This is the second review I’ve done of an Old Tomorrow beer. But, since I wrote my review of Old Tomorrow Beer’s Canadian Pale Ale, the fledgling brewery has updated their website. The brewery’s “About” page now describes their high-minded mandate, brewing truly delicious craft beer that celebrates moments of Canadian greatness. As my other review says, I really enjoyed their CPA, so I picked up a couple 473 mL cans of Old Tomorrow Beer’s Track 85 Lagered Ale.
Track 85’s name is a reference to the Canadian Pacific Railway, completed in 1885, that links Canada’s east and west coasts. A major work that Old Tomorrow Beer’s mascot, Sir John A. Macdonald, fought for, the completion of this railway was key to unifying Canada. In fact, its completion is likely as powerful a symbol of Canadian nationalism as, if not more than, the country’s first steps toward confederation in 1867. But enough about the name of this beer, how does it taste?
Old Tomorrow Beer: Track 85 Lagered Ale – First Sip
Track 85 Lagered Ale pours a slightly amber golden colour with a relatively thin layer of head. I smell green apple as I take my first sip. It tastes slightly tart off the top and mellows to a refreshingly grainy flavour. Track 85 Lagered Ale presents well as a crowd-pleaser. Its sour to sweet flavour and thin mouthfeel make for a beer you hope to find at a late (or early) summer barbecue.
Old Tomorrow Beer: Track 85 Lagered Ale – Last Sip
This is a classic after-a-hard-day’s-work beer. It doesn’t demand much attention: it’s an excellent beer to open up and enjoy straight from the can. And, though 4.5% ABV might not seem like much, beers with lower alcohol percentages have taken many a beer lover by surprise. I’d like to try this beer with a wedge of lime and see how it measures up against a Corona. But that’s a challenge for another day.
