Latent Construct

Getting ready to host a beer and cheese competition to ring in the New Year, I took a different approach than I usually do to create my pairing: I actually chose my cheese first and then went in search of a complimentary beer. The cheese I landed on was a semi-soft cow’s milk number from Quebec called Le Cendré de Notre-Dame—creamy and mild, with a delicate flavour. Traditionally, I have gone beer hopping first and then found a cheese to match, but I was feeling impish.

 

After some soul-searching, I decided that what I wanted was either a local (Toronto) brown ale or a stout, not too sweet, and not too strong. I put my internet skills to work and decided on a likely contender: Latent Construct is a coffee and oatmeal stout. From Rorschach Brewing Co. in Toronto’s east end, sourcing LC provided me with an opportunity to visit a brewery I’ve been hankering to try for ages. And at an even 5%, the flavour of the beer would be able to shine.

Latent Construct has a bold, java-heavy scent, with dark chocolate and brown sugar notes. It’s flavour is likewise bold—strong brewed coffee is paramount, giving the beer a bitter and rich tone—but this is supplemented by chocolate notes and a lingering hops finish. It is a handsome obsidian ale that arrived with a lush off-white head.

When I host a beer and cheese event, I always play to win. With my duo of Cendré and Latent Construct, I went into the party feeling pretty confident. This is a beer I’d gladly revisit, and one that left me feeling extremely curious about the rest of Rorschach’s lineup.

 

Note: I did won both the coveted best pairing and best beer awards.

Rating: 9.0 out of 10.