Von Bugle Munich Lager

Toronto’s Steam Whistle famously makes only one beer, their premium pilsner ("Do one thing really, really well"). So, when the makers of Steamy wanted to make another beer, they took the unusual step of forming a whole new company, Von Bugle Brewing, to do it. The result is Von Bugle Munich Lager, a 5% amber lager sold in 473mL cans.

VBML came my way via my pal P.C., a lovely fellow with whom I often carpool. The beer is clear and caramel coloured, with a short-lived cap of off-white head. The beer has a toasted malt aroma, with some cereal sweetness and a dollop of toffee. It has a flavour to match, with toast malts in the driver’s seat and toffee riding shotgun. The back end has some bitterness, although it is a bit more understated than I’d have liked, and this makes the sweetness continue a bit longer than it perhaps should.

I can’t imagine Von Bugle Munich Lager ever outperforming its relative at Steam Whistle—it’s nowhere near as accessible. However, it’s a pretty fair take on the amber lager—one I’d gladly revisit.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.