RJ La Canon

Brewed by Brasseurs RJ
Style: Doppelbock
Montreal, Canada

Objectively speaking: We compared a bottle from 1996 to the new 2008 version. The parallel is similar to Mcauslan vintage ale. Apparently, this used to be a beefier, richer, more caramelised lager.
I like: In the old version, I suspect the palate was rich and inviting though cardboard character has developed by now.
I dislike: In the new version, the body is frail with biting carbonation which disturbs the malt development. Really grainy profile with no real biscuitiness, more of a sesame grain timid breadiness. Dull and detached alcohol. Overly clean, filtered to the point of feeling stripped.

My Bottom Line:
Tranquil fruity caramel maltiness provides a clean, drinking experience which remains undernourished and storyless for the Doppelbock style.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A slim veil of foam skirts the coppery amber.
-The Munich malt character is evident, but underdeveloped for the style.
-Alcohol nudges the back end, but never bothers.
-Had we had a Porthos right after, the Canon’s score might have dipped sharply.

Bottle.

This was tasted right after a best-before-1997 version of the Canon which was brewed when the company was called Brasseurs GMT. This one was obviously quite oxidized, but the toasted caramel maltiness was definitely richer than the newer version and its ensuing body and complexity were much more pleasant as well. This surely was a differently-fed beast 11-12 years ago. Merci Éric!!

A clear reddish brown lager with a thick light moka head. Very sweet aroma of brown sugar and vanilla, with gin alcohol.. In mouth, a sweetish oily bock, with light nuttiness, very short in mouth...medium bodied. Ho hum beer for the style.

Pours a clear copper color. Boring aroma of malt and some caramel sweetness. Boring flavor of malt and caramel sweetness. The body is light with a creamy texture and soft carbonation. There’s nothing really bad in there but the malt’s lack of richness and depth makes this beer uninteresting. Prior to tasting this version, we had the original one, which was quite old and certainly oxydated, but the malt was more interesting, more rich, some chocolate and caramel flavor were found. 7/6/63/13 3.2

Bouteille de 341 ml partagée lors d’une dégustation Ratebeer Montréal chez Cathschlag. Arôme: Odeur de caramel fruité avec une pointe d’épices. Apparence: La couleur est cuivrée. Présence d’un mince col mousseux et d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût de caramel brulé et de céréales grillées avec une pointe d’épices. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est mince avec une texture légèrement huileuse. Faible effervescence en bouche. Légère présence de caramel en arrière goût. Cette version est le premier brassin depuis 1996. Nous avons comparé la version 2008 avec une version 1996. (Rating #1659)

Bottle: Poured a clear medium copper color bock with an average size foamy head with average retention and some lacing. Aroma of sweet malt is somewhat interesting but no signs of banana or cloves could be detected as I would have expected from a doppelbock. Taste is also dominated by some sweet malt notes and not much else. Body is a bit thin for the style with some average carbonation and no apparent alcohol. I remember really enjoying this beer years ago but this a pale shadow of its former self.

Aroma:Light caramel,brown sugar.... Appearance:Dark ruby-red,light head... Flavor:Light brown-sugar,light alcohol,light watery.....

Bouteille de 341 ml, acheté au Grand Duc (Longueuil, Quebec) le 18/4/08. Couleur ruby cuivrée, un peu de collet. Arome de cassonade, quelque s’épices, pas très malté. Goût de malte fumé à l’érable, un peu d’amerturme avec une petite présance d’alcool. Décevant, mais c’est RJ! Je me demande si l’original était meilleur?