Ruff Draught Tropical Blonde Ale

I picked up Born Ruffians’ latest release, Uncle, Duke & the Chief this week. While listening to it for the third time, it seemed like a good opportunity to review Ruff Draught Tropical Blonde Ale, a Muskoka Brewery product brewed in collaboration with the band. Sold in neon on black 473mL cans, Ruff Draught is a sessionable 5%, 25 IBU ale that, according to its copy, won a session beer prize.  The ingredients list doesn’t mention any purée or fruit additives, so it sounds like the “Tropical” in this blonde ale is a result of brewing and not flavouring.

Brewed in Bracebrodge, RD is a slightly hazy dull gold brewski. It pours with a loose but voluminous cloud of white head, through which one can detect a a dry hops nose with some juicy fruit elements. While the aroma was a bit coy with it’s fruitiness, the flavour was a bit more forthcoming—still, for a beer with “Tropical” in the name, I was expecting to be overwhelmed by citrus and juicy papaya. Rather, the result was a beer with definite fruit leanings, but subtly nestled under an acerbic bitterness and a pleasant, almost Belgian-style yeasty fin.

As someone who appreciates a pint with less-than-obvious fruit elements, Ruff Draught left me pretty pleased—with notes of mango and peach that were plain, but not stifling. Further, the beer was definitely not too sweet, which is a treat when one delves into, and chooses to advertise, tropical flavours. All told, I thought this was a strong beer, and I’d be glad to pick up more if I see it.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.