5. At #5, one of the Scottish heritage ales collection that the LCBO sometimes has in stock: Ebulum Elderberrry Black Ale. This beautiful deep ruby (almost black) smelled and tasted earthy and delicious. The elderberries lended a uniqueness to the flavour which ensured you would remember this one. I gave this beer a 9/10 back in May 2010.
4. It appears there is a three-way tie for the next-highest rank, so I'll go in order of date of review from earliest to most recent. Way back in July 2009, I reviewed a wonderful American microbrewed India Pale Ale from Milton, Delaware: Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA. This heavily-hopped IPA was deep golden in colour and was everything that an IPA should be: deliciously bitter, stronger in alcohol but without allowing either factor to be overpowering. Pair this one with a strong-flavoured cheese and you'll be in heaven. I gave this one a 9.5/10.
3. Sharing the spotlight at 9.5/10 in July 2009 was a beer created by a company founded by His Royal Highness, Charles, Prince of Wales. This tasty brew, Duchy Originals Organic Ale, is actually brewed at Wychwood Brewery, which is well-known for such fantastic beers as Hobgoblin. I knew before I even tried it that this beer would be good and I was proven correct! Beautifully ruby-red in colour, the creamy white head lingered for an impressively long time for an ale. The malty taste and aroma was balanced with just the right amount of hops. My memories of this beer are making me want to find another of these! If you find one, give it a try!
2. Also at 9.5/10, the lone Canadian beer on my top five list (I guess I should start reviewing more Canadian beers!) comes from the Dieu du Ciel brewery in Quebec: Aphrodite Strong Stout. This vanilla flavoured stout was delicious. I was impressed by how much I could actually smell and taste the vanilla in the beer. The initial flavour which greets your taste buds is unmistakeably that of the organic fair-trade cocoa and dark roasted malt, but the vanilla slowly takes over the aftertaste. It's a great blend of flavour that really works well together and I think even those who don't normally like stouts would enjoy this beer.
1. And finally, the only beer with a perfect 10/10, from Southern Tier Brewing Company of Lakewood, New York: Imperial Creme Brulee Stout. If you can get past the 10.0% alcohol content on the label and the $10+ price tag for a 650mL bottle, you'll find a beer that smells and tastes more like a liquid dessert. Your taste buds will be in for a treat, as drinking this beer literally tastes like you're eating a creme brulee. The flavour of caramelized sugar lingers from sip to sip and for a beer with this much alcohol, there was surprisingly little alcohol taste noticeable. At over $10 a pop, this is one best shared between friends. They'll be sure to return the favour though and they'll be talking about your generosity (and this beer) for weeks to come.
