Ides 47: The Originals
A few years after Robert Henderson founded Toronto’s first brewery at the corner of Duchess & Caroline streets, James Worts & his brother-in-law, William Gooderham, arrived in Toronto & set up a windmill just down the road.
At first, their main business was processing grain grown by Ontario farmers but, by 1837, Gooderham & Worts had transitioned into the distilling business full time, eventually building the complex that is today known as The Distillery Historic District.
To celebrate these originals, we barrel-aged a small batch of Henderson ale in a few freshly-emptied Gooderham & Worts Whisky barrels. The result is a brilliant amber ale with notes of barrel-aging showing through oak, caramel, tannins and earthiness.
OG: 14
IBU: 40
SRM:18
Carbonation: 2.40 Volumes (Medium)
Malts: 2 Row Pale, Caramunich III, Dextrin, C-15, Carafa Special III
Hops: Magnum, Amarillo, Centennial
Yeast: English Ale
Appearance: Brilliant amber with a tan head
Aroma: Mild oak, caramel, slight booziness, slightly earthy
Taste: Caramel and toffee, oak, tannins, mild vinous character
Mouthfeel: Round with a dry tannic finish
Overall impression: An amber ale with notes of barrel aging showing through oak, caramel, tannins and earthiness.