Tag Archives: BC Craft Beer

Beer of the Week #27 – Storm Chicken Wing IPA

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Yes, you read that right… your eyes are not deceiving you. While dining at St. Augustine’s earlier this week, I was able to try this very odd beer, dreamt up by the crew at Storm Brewing, who may have the most fun in the industry.

I was lucky to get my hands on the Chicken Wing IPA. When we first arrived, according to the restaurant’s live beer menu, there was only 3% remaining in the keg and by the time our meal finished, it was gone. I was very happy to contribute to the keg being drained.

Storm Brewing Logo.png

The 7% ABV beverage is vegan-friendly (no chickens were harmed in the making of the ale, according to Storm) and is made using the company’s own hot sauce, sour ale and cayenne pepper. The brew has a spicy aftertaste, which dominates the overall flavour.

Other bizarre concoctions I’ve been able to enjoy from the brewery’s Brainstorms lineup, include a Margherita Pizza IPA, Vanilla Whiskey Stout, Pineapple Upside Down Cake Ale, and Mojito Pilsner. Don’t stop dreaming Storm!

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Beer of the Week #26 – Cannery Anarchist Amber Ale

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As I’ve written previously, I’m a big fan of companies releasing mixed six- or eight-packs, with two each of three or four different beers. With that in mind, I recently picked up Cannery Brewing’s set, including this product.

The Anarchist Amber Ale is very refreshing and perfect for beating the summer heat, as I did, using the brew at my beer league baseball this previous weekend. The 5.5% ABV, 27 IBUs beverage is just right in each category, with Cannery calling it “a beer lover’s beer.”

Cannery Anarchist Amber Ale

Also included in the Cannery Variety Pack is the Naramata Nut Brown Ale (among the Sip Advisor’s favourites) and the Trellis IPA. Two recipes the brewery offers for the Amber Ale, include a Curried Stew and Lobster Tails Steamed in Beer.

My previous trips to Cannery’s tasting room in Penticton have always been enjoyable, thanks to their awesome patio space and collection of games for patrons to try, while enjoying a flight of beers. I hope to be back soon.

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Beer of the Week #25 – Three Ranges Tail Slap IPA

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As mentioned in a previous Sip Trips report, I recently picked up Three Ranges Brewing’s Orientation Kit mixed six-pack. Of the three options in the set, I wanted to focus on this product, given its amazing label art.

The Tail Slap IPA features one of the fiercest looking Canadian beavers I’ve ever seen. The brew’s taste matches the artwork, with a hoppy ferocity that is well-balanced by its citrus and malt counterparts. The beer comes in at 6.5% ABV and 81 IBUs.

Three Ranges Tail Slap IPA

To go with wicked artwork is a great backstory: “The beaver opened up Canada to the world and took it on the chin as trappers and traders almost drove the species to extinction. But the beaver didn’t get mad. It got angry.”

The Orientation Kit can be found at BC Liquor Stores. Among Three Ranges other offerings, I’d also love to try the Roll in the Hay Hefeweizen, which also uses some fantastic artwork to draw any drinker’s attention.

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Beer of the Week #24 – CrossRoads Old Westie Amber Lager

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As we recently passed through Prince George, BC, I searched for craft breweries we could visit. Thankfully, we stumbled upon CrossRoads Brewing, which offered some delicious food and beers for us weary travellers.

It’s not often a lager jumps out at me anymore, but the Old Westie Amber Lager was among the best of the bunch I sampled. And I tried each of the company’s nine beers that were available, so I had plenty of options to choose from.

CrossRoads Brewing

Brewed in the traditional Viennese style, this 5% ABV, 20 IBUs release is light with nice malt and hop flavours. All the group’s beers are only available straight from the source, with a four-pack of tall cans being developed for sale.

Anyone passing through the area should try to visit CrossRoads’ tasting room. The brewery was constructing an outdoor patio that would be amazing to sit on during the warmer months of the year.

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Beer of the Week #23 – Britannia Sirens Chai Saison

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With a friend and fellow beer lover visiting from London, a little tour of the BC craft scene was in order. One of our stops provided me with the chance to finally try something from newbie Britannia Brewing.

The Sirens Chai Saison was available as a guest tap and I really enjoyed my pint. The chai tea blend includes elements of rooibos, orange, star anise, clove and pepper. The beverage comes in at 5.7% ABV and 22 IBUs.

Britannia Sirens Chai Saison.jpg

The beer can be found in bomber-sized bottles, for those lured to the call. The Chai Saison is already gaining attention and accolades, taking home a Judge’s Choice Award for Best Saison from the 2017 Fest of Ale.

Opened in late 2016, the brewery strives “to brew with British tradition and west coast ingenuity using the best seasonal ingredients we can get.” Now I need to get to their tasting room to try their other wares.

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Beer of the Week #22 – Mt. Begbie Powerhouse Pale Ale

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With a theatre show to attend, Mrs. Sip and I decided to turn it into a full date night, stopping for dinner at Burgoo. There, I inquired about their Burgoo Brew and learned it was the Mt. Begbie Powerhouse Pale Ale.

As soon as I heard the brewery’s name, I was in for a pint, as the company has long been a favourite of mine. The 4.7% ABV, 22 IBUs beverage was just right for our night out, with nice flavouring and a moderate level of hops.

Mt. Begbie Powerhouse Pale Ale.jpg

The Powerhouse Pale Ale has been around for some time, winning a gold medal at the 2004 Canadian Brewing Awards. In fact, Mt. Begbie Brewing took home the Brewery of the Year prize at the 2017 version of the event.

While the ale is described as pairing best with spicy food, it also worked with my Chunky Chicken Salad. The brew can be found in bomber-sized bottles, as well as being a hidden gem of the Burgoo drink menu.

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Beer of the Week #21 – Lighthouse 150 Heritage Ale

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In the lead up to Canada’s 150th birthday bash, a number of companies have released products to coincide with the celebration. Add Lighthouse Brewing to that group with this special release.

Their 150 Heritage Ale recently hit store shelves. The 6.3% ABV, 14 IBUs beverage is highlighted by flavours of maple, smoke and rye malt. These elements represent Canada, oil lamps and colour, respectively.

Lighthouse 150 Heritage Ale

Part of the brewery’s Explorer Series, the Heritage Ale can be found in bomber-sized bottles at BC Liquor Stores, as well as private retailers. The limited edition brew won’t be around long, though.

The product is also meant to salute all those, past and present, who have watched Canada’s shores in lighthouses. As the country’s “keepers”, the brewery tips their caps to these fine folks.

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Beer of the Week #20 – Bridge Bourbon Blood Orange Wheat Ale

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If you’re looking to “enjoy the deep south way up north”, then this Bridge Brewing release may be the perfect fit for you. I remember when I first saw it on menus a couple years ago, I had to order a few pints and satisfy my curiosity.

The Bourbon Blood Orange Wheat Ale is a good beer that can be enjoyed year round, but is especially perfect on a hot summer day. The 5.5% ABV, 20 IBUs beverage combines many of the Sip Advisor’s favourite alcohol elements, including bourbon, wheat beers, and fruit.

Bridge Bourbon Blood Orange Wheat Ale

Originally brewed solely for Tap & Barrel locations, the beer has grown from a seasonal release to being part of Bridge’s year round lineup. Given its popularity and availability, I’m surprised I didn’t get around to profiling it during last year’s BC Beer Baron project.

The product can be found in bomber-sized bottles and tall cans. I also recently spotted it in a variety six-pack from Bridge, which included two bottles each of the Bourbon Blood Orange, North Shore Pale Ale and Hopilano IPA.

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Beer of the Week #19 – Big Rock Kiwi Fruited Blonde Ale

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Our recent travels with the Sip Syndicate led us to Big Rock Brewing’s Urban Eatery, where I selected this off-menu product. Given what I’ve seen so far this year, kiwi may be the experimental flavour of 2017 for BC breweries.

Despite not being my usual go-to beer style, I picked the Kiwi Fruited Blonde Ale because it was unique and something I had not tried before from the brewery. I was rewarded with a refreshing drink that went down easy and had a light kiwi tartness.

Big Rock Kiwi Fruited Blonde Ale

At 5.2% ABV and 30 IBUs, this beverage is another hit coming from the BC-based portion of Big Rock’s operations. Perfect to go along with a beer that features the kiwi bird on its bottle, the brew uses Southern Hemisphere Topaz Hops.

Available only in British Columbia, this limited edition beer (advertised as “an adventure unto itself”) can be found at the brewery’s Vancouver tap house. It can also be located in bomber-sized bottles at a liquor store near you.

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Beer of the Week #18 – Bomber Superpest Double IPA

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This past weekend, the Sip Alliance took to the streets of East Vancouver for the 2nd annual East Van Brewery Open House. Among our stops, was Bomber Brewing, where I sat down to a pint of this beer.

The Superpest Double IPA was very enjoyable. The edition I had was infused with pomegranate, turning up the recipe a couple notches. At 7.5% ABV and 80 IBUs, the beverage was far from an annoyance.

Bomber Superpest Double IPA

This seasonal release is available on tap at the brewery’s tasting room and in bomber-sized bottles. The Superpest took home a bronze medal at the 2014 BC Beer Awards in the Imperial IPA category.

I wish I’d kept up on Bomber’s Monday movie lineup, as April featured such hockey classics as Slapshot, Goon and Youngblood. Just in time for NHL playoff season, I would have loved to attend.

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