Over the years here at St.John’s Wort, I’ve taken part in a number of collaborative brews with breweries around Ontario. It’s an odd thing to think about, but I’ve actually been around longer than most of the brewing industry. I like hanging out and talking ingredients and gaming out recipes.
If you’re around beer long enough, you come up with ideas that you want to see someone execute. Sometimes you’re ahead of the curve by about a decade, sometimes behind by nearly two centuries. The fact that I don’t have equipment of my own doesn’t seem to have stopped me. I find making beer really helps me keep my head in the game, and also reminds me not to be a jerk to people are making things. It feels great when you see someone really enjoy the beer. It feels awful when it doesn’t work out.
In case anyone is keeping track, the lifetime unweighted average on Untappd is 3.66. The weighted lifetime average is 3.54 because there are 2339 ratings on a gruit. However, in the 2020’s thus far? 3.77. It’s nice to know I’m getting better.
Great Lakes/St.John’s Wort Lazarus Breakfast Stout (RB/BA/Untappd)
Ancho, chocolate, cinnamon, coffee, in a 7% Oatmeal Stout. The great taste of Oaxaca in Toronto.
Great Lakes/St.John’s Wort Imperial Element (RB/BA/Untappd)
A recipe lost to time, but named after the colour of Mike Lackey’s Burnt Sienna Honda Element.
Great Lakes/St.John’s Wort Shameless Plug Grisette (RB/BA/Untappd)
A light saison from a time before Sonnen Hill
Great Lakes/St. John’s Wort Working Backwards Cream Ale (RB/BA/Untappd)
Ontario hops as a throwback for a beer dinner in 2018
Beer Academy/St.John’s Wort St. John Marzen (RB/BA/Untappd)
Stephen Rich was working for the evil empire. We made a nice beer, though, and on Mike Hancock’s equipment.
Cheshire Valley/St. John’s Wort Manitou Sumac Saison (RB/BA/Untappd)
Paul Dickey! What a champion! He was a little worried about the provenance of the Sumac and should have been.
Beau’s/St.John’s Wort Staghorn (RB/BA/Untappd)
More Sumac! With the inimitable Bartle!
Beau’s Madaddamites Noobroo (RB/BA/Untappd)
I came up with the idea and got Margaret Atwood involved by calling her agent. Response in less than a day!
House Ales/St.John’s Wort Gin & Juice IPA (RB/BA/Untappd)
Juniper berries in a West Coast IPA. Great idea I’d revisit at this point.
Austin Roach/St.John’s Wort Hopnotoad IPA (RB/BA/Untappd)
We made an IPA with European noble hops. It didn’t work even a little. But, we got to drink cask IPA for free!
Shacklands/St.John’s Wort Fort Rouille Spruce Beer (RB/BA/Untappd)
Spruce Beer made in a backyard. The best part was the vegan thai curry we had for lunch while brewing.
Shacklands/St.John’s Wort Golden Mouth (RB/BA/Untappd)
A real triumph. Ontario Chinook in a De Ranke inspired XX Bitter homage.
Niagara College/St.John’s Wort Helliwell 1832 (RB/BA/Untappd)
Brewed for Cask Days. Not quite as good as the Muddy York version.
Muddy York/St.John’s Wort Helliwell Old Ale Mk. 1 (RB/BA/Untappd)
Brewed for a 2018 beer dinner, months in advance. Not quite as good as the next version!
Muddy York/St.John’s Wort Historical Helliwell Old Ale (RB/BA/Untappd)
Got us coverage on the CBC. Go on. Click the link.
Innocente/St.John’s Wort Waterloo 1815 Rye Saison (RB/BA/Untappd)
I was a “celebrity” for the Session Festival. At least we got ’em in the LCBO with it.
Amsterdam Revelator Bock (RB/BA/Untappd)
An 1896 Lothar Reinhardt Salvator recreation!
Amsterdam Revelator Bock Mk.2 (RB/BA/Untappd)
Ditto, but later!
Amsterdam Extra Credit (RB/BA/Untappd)
A Cream Ale we brewed because I needed to demo brewing process on video for the Beer 2 class at George Brown.
Amsterdam Enoch Turner’s Ale (RB/BA/Untappd)
A 1874 Bass tribute that got turned way down so it didn’t scare people. The board of the schoolhouse bought most of it!
Spearhead Dragon Slayer ESB (RB/BA/Untappd)
A 1972 Fullers ESB tribute. John Keeling said the only thing missing was the marmalade yeast ester.
Rorschach Fancy Lads Lemon Sherbet Sour IPA (RB/BA/Untappd)
Does what it says on the tin, friend. Fine and dandy like sour candy.
Folly Winnowing Oar Ontario Saison (RB/BA/Untappd)
After the second edition I wanted to walk inland like Odysseus. Then I didn’t. Based on a great poem.
Second Wedge Zivotny Svetly Lezak (RB/BA/Untappd)
To be released!