As a Haligonian ex-pat, I learned a lot about craft beer from Garrison in its early years in the mid-90s when it was one of the most reliable Maritime craft brewers that bottled. There was a more obviously Halifax centric naming of the brands back then. I seem to recall that I had a lot of their moreish Barracks Brown. These days I don't get back to old port town anymore - mainly because I discovered that (a) Allagash is in Portland and (b) the sea and the seafood is half the distance to drive.

But I got a few beers in the mailbox the other day from Brian Titus and it suddenly life was all funny blue tartan and touristy puffins again. I am stashing the Ol’ Fog Burner barley wines as to do anything else would be infanticide. This one, however, is the beer for now. It pours a clouded deep orange amber under a white froth and foam with orange marmalade and candied oregano aroma. In the mouth there is lots of green weedy hops with some mint and grapefruit as well. The malt is pretty bread crust-eous with a bit of sultana in there, too. A very fine take on a big hop bomb without the insane booze levels that too often go along for the ride.

At 7%, I do think it is a stretch to call it "imperial" but perhaps it's the great Scottish empire that they are referencing. A beer that could stand up to a deep fried haggis. BAers have the love.