We get to sample a lot - it kind of goes with the territory. So it sometimes takes something unique to make us sit up and remember just how innovative, original, and adventurous the craft brewing industry truly is! This blog series explores some of these innovative beers.
Well, we've been huge fans of Doan's ever since they were just a rumor-y being passed about in Yeast Van home-brewing circles. We've enjoyed their German and Rye inspired goodness since day one, and have been pretty excited as they've upped their distribution game with bottles and tall cans. Along the way, we've enjoyed a handful of epic collaboration brew days with them as well. So ya, we come by our fan buttons honestly.
Doan's has done a ton of awesome collaboration brews with a variety of industry players, from other breweries to hop providers like us. All of them unique and awesome! And this latest collaboration is no different...
In this particular offering, Doan's teamed up with Sons of Vancouver, one of East Van's craft distillers, to make an awesome brewery/distillery collaboration. The result; Altaretto, an intriguing, delicious blend of Doan's Altbier and Sons of Vancouver's Amaretto.
Now we know what Doan's Altbier tastes like, and we know our way around amaretto, but this beer is completely different! Not surprisingly, this beer is malt forward, and the initial aroma is a pleasing blend of the Altbier malt bill combined with the apricot and almond character of the amaretto. This beer pours wonderfully clear, as you would expect from a beer with roots in Dusseldorf, Germany.
The flavors are full, complex and magical - you get hints of everything; the almond, the apricot, the honey, the nuttiness, the vanilla, the caramel. There is a wonderful lingering sweetness, almost honey-like, that lasts beyond the first sip.
Despite the addition of the amaretto, the beer still checks in at a solid 5.0% and 20 IBUs. This delicious beer is available on tap at the brewery and in 500ml cans at both the brewery and select liquor stores.
doanscraftbrewing.com
sonsofvancouver.ca
Photo credits: Doan's Craft Brewing, Sons of Vancouver, John Briner