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 #146 – Moody Ales/Ridge 1880 Export Stout

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Mrs. Sip and I recently attended the Irish Stout and Porter Caskival at the Yaletown Brewery, where our mutual pick for best in show was this Moody Ales/Ridge Brewing collaborative contribution.

Moody Ales seems to know their way around stouts, having previously created the Lusty Chocolate Oatmeal Stout and Russian Imperial Stout. Meanwhile, Ridge is no stranger to the stout game with their Black Mamba Milk Stout. Put all that experience together and you get the delicious 1880 Export Stout, which Mrs. Sip and I both went back for to get second servings.

Moody Ales & Ridge 1880 Export Stout

This was the first beer we tried among the 12 different casks, so it set the bar pretty high for those offerings that were to follow. The 6.6% ABV beer can be found on tap at both breweries, as well as in bomber-sized bottles available at private liquor stores.

I’ve really enjoyed each of the Caskivals (this was our third) we’ve attended at the Yaletown Brewery and I hope they keep doing them. I can’t decide if I like them to be all one style of beer, so you can compare and contrast the available brews or if a variety of styles is preferable.

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BC Beer Baron #145 – Powell Street Witbier

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Looking to relax and enjoy what was left of the weekend on a recent Sunday evening, Mrs. Sip and I sat back and cracked open a bomber of this Powell Street Brewing spring seasonal to share.

The Witbier (with ginger and cardamom) was a fantastic beer that we sipped our way through quickly. At 4.8% ABV and 16 IBUs, the Belgian-inspired brew was light and delicious with a ginger bite and a spicy finish.

Powell Street Witbier

The brewery writes of the product: “Complex and refreshing, this beer will pair beautifully with spicy foods or sunshine.” I tend to agree, but it also worked well with a quiet night in, watching movies and TV on Netflix!

Mrs. Sip and I can’t wait for our next bike brewery crawl of the East Vancouver region. Powell Street is a top stop amongst the many companies working out of that area and it’s always fun taking out-of-town friends through ‘Yeast Van’.

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BC Beer Baron #144 – Vancouver Island Sea Dog Amber Ale

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As a last-minute addition/replacement to Mrs. Sip’s work outing to The Price is Right Live at the Abbotsford Centre, I spent an hour and a half in traffic, trying to make the show on time. My reward was a beer from the Vancouver Island Brewing booth at the arena.

How Vancouver Island became the beverage of choice all the way out in Abbotsford is a bit of a mystery, but I’m very glad that was the case. While my original choice was unfortunately already tapped out, that was for the best, as it provided an opportunity to order the Sea Dog Amber Ale. Mrs. Sip and I agreed that this was a great beer to enjoy as we watched classic games like Plinko, Cliffhanger, Any Number, and Punch-A-Bunch played out live.

Vancouver Island Sea Dog Amber Ale

Available in six-packs and some versions of Vancouver Island’s Pod Pack variety case, this 5.2% ABV brew is a tribute to Victoria’s naval heritage and the centennial anniversary of the Canadian Navy. The beer is a little sweet with light hops, making for a well-balanced drink.

While in line for the beers, it was funny to note that Abbotsford locals were a little taken aback by the $6.50 price for beers. Meanwhile, Mrs. Sip and I were thrilled with that price, being used to paying double that when at Vancouver entertainment venues. To each their own, I suppose!

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BC Beer Baron #143 – Steamworks Black Angel IPA

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For Christmas, Mrs. Sip’s family gifted the Sip Advisor the Steamworks Brewing Mash-Up Vol 2 case of beer. You could say that I’m easy to shop for, so long as you know where the nearest liquor store is!

Featured in that pack is the Black Angel IPA, which is the brew that originally caught my eye when I first came across the 12-pack, mere days before receiving it. The IPAs darkness provides a different flavour profile from other, more traditional IPAs. It’s roasty and hoppy all at the same time, a good beer hybrid.

Steamworks Black Angel IPA

The Black Angel is a bit of a hidden gem, as it’s only available in the aforementioned Mash-Up Vol 2 case. All in all, the 12-pack is a very good collection, also featuring the brewery’s signature Pale Ale and award-winning Heroica Red Ale.

This may be Steamworks newest foray into IPA territory, but the company has dabbled there before, with their Jasmine IPA. It’s interesting to note that the Black Angel sees Steamworks take things up a notch, going from 6.5% to 7% ABV and from 60 to 70 IBUs, with the successor.

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BC Beer Baron #142 – Moody Ales Smouldering Smoked Porter

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Each month, as part of this 366-day BC craft beer extravaganza that I will be sharing with you throughout 2016, I will highlight a specific style or theme of beers for a whole week of articles. I used to be hesitant about drinking porters, believing them to mostly be coffee-based in the flavour department. Once I realized that was only half true, a whole new world was opened to me and that’s a world I want to share with others.

I’ve found Moody Ales selections to me a little hit and miss in regards to my tastes and preferences, but this product was an absolute home run and will have me changing my tune towards the brewery.

The Smouldering Smoked Porter is smokier than most “smoked” brews and that’s just the way I likes them! The beer’s 6.9% ABV seems just perfect for all the malty smokiness going on. Moody Ales asks: “Ever wanted to drink the char marks on a steak? Now you can!” They go on to write that the porter is perfect year round, whether enjoyed over summer barbecues or nestled near the fireplace in the winter.

Moody Ales Smouldering Smoked Porter

Suggested pairings include grilled meat and vegetables, red meat, rich stews, meat pies, and bacon. It sounds like this is a man’s man beverage, but I know a number of ladies who also appreciate the brew, even one newbie to the whole beer game.

Mrs. Sip and I have yet to visit Moody Ales at their home base in Port Moody, but with plans to do a bit of a brewery crawl in that neck of the woods, we will surely get there soon.

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BC Beer Baron #141 – Four Winds Oat Porter

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Each month, as part of this 366-day BC craft beer extravaganza that I will be sharing with you throughout 2016, I will highlight a specific style or theme of beers for a whole week of articles. I used to be hesitant about drinking porters, believing them to mostly be coffee-based in the flavour department. Once I realized that was only half true, a whole new world was opened to me and that’s a world I want to share with others.

Mrs. Sip and I lead a fairly active social life. Thankfully, our friends are like-minded on the craft beer front and that means coming into contact with some really good brews, including today’s feature from Four Winds Brewing.

I liked the Oat Porter, which came exactly as one would expect: dark and oaty (yes, I realize that’s not technically a real word, but it perfectly describes the experience!). At 5.5% ABV, the beer isn’t too heavy and is quite smooth.

Four Winds Oat Porter

Available in the fall and winter seasons only, the Oat Porter can be found in four-packs, as well as on tap at the Four Winds tasting room. The company writes of the beer: “Our take on this centuries-old style employs the humble oat to promote a smooth and creamy mouthfeel while chocolate malts and roasted barley bolster brilliant tones of cocoa and coffee.”

Despite Four Winds being my hometown brewery, I don’t think I’ve tried this release before. It’s been some time since I was able to visit their facility and I’ll have to make a point of doing so next time I’m in the area.

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

BC Beer Baron #140 – Mt. Begbie Cold Smoke Smoked Porter

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Each month, as part of this 366-day BC craft beer extravaganza that I will be sharing with you throughout 2016, I will highlight a specific style or theme of beers for a whole week of articles. I used to be hesitant about drinking porters, believing them to mostly be coffee-based in the flavour department. Once I realized that was only half true, a whole new world was opened to me and that’s a world I want to share with others.

This may be the first Mt. Begbie Brewing product I’ve ever tried. If that is the case, this is a wonderful introduction and I apologize for not trying any sooner.

The Cold Smoke Smoked Porter features Beechwood smoke to go along with the maltiness one would expect from this style of brew. At 6.5% ABV and 20 IBUs, you have yourself a strong, yet smooth drinking beverage.

Mt. Begbie Cold Smoke Smoked Porter

The beer is named after “dry powder snow hanging in the air”, otherwise known as ‘Cold Smoke’. Suggested food pairings for this seasonal release include roasted and barbecue foods, soft cheeses and dark chocolate. That sounds like quite the feast to the Sip Advisor!

If you’re asking where Mt. Begbie is located, I don’t really blame you. Up until working on this article, I was also in the dark on that subject. Mt. Begbie can be found in Revelstoke, BC, which is home to great winter sports and activities. Fun fact about the brewery: Brewmaster Bart Larson has a degree in nuclear physics, but “prefers to make beer not war”!

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

BC Beer Baron #139 – Fernie Sap Sucker Maple Porter

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Each month, as part of this 366-day BC craft beer extravaganza that I will be sharing with you throughout 2016, I will highlight a specific style or theme of beers for a whole week of articles. I used to be hesitant about drinking porters, believing them to mostly be coffee-based in the flavour department. Once I realized that was only half true, a whole new world was opened to me and that’s a world I want to share with others.

As Porter Week continues to roll along, we get to this award winning product from Fernie Brewing, which I saved to review during this special time.

The Sap Sucker Maple Porter incorporates a touch of maple syrup to achieve a rich and unique drinking experience. This 5.5% ABV, 35 IBUs beverage is flavourful with a hint of smoke on the finish. The porter won gold and silver medals at the 2011 and 2014 Canadian Brewing Awards, respectively, in the Special Honey/Maple Lager or Ale category.

Fernie Sap Sucker Maple Porter

Suggested food pairings include dark meats and hearty dishes. The winter seasonal, first released in 2010, can be found on tap at some locations around the province, as well as in bomber-sized bottles in BC, Alberta and Manitoba, from September to March (I found bottles as late as mid-April).

I have never been to Fernie Brewing’s location in – you guessed it – Fernie, BC, but would love to visit and spend some time in their tap room. As their motto states: “Good Beer in a Good Town”.

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

BC Beer Baron #138 – Okanagan Springs Chili Porter

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Each month, as part of this 366-day BC craft beer extravaganza that I will be sharing with you throughout 2016, I will highlight a specific style or theme of beers for a whole week of articles. I used to be hesitant about drinking porters, believing them to mostly be coffee-based in the flavour department. Once I realized that was only half true, a whole new world was opened to me and that’s a world I want to share with others.

Always on the lookout for new and different beers, this Okanagan Springs Brewing release instantly caught my eye when it first hit the market last fall.

The Chili Porter is a winter seasonal limited release that I really enjoy thanks to its higher alcohol content (6.5% ABV) and spicy finish. This beer may not be for everyone, but it’s right up my alley. OK Springs dares drinkers to “Warm up your winter,” but they also have a more traditional porter option, if chili heat just isn’t your thing.

Okanagan Springs Chili Porter

I first tried this beer at the Grand Tasting Hall (beer only portion) of last year’s Hopscotch Festival. Luckily, I knew one of the reps running their booth and was able to score a few samples of this brew… for research purposes, of course.

The beer is available in its own six-pack, as well as part of Okanagan Springs Winter Craft Pack, which includes two bottles each of six different beer varieties. If you only want to sample the brew and are worried you may not like it, you may want to go with the latter option.

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

BC Beer Baron #137 – Tin Whistle Killer Bee Porter

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Each month, as part of this 366-day BC craft beer extravaganza that I will be sharing with you throughout 2016, I will highlight a specific style or theme of beers for a whole week of articles. I used to be hesitant about drinking porters, believing them to mostly be coffee-based in the flavour department. Once I realized that was only half true, a whole new world was opened to me and that’s a world I want to share with others.

With Porter Week in full swing, we take a look at this delicious entry from Tin Whistle Brewing.

Made with Keremeos caramelized honey, the Killer Bee Porter is one of a kind on the BC market. With tastes of chocolate, honey and spice, the beer is beautiful in its complexity. Don’t let the menacing looking bee on the bottle scare you off… this brew has to be experienced.

Tin Whistle Killer Bee Porter

BC Liquor Stores have this product listed as a dark honey ale, rather than a porter, but the bottle says otherwise. To be fair, Tin Whistle has also described the beer as a dark honey ale in some promotional material.

Tin Whistle also has a Chocolate Cherry Porter that is quite good. The company runs a smaller operation and doesn’t even have its own website – a social media crime in today’s world. That said, a highlight from our last couple visits to the Okanagan wine region, has been checking out the Penticton Farmer’s Market, where each time I’ve been able to sample Tin Whistle beers, as well as pick up a couple bombers for later. It sure helps in breaking up all the wine tasting over the stay!

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