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 #254 – Ridge Café Morena English Brown Ale

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While sitting down for a meal of tacos at Originals Restaurante Mexicano in New West, Mrs. Sip and I were pleasantly surprised to learn of the diverse lineup of brews available on the eatery’s three craft beer taps. Mrs. Sip ordered a serving of this Ridge Brewing release.

Good thing she did, as we both instantly enjoyed the Café Morena English Brown Ale, loving the flavours of coffee, caramel and nuts that came through with each taste. The 5% ABV, 27 IBUs drink was complex and refreshing. While I prefer higher carbonation, this style does call for minimal fizz.

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The beer is available in bomber-sized bottles and the brewery notes that the beverage is best enjoyed warm. Our serving was ice cold, so perhaps it works both ways (like an iced coffee). Mrs. Sip and I aren’t even coffee enthusiasts (or fans at all) and we loved this beer.

The husband and wife owners of Ridge Brewing are Mexican, so why not partner with a taqueria. Ridge can also offer other brews that pair well thematically with the cuisine, such as their Gringa Loca Witbier and Ay Caramba! Jalapeno IPA, which I finally got to try recently.

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BC Beer Baron #253 – Driftwood Cry Me A River Gose

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While on a recent beer tour, I spotted this guest tap from Driftwood Brewing and decided a serving must be had, having gotten more into the gose style in recent times.

The Cry Me A River Gose comes from a rare style of wheat beer that is more sour and salty than typical brews from the wheat family. This is because of the gose’s origins from Leipzig, Germany and the salty waters of the city’s Gose River. Thanks to its unique taste, the beverage is perfect on a hot summer day, paired with seafood and shellfish. All this, despite the fact the gose style went extinct not once, but twice in its native country.

driftwood-cry-me-a-river-gose

The 5% ABV seasonal product is available in bomber-sized bottles at BC Liquor Stores for a very decent price of $5.19, before taxes and deposit. The beer is an ancestor/rebranding of Driftwood’s Gose-Uh (the actual pronunciation of the beer style) Gose, which debuted in 2013.

I’ve been a big fan of Driftwood’s label designs for some time, mentioning the work in other articles, but have neglected to give a shout out to the company that makes the magic happen, Hired Guns Creative. Some of the company’s other clients include breweries, wineries and distilleries from across BC and abroad.

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Sip Trips #74: Labouring Away

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Mrs. Sip tries to get us out-of-town for every long weekend. Despite that desire, we stayed close to home this Labour Day long weekend, but that didn’t stop us from having a pretty full schedule over our three days off. And with many of our friends away on vacations, we were flying solo for much of the weekend… just the way the Sip Advisor likes it!

We began the weekend by meeting at the VIP Theatre at the Marine Gateway Cineplex complex. Here, we were treated to fantastic service from the time we entered, all the way until we made the journey back home. While watching Sausage Party, we enjoyed a pitcher of beer (they had one craft beer on tap – Dead Frog’s Tropic Vice) with meals of buffalo chicken strips for moi and a cheese quesadilla for Mrs. Sip. Despite it costing $25 each for the movie tickets, plus food and drink fees, I would do the experience again in a heartbeat. Wednesday’s offer a date night deal, where for the usual price of admission for two fares, you also get two entrees.

vip-theatre

The next morning, we were off to Bellingham, Washington for some shopping and lunch at the Boundary Bay Brewery. Once again, I had their stellar Reuben sandwich, while Mrs. Sip tried their B.L.A.T., instead of her usual tapenade order. We enjoyed these paired with servings of the Space Dust IPA (a very good beer, which I had never tried before) and Scotch Ale, respectively.

As we waiting for our meals to come out, Mrs. Sip learned that a new operation had just opened up around the corner and so we also popped into Gruff Brewing to try a couple of their beverages. This included the Lychee Hef for me and Belgian Blonde for Mrs. Sip. We also tried a taster of their Belgian Brown Sour. The company opened their doors in mid-August and are currently operating on weekends only.

Returning to Canada, we visited a friend in Maple Ridge and while in the area, decided to visit Ridge Brewing. I’ve been pining to try their Ay Caramba! Jalapeño IPA, ever since I first heard about it and finally achieved that, even filling a growler with the brew (to be reviewed as part of the BC Beer Baron project, shortly). We also tried a number of other items on their tap list, including the new Wind and Sea Pale Ale and their Pride Beer Berliner Weiss.

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After staying up late, watching all three movies at the Twilight Drive-In theatre in Aldergrove, Mrs. Sip and I crashed at Ma and Pa Sip’s place in Delta, before heading back to Vancouver. En route, we stopped at the Fuggles & Warlock tasting room in Richmond, where we split a couple of tasting flights, while playing a game of cribbage on their wonderful outdoor patio. Our mutual favourite of their selections was The Last Strawberry Wit, while we also sampled a few of the guest taps that were available.

Aside from our expeditions, Mrs. Sip and I were also able to find a fair bit of time for relaxing and hanging out. We took a couple long walks and discovered some sites we’d like to visit in the near future, some of which will surely show up in Sip Trips articles. Why can’t all weekends be three days long!?

BC Beer Baron #252 – Whistler Peak to Pier Summer Wit

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Prior to our recent weekend away, camping in the Cultus Lake area, the Sip Advisor did some serious liquor shopping. One of the bottles I procured was this release from Whistler Brewing, which I knew would be perfect for the occasion.

The Peak to Pier Summer Wit is a very good beer, featuring flavours of cranberry and peach to go along with the more typical tastes of a wit variety product (wheat, citrus, and spice). The 5% ABV, 15 IBUs beverage is light and incredibly refreshing.

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An exclusive collaboration with Tap & Barrel, the brew can be found at their three Vancouver-based locations for the duration of summer. The restaurant touts the beer as ideal for days drinking outdoors during what can often be too brief of a patio season.

The Peak to Pier Summer Wit is also available in bomber-sized bottles at BC Liquor Stores, as well as private establishments. Get it before it’s gone!

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BC Beer Baron #251 – Spinnakers Orange Karma Oatmeal Cream Ale

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Recently, the Sip Advisor found himself in unfamiliar territory, returning some personal items to a friend. But hey, at least there was a liquor store as part of the complex that I could use as a meeting point. That’s where I found this tantalizing release from Spinnakers Brewing.

The Orange Karma Oatmeal Cream Ale instantly caught my eye, thanks to its intriguing mix of ingredients. At 5.3% ABV and 50 IBUs, the result is a creamy fruit ale, with touches of spice and a smooth, hoppy finish. The orange flavours isn’t overwhelming, which lets the other elements shine, as well.

Spinnakers Orange Karma Oatmeal Cream Ale

Named after the Spinnakers brewery dog, Karma, the beer is available in bomber-sized bottles at private liquor stores. The product was first released in the fall of 2015, before making a summer return this year. I’m just happy I was able to track a bottle down.

For craft beer fans out there, my best advice for finding new and interesting stuff to try is to mix things up. BC Liquor Stores are great, but private shops can offer more selection and the price difference isn’t too bad. Also, some bars can have fantastic brew lineups.

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BC Beer Baron #250 – Old Yale Moon Dance Mango Wheat

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The Sip Advisor has long been a fan of Old Yale Brewing, but only recently finally visited their Chilliwack-based tasting room. There, Mrs. Sip and I shared a paddle of their beers, which was highlighted by this delicious option.

The Moon Dance Mango Wheat is bursting with mango flavour, as each batch of the brew is apparently constructed using 900 pieces of the stone fruit. The brewery describes the 5% ABV, 10 IBUs beverage simply as “smooth tropical freshness,” once again proving that only good things happen with a wheat base.

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Previously known as the Outta Wack Mango Wheat, the beer is available in bomber-sized bottles, as well as six-packs. While the Outta Wack (get it, cause it’s out of Chilliwack) version was a seasonal release, the Moon Dance has earned a spot in Old Yale’s regular lineup and can be found year-round.

Suggested food pairings include shellfish, spicy seafood gumbo, jerk chicken, roasted duck breast, and goat cheese. Mrs. Sip was particularly fond of the Mango Wheat and upon learning it pairs best with seafood, that appreciation may grow.

For more BC Beer Baron articles, please visit our main page…

BC Beer Baron #249 – Big Rock Hollow Tree Red Ale

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On a recent trip to Big Rock’s Urban Eatery, I ordered a pint of this fantastic Big Rock Brewing beverage to pair with the restaurant’s BRUeben sandwich and skinny fries.

The Hollow Tree Red Ale was the first release to come out of the Vancouver-based Big Rock location. At 5.8% ABV and 55 IBUs, the beer is well-balanced and refreshing. Notes of caramel and toffee combine with citrus and grapefruit, thanks to the use of whole Cascade leaf hops.

Big Rock Hollow Tree Red Ale

Inspired by “BC’s majestic red cedars,” Big Rock’s BC brewmaster concocted the Red Ale to be enjoyed “after a day exploring our beautiful backyard”. The Hollow Tree won first place at the 2015 BC Beer Awards, in the Amber/Brown Ale category.

It is available in bomber-sized bottles at the Urban Eatery’s beer store, as well as other liquor retailers. Speaking of the Big Rock beer store, they have a great deal of a pizza and growler to-go for $18, on select days and times.

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BC Beer Baron #248 – Steamworks Killer Cucumber Ale

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As a wee little sipper, the only vegetable the Sip Advisor would dare to eat was cucumbers. With age, my tastes have evolved, but I will always have a place in my heart for the member of the gourd family. Thanks to Steamworks Brewing, now I can also drink my favourite veggie.

After debuting the Killer Cucumber Ale last summer, the beer is back again this year and given its name, it’s back with a vengeance. At the very least, it’s as deadly as a 4.7% ABV, 25 IBUs beverage can be (and I mean that in the best way possible).

Steamworks Killer Cucumber Ale

Dry hopped with organic cucumbers in both the fermenter and conditioning vessel, this year, the Killer Cucumber Ale is only available in tall cans and for a limited time. The use of Belgian yeast gives the refreshing brew flavours of apricot and black pepper.

When I first tried this beer last summer, I preferred it on tap over the bottled six-pack I bought afterwards. Not that the beer was bad in bottle form, but it was just better (with a stronger cucumber flavour) fresh from the keg.

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BC Beer Baron #247 – Old Abbey Ales Sour Raspberry Ale

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When Mrs. Sip and I visited Chilliwack’s Chaos & Solace Brewing recently, we enjoyed a tasting flight that was rounded out by this guest tap from Old Abbey Ales.

With a reddish-pink hue and tart finish, the Sour Raspberry Ale is very juice-like in taste and colour. That’s not a bad thing in this case. The beer does come with a strong alcohol content of 7% ABV, which works in its favour. The brew’s low bitterness of 7 IBUs allows the drinker to focus on the flavour, making for a refreshing drinking experience.

Old Abbey Ales Sour Raspberry Ale

Made with local Abbotsford raspberries, brewmaster Steve Black notes: “The Fraser Valley is Canada’s top raspberry producer, and now we have the beer to go with it.” The beverage is perfect for enjoying on hot summer days, preferably with a body of water close by.

Part of Old Abbey Ales’ Innovation Series, the Sour Raspberry Ale is available in bomber-sized bottles. The beer received a gold medal earlier this year, at the 2016 Canadian Brewing Awards, in the Fruit Beer category.

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BC Beer Baron #246 – Townsite Zwarte Wheat

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Part of the Sip Advisor’s extensive collection of beverages for a recent camping weekend was this selection from Powell River’s Townsite Brewing.

The Zwarte Wheat is a Belgian Dark Witbier, made with midnight wheat. The beer’s appearance can be a little deceptive, as you don’t expect citrus and spice from the brew’s hue, but that’s exactly what you get. Apparently, the creation of this 5.2% ABV, 20 IBUs release was somewhat accidental, as a request for more sour-style brews was met with a completely different outcome.

Townsite Zwarte Wheat

This witbier was inspired by an earlier collaboration between Townsite and Parallel 49, which resulted in a black saison. Townsite brewmaster Cédric Dauchot says, “I really got a kick out of adding midnight wheat to the mash. It just gives the beer an amazing colour without affecting too much the flavour profile. It’s perfect for giving a bit of depth to a summer beer.”

Part of Townsite’s Legacy collection (year-round products), the brew is available in bomber-sized bottles at BC Liquor Stores and other fine purveyors of libations. The brewery also has a Westview Wheat Witbier and Blackberry Festivale Blackberry Wheat, as part of their Seasonals lineup.

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