The Establishment began as the name a group of friends gave to their brew-obsessed buddy, who made great beer with a helping hand from all. But the 2013 Calgary flooding turned a home project into a swamp, but when the dust settled and the water-line receded, the space that was once a basement full of knick-knacks, snowboarding gear, and a home-brew setup was transformed into a proper home-brew system with room to grow unique yeast. The ball began rolling, home-brew competitions won and recipes perfected, until it gathered up a whole new head of steam and level. The original Establishment is long gone, but the spirit of the place imbues new digs and bigger brewing. Nearly a dozen beers grace the taps along their bar. The Afternoon Delight is a New England Pale Ale, with a big hop profile that gives it strong, evolving flavours as it hits the palate. Serves well at 8°C and should be enjoyed soon.
Pours a bright, apricot-yellow with a hazy body and light carbonation. A frothy head of white foam out of the can that slowly pops away to a residue.
Tropical and citrus notes with some of the zest to give it an edge; pineapple, peach, and apricot among the fruits. Fresh bread and biscuit aromas, along with a slightly loamy quality in the malt.
Starts off with a slightly sweet tropical and citrus combo that comes into sharper relief once it warms on the tongue. Really strong taste of pineapple and apricot, framed by more of the zest from the citrus side which gives it some bitterness and cuts off the sweetness. The malt is more earthy than sweet given the aroma, but it brings up the floor of the taste with some minerality and flatness to balance. Quick finish with a smooth mouthfeel.
Oysters with tabasco and pickled ginger. Salty and spicy to off-set the sweet.
Snake Lake & Red Hart The Great Daylight
New England Pale Ale
Sylvan Lake, AB
Retail: $5.99 Club: $4.49