Another trip to Tobermory means another trip to Tobermory Brewing Company to refill my growler and howler with tasty beer. I was one of many who drove to the northern-most point of the Bruce Peninsula last weekend. The bartender told me, while I was waiting for my refills, that it was their busiest weekend ever. I like to think that’s because my review of Tobermory Brewing’s Tilted Windmill IPA, but it might be a coincidence. With a kitchen and dining room, Tobermory Brewing continues to offer a variety of tasty dishes that complement their brews. Unfortunately, I wanted to beat the Civic Holiday traffic so I only had time to pick up my beer. I got a howler of their Sailor’s Delight Raspberry Wheat beer, and I wish it was larger.
Tobermory Brewing Company: Sailor’s Delight – First Sip
Sailor’s Delight pours a slightly cloudy pale red, almost orange, colour. A good layer of foam forms at the top of my glass but it disappears quickly. My howler is four days old now. But, having not opened it since I got it, I think it’s retained the majority of its carbonation.
Sailor’s Delight has a great aroma that reminds me of raspberry pie. Rather than relying on a high carbonation level to bring out its flavours, this brew allows its tart raspberry flavour, accented by its smell, to speak for itself. Unlike some other fruit-flavoured brews I’ve had, Sailor’s Delight doesn’t have a big sweet taste to it. This beer is sour off the top but finishes on a sweet note, like the underrated raspberry itself: this is a raspberry beer for people who like the taste of raspberries, not raspberry-flavoured sugar. Sailor’s Delight’s tart flavour mixed with its low carbonation level gives it a unique mouthfeel that’s similar to eating a handful of raspberries.
Tobermory Brewing Company: Sailor’s Delight – Last Sip
I can see how someone drinking a lot of this beer might become put off by its strong aroma. Into my second pint I started to feel like I was drinking perfume, albeit a very tasty and well-balanced perfume. Sailor’s Delight comes in at a reasonable 4.9% ABV, and, although it’s not a light beer, it’s a beer you can drink a couple of. As I said earlier, mine came from a four-day old howler, so it’s possible that it’s even better from the tap. Unfortunately, like Tobermory Brewing’s other beers, Sailor’s Delight is only available at the brewery.
