Mrs. Sip and I have returned to our Urban Rec multi-sports (each week is a different gym class classic) careers again and with that comes our regular trips to The Flying Beaver pub and restaurant, near the Richmond Olympic Oval. There, Okanagan Springs Brewing products are often on special.

One of my recent favourites at the bar has been the OK Springs Brewmaster’s Black Lager, which I have only seen at this establishment. As far as I know, it can’t be found in BC liquor stores or at least not the ones I’ve been to and it doesn’t feature into the brewery’s Winter Variety Pack. I’m not sure why that is, as it’s one of the better beers I’ve had from the company. The Black Lager is easy drinking, but the darkness adds a different flavour profile than their 1516 Lager.

Speaking of the Winter Variety Pack I like that it includes two bottles of six different beers, which is a change from the typical 3×4 and 4×3 combos (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). That said, I haven’t picked up a case of the beer yet and should remedy that soon, especially with their Chili Porter onboard.

Some may give Okanagan Springs some flak for growing too big (owned by the Sleeman conglomerate of breweries before that company was acquired by Sapporo), but they are one of the original craft breweries in this province – established in 1985 – and they continue to churn out interesting beers that are worth a taste.

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