Beer of the Week - Jan 31 - Old Credit Pale Pilsner

Price: $ 3.25
5.0% Alcohol/Vol
Made in: Ontario, Canada
By: Old Credit Brewing Co. Ltd.

LCBO Tasting Note
Pale straw gold colour; floral hops, cereal, apple and roasted aromas and flavours; dry, light and crisp flavours.

Today Teena and I went down the QEW to go snowshoeing at Crawford Lake Conservation Area . On the way back we saw a sign for the Old Credit Brewing Company in Port Credit. Teena, being the great wife that she is, suggested that we cut off the highway and check it out.

It was only 2 Km off the highway and I must say that I was impressed by the building when we first pulled up. The brewery sign is above the door and almost the entire east side of the building is a window which showed off a copper kettle and aging tank.

The sell three different beers there, Old Credit Amber Ale, Holiday Honey (which used to be their winter seasonal but became so popular that they now brew it year round) and the Old Credit Pale Pilsner.

I could not find much out about the history of this small town brewery but know that it has been around for a few years. They do not have a website of their own and instead use the Ontario Craft brewery website to show their brands. After finding an article by the CBC on the craft brewery industry, I can see why.

The owner of the brewery Aldo Lista, who is 79 years old, was quoted saying, "We don't have a sales force ... I just love what I'm doing".

Instead they depend on product placement in the LCBO and word of mouth. In their retail store, they do show all the different pubs and restaurants in the area that carry their brews.

After buying two of each, Teena and I hit the Snug Harbour Seafood Bar and Grill which is a bright window-filled spot on the water's edge. There I decided to try my first Old Credit Pale Ale.

The beer is straw yellow in colour with a head that does last. It has a crisp taste and a subtle, very pleasant hoppy bite. I quite enjoyed it. Teena had a sip and said she really like it and would have it again. Me too.

Interestingly enough, when I got home and crack a bottle, a nice large 680 ml bottle, I had a different opinion. Instead of the pleasant subtle hoppiness, this one had a sweet taste. Teena noticed this too. It was the same brand, different tastes, both which I liked but much preferred the hoppier one.

The other two brands they carry I will write about when I try them. I would buy this one again and look forward to spending a nice summer's day in Port Credit, exploring the town, and having more of the Old Credit Pale Pilsner fresh from the tap.