Beau's Bog Water

Bog Water, by Beau's All Natural Brewing Company, is billed as an "Eastern Ontario Gruit Ale". According to the label, this innovative brew out of Vankleek Hill, Ontario is brewed using wild harvested bog myrtle in place of hops. Bog myrtle, which I had previously never heard of, was, according to the 600mL bottle, commonly used in brewing until the 1500s.

Bog Water clocks in at a healthy 6.6% alcohol. It's a cloudy, dark reddish brown ale topped with a big tan head. It has a boozy, malt heavy aroma which features an interesting floral quality. The packaging suggests that there are similarities between this beer and a Belgian dubbel. I found this to be very apt, as it's malty and considerably yeasty with some dark fruit notes. There is very little bitterness, but the beer manages to remain not too sweet.

Beau's Bog Water is pretty interesting stuff. I'm not really inclined to open up a second 600mL bottle of the stuff in one night, but I'd definitely buy it again. Great job by Beau's in playing around with unusual styles!

Rating: 8.0 out of 10.