Beer Testing - Round 23 (Canadian Open, Day 3)

The final day of competition, and Asahi "The Master" Pilsner continues to dominate.

Defending Champ

Name: Asahi "The Master" Pilsner

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.55/can USD0.73/100mL

With 8 wins under its belt and a score of 8.95/10, who can take down this beer?

Challenger 1

Name: Phillips Brewing Co. Ginger Beer

Origin: Victoria, British Columbia

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD4.71/650mL bottle  USD0.72/100mL

The idea of a ginger flavoured beer sounded delicious, and it stated on the label, "More Ginger than Gilligan can handle.", so we were expecting good things. On the pour, it had a nice amber colour, and a strong ginger aroma. However, it just tasted like watery beer with ginger added. Interesting idea on paper, but got hard to drink after a few sips, as the novelty quickly wore off. I think we were imagining it would taste more like a strong beer with a hint of ginger ale flavouring, rather than a weak beer with an overpowering spicy ginger sting. Final score 4.15/10.

Challenger 2

Name: Granville Island Ginger Beer

Origin: Vancouver, British Columbia

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD5.41/650mL bottle  USD0.83/100mL

We tried Granville Island's limited release ginger beer as a direct comparison.  Although it also had a strong ginger smell to it, the taste was comparatively mild, but with a ginger aftertaste.  Slightly better than the Phillips Brewing.  Final score 6.25/10.

Challenger 3

Name: Cannery Brewing Blackberry Porter

Origin: Penticton, B.C.

Alcohol: 6.5%

Price: USD4.89/650mL bottle USD0.75/100mL

A really nice dark colour with a creamy head of foam on the pour, and a rich, berry aroma. Has an aftertaste of chocolate and black berries, but a really bitter after aftertaste in the back of the throat. Final score 4.5/10.

Challenger 4

Name: Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout

Origin: Brooklyn, N.Y.

Alcohol: 10%

Price: USD2.99/bottle USD0.84/100mL

Looks like motor oil on the pour. It has a strong, dark chocolate scent, as well as a strong smell of alcohol (well, it is 10%). The taste starts really bitter, but the aftertaste is a bit sweet. However, it gets harder and harder to drink, and all you can taste after a while is the alcohol. Final score 3.3/10.

Challenger 5

Name: La Binchoise Blonde

Origin: Belgium

Alcohol: 6.2%

Price: USD3.46/bottle USD1.05/100mL

Smells like a floral wheat beer. Very fizzy! Not really my thing. Final score 5.95/10.

Asahi "The Master" Pilsner's win streak continues with an unprecedented 8th straight title defence!