Sip Trips #74: Labouring Away

Posted on by
Reply

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.

life-is-like-a-jalapeno

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

Posted on by
Reply

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.

whistler-peak-to-pier-summer-wit

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!

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

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

Posted on by
Reply

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.

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

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

Posted on by
Reply

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.

Old Yale Moon Dance Mango Wheat.png

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

Posted on by
Reply

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.

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

BC Beer Baron #248 – Steamworks Killer Cucumber Ale

Posted on by
Reply

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.

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

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

Posted on by
Reply

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.

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

BC Beer Baron #246 – Townsite Zwarte Wheat

Posted on by
Reply

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.

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

Sip Trips #73: Around the World at Home

Posted on by
Reply

As it is with most weeks for me and Mrs. Sip, the last one was pretty darn busy. We celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary, co-hosted the Sip Advisor’s annual beer pong tournament, participated in a Disney trivia event, and had a fun meal out in New West. Here are some notes from the week that was:

Four Years Strong

Mrs. Sip has always wanted to try Lupo, an upscale Italian restaurant in downtown Vancouver. I figured with our anniversary approaching, it might finally be time to book a reservation. We had a wonderful meal – prior to watching Book of Mormon – which included a shared Bufala Mozzarella Salad to start, Ricotta Gnocchi (with pork cheeks) for Mrs. Sip and Taglierini (with wild mushrooms and chilies) for myself, and finished with a Gelato trio for dessert. The meal was washed down with a very nice bottle of Italian pinot grigio.

Italian Food

SIP-A-Dee-Do-Da

When the Sip Alliance first heard about Disney trivia, hosted at The Pint, we were keenly interested, as Disney love runs in the family. This event proved to be so popular that they kept adding dates and one night quickly grew to four, thanks to the massive waitlist. Unlike some other trivia activities around town, there was a $5 entrance price for this one, but we were just happy to have a spot.

While we finished just outside the top three teams, I was impressed with The Pint’s food menu. This includes a number of great options, perhaps best highlighted by being able to order wings, chicken strips, rice bowls, pulled pork, and other items, done 40 different ways (varying sauces and dry rubs). On Tuesday’s, you can get their Team Platters for $19, instead of $32, while pitchers are only $15. My only complaint would be that their craft beer lineup is lacking, especially for a place called The Pint.

Dipping Sauces

Taco Time

With the week being as busy as it was, Mrs. Sip and I decided we needed a little one-on-one time. Therefore, I made the trip out to New West, where the bronzed goddess works, to join her for a meal at Originals Restaurante Mexicano. We both ordered taco platters, trying a total of six different styles, with our mutual favourite being the Carnitas (slow cooked fried pork in cinnamon and orange). The restaurant also had three craft beers on tap and it was far from your typical selections. Ridge Brewing, Dogwood Brewing and Dead Frog Brewing were all represented. Best of all, the eatery has two happy hours, from 3-6 and 8-11, where these beverages can be had for only $4.

This upcoming Labour Day long weekend will provide a rare stay-cation for Mrs. Sip and I. All that really means is that there is much trouble we can get up to. Check back next week to see exactly how we handled the time off!

BC Beer Baron #245 – Four Mile Cactus Grapefruit IPA

Posted on by
Reply

While out for a walk recently, Mrs. Sip and I came upon a BC Liquor Stores location. Wanting to check out what was available, but not really looking to buy anything (I had some stock to go through already in the fridge), I told Mrs. Sip I was 90% sure this would only be an informational visit. That was, until I found this new release from Four Mile Brewing.

To be fair, Mrs. Sip insisted I purchase the Cactus Grapefruit IPA – she’s such an amazing wife! The 6% ABV, 70 IBUs beverage is light on alcohol (for an IPA), but strong on hops. Four Mile describes the beer as “a swig of California sunshine”!

Four Mile Cactus Grapefruit IPA

The limited edition brew is available in bomber-sized bottles exclusively at BC Liquor Stores. The IPA is, of course, highlighted by flavours of grapefruit, giving the drink a sweet and sour mix.

Suggested food pairings include seafood dishes, such as grilled squid and fish and chips. I’m not sure what the ‘Cactus’ refers to in the beer’s name, but Four Mile also has a Prickly Pear Cactus Wheat Ale that I’ve been hoping to try.

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