Bad Shepherd Brewing Co has built a following in Melbourne's south east for beers that push flavour further than most, and Take Off Eh! is a nod to Canada by way of a red ale brewed with maple.
It is creamy and full bodied, with rich butterscotch and caramel tones running through the malt and just a hint of vanilla on the finish. The maple sits alongside the specialty malts rather than dominating, so the beer reads as indulgent rather than sugary.
This is not your average red ale. Give it a moment out of the fridge and pour it into a proper glass, and it drinks closer to a dessert beer than a session one.