Tag Archives: BC Craft Beer

BC Beer Baron #194 – Lighthouse Jackline Rhubarb Grisette

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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 so many brewery options out there, a game of one-upmanship sometimes occurs and from that, the world is treated to some very unique experimental releases.

In the Sip Advisor’s mind, there are only two acceptable ways to consume rhubarb: in pie and alcohol forms. Luckily, Lighthouse Brewing has taken care of the latter half of that theory.

The Jackline Rhubarb Grisette is brewed with organic Fraser Valley rhubarb juice, resulting in a refreshing beverage with sour notes of rhubarb on the finish. For those unfamiliar, a grisette is similar to a saison and shares some attributes with wheat/hefeweizen beers.

Lighthouse Jackline Rhubarb Grisette

Part of the brewery’s Explorer Series, this 5.5% ABV is available in bomber-sized bottles, as well as part of Lighthouse’s Bounty variety case. The pack also includes their Bowline Pilsner, Race Rocks Ale and Tasman Pale Ale.

So, what exactly is a jackline? Well, after conjuring up all of my nautical knowledge, I have the answer (much thanks to Wikipedia!). A jackline is a rope or wire that stretches the length of a ship – from bow to stern – allowing the crew to clip onto and move about safely.

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BC Beer Baron #193 – Canuck Empire Star Gazer Chamomile Wheat Ale

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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 so many brewery options out there, a game of one-upmanship sometimes occurs and from that, the world is treated to some very unique experimental releases.

The Sip Advisor has never been much of a tea guy (how chamomile is primarily consumed), save for a brief fascination with Nestea in the mid 90’s. That could change, though, if more beer companies start playing around with the ingredient, as Canuck Empire Brewing has.

The Star Gazer Chamomile Wheat Ale is brewed using organic dried chamomile flowers. Raspberry blossom honey is also a unique ingredient of the recipe. The result is a 6% ABV, 17 IBUs beverage that is complex and refreshing. The brewery describes their work as “summer in a bottle” and in a word, “delicious”.

Canuck Empire Star Gazer Chamomile Wheat Ale

This summer seasonal took home ‘Best in Class’ at the 2015 Alberta Beverage Awards, in the Wheat Beers category. Unfortunately, Canuck Empire is without a tasting room, so the only way you’ll likely come across their products, is in bomber form at various liquor stores around the province.

Operating out of Aldergrove, BC, Canuck Empire “Creates distinctive beers for offbeat Canadians. We bottle our beer in 650ml bottles so you can sit down with a friend or two and share the experience; or, if you’re thirsty, drink it all yourself…  you’re sure to enjoy it either way!”

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BC Beer Baron #192 – Storm Margherita Pizza IPA

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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 so many brewery options out there, a game of one-upmanship sometimes occurs and from that, the world is treated to some very unique experimental releases.

It would be criminal to have an entire week devoted to experimental beers and not give one of those feature slots to Storm Brewing. Whenever the Sip Alliance congregates at Storm’s East Vancouver location, we’re always in for treats our minds never imagined would be served to us in beer form.

The Margherita Pizza IPA is one of those brews that only Storm could envision and put together, combining most dudes dream meal – pizza and beer – all in one package. I have to say that the scents and flavours of oregano, tomato sauce and even cheese are evident in the brew and I actually enjoyed the experience. Apparently, I’m not alone, as most reviews on the Untappd beer app are positive.

Storm Brewing Board

The beer was made to help celebrate Vancouver’s Italian Day last month. I’ve joked with friends, who I forced to try the beverage, that it wouldn’t surprise me if the team at Storm simply tossed a couple pizzas in their brewing vats and let nature do the rest. Cousin Sip likened the 7% ABV IPA to a canister of pizza-flavoured Pringles.

Storm regularly cycles through their ‘Brainstorms’ and the board is kept updated at their website and also on their social media feeds. I am a steady follower of what they’re up to and often find myself salivating at something new to come into their tasting room.

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BC Beer Baron #191 – Four Winds Saison

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On a recent trip to Craft Beer Market in the Olympic Village, the Sip Advisor was reintroduced to this fantastic beer from Four Winds Brewing.

The Saison is a delicious offering with a nice balance of fruit, spice and hops. As I’ve written previously, I’m really getting into saisons this summer and Four Winds has one of the best. Thinking back, it may even be the beer that first introduced me to the style a couple years ago.

Four Winds Saison

The 6.5% ABV, 30 IBUs beverage is available year round and can be found in bottled four-packs. Four Winds also has a Wildflower Saison, Operis Brett Saison, and Sovereign Super Saison that are part of their Eurus Series of limited edition bottled-conditioned European-inspired brews. Eurus, in Greek mythology, is the God of the East Winds.

I try to make at least an annual pilgrimage to the Delta-based brewery, but have yet to do so this year. With increased visits to Ma and Pa Sip’s place for summer pool time, that will hopefully be remedied shortly.

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BC Beer Baron #190 – Hoyne Summer Haze Honey Hefe

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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.

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BC Beer Baron #189 – Red Collar Belgian Witbier

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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.

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BC Beer Baron #188 – Tree Mellow Moon Pineapple Hefeweizen

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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.

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BC Beer Baron #187 – Big Rock Traditional Ale

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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”.

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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.

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BC Beer Baron #186 – Steamworks Farmhouse Wheat Ale

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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.

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BC Beer Baron #185 – Barkerville 18 Karat Ale

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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.”

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