Author Archives: Daniel Wilson

Unknown's avatar

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 #190 – Hoyne Summer Haze Honey Hefe

Posted on by
Reply

Back for another summer, this Hoyne Brewing selection is one of the handful of bombers I picked up while the Sip Syndicate was recently terrorizing the Kelowna wine region and I’m very glad I did.

The Summer Haze Honey Hefe is not as sweet as you’d expect, which is a good thing. All too often, I find beers that include honey to be overly sugary and off-putting. The 5.1% ABV, mildly hoppy beverage features flavours of wheat, citrus, and honey, of course. It’s very easy drinking and perfect for beach days, as Hoyne advises.

Hoyne Summer Haze Honey Hefe

The brewery has some pretty wacky descriptions for their products and the Honey Hefe is no different: “On a sunny summer day, just like today, the Great and Wonderful Oz set sail in his hot-air balloon. As ballast, some say, his basket was loaded to the brim with Hoyne Hefeweizen. After lift-off, his thirst gathered like a summer storm. Quenching it, he lightened his load, and found himself carried delightfully away. The rest, as they say, is his story.”

Interesting (perhaps bizarre is a more apropos term) accounts aside, the Sip Advisor is a big proponent of Hoyne and their lineup of brews. Their Dark Matter is among my favourite BC beers, while their Devil’s Dream IPA is also a solid release.

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

Sip Trips #68: Wicked Wine Weekend

Posted on by
Reply

Over the Canada Day long weekend, the Sip Syndicate returned to the Okanagan Valley wine region, this time setting up shop in Kelowna. We covered a lot of ground over our three-day stay, so let’s get right to the good stuff!

We chose to celebrate our nation’s birthday by touring the many wineries that were walking distance from our Airbnb accommodation, with our first stop being Beaumont Winery. Here, we were able to sample eight different products, with my favourites being their Pinot Blanc, Chilled Red, Pinot Noir, and Heritage. Our hostess was very friendly and the setting was fun with some live music even being served up.

Next up, was Volcanic Hills Winery, where we could taste four wines, among the winery’s extensive lineup. Again, the wines were good, with my preferred samples being their Chardonnay and Rose. The only downside was that our hostess wasn’t nearly as friendly as our first stop and seemed annoyed with our group, just because we were all selecting different wines to match our desired styles.

wine enthusiast

A quick 400-meter walk (although it seems to take forever when you just want more wine) brought us to visit number three at Mt. Boucherie Winery. At the Bouche (a nickname they have yet to verify and endorse), I liked a number of their releases, including the Semillon, Rose, Summit, Syrah, and Pinot Noir.

Moving on, our crew literally travelled through the vines to reach Little Straw Vineyards. After a tasting that yielded a bunch of very good wines (Rose, Cuvee Noir, Southern Cross, and Marechal Foch), we had a fantastic meal at their Barrel Top Grill bistro. While splitting a trio of tapas dishes, our host entertained us with an energy you’d expect at the start of his day and not the end.

We wrapped up day one of our vacation by popping into Grizzli Winery. This massive new facility just opened that day and staff were still figuring things out. The operation only had two reds and three dessert wines available, with whites to come later, but offered a complimentary tasting of three of those options. Mrs. Sip and I picked up their Cabernet Sauvignon to go along with our upcoming steak dinner.

one more bottle of wine

The second day of our trip was largely spent watching a Euro 2016 match (Germany vs. Italy) at Friends Pub and hanging out at the beach. We did manage to visit the Tree Brewing Institute for dinner, where the gang enjoyed a few of their beers, including the West Coast Pale Ale, Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale and Mellow Moon Pineapple Hefeweizen. The setting, along downtown Kelowna’s waterfront, was wonderful and the place had board and card games that patrons can play while they eat and drink.

Sadly, every long weekend away has to come to an end, but we made sure to cram in a few more wineries before making the trek home. Our first stop was to The Hatch Winery, which was a funky, kid-friendly place. The label work on their wines is great, although some bottles are quite expensive. Mrs. Sip and I took home their Reserve Chardonnay after trying four tastings each.

Next up, was Quail’s Gate Winery, one of the bigger players in the area. They do offer three complimentary tastings, before charging $5 for four more samples. Unlike other places, though, they only waive their tasting fee after buying two bottles, as opposed to the typical one bottle. Of the wines offered, I liked their Pinot Gris, Reserve Chardonnay, and Rose.

wine-ritual

We followed that up with Mission Hill Winery, undoubtedly the region’s biggest estate (hell, Michael Bolton has two upcoming shows at the colossal operation). The place was busy, but definitely a gorgeous, picturesque stop. Tastings here will set you back $8 per person and is only waived with purchasing two bottles, so Mrs. Sip went ahead with the sampling only.

Looking to have a nice meal before hitting the highway, we ended up at 19 Okanagan Grill + Bar at the Two Eagles Golf Course. Here, we each had a fantastic lunch (I ordered the trio of pulled pork sliders and a Caesar salad and Mrs. Sip asked for their grilled cheese and tomato soup combo), while throwing back a couple beverages and enjoying the warm, sunny day. The service here was awesome, with Mrs. Sip being given a full nine-ounce replacement of wine after the wind knocked a menu over, thus spilling her carafe… which she’d already drank three quarters of.

Our final stop of the weekend was Off the Grid Winery. This is a newer operation, but the location is cool and the pygmy goats and other wildlife they have on the site are a unique feature. Of their wines, I enjoyed the Pinot Gris, which we grabbed a bottle of to enjoy at a later date and reminisce about a wonderful journey through the Kelowna scene.

BC Beer Baron #189 – Red Collar Belgian Witbier

Posted on by
Reply

On one of our liquor store sprees, while we recently vacationed in Kelowna, BC, a member of the Sip Syndicate grabbed a bomber of this Red Collar Brewing offering and was kind enough to split it with the Sip Advisor.

The Belgian Witbier combines Seville oranges and coriander for a spicy and citrusy experience. The 6% ABV, 14 IBUs beer made for a great breakfast beverage, enjoyed with eggs and maple bacon on top of a toaster waffle. Who needs orange juice, am I right!?

Red Collar Belgian Witbier

A seasonal release, it is available in 650ml bomber-sized bottles from BC Liquor Stores, as well as other private retailers. I’m a fan of hitting stores outside of the Lower Mainland, whenever possible, as you can sometimes find items that are more regionalized.

This was only my second sampling of Red Collar’s work. Mrs. Sip and I hope to do more exploring of BC’s burgeoning craft beer scene in the coming months, including stops in Kamloops and other parts of the province.

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

BC Beer Baron #188 – Tree Mellow Moon Pineapple Hefeweizen

Posted on by
Reply

A highlight of the Sip Syndicate’s recent travels to Kelowna, BC was visiting Tree Brewing and their Beer Institute. There, Mrs. Sip and I both enjoyed this wonderful beverage.

The Mellow Moon Pineapple Hefeweizen is a delicious beer and that’s coming from someone that typically only likes pineapple on pizza. There’s a really nice balance with the drink, between the flavours of pineapple and traditional hef tastes, such as clove. The 5% ABV, 20 IBUs brew is available in bottled six packs in BC, Alberta and Manitoba.

Tree Mellow Moon Pineapple Hefeweizen

Speaking of pizza, suggested pairings include Hawaiian (or the preferable, Swineapple), as well as spicy Indian dishes, and even lemon meringue pie, for dessert. It should be noted the beer topped the Wheat Category at the 2014 Canadian Oyster Beer Pairing Competition, so shellfish seem to do the trick, as well.

The Beer Institute was a fun stop for our crew, where over beers, we sampled a bunch of their bar snacks (homemade potato chips, pretzels and beer-battered cheese curds), as well as ordered a few of their spent grain pizzas. For those with a sweet tooth, they also serve cider-glazed donuts.

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

BC Beer Baron #187 – Big Rock Traditional Ale

Posted on by
Reply

While hitting the Friends Pub in Kelowna, BC over the weekend to watch the Germany vs. Italy Euro 2016 quarterfinal match, the Sip Advisor enjoyed this beer (with some chicken strips and fries) from Big Rock Brewing.

The Traditional Ale features great flavours of caramel, roasted malts and nuts, perfect for watching some footy. I would have had a second serving, had I not volunteered to be the designated driver for the day. The 5% ABV beverage is smooth, with mild carbonation and hops. Big Rock calls the drink “comfort food in a glass”.

Picture 5098

The beer was one of the company’s original three offerings and one of the first English-style brown ales brewed in Canada. It remains Big Rock’s most recognizable release to this day and is available throughout Western Canada and as far east as Ontario.

I’ve always loved how the brewery pairs their beverages not just with food, but movies and music as well. The Traditional Ale is thought to work well with Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Tomorrow Never Knows by The Beatles, for you viewing and listening pleasures, respectively. As for food, suggested unions include sharp cheeses, red meats, and stews.

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

BC Beer Baron #186 – Steamworks Farmhouse Wheat Ale

Posted on by
Reply

The Sip Advisor doesn’t try to be a scavenger, but when friends pass off beers they either don’t like or are looking for help with finishing, I’m always there for them. That was the case recently when the Sip Syndicate was moving on from one stop to another and I was the lucky recipient of this Steamworks Brewing offering.

The recently released Farmhouse Wheat Ale is very good, reminding the Sip Advisor more of a European hefeweizen than a North American wheat ale. The 5% ABV, 15 IBUs drink is cloudy with a fruit and spice taste, similar to a saison.

Steamworks Farmhouse Wheat Ale

The Farmhouse Wheat Ale can be found in the Steamworks Summer Mash-Up 12-pack bottle case, joined by the Jasmine IPA and Kolsch. It is also available in the Steamworks Mash-Up 8-tall can pack, along with the Kolsch, Heroica Red Ale, and fellow new release, the YVR ISA. Those both sound like great options for relaxing poolside at Ma and Pa Sip’s place.

I’ve really enjoyed a lot of the stuff Steamworks has released this year and their mixed packs are solid. I’m also looking forward to getting acquainted with their White Angel IPA, having liked their Black Angel IPA counterpart, previously.

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

BC Beer Baron #185 – Barkerville 18 Karat Ale

Posted on by
Reply

On a recent Friday night drinking session – because why the hell not! – Cousin Sip brought over a bomber of this flagship beer from Barkerville Brewing.

The 18 Karat Ale plays on Barkerville’s history of being a former gold rush hub, although the brewery actually operates out of nearby Quesnel. Given the brew’s name, you’d expect a golden-hued beverage, but the beer is, in fact, an Amber Ale. We’ll let that pass, though, as the 5% ABV, 33 IBUs product is solid.

Barkerville 18 Karat Ale

The beer received silver and bronze medals, respectively, at the 2014 and 2015 Canadian Brewing Awards in the North American Style Amber/Red Ale category.

As you can probably tell, the Sip Advisor is a fan of the gold rush theming and I like Barkerville’s description of this release: “Known as underground savages, prospectors of the BC gold rush were rewarded handsomely for their toil. Rumour has it that, in the saloons of Barkerville, there was so much gold dust shed from miner’s clothes that a profit could be made just by sweeping the floor. Cash in with 18 Karat Ale, a smooth and balanced blend of malted barley and hops that will lure you back for the mother lode.”

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

BC Beer Baron #184 – Bad Tattoo True Love Kolsch

Posted on by
Reply

Just like yesterday, I have to apologize for neglecting a brewery for far too long, as part of this 366-day BC craft beer project. Thanks to a visit to St. Augustine’s in East Vancouver, I’m finally able to remedy that slight against Bad Tattoo Brewing.

The True Love Kolsch was very nice and may help in the Sip Advisor getting more into that style of beer. Not that I’ve even hated it, but I’ve preferred others. This 4.5% ABV, 25 IBUs brew is very new to the company’s lineup. I particularly enjoyed the flavour and carbonation of the drink, which made it quite refreshing on a hot summer day.

Bad Tattoo Brewing

I like the label art for this beer (available in bomber-sized bottles), which features a classic arrow-through-heart tattoo, with the names Lager and Pilsner crossed out… you know, just like a tattoo that needs to be edited when the love fades and another person takes the place of the original affection.

I have really enjoyed myself the two times Mrs. Sip and I have visited the Bad Tattoo tasting room in Penticton, BC. Our first stop was a late night trek for nightcap beverages, while a few months later, we popped in for some lunch and brews. Their rock oven pizzas are fantastic, particularly from the ‘Weird’ portion of the menu.

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

Sip Trips #67: On the Trail Again

Posted on by
Reply

Last weekend, the Sip Family returned to the scene of the crime and tackled the Bellingham Tap Trail, once again. This summer voyage meant patio seating, open garage doors, and walking around in the fresh air, rather than relying on vehicle transportation.

Our first stop, was at Boundary Bay Brewing, which has long been home to one of Mrs. Sip’s favourite pub meals in their Tapenade. While she selected the brewery’s Wonderland Belgian Strong Golden to go along with her lunch, the Sip Advisor ordered their tasting flight, which features six brews, including their Blonde Ale, ESB, Amber Ale, Scotch Ale, IPA, and Oatmeal Stout. Of that sextet, I enjoyed the Scotch Ale the best, while Ma Sip and I shared the best Reuben Sandwich I’ve ever had.

Reuben Rye

Next up, was a short walk to the Schweinhaus Biergarten. When we were here in November, it was obviously chilly and they weren’t even able to turn their heat lamps on. That was no problem this time around, as the sun was shining and the music was rocking. I tried the Fremont Brewing Summer Ale, which was just right for the moment. Of note, was the best wine pours I have ever seen, as our server filled Stella chalices right to the top for both Ma and Pa Sip. While we didn’t play a round, the place also has a bean bag toss set up. The only downside was the outdoor attraction only has outhouses available to customers for bathroom use.

Another brief walk and we arrived at Aslan Brewing, where Mrs. Sip and I ordered their B’Ham Brown and Anniversary XIPA, respectively. For a little snack, we tried the brewery’s Gourmet Mac N’ Cheese, which included a bacon jam on top and broccoli within. We both enjoyed our pairings and had to fight each other to get the spoon back.

Our last stop of the day was our first visit to Structures Brewing. Mrs. Sip and I enjoyed a four ounce sample of each of their six offerings, including their Vivid IPA, Petronilo Coffee Stout, Destroyer of Light Black IPA, Recursion Simcoe Pale Ale, I See You Grapefruit-Hibiscus Saison, and Table Beer. To be honest, the whole lineup was pretty good.

Happy Liver Workout Day

Before Mrs. Sip and I made the journey back home on Sunday, we popped into one of the two Kulshan Brewing locations. Over a couple brews (Bastard Kat IPA for myself and Belgian Blonde for Mrs. Sip), we enjoyed their outdoor patio setting, which just doesn’t exist for the Vancouver craft beer scene. The brewery was hosting a run between their two sites, so live music was also featured, along with a couple food trucks.

This second trip to the Bellingham Tap Trail just confirmed how awesome the brewing scene there is. I’m looking forward to going back soon, perhaps starting a tradition of visiting every six months to sample the best of winter and the best of summer with each stay.

BC Beer Baron #183 – Dageraad Amber Ale

Posted on by
Reply

I honestly can’t explain why it’s taken so long (we’re halfway through this 366-day BC craft beer project) to throw some coverage Dageraad Brewing’s way. I’ve liked most everything I’ve ever had from the company, but the opportunity in 2016 just hasn’t come up.

That was, until recently, when visiting friends and being offered some of the brewery’s Amber Ale. This beer is incredibly good, with notes of sweet malts to go along with a refreshing, crisp finish. The 6% ABV is an homage to and coming together of complex Belgian and drinkable British ales.

Dageraad Amber Ale

The unfiltered brew is available in bomber sized bottles. Suggested food pairings include Indian and Malaysian curries, braised meats, barbecue, and general pub dishes. The folks at Dageraad argue the Amber Ale is a perfect pairing beer, given its flavour, complexity and higher level of carbonation to cleanse the palate.

Dageraad remains one of the few Lower Mainland breweries that we have yet to visit in-person. We just don’t head out in that direction very often, but should make a point of dropping in. Mrs. Sip would love the place, as their line is heavily made up of Belgian-style releases.

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