BC Beer Baron #90 – Category 12 Critical Point Pale Ale

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Daniel Wilson

Looking to get off our butts and go for a long walk (despite the dreary weather) a couple weeks back, Mrs. Sip and I made our way to Vancovuer’s Olympic Village, where Legacy Liquor Store was hosting a tasting of Category 12 Brewing products.

One of my favourites among the four samples provided was the Critical Point Pale Ale, which was very easy drinking with just the right amount of hops. This Northwest Pale Ale comes in at 5.6% ABV and 49 IBUs with flavours of caramel and citrus.

Category 12 Critical Point Pale Ale

In Category 12’s scientific fashion (their brewmaster earned a doctorate in microbiology and biochemistry, after all), this is how they describe the beer: “The pressure is on. It’s going to take cunning to blend science with instinct and the clock is ticking. But timing is everything and precision is the only thing that matters. Confidence, analysis and art collide to create a perfectly balanced beer. And, when it comes down to the wire, success tastes even more satisfying.”

It may not happen right away, but I would love to eventually visit Category 12 at their Victoria location. Hell, Mrs. Sip and I are in serious need of a return to the island and a tour around the town of all the amazing breweries over there. Now we just need to find some spare time.

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

BC Beer Baron #89 – Big Ridge Vanilla Bean Porter

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Daniel Wilson

While a Caskival featuring a particular beer type is still tons of fun, one’s palate can sometimes grow weary of tasting similar things. When a group spices things up with different ingredients, that can be amazingly refreshing. That’s exactly what Big Ridge Brewing did with their contribution to the event.

The Vanilla Bean Porter was a welcome change to some of the more traditional fare at the event. Using Bushmill Irish Whiskey in its recipe, the beer was definitely strong, but the vanilla was still able avoid being hidden. Vanilla is quickly becoming a favourite beer flavour of mine, as it is noticeable, but doesn’t overpower any of the beverages I’ve experienced it in.

Big Ridge Brewing

The 5.2% ABV, 34 IBUs offering rallied my senses for the second half of the Caskival event. The beer is an adaptation of the company’s Toll Bridge Vanilla Bean Porter, which is a collaborative effort between Big Ridge and Moody Ales.

Mrs. Sip and I haven’t been to Big Ridge for about a year now, last hitting the brew pub as part of our 13-year dating anniversary (although we’re now married, what’s wrong with celebrating as much as possible) for lunch and some beers, before heading out to play some mini golf at Castle Fun Park in Abbotsford. Now that’s how you remain young at heart!

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

BC Beer Baron #88 – Trading Post Derby Hop Session Lager

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Daniel Wilson

Mrs. Sip and I were able to get into Trading Post Brewing on their second day of public existence and it’s my understanding that the brewery is thriving a couple months into its life.

While we had different favourites among our flights, we both agreed that the Derby Hop Session Lager was a really good beer and among the top of our lists from their menu. The brew finishes with a little more hoppy profile (21 IBUs) than one would expect from the traditional lager-style of beer, coming from Mittelfruh and Cascade hops. I’m always open to this, though and even Mrs. Sip was onboard.

Trading Post Brewing Board

The Derby does come in with a lighter alcohol content (4.75% ABV), however, making it a very good introductory beer for visitors. I have heard from others that the Hop Session Lager is amongst their favourites and I can fully understand why.

I have been impressed by some of the events Trading Post has already presented at their Langley facility, despite being so new to the game. This has included a chocolate and beer pairing (which Mrs. Sip and I attended) as well as a cupcake and beer pairing.

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

BC Beer Baron #87 – Lighthouse Shipwreck IPA

Posted on March 27, 2016 by Daniel Wilson

Getting together with friends recently at Library Square to watch the Vancouver Whitecaps game, I was impressed by the pubs line-up of craft beers, which included this tasty gem from Lighthouse Brewing.

The Shipwreck IPA is a Pacific Northwest version of an India Pale Ale and that’s just the way the Sip Advisor likes ‘em. At perfectly corresponding numbers of 6.5% ABV and 65 IBUs, this IPA comes right into my wheelhouse, no pun intended.

Lighthouse Shipwreck IPA

Part of Lighthouse’s Explorer Series, the IPA is available in six-packs of bottles and cans. The name of the beer was originally Switchback IPA, but had to be changed due to legal action from the Okanagan Crush Pad winery, which had trademarked their Summerland location “Switchback Organic Vineyard”.

In the past, I’ve greatly enjoyed Lighthouse products when I’ve come across them at festivals (my MVP of the Galiano Wine & Beer Festival last year) and have picked up their Bounty mixed case a couple times. Next time I journey to Esquimalt, I’ll have to stop by their location and experience things right from the source.

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

BC Beer Baron #86 – Bomber Park Life Passion Fruit Ale

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Daniel Wilson

With spring and summer rapidly approaching, Bomber Brewing has brought back this seasonal release, perfect for the time of year.

The Park Life Passion Fruit Ale is light (only 4.5% ABV) and refreshing with a powerful punch of passion fruit flavour. Although I’m only recently getting more into sour beers, the tart finish here was quite enjoyable and did not detract from the rest of the drinking experience.

Bomber Park Life Passion Fruit Ale

The American Blonde Ale is available in canned six-packs, which makes it easy to pack along for camping or otherwise hanging out in the great outdoors. Plus, with it being so light, you can throw back a whole bunch of them with relative ease.

On our recent journey to Yeast Van, we had to stop into Bomber Brewing, where Cousin Sip’s husband is a diehard fan of their Marzen amber lager. I’m only happy to oblige another destination being added to our itinerary and more beers being enjoyed.

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

BC Beer Baron #85 – Off the Rail Raj Mahal India Ale

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Daniel Wilson

Since the first time Mrs. Sip and I stepped foot into Off the Rail Brewing (chancing upon the location for its grand opening), this has been my favourite beverage among their ever-expanding lineup.

When we popped into the East Vancouver tasting room recently and I ordered a glass of the Raj Mahal India Ale, I had the chance to confirm that’s still the case. The brew is an interesting blend, using lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, for a very refreshing experience.

Off the Rail Raj Mahal India Ale

The 5% ABV, 38 IBUs beer can be found in bomber-sized bottles at private liquor stores. It should be noted that this is not an IPA, but rather a India Ale and therefore drinkers who aren’t into IPAs might still enjoy the Raj Mahal.

Off the Rail is located across the street from Bomber Brewing. The two will soon be joined by Luppolo Brewing and together, the Adanac Street companies comprise part of the Yeast Van brewery district. With spring arriving soon, it’s time to dust off the bike and prep for regular trips out that way.

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

BC Beer Baron #84 – Storm Raspberry Vanilla Ale

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Daniel Wilson

Any visit to Storm Brewing is a joyous occasion, with so many wonderful and unique beers to sample, in Yeast Van’s most eclectic of locations.

New to the brewery’s taps on our most recent visit was their Raspberry Vanilla Ale, which is a scrumptious brew. Actually, it wasn’t even on their ‘Brainstorms’ board yet (which is updated daily and can be viewed on Storm’s website), but Mrs. Sip was able to get us a taste and follow that with a growler fill of the 5% ABV beverage.

The beer hits you with raspberry first and then settles into a nice vanilla finish. It was among stiff competition for the Sip Advisor when picking his favourite of the night (so many great options to choose from), but won out because of the great blending of flavours.

We were at the brewery for their Storm Social, which may have taken place a day after St. Patrick’s Day, but featured ice cream beer floats, so all is forgiven. Mrs. Sip and I paired chocolate ice cream with a couple of their flavoured stouts, resulting in some delicious treats.

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

Sip Trips #61: Irish You Well

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Daniel Wilson

The week that was, was quite busy, so let’s get right down to the nitty gritty!

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the Sip Advisor met with some friends at Jimmy’s Taphouse. I’ve never really been into the green beer thing, but when in Rome, do as the drunkards do. Well, after only one jade beverage, Jimmy’s ran out of their green dye. Keep in mind, this “tragedy” occurred at only 6:30pm, leaving the Sip Advisor wondering why a) they hadn’t planned to have enough dye for even close to the majority of the night and b) why they couldn’t travel to the other end of the block, where there’s a Marketplace grocery store and pick up some more? The dye gaffe aside, Jimmy’s still possesses, in my opinion, one of the best poutine dishes in the city and it’s especially noteworthy when during happy hour, the price is cut in half!

I think we can all agree that St. Patrick’s Day is best spent enjoying beer or Irish whiskey and so why not keep the celebration going. That’s what Storm Brewing figured when they scheduled their latest Storm Social the day after the March 17 holiday, luring guests in with ice cream beer floats. Mrs. Sip and I both went with combining chocolate ice cream with one of their stouts, while Cousin Sip paired yet a third stout with London fog ice cream. We also stuck around to try most of the brewery’s ‘Brainstorms’ board and filled a couple growlers.

The good times just kept rolling all through the weekend, with Yaletown Brewery hosting one of their famous Caskival events. This time, Irish stouts and porters were on the menu, featuring entries from Whistler Brewhouse, Big Ridge, Moody Ales, R&B, Real Cask, Steamworks, Main Street, Dogwood, Persephone, Postmark, and of course Yaletown. A 12-beer punch card could be had for $20… an amazing deal, if you ask the Sip Advisor. I like the Caskivals that feature more variety in products available, but there were some good beers here, with my favourite being the Moody Ales/Ridge Brewing 1880 Export Stout collaborative effort.

After a brief respite back at home, the Sip Advisor was out and about again, joining friends at Library Square Public House for the Vancouver Whitecaps game. I had never been to this Donnelly Group location and it had been some time since I’d checked out any of their collection of restaurants and bars. That will change, though, as I was quite impressed with the line-up of craft beers on their menu. It wasn’t a massive menu, but there was good variety and what was there was top notch stuff. I also had my first Hand Grenade shot experience here. You place two shot glasses (each filled with a different alcohol) at the top of a larger glass filled with a little energy drink. Then, you remove one of the shot glasses (ie. pulling the pin on the grenade) and allowing the other shot glass to drop into the beverage below. Then, you shoot the entire concoction. I thought it was all very creative and wondered how it had taken this long to come onto my radar.

With the Easter weekend upon us, things really ramp up and we return to Portland to attend the city’s Spring Beer and Wine Fest for the third year in a row. I can’t wait to report back to all you little sippers about this year’s mayhem. Safe travels and sip well, my friends!

BC Beer Baron #83 – Yaletown Yaletown Ale

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Daniel Wilson

After a game in which we didn’t fair so well on the ball hockey floor, our team needed some liquid therapy. For this, we visited The Distillery, a sister restaurant of the Yaletown Brewery.

There, I ordered the Yaletown Ale to drown my athletic sorrows. I really enjoyed the strong caramel flavour of this pale ale, which became more pronounced as the beer warmed up. It was a lighter beverage (4.8% ABV) and not as hoppy (only 21 IBUs) as I typically like with my pale ales, but it was a satisfying drink, nonetheless.

Yaletown Brewery

I’m a fan of Yaletown Brewery’s motto: “Dream big. Work hard. Have a beer.” That seems to be the definition of the true Canadian dream and they should really put that slogan on some merchandise.

The Distillery is a great place to go for weekend brunch ($10 breakfast menu and $10 bottomless mimosas), as well as for their Sunday pasta deal. Pa Sip is also a big fan of the restaurant’s unlimited lasagna special, which I believe runs on Tuesdays.

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