A great day yesterday...perhaps. Under the judicious but incomprehensible plan for the parcelling out of microbrews of Ontario by the LCBO, Kingston got a 2-4 of Hockley Dark Ale. One whole case. Importantly for understanding the dark world of Ontario micro distribution, Sgt. Major IPA was nowhere to be seen. Anyway, I bought a whole four cans to share at lunch with family and I must say the privilege was worth it - not that I have tried it yet...I am just grateful to the suits who know my needs. It is nice to have a system where I get to try a new beer ever 11 weeks like clockwork.
Hockley appears to be somewhat of a small operation focusing somewhere other than web design, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Like the delightful Old Chub recently found, this is a canned micro. Unlike Old Chub, it is not in a can so thin that picking one up can buckle the side and create a opening through which air can leak in and spoil the beer unbeknownst to the future drinker who created the buckle when carefully putting them away.
The ale pours a deep mahogany with mocha foam and rim. The can says "mild, light body, full flavour" and I suppose it is but at 5% it is a little strong for the style and the alcohol stands out a tad. What is nice is that it a somewhat of a softer water beer, really necessary for a dark, though not as soft as possible. There is good nuttiness to the malt, coffee and dry cocoa as well as some raisiny notes. If I were a quibbling man I would wonder about the hops which are sort of minerally twiggy. But style and quibble be damned. This is a pretty good dark and certainly comparable to another Ontario dark ale, Neustadt 10W30.
Comments
Anthony - March 15, 2007 10:13 PM
Nice words from Neustadt 10W30 describing this delicious dark beer. I have tried many and this is one of my top 5 beers period. Lots of flavour and I love the distinctive taste. Try it and I think you'll buy it again. I also enjoy Hockley Gold, another good beer that I purchase when I visit the local LCBO (not that I am there a lot or anything eh).
Cheers!
Adam - April 10, 2007 7:25 PM
I must say, at first taste this is one of the best beers I've tried. I've been looking for something similar to Stonehammer Dark Ale (which cannot be bought at the Beer Store, or LCBO...ahem!), and thought I may have found an available beer that suited my taste buds.
I've tried Hockley a number of times since, and have to admit the taste is wearing me a bit thin. The water definetely could be a bit softer, and consequently its a bit syrupy. The alcohol definetely jumps out at, which could be softened a bit.
Despite the strong taste and slightly thin malt, this beer is worth a try. For lovers of dark beer, you need to adventure out sometimes to find your suit...and this one might be it!
Stephen Hockley - May 2, 2007 2:33 AM
Ive tried Hockley beer on several occassions , first was at a Hockley corn roast summer of 06. I enjoy the strong taste but the malt was a little thin. Out of the two hockley beers that they offer i would say i perfer the amber beer most. And lastly i would say that overall Hockley has lived up to its name HOCKLEY.
Peter a Hockley Dark Lover - July 4, 2007 4:33 PM
Hockley Dark is one of the best beers I have ever tried. It is a distinctively Canadian dark ale, and it is better than Guinness. For a refresshing, full flavoured, ice cold, dark ale, without the heavy stomach, try Hockley Dark. Definately a boy-beer!
Does anybody know where one can buy it on Ottawa?
Joe Meloche - December 19, 2007 10:02 AM
I have purchased this beer several times and enjoy the taste. But I've only been able to purchase the beer when we are on vacation in the North. I am from the Windsor area and I am having a hard time finding an LCBO that carries this brand. If someone knows a place to purchase this close to me please let me know.
Alan - December 19, 2007 10:13 AM
A quick search of the LCBO webstite shows 24 cans at this one store near you:<blockquote>WINDSOR 3165 HOWARD AVENUE
HOWARD & E.C. ROW EXPWY (ROUNDHOUSE CTR)</blockquote>
ron starkey - May 27, 2011 7:23 PM
great beer black&tan porters lake n.s sent more too my house 6 chevoit hill rd porters lake b3e 1k1 haha ps I tested many dark beer but hockley dark is the best great job