So I mistakenly called this a lager during the podcast I did put an correction in the podcast since I caught it during editing. So please stop emailing. I’am also aware that this beer is brewed under license in Canada by Sleeman’s and you are correct but the LCBO has the imported Maclay’s brewed under license by Belhaven Brewery which is in Scotland and currently owned by Greene King. Ok the history of the Brewery is gonna be short this week. In 1830 James Maclay founded James Maclay, Ale, Porter, Table and India Beer Brewer of Alloa after passing away in 1875 his two sons took over then sold the company in 1896 to a family grocer chain in 1994 the company stopped brewing its own beers and licensed out the beers to be brewed by Belhaven Breweries in Scotland and by Sleeman Breweries in Canada. The Original brewer in Alloa has been demolished and a has been replaced by a strip mall and some flats. That’s it that’s all I could find.

Maclay’s  is a %5.0 India Pale Ale and has a really clean and crisp taste. There are lots of brewers that go for a unique taste that appeals to people since its good and unique. Maclay’s seemed to have focused on straight up smoothness and refreshing. This beer is one of the smoothest I’ve ever had. There’s no after taste theres no bitterness or harshness to it. It’s simply a smooth refreshing beer. Give it a try

Country:          Scotland

Type:               India Pale Ale

Alcohol:          %5.0

Rating:            8/10

Cheers

Tyler

Barside Beer Reviews

I really liked Griffon Extra Pale and I’ve  always liked red beers so here it is. Griffon Red Ale is a %4.5 ale with a dark colour and a little bitterness to it. It’s still clean crisp and refreshing. A far cry from the Apricot and Wheat beer that is in the same taster pack when I bought it those went straight to someone else or they would have ended up down a drain. Ok for again this is from McAulsan brewery in Montreal commonly know to most people as the St. Ambroise brewery to many since its usually the bigger print on the bottle. I wasn’t as blown away with this as I was the extra pale but it is really good.

Country:          Canada

Type:               Ale

Alcohol:          %4.5

Rating:            7/10

Cheers

Tyler

Barside Beer Reviews

James Ready Original Ale

James Ready as I have stated in the past has been a friend during good and bad times in my life. I don’t think I’ve ever made a more alcoholic statement but I’am sure it sill not be the worst over my lifetime. James Ready original ale is a %5.0 Ale with a refreshing taste. A little hoppy but smooth and clean I found. It’s pretty good with corn and seafood. I haven’t mentioned the brewer origins or where its made since I covered that in the James Ready 5.5 review. It’s a fine member of the ready family though

Country:         Canada

Type:             Ale

Alcohol:         %5.0

Rating:           7/10

Cheers

Tyler

Barside Beer Reviews

Anchor Steam Ale is brewed in San Fransico your sure to meet alot of nice people there. Sorry old song quote. Steam beer is a very old term for west coast beer and Anchor Brewing company is the only company that still uses that term for its beer. Founded in 1896 it is still an independent craft brewer to this date. Anchor Steam beer is a %6.0 ale with a bit crisp refreshing taste. I found it sweet and a little bitter at the same time which I thought was a neat trick. Steam also have a nice dark golden colour. The bottles have a classic funnel shape to them.

Country: United States of America

Type: Ale

Alcohol: %6.0

Rating: 6/10

Cheers

Tyler

Barside Beer Reviews

St. Ambroise Apricot Wheat Ale

Ok the first sip of this beer and I thought that booster juice was doing it all wrong than about 3 sips in the charm faded. St. Ambroise Apricot and Wheat Ale is a %5.0 ale it has a very strong apricot flavour and is supposed to taste like a beer but it tastes like a fruit cocktail that has had a beer poured in it now I know this beer isn't for me so I had a freind try it and she liked it so as sexist as this sounds This may be the Bacardi Breezer of the beer world and a it tastes like a chick drink. But for those people who would like to try something different or people who dont like beer all that much and would like a nice introductory beer something that sort of tastes like a beer then try this.

Country: Canada

Type: Ale

Alcohol: %5.0

Rating: 2

Cheers

Tyler

Barside Beer Reviews