One golden summer more than a decade ago, I had a job that meant I had to spend some time visiting various parts of Atlantic Canada. This included my only extended stay in St. John's Newfoundland and with it a meal allowance that got me to and through The Ship Inn, Erin's Pub, Water Street and a spot in George Street I think with sofas giving an excellent view of the NATO fleet crews brawling down below on a beery Tuesday night. It was only years later in 1996 that Quidi Vidi Brewery was founded to seek to capture 4 to 5% of this busy local market. This might equal 25% of a similarly populated market so it is a goal that should see them stay in business.

The brew is a nice enough. No off flavours like the sour yeast of Big Rock and no lack of flavour like Wellington SPA. There is a touch of smoke and more than a bit of crystal malt in a fairly light to medium body with a bit of a residual honey like coy to it. No head to speak of at all - even the old sink water dissipated immediately, big bubbled and more like soda pop than a beer when first poured. There is an old apple sort of thang happening with the malt that is ok but there is not really anything outstanding either, nothing making me want to go nutty and have more than a couple of six packs pass through the fridge over the course of a year. It is, however, one of those beers to introduce someone to micros - nothing too different or challenging and nothing off-putting or weird. A cut above Wellington SPA in that regard and likely a tiny bit ahead of Big Rock. It is no St. Ambrose, however, I'm afraid. Nine advocatrons review it.

Click on the picture for a bigger view including a nice sense of the corrugated cardboard box. I grow weary of the flimsy box board stuff used by many. And bring back the 2x6 12-pack while you're at it.