Brakeman's Session Ale

Born in the wilds of western Toronto at the Junction Craft Brewery, Brakeman's Session Ale contains a manageable 4.5% alcohol, but a flavour that punches well above that weight, as evidenced by the respectable 40 IBUs. According to the 473mL can, this beer is "bright, crisp and thirst quenching".

Brakeman's is a hazy reddish gold ale that pours with a nice layer of off-white foam. There are spicy hop aromatics along with a wee twist of citrus. As promised, I found the mouthfeel to be quite crisp, though maybe a touch thin. There's a respectable hop bill in the flavour, with a decent spicy bitterness holding down the fort. In truth, though, Ontario has had a rash of high hop/low alcohol session ales and American pale ales that I have found more intriguingly bitter.  Other than the hops, there is an earthy malt opening note.

Drinking this stuff after a dreadful softball defeat, refreshing was what I craved, and Brakeman's delivered. While the flavour wasn't entirely to my taste, this session ale made good on its commitment to provide a crisp, drinkable ale. It's not in the same league as Junction's mainstay, Conductor's Craft Ale, but it's none too shabby. Would I buy it again? You bet.

7.0 out of 10.