573. Henderson Brewing Co. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) - Moving Pitchers

“Henderson Brewing and Rush take the stage together with this electric brew, named after Rush’s 8th studio album. A strong ale with a medley of aromas of berries, grapes, and spice, along with maple syrup and a mild floral note. The palate shows dark fruit, pudding, and toffee, capped by a long finish. Savour solo.”

I get grapes in various stages, from fresh to dried, and possibly some spice—but it’s just as likely that the spice is masked by the 11.9% ABV. It’s big and strong, and that ain’t necessarily bad; but it ain’t necessarily good, either. I really wanted to like these beers, but I didn’t. (And I sure as hell wish I hadn’t spent almost $150 getting them the hell across the border.)

579. Henderson Brewing Co. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) - Rush Canadian Golden Ale

“This Rye Golden Ale pours a gorgeous old gold colour, with a dense, ivory head. Notes of orange, caramel and black tea accompanied by a piney & citric hop character welcome you at the sip; then followed by a dry spicy, bitter finish reminiscent of white rye bread.”

That rye is strong up front, and it mostly masks the other flavors; but it’s crisp and interesting, and it’s the best of the four Rush beers I recently acquired.

568. Henderson Brewing Co. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) - Xanabrew

“Xanabrew is the latest release in the Henderson X Rush series of limited edition beers, complementing their flagship Rush Canadian Golden Ale. Belgian Golden Strong Ale brewed with Freeze-Dried Honeydew Melon, Huell Melon Hops & Niagara Riesling Juice. Complex & delicate notes of apple, pear, stone fruit, honey dew, citrus, and spice (sage, cracked black pepper). This beer finishes dry, which allows the esters and phenolic characters to take centre stage.”

Three of the four Rush beers that I recently acquired are described as “Belgian strong ale,” and this one, at 10.5%, is the mild one. It’s got a hint of funk, and a hint of citrus. The finish is dry and boozy, and there’s a bit of stone fruit or melon that lingers way past the back end. Very well crafted, but it doesn’t make my socks roll up and down.

Did I listen to "Xanadu" while I was drinking it? Reader, I did.

“Nevermore shall I return—Escape these caves of ice.”

570. Henderson Brewing Co. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) - Signals

“Rush and Henderson are proud to announce the third in their series of premium Belgian-inspired beers. ‘Signals’ is a classic Belgian-style blonde with Riesling must and cold-pressed apples, delivering complex aromas of stone fruit, peach and mild spice that carry through to a warming finish. This release is all the more special for us at the brewery because the fire hydrant that adorns the album cover was manufactured, almost a century ago, just 100 or so meters away at 137 Sterling Road.”

Nice wine-like character up front, with some apple peel there on the back end. Very nice dry finish that brings some of the sweet fruit flavor along with the bite of the high alcohol (12.9% ABV). A touch more interesting, on first taste, than the Xanabrew I tried yesterday.

"A boy lies in the grass with one blade stuck between his teeth. A vague sensation quickens in his young and restless heart."