Gloomy name: Tempest. And this seasonal brew is black as gloppy crude oil, with 9-per-cent alcohol, no less. But, oh, what a welcome storm in the glass, with its heady, thick, tan foam. Rich and creamy and anything but terrifying, it comes across with a fine balance of sweet malt and hoppy bitter elements. With flavours suggesting chocolate, dark-roast coffee and marinated cherries, it's like a bottled box of Pot of Gold. And there's an earthy, farm-stable aromatic component that helps carry the bracing bitterness to a satisfying finish. Available at select LCBO stores in Ontario and at the Toronto brewery's two retail locations: 45 Esandar Dr. and 245 Queens Quay W.