My first exposure to this delightful little brew was seemingly forever ago when, during one visit to the cottage, my aunt produced some unlabeled bottles with fluorescent orange pieces of paper rubber banded to their necks. It hailed from the little town of Neustadt and, believe me, there is something in the water there and it's best used in service of barley and hops.
Things are different now and, as tends to happen with good products, 10w30 no longer necessitates a trip to the north: It can be found at your local LCBO (at least if you live by me). They stuck with the really bright orange so it definitely stands out on the shelves and, should it ever catch your eye, do yourself a favour and take it home. Preferably after paying.
Being a dark ale it has a heavy feel to it but, unlike it's namesake, it's surprisingly potable. Through the lips, it embarks on a bubbly frolic dragging an enjoyable bitter sweetness along for the ride. When it's gone, it leaves behind a rather pleasant aftertaste which I can really only describe as "full", and I don't mean in the morning after at the Fifth Wheel kind of way.
A word of warning, however: Since this is a dark ale, it might hit the tongue a little unlike what you're expecting. 10w30 is a little more bitter than what you'd find in a Creemore or a Canadian but, as I tell many wary of the path of the darker beer, just stick with it. Dark beers can be a gateway to many cool things, not the least of which is Neustadt.
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