C'est What Homegrown Hemp Ale

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

One of the original beer bars in Ontario, if not the original, was C’est What? In downtown Toronto. They originally brewed their own beers before finding out that if you remove the vessels and contract out the brewing, you have more room for paying patrons. A solid lineup of beers has kept this place going for over 20 years now. The Homegrown Hemp Ale is a light amber coloured beer with a thin white head. The aroma is grains, weak hemp seeds, and weak earthy hops. The flavour is a nice balance between the malt and hops that made this a favourite of mine when visiting Toronto.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

550ml draught
4.9% ABV (as written on the menu)
C'est What? (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
October 28, 2011
$6.64
The beer poured a translucent light amber colour with a thin white head. The aroma was spicy, some caramel, and some citrus and grains. The mouthfeel was medium bodied with medium carbonation. The flavour a weak balance between sweet caramel notes and citrusy hops.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Poured off tap, on location at C'est What in the beautiful downtown Toronto. This is one I've put off for some time because I didn't expect much from the brewpub nor the style, however my expectations were well surpassed. Beer came in a completely transparent, shiney light copper colour; did not seem maleable and it did not lack any lustre (to make use of my grade 7 Science finally) But honestly, an actually quite attractive appearence. A lot of aroma really. Very spicy hops in the smell. Mouthfeel is great of tap, smooth and creamy. Quenching flavour, but certainly a good deal of taste. Hot damn, I like this alot. There is a peppery spicyness, wow. Impressed with flavour. Very. I don't know how well this would boad in the bottle, but off tap, along side my dinner - this was just the thing.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 5

This Canadian hemp beer pours a hazy golden colour with a medium white head. Lightly carbonated, with fast dissipation and good lace. The leftover that tops the brew is quite nice with bubbles, patches and streaks. The aroma is strong at first, with some bitterness, and then, grain cereal malt. Caramel malt in the mouth, with some kind of sourness in the middle. Hints of chocolat malt as well, and some bread. Well brewed, but nothing over-existing. All hemp beers I have tried so far seem to have an outdated sourness to them, and I am not fond of that. Found at the LCBO Depot on Bank street in the south of Ottawa.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Bottled pint from the LCBO. Poured a slightly hazy gold with a smallish cap. Huge soadie pop bubbles literally coat and cling to the glass sides and bottom...these were not present in the draft version I tasted. Nose detects vegetal aromas with some musty pine and sweet malt. Very spritzy on the palate...malts come through in the middle then finish isn’t as fast as expected....the malts drop off abruptly and the piney hops and very detectable hemp gang up on the after taste leaving a tinny-tart-resinous taste. The hemp is very evident in this brew compared to the other bottled hemp red beer commercially available. This ale is hoppy in the finish and the hemp compliments the pine hops and leaves resinous aftertaste....not bad. Just finished a second bottle of this and I've upped my ratings to reflect the unique spiciness of the hops and hemp in this brew....Nice change from the norm.