Tag Archives: BC Craft Beer

BC Beer Baron #323 – Okanagan Spring 1516 Bavarian Lager

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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. With all the crazy brewing options out there, lagers sometimes get lost in the shuffle. That’s why the Sip Advisor is giving them their own feature week. After all, we should support and give thanks to the beers that brought many of us to this craft beer dance!

Any look at craft lagers within BC wouldn’t be complete without mention of this Okanagan Spring Brewing staple. It is, after all, one of the most common beers to find on tap at bars and restaurants around the province.

The 1516 Bavarian Lager is the brewery’s signature offering and is as easy-drinking as you will find on the market. The 5% ABV product is light and refreshing – the type of beer that converts many young drinkers to the world of beer.

okanagan-spring-1516-bavarian-lager

Debuting in 2002, the beverage pays homage to the infamous 1516 German Beer Purity Law, which outlined the four ingredients – water, yeast, barley, hops – that were to be used in beer production. That Duke Wilhelm IV was onto something.

The beer can be found is a multitude of forms, including six- and 12-packs, as well as playing an integral part of any mixed case. The brewery’s current Winter Craft Pack also features a Pale Ale, Brewmaster’s Black Lager, and Big White White IPA.

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BC Beer Baron #322 – Bomber Marzen Amber Lager

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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. With all the crazy brewing options out there, lagers sometimes get lost in the shuffle. That’s why the Sip Advisor is giving them their own feature week. After all, we should support and give thanks to the beers that brought many of us to this craft beer dance!

Lager Week steams along with yet another German-inspired treat. This Bomber Brewing selection is a favourite of Cousin Sip’s husband and after having my own servings over time, I can see why.

The Marzen Amber Lager is smooth and refreshing with a decent alcohol content (5.5% ABV) and just enough bitterness (20 IBUs) to satisfy the hopheads. The beverage is perfect for drinkers of all types for all occasions.

bomber-marzen-amber-lager

“Marzen” translates to March or March beer, but Bomber suggests the brew can be enjoyed throughout the year, despite typically being a summer seasonal release. The product is available in canned six-packs, as well as bomber-sized bottles at private liquor stores.

The style originated in Bavaria and dates back to the 16th century, when by decree, beer could only be manufactured between September 29th and April 23rd. Marzen’s were brewed in March and the recipe let it survive until production could begin again in the fall. Remaining cellared bottles were served at Oktoberfest celebrations.

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BC Beer Baron #321 – Howe Sound Howe Sound Lager

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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. With all the crazy brewing options out there, lagers sometimes get lost in the shuffle. That’s why the Sip Advisor is giving them their own feature week. After all, we should support and give thanks to the beers that brought many of us to this craft beer dance!

A couple months back, at the Tip N’ Taste event in Langley, the Sip Alliance had a good long chat with the representatives from Howe Sound Brewing. As the evening ended, they gifted us with a few cans of this beer, which came in handy for the planned after party.

The Howe Sound Lager is a solid, refreshing beer. You know, the kind that even the pickiest of drinkers can enjoy. We all have them in our life, so pay it forward and give them a good option. With the word ‘BRILLIANT’ incorporated in the beer’s label design, the beverage has a lot to live up to, but will leave most more than satisfied.

howe-sound-lager

This Dortmund-style lager comes with stats of 5.5% ABV and 18 IBUs. It’s available in canned six-packs, including at BC Liquor Stores for the low, low price of $10.99 (before taxes and deposit). The beer was recognized with bronze medals at the 2011 and 2013 Canadian Brewing Awards in the Kellerbier category.

The Sip Advisor finds it funny that many of us likely had our first beer in the form of a lager, but this style of brew is largely absent from the craft beer scene. Some have gone so far as to call the variety “endangered”, but hopefully that will change with time and experimentation.

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BC Beer Baron #319 – Hoyne Off the Grid Vienna Lager

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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. With all the crazy brewing options out there, lagers sometimes get lost in the shuffle. That’s why the Sip Advisor is giving them their own feature week. After all, we should support and give thanks to the beers that brought many of us to this craft beer dance!

The Sip Advisor is a big fan of Hoyne Brewing, but I haven’t been able to highlight their work for some time. Lager Week affords me that opportunity with this very tasty and unique release.

The Off the Grid Vienna Lager is a redhead and a fine one at that. Featuring Noble German Tettnang hops, as well as Munich and Vienna malts, the beer is distinctly European. At 5.3% ABV, the drink is also a little stronger than your typical lager.

hoyne-off-the-grid-vienna-lager

The brew is available year-round in bomber-sized bottles. Hoyne describes the Off the Grid as: “Perfect for your trip into the wild.” Thus, it’s not surprising the beverage was bestowed a silver medal through Vancouver Magazine’s Craft Beer Awards in the Other Lager category.

During Lager Week, we’ve seen a number of Munich-inspired products, so what’s the difference with a Viennese option? Well, being amber or copper in colour seems to be the most distinguishing factor. The style dates back to 1841, before brewers brought the recipe with them to North America.

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BC Beer Baron #318 – Big Rock Mosaic Lager

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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. With all the crazy brewing options out there, lagers sometimes get lost in the shuffle. That’s why the Sip Advisor is giving them their own feature week. After all, we should support and give thanks to the beers that brought many of us to this craft beer dance!

In recent weekends, Mrs. Sip and I have been spending time looking after at Ma and Pa Sip’s place, while they are on vacation. There, I’ve been enjoying a few cans of this Big Rock Brewing product, left behind by a guest at the Sip Advisor’s recent annual beer pong tournament.

The Mosaic Lager is of the India Pale variety and is very refreshing. The 5.5% ABV, 70 IBUs brew is made using Mosaic hops – didn’t see that coming, did you? – which provides flavours and aromas of grapefruit and citrus. Suggested food pairings include an eclectic assortment of dishes, such as burgers, bratwurst, roast chicken, sushi, and hard and aged cheeses.

big-rock-mosaic-lager

This is yet another release from Big Rock Urban Eatery brewmaster Jody Hammell, whose hard work has made the company’s foray into BC a smash success. Of the beer, Hammell says: “I ferment it low and slow, then age it until the beer tells me it’s ready. I don’t put a time frame on it, it puts a time frame on me.”

The Mosaic Lager is available from BC, as far east as Manitoba, in canned and bottled six-packs, as well as in Big Rock’s Variety Pack. The lager is joined by the Purple Gas Fruit Ale, Rhine Stone Cowboy Kolsch, and Grasshopper Wheat Ale.

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BC Beer Baron #317 – Phillips Raspberry Wheat

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While shopping for brews for my annual beer pong tournament, I went conservative by searching for a good variety case. Mrs. Sip on the other hand, not one to play by anyone’s rules, grabbed a few bombers, including this Phillips Brewing selection.

One of the brewery’s original products, upon launching in 2001, was the Raspberry Wheat. In honour of those tough early days, as the company struggled to survive, the Raspberry Wheat returns annually to quench summer thirst. It is available in bomber-sized bottles from various liquor stores.

phillips-raspberry-wheat

With a logo featuring a box of freshly-picked raspberries, it’s no wonder that the raspberry content in this beer is high. The 5% ABV beverage benefits from raspberry puree being added at the end of the fermentation process, so as not to dominate the brew’s profile.

Phillips is not adverse to creating fruit-based beers, as evidenced by their long list of releases, including the Pucker Plucker Sour Cherry Ale, Solaris White Peach Ale, and Scarfface Orange Cran Wit, among others. As for raspberries, they have also offered the Thorny Horn Sour Raspberry Brown Ale.

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BC Beer Baron #316 – Bridge Hopilano IPA

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On our recent visit to Bridge Brewing’s new tasting room, the Sip Alliance tried everything the company could throw our way. Amongst more than a dozen options, was this diamond in the rough… not to say the rest of the lineup isn’t smooth, as well.

The Hopilano IPA is of the northwest variety, made with Cascade, Centennial and Columbus hops. The 6% ABV, 59 IBUs beverage is heavy on citrus flavours, such as lemon and grapefruit, while also mixing in a distinct bitterness that balances the rest of the recipe.

bridge-hopilano-ipa

I like what Bridge did with this beer’s name, taking the Capilano region of North Vancouver and changing it to Hopilano. Capilano is home to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, a major tourist attraction in the province, which is prominently featured as part of this brew’s logo.

Of the IPA, which is now available in canned six-packs, the brewery writes: “Like our West Coast climate, our beer will leave your mouth lush and wanting more.” Well, I’m always wanting more and this is the type of beer I don’t mind getting me there!

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BC Beer Baron #315 – Ridge Ay Caramba! Jalapeño IPA

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This Ridge Brewing beer has been sitting on the Sip Advisor’s ‘To Do’ list for quite some time… too long, if you ask me. Mrs. Sip and I finally got out to Maple Ridge again and after sampling the release, I instantly filled a growler with the brew.

The Ay Caramba! Jalapeño IPA certainly has a bite to it, but it’s far from a one-dimensional beverage. Flavours of caramel and a hop bitterness also prevail in the 5.5% ABV, 70 IBUs concoction. Drinkers should be cautioned that this IPA is muy caliente and not for anyone who is spice sensitive… such as the gorgeous Mrs. Sip. More beer for me, I guess!

ridge-ay-caramba-jalapeno-ipa

The product is available in bomber-sized bottles from the brewery, where it is also on tap for glass and growler fills. Suggested food pairings include salty barbecue items or Mexican food, of course. The Sip Advisor combined the drink with a rotisserie chicken and a host of side dishes.

This was our second visit to Ridge Brewing’s tasting room and both of our stops have been excellent, filled with copious beer servings and great service from those behind the bar. A highlight has also been checking out the brewery’s collection of growlers from around the province.

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BC Beer Baron #314 – Nelson Blackheart Organic Oatmeal Stout

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At a recent party, the Sip Advisor was able to try a serving of this Nelson Brewing offering. Good thing too, as we’re entering the winter months, when dark beers (stouts and porters) come to the forefront of the craft beer shopping list.

The Blackheart Organic Oatmeal Stout was rich and tasty, with flavours of roasted barley and, of course, oatmeal. The 5.7% ABV beverage is described by the company as “a heavenly marriage of an Irish-style dry stout and an Oatmeal stout.”

nelson-blackheart-organic-oatmeal-stout

Available year-round the product can be found in bomber-sized bottles, at private liquor stores. Although other Nelson Brewing beers can be found in BC Liquor Stores (typically in canned six-packs), this selection is not one of them.

The brewery even suggests dropping a shot of espresso into a serving of the Blackheart Organic Oatmeal Stout. That sounds a little too decadent for the Sip Advisor, especially given my dislike of coffee, but it may be just right for others.

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BC Beer Baron #313 – Whistler Whiskey Jack Ale

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While recently competing in a Disney Trivia event at The Pint, in Vancouver, the Sip Advisor was able to reacquaint himself with an old friend from Whistler Brewing… a pal I wasn’t sure even existed anymore.

The Whiskey Jack Ale is described as either a pale or amber ale, but the beverage reminds me of a Scotch ale, with its dark copper appearance and flavour profile. I would have preferred some even stronger tastes and smells, typical of that variety of beer.

whistler-whiskey-jack-ale

The brew comes in at 5% ABV and is light on hops, making it very easy to drink. Some more complexity would have been welcomed, but it’s still a solid beer. The ale is available in six-packs at BC Liquor Stores.

A whiskey jack, for those who don’t know, is a bird belonging to the crow and jay family. As the brewery writes: “Like our winged friends on the mountain, this ale is full of personality, with just the right amount of hop!”

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