Author Archives: Daniel Wilson

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About Daniel Wilson

I love making drinks for my friends and family, and, of course, sampling my concoctions myself! Finding and playing around with recipes is a favourite past time of mine and I hope to share that passion with all my readers.

BC Beer Baron #317 – Phillips Raspberry Wheat

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While shopping for brews for my annual beer pong tournament, I went conservative by searching for a good variety case. Mrs. Sip on the other hand, not one to play by anyone’s rules, grabbed a few bombers, including this Phillips Brewing selection.

One of the brewery’s original products, upon launching in 2001, was the Raspberry Wheat. In honour of those tough early days, as the company struggled to survive, the Raspberry Wheat returns annually to quench summer thirst. It is available in bomber-sized bottles from various liquor stores.

phillips-raspberry-wheat

With a logo featuring a box of freshly-picked raspberries, it’s no wonder that the raspberry content in this beer is high. The 5% ABV beverage benefits from raspberry puree being added at the end of the fermentation process, so as not to dominate the brew’s profile.

Phillips is not adverse to creating fruit-based beers, as evidenced by their long list of releases, including the Pucker Plucker Sour Cherry Ale, Solaris White Peach Ale, and Scarfface Orange Cran Wit, among others. As for raspberries, they have also offered the Thorny Horn Sour Raspberry Brown Ale.

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BC Beer Baron #316 – Bridge Hopilano IPA

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On our recent visit to Bridge Brewing’s new tasting room, the Sip Alliance tried everything the company could throw our way. Amongst more than a dozen options, was this diamond in the rough… not to say the rest of the lineup isn’t smooth, as well.

The Hopilano IPA is of the northwest variety, made with Cascade, Centennial and Columbus hops. The 6% ABV, 59 IBUs beverage is heavy on citrus flavours, such as lemon and grapefruit, while also mixing in a distinct bitterness that balances the rest of the recipe.

bridge-hopilano-ipa

I like what Bridge did with this beer’s name, taking the Capilano region of North Vancouver and changing it to Hopilano. Capilano is home to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, a major tourist attraction in the province, which is prominently featured as part of this brew’s logo.

Of the IPA, which is now available in canned six-packs, the brewery writes: “Like our West Coast climate, our beer will leave your mouth lush and wanting more.” Well, I’m always wanting more and this is the type of beer I don’t mind getting me there!

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Sip Trips #81: Restaurant Roundup

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While the Sip Advisor hasn’t posted a Sip Trips article for a couple weeks, that doesn’t mean I haven’t kept up my typical level of social activities. I was just saving up a few outings and before I knew it, there was almost too much to report on.

Dressed as my own inner child – seriously, I just couldn’t get inspired to come up with a costume for this Halloween season, so this was a last minute idea that actually worked out fairly well – we attended a friend’s fundraiser at Rusty’s Neighbourhood Pub in Cloverdale. The burger and beer deal didn’t leave much to the imagination, especially as far as beverages went, but through a technicality, we were able to upsize our burgers and I really enjoyed my Doc Holliday variation. Much of their menu looked really good, so next time we’re in the area, we’ll have to drop in again.

bacon-cheeseburger

The next day, we intended to check out Abbotsford’s Craft Beer Corn Maze, before a storm decimated the attraction. Instead, we used the occasion of being out in the Fraser Valley to visit Old Abbey Ales. Here, the Sip Alliance each constructed their own flight of beer and with so many options available at the tasting room, no two boards were the same. I really like that Old Abbey Ales has the customer fill out there selections, rather than recite them. This gives you more time to round out a perfect cross section of brews and decreases the chances your order will get mixed up.

A couple days later, as Mrs. Sip prepared for her ongoing trip to India, we visited Patron Tacos & Cantina for a meal. We typically order their Queso Fundido dish and then use the cheese and sauces it comes with on our tacos. This makes for quite the feast and Mrs. Sip and I both left with overly full tummies.

That weekend, after recently receiving a flyer advertising Milestones new Epic Eats menu, Mrs. Sip and I were looking forward to testing out some of the new additions. While Mrs. Sip ordered the Jiffy Pop Popcorn Shrimp, I had my eyes – and stomach – set on the Hottest Club in Town. This Sriracha chicken and waffles club sandwich was absolutely fantastic and I look forward to crossing paths with it again shortly. We also noted that the restaurant now has a Beers & Bros deal (a pitcher of beer and four appies for $40) to accompany their Girls’ Night Out Bellini promotion.

waffles-pancakes-with-abs

To celebrate Halloween, we decided to check out the Day of the Dead-themed Stanley Park Train. Following that, Mrs. Sip, Sis-in-Law Sip and myself made our way back downtown and popped into Steamworks Brewpub for a bite and beverage. With a $15 pitcher deal on Mondays, we settled on their Pumpkin Ale, while splitting their massive House Baked Pretzel. This was probably the best way to wrap up Oktoberfest festivities, through the month.

Come Friday, I was on the road again. Mrs. Sip and I are members of the Langley-based Backyard Vineyards and as such, are invited to their semi-annual customer appreciation nights. Mrs. Sip always seems to be on vacation when they occur, but that doesn’t stop the Sip Advisor from enjoying. With great live music filing the air, guests were treated to a fantastic meal and other goodies. Prior to arriving at the winery, we had made great time from Vancouver, so decided to pop into Trading Post Brewing for a beer. I liked my serving of their Dear James S.M.A.S.H. Saison and it was a good start to the evening’s entertainment.

beer-and-wine-consumption

The weekend was wrapped up with a visit to White Spot, where I was able to try a pint of Granville Island Harvest Ale. The beer, exclusively brewed for the restaurant chain, was a solid accompaniment to one of my all-time favourites, the Legendary Burger. You are not a true British Columbian if you have never tried this entrée.

Well, I ended up with much more to discuss than I first thought. With Mrs. Sip away in India for the next two weeks, it kind of feels like the calm before the Christmas season storm. I better enjoy my “downtime” while it lasts!

BC Beer Baron #315 – Ridge Ay Caramba! Jalapeño IPA

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This Ridge Brewing beer has been sitting on the Sip Advisor’s ‘To Do’ list for quite some time… too long, if you ask me. Mrs. Sip and I finally got out to Maple Ridge again and after sampling the release, I instantly filled a growler with the brew.

The Ay Caramba! Jalapeño IPA certainly has a bite to it, but it’s far from a one-dimensional beverage. Flavours of caramel and a hop bitterness also prevail in the 5.5% ABV, 70 IBUs concoction. Drinkers should be cautioned that this IPA is muy caliente and not for anyone who is spice sensitive… such as the gorgeous Mrs. Sip. More beer for me, I guess!

ridge-ay-caramba-jalapeno-ipa

The product is available in bomber-sized bottles from the brewery, where it is also on tap for glass and growler fills. Suggested food pairings include salty barbecue items or Mexican food, of course. The Sip Advisor combined the drink with a rotisserie chicken and a host of side dishes.

This was our second visit to Ridge Brewing’s tasting room and both of our stops have been excellent, filled with copious beer servings and great service from those behind the bar. A highlight has also been checking out the brewery’s collection of growlers from around the province.

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BC Beer Baron #314 – Nelson Blackheart Organic Oatmeal Stout

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At a recent party, the Sip Advisor was able to try a serving of this Nelson Brewing offering. Good thing too, as we’re entering the winter months, when dark beers (stouts and porters) come to the forefront of the craft beer shopping list.

The Blackheart Organic Oatmeal Stout was rich and tasty, with flavours of roasted barley and, of course, oatmeal. The 5.7% ABV beverage is described by the company as “a heavenly marriage of an Irish-style dry stout and an Oatmeal stout.”

nelson-blackheart-organic-oatmeal-stout

Available year-round the product can be found in bomber-sized bottles, at private liquor stores. Although other Nelson Brewing beers can be found in BC Liquor Stores (typically in canned six-packs), this selection is not one of them.

The brewery even suggests dropping a shot of espresso into a serving of the Blackheart Organic Oatmeal Stout. That sounds a little too decadent for the Sip Advisor, especially given my dislike of coffee, but it may be just right for others.

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BC Beer Baron #313 – Whistler Whiskey Jack Ale

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While recently competing in a Disney Trivia event at The Pint, in Vancouver, the Sip Advisor was able to reacquaint himself with an old friend from Whistler Brewing… a pal I wasn’t sure even existed anymore.

The Whiskey Jack Ale is described as either a pale or amber ale, but the beverage reminds me of a Scotch ale, with its dark copper appearance and flavour profile. I would have preferred some even stronger tastes and smells, typical of that variety of beer.

whistler-whiskey-jack-ale

The brew comes in at 5% ABV and is light on hops, making it very easy to drink. Some more complexity would have been welcomed, but it’s still a solid beer. The ale is available in six-packs at BC Liquor Stores.

A whiskey jack, for those who don’t know, is a bird belonging to the crow and jay family. As the brewery writes: “Like our winged friends on the mountain, this ale is full of personality, with just the right amount of hop!”

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BC Beer Baron #312 – Steamworks Flagship IPA

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With a Halloween party to attend last week, the Sip Advisor thought long and hard about what to bring to keep my thirst quenched. The answer was obvious, once this Steamworks Brewing product popped into my devious mind.

The Flagship IPA is very good, featuring Mosaic, Galaxy and Citra hops, for an explosive tropical fruit drinking experience. The northeast style India Pale Ale comes with stats of 6.7% ABV and 65 IBUs, making it perfect for all the hopheads out there… myself included.

steamworks-flagship-ipa

Released just last month, the brew is available in bottled six-packs, as well as the brewery’s Mash Up Tall Can Pack. The beer can also be had at Steamworks Brewpub in Downtown Vancouver and has already joined the company’s year-round lineup.

The Flagship IPA earned Steamworks the top prize at the 2016 BC Beer Awards, receiving the Best in Show accolade. All I know, is when I ended up sharing a couple bottles with friends at the party, it was a hit all around.

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BC Beer Baron #311 – Off the Rail Harvest IPA

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With Mrs. Sip and Cousin Sip desperately wanting one of the cheese twists that some BC craft breweries are famous for, we ended up at Off the Rail Brewing. This did, however, provide me an opportunity to grab this beer.

The Harvest IPA is made with 85 pounds of freshly-picked Chinook, Cascade and Centennial hops from BC Hop Co. The 5.8% ABV beverage paired nicely with the aforementioned cheese twist, thanks to its balanced mix of citrus and bitter tastes.

off-the-rail-harvest-ipa

This was the 2016 version of the Harvest IPA, which typically is released in the fall to coincide with the fresh/wet hop harvest. The brew is available on tap and in bomber-sized bottles, from the Yeast Van brewery, for a limited time.

The fresh/wet hop season produces many great beers each year and has brought to mind some selections that I need to keep an eye out for in 2017. It may be the best time of the year for hop heads and breweries, alike.

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BC Beer Baron #310 – Old Abbey Ales Scottish Monk

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While out in the Abbotsford area recently, the Sip Alliance popped into Old Abbey Ales for a round of beers. There, we all agreed that this selection was perfect for the season and just right for our session of drinks.

The Scottish Monk is a nicely constructed Scotch Ale, with flavours of caramel, toasted malts and a hint of smoke. At 6.5% ABV and 22 IBUs, the beverage is strong and flavourful, resulting in a great winter warmer option.

Old Abbey Ales

Part of Old Abbey Ales Tavern Series, the brew is available in bomber-sized bottles from the brewery and at private liquor stores. It is only around for a limited time, so don’t delay if this type of beer is on your favourite list.

Every trip to the brewery’s Abbotsford tasting room has offered a whole new collection of beers to try. The choices range across the board and there’s something for everyone, regardless of preferences.

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BC Beer Baron #309 – East Van Downtown Honey Brown

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Following our evening at the BC Beer Awards, our group popped into Stateside Craft for a bite to eat and a beverage (or two). Along with a bevy of American craft beers, they also had a few East Van Brewing beverages available.

With my mind on this BC Beer Baron project, I ordered the brewery’s Downtown Honey Brown. This dark lager is light with a noticeable sweetness. At 5% ABV and 8 IBUs, the drink probably won’t set the craft brew world on fire, but it’s a serviceable refreshment.

east-van-downtown-honey-brown

I believe the beer is only available on tap at select locations. As one description of the beer states: “Sometimes you gotta go downtown to find that honey!” I have come across one picture that shows a similarly titled brew in can form, but can’t verify its legitimacy.

Unfortunately, finding information about East Van Brewing is not very easy. I know, over time, I’ve drank a few of their products, such as at The Winking Judge Pub, but they don’t seem to have any online presence, which is too bad.

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