do collaborations across Canada. I had the chance to try the collaboration they did with the Fogo Island Inn located on Fogo Island, one of Canada’ oldest settlements. It was a Myrrh smoked Gose and it was pretty tasty.

Beau’s did confirm with me that they are going to be doing a collaboration brew with a Manitoba brewery. What is still to be confirmed is the brewery and the style of beer. What I do know is that we are getting some beers from Beaus coming our way. Today I’m reviewing their Strong Patrick Irish Red Ale.

The Beer

This beer is presently available at Liquor Marts around the city.

Irish red ales are typically an easy drinking pint of beer. They have subtle flavours and are more malt forward with a balance between toffee/caramel sweetness and slightly grainy biscuit notes. Some versions, like this one, will emphasize the caramelly sweetness a bit more.

While it’s true that Ireland has a long tradition of ale brewing, this style of beer is an interpretation of the English Bitter with less hopping and a bit of roast to add colour and dryness. Having been rediscovered as a craft beer style in Ireland, it has now become quite a regular style in many brewery line-ups along side pale ales and stouts.

This beer is part of the Wild Oats series of beers from Beau’s. It has also been “barrel-accented” (short term barrel aging) in wheat whiskey barrels which give it a bit of wood and vanilla notes.

ABV – 6.7%
Appearance – Pours a clear dark-red almost brick colour with a good 2” head that wisps away leaving slight lacing on the glass.
Smell – Smells of caramel, toffee, slight vanilla, with some biscuit notes.
Taste – Caramel and toffee sweetness on the front with a slightly grainy biscuit and vanilla. Slight hop notes balance out the sweetness leaving a dry finish.
Mouth Feel – Soft carbonation with a dry finish.
Overall Thoughts – Very good representation of the style of beer as it is described.
Do I like it? – As I’ve been noticing, Beau’s beers are quite on point. This is one I’d be happy to buy regularly. I enjoyed it. I liked the extra weight to it from the barrel aging and the slightly higher ABV. It was nice and drinkable while having a good combination of flavour notes.

Coming soon

Beau’s is still planning on sending some beers this way. We will see their Buenos Dias Gruit coming in May. Beau’s has also submitted to bring another seasonal beer, yet unknown, for the Liquor Marts coast to coaster promotion in June. Beau’s will also be at the Flatlander’s beer festival and there will be a seasonal beer coming to Manitoba in July, likely their Wag the Wolf Hopfenweisse. The Tom Green Beer Golden Vox Rye Pale Lagered Ale and Lug Tread are also listed for restaurants to purchase to put on tap.

We are starting to see more and more of Beau’s beers come into Manitoba and complimenting the great selection we are getting locally. I, for one, am very excited to see what the collaboration beer will be. Keep following along as once I know you will too.

-Beer Winnipeg