Nigel Kirk
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beerweab.bsky.social
Nigel Kirk
@beerweab.bsky.social
Beer specialist, Prud'homme, Certified Cider Guide, anime and cozy gaming fan. Also: Wrestling and Hockey fan.
The head settled quicker than I could get my phone out, but tonight I'm enjoying Chapter 6, from Cabin Brewing. A Baltic Porter that's been aged in Maple Syrup barrels. Strong and tannic this delicious brew might be my Thanksgiving recommendation.
October 4, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Sometimes it's the small things in life that being me joy. Like putting this pic in the replies of all the people insisting Metallica should do the halftime show.
October 2, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Last beer of the party I think. Hammer Pants West Coast IPA. As '88 tradition, it's got a lot of tropical flavors, but as a West Coast, it's also got the usual pine flavor, resin, and more. 4.8% ABV. Not too bitter. Just bitter enough. Crust forward malt.
August 23, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Blue Raspberry definitely is a little more Lactic forward. Thankfully, we feast as much with our eyes as we do with our tongues. Compared to other North American fruited sours, this one definitely tastes like a beer still.
August 23, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Mm.. peach forward for sure. A bit tart, which is to be expected from a fruited sour. I wasn't a fan of the basic Duotang, since it was an unflavored sour. It definitely needed fruit and it works! 5% ABV
August 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Flight #2: Peach Duotang, Blue Raspberry Duotang, and Extra Extra DHIPA.
August 23, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Testarossa. Surprisingly smooth. Not as "malty" as many other darker lagers. Hints of Umami - possibly soy sauce, kind of like an English bitter, but less hoppy.
August 23, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Next up: SPF '88. Very tropical and Juicy. 6.5% ABV. Pineapple leads the way, followed by coconut balanced with other tropical citrus fruit. All with crumb malt, taking a back seat to let the hops do all the talking.
August 23, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The Stout is pretty dry, with a more chocolate forward malt. Hops are a bit resinous, and just a little flowery. A hint on the bitter side for the style, but it works!
August 23, 2025 at 7:29 PM
From left to right at Eighty-Eight Brewing: Side Track Nitro Stout, SPF '88 Pineapple Coconut Hazy, Testarossa Amber Lager. All brews I've yet to try.

Eighty-Eight is known for their hazies, but they do have a bit of everything on the menu.
August 23, 2025 at 7:24 PM
I'm back at Brewsmith Brewing to try a flight or two of their latest offerings!

#YYCBeer
July 17, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Was in Inglewood to visit the old Calgary Brewery site. Decided to drop in at Cold Garden for a visit!
June 30, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Radler fans rejoice! Annex Brewing has the best Grapefruit Radler I've ever tried!
#AlbertaBeerFests
#CalgaryBeerFestival
May 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Did my duty today! #CanadaVotes #elxn2025
April 28, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Now I'm at Establishment Brewing. All these breweries are all so close to each other in Calgary. "Take a Slice" uses wild yeast, which in Alberta, tends to give it a Hefeweizen taste. Very delicious if you're into that kind of thing.
March 29, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Now I'm at Annex brewing, one of my favorite breweries here in Calgary. Their bitter has an amazing taste. A little umami, bit lets the barley and hops speak for themselves. I recommend Minor Force and Nothing Ordinary.
March 29, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Some more ciders from Uncommon Cider! With this flight I've tried everything on tap! The dry is a low Tannin, medium-low acid cider, notes of white grape. Sweetwood Mac is not overly sweet, a near-natural sweetness. All about the apple choice... 1/2
March 28, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Currently, I'm at Uncommon Cider in Calgary, trying a glass of Apple Pie, a spiced cider perfect for today's gloomy weather. Low Tannin, medium-dry, low acid. Delicious!

And the place is so pink! I love it!
March 28, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Tonight's #CraftBeer is Southern Aspect, from Banded Peak Brewing! 7.1 ABV, 70 IBU, WCIPA. Bread Crust malt with some pine, grass, and some citrus flavors, plus some tropical aromas.

The malt has a slight hint of sweetness to it as well to balance the bitterness, which is nice.
March 24, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Today I was at #GrapeEscape which despite the name does include beer, cider, and spirits. Here's a photo with the folks at Calgary's Eighty Eight Brewery. My recommendation? Wave Pool. A tropical hazy NEIPA.

Their name comes from when Calgary hosted the winter Olympics - 1988.
March 22, 2025 at 4:48 AM
It's International Women's Day and I believe the embargo has been lifted on this collaboration from the wonderful ladies of Born Brewing and Annex! Future Continuous is a hop-forward lager, kind of like a cold IPA. Resinous notes make this brew crisp and refreshing, at a crushable 5% ABV! #IWD
March 9, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Tonight, it's another Alberta #CraftBeer! Tool Shed's Prairie Pride Wild Wheat Ale, made with Alberta Barley and Wheat, homegrown hops, the best freshwater on God's Green Earth, and yeast from Old's College Brewmaster Lab! Tastes like a blend between a Hefe and a Wit!
March 6, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Tonight, I'm enjoying Born Brewing's black IPA: Chasing Daylight. Chocolate with Hops? It tastes better than you'd think! Chocolate and coffee malt with some citrus hops and a hint of pine combine for an umami concoction that pairs well with anything battered and fried. #CraftBeer #Beer
March 2, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Hey, not only am I a beer lover, I'm an ACA Certified #Cider Guide! Tonight, I'm enjoying a Cider Noire from Calgary's Sunny Cider! Back sweetened with Belgian Candy Syrup and having Sunny Cider's famous hint of vinegary tartness, this is like a Dubbel, but with apples instead of grain or hops.
February 24, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Something brand new for you here! The Rockyview Brewing Non-Alcoholic Pilsner! It doesn't have that "bran" taste common in NA beers, but the malt does taste rather heavy on crumb.

Could use a little more hop flavor. Not necessarily make it "hoppy" but it seems to have less hop flavor than a Coors.
February 20, 2025 at 4:44 AM