Last year’s 8 Beers of Chanukah series was such an incredible hit, I decided to bring it back. After all, what goes better with your latkes and dreidls then 8 crazy nights of beer? Wish us luck on this one, it’s not easy to get through that much beer in 8 nights, friends.
We’ve had a bottle of Bellwoods Brewery‘s Bounty Hunter hiding in our beer fridge, Bev, for a few months. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I’ve been hoarding it for a while, and we’re not too sure when it came home with us or how much we paid. We’re sorry. Beer should be consumed when its fresh, but I have a sneaking suspicion I picked it up during the summer when it was too hot for me to enjoy a stout, and hid it away for a festive day. And what could be more festive than Chanukah? Maybe Festivus, but the jury’s still out on that.
Bounty Hunter is a strong porter at a whopping 10.3% ABV brewed with coconut and vanilla. Bellwoods Brewery describes it as a maelstrom of bitter chocolate, dark malt flavours, with a subtle underbelly of coconut and vanilla. But good luck finding it again my friends – it is not currently on tap or in bottles at Bellwoods Brewery. Hopefully they will brew up some more to keep up warm on the cold dark nights of a Toronto winter.
Appearance: Deep black pour, unfiltered. Rich lingering tan head.
Aroma: All of the best winter aromas of bitter chocolate and coffee, and a hint of coconut to evoke memories of summer or beach holidays.
Taste: Rich coffee notes from the dark malt, bits of vanilla and toasty campfire on the palate. Coconut is subtle, which is good since I don’t want to drink my body lotion. Velvety mouth feel.
Aftertaste: Deep rich dark chocolate finish, lingering bitterness.
Overall: I’m glad I hoarded this until cooler weather, but I’m sad it’s gone. Please brew some more and let me know when it is available, Bellwoods. It would make a great Chanukah present for me! We recommend pairing it with a blue cheese appetizer for contrast, or a dark chocolate cheesecake for dessert. Or just pour it in my mouth. It’s that good.
Shawna has visited vineyards in 8 countries on 3 continents, and has a knack for finding the hoppiest beers around. A dedicated Booze Hound, Shawna completed the Wine Specialist Certificate at George Brown College in 2018.
She can be found drinking alka-seltzer and coconut water in the morning.
Email: [email protected]
- The 8 Beers of Chanukah 2020 Night 8: Zane Lost His Avocado Bag Brut IPA by Refined Fool Brewing Company - December 17, 2020
- The 8 Beers of Chanukah 2020 Night 7: Roam Hazy IPA by Market Brewing Company - December 16, 2020
- The 8 Beers of Chanukah 2020 Night 6: Omnipollo Bianca Mango Gose - December 15, 2020