Tag Archives: BC Craft Beer

BC Beer Baron #53 – Green Leaf Burning Rock Ale

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On the Sip Alliance’s recent jaunt to explore North Vancouver’s brewery scene, our first stop of the day was Green Leaf Brewing, which is located right as you get off the Seabus, after crossing over from Downtown Vancouver.

The Burning Rock Ale was among the brewery’s rotating taps when we stopped in and it was my favourite of the layover. The beer provides a nice mix of malts and hops with a caramel finish to boot.

Green Leaf Burning Rock Ale

The ale is inspired by fire and rock, or as Green Leaf puts it: “When red-hot granite meets beer wort that sears itself into the beer and then into the imagination. The taste of this beer is all about malt and the unique range of caramelized flavors that come from this most unusual process.” To check out that process in action, Green Leaf has posted a video to their page about the Burning Rock Ale’s production.

This was my first visit to Green Leaf’s Lonsdale Quay location, despite working in the area for the last half year. Now that I’ve finally been, I should make more of a point of popping into the tasting room and grabbing a treat for the road after a hard day’s work!

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BC Beer Baron #52 – Ridge Hairy Donut Irish Amber Ale

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What was supposed to be the last stop of our Fraser Valley craft brewery crawl, Ridge Brewing, turned into one more respite on the way home, thanks to all the fun we had at the Maple Ridge tasting room.

There, we tried a bit of everything the brewery had available, including the Hairy Donut Irish Amber Ale. The Hairy Donut was a decent beer and the kind that drinkers of all types can get into and appreciate. It’s perfect for those that just want a solid beer and nothing too crazy.

Ridge Hairy Donut Irish Amber Ale

While I enjoyed some of Ridge’s beers (Green Eyes White IPA, Black Mamba Milk Stout and Café Morena English Brown Ale) more than today’s entry, there’s a great story to go along with the Hairy Donut. For those unfamiliar with the term, it basically describes a man’s furry belly button region… or, at least that’s the PG version and the one Ridge was able to sell to the group that approves beer names. As for the R-rated version, I’ll let your imagination run wild and do the work on that. It should be noted, the name is also a tribute to the owner’s late brother… or so the story goes!

We had a great time at Ridge Brewing (not to be confused with Big Ridge Brewing in Surrey), chatting with our server Duncan and the brewery’s owner Carlos (not to be confused with Maple Meadows owner Carlo). Ridge even offers customers specially designed growlers, with sayings such as ‘Corporate Beer Sucks’, ‘Cerveza Por Favor’, ‘Magical Drinking Juice Inside’, and ‘I Like Hairy Donut’.

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BC Beer Baron #51 – Maple Meadows Vanilla Porter

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On our recent Fraser Valley craft brewery crawl, we made sure to stop into Maple Meadows Brewing to sample their wares.

Among the tasters I tried, the Vanilla Porter was my favourite and would rank highly when compared to all 86 different beers I sampled over the Family Day long weekend. The porter was smooth and not too complex, letting the vanilla aroma and essence shine.

Maple Meadows Brewing

I’m finding that I really like the flavour of vanilla in my dark beers and thankfully, this is a common ingredient in stouts, porters and other varieties. I look forward to exploring this new passion in the future.

This was our second visit to Maple Meadows and the brewery has grown substantially since our last stop, back when the operation had only been open for a few weeks and was in its infancy stage. Maple Meadows is owned and operated by Carlo Baroccio, who originally comes from Mexico and decided to set up shop in Maple Ridge after other cities turned down his application to set up shop in their area.

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BC Beer Baron #50 – Hoyne Dark Matter

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I figured for my 50th post of this 366-day BC craft beer project, I should share with all you little sippers one of my favourite brews on the local landscape, this excellent selection from Hoyne Brewing.

The Dark Matter has been described as both a brown ale and a porter and perhaps it’s a hybrid of the two styles. It is mild on hops, but high in roasted malts, so if that’s your thing, this beer will be right up your alley.

Hoyne Dark Matter

While the company’s description for the delicious dark brew has nothing to do with beer, it’s worth reading any: “Deep inside the Hadron Collider physicists hurtle sub-atomic particles with lightning speed on a collision course with each other. They do so in the pursuit of pure science, in the hope of one day being able to unlock the mystery of the elusive unseen fabric upon which our universe is embroidered: Dark Matter.”

If that doesn’t get you jazzed and make you want to crack this beauty open, not much will. Admittedly, this is one of my favourite beers on the market and I’ve advocated for it with friends and strangers alike. This is a perfect introductory beer to the darker side of the industry and those that stick to lighter lagers and ales should at least give this beverage a go.

The one time Mrs. Sip and I were able to get to Hoyne’s tiny tasting room, we hadn’t fallen in love with this beer yet and I don’t remember much from the experience other than the size of the place and Sis-in-Law Sip buying a bomber or two. Since it has gone on to become one of my breweries, I believe another visit is in order.

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BC Beer Baron #49 – Field House Sour Wheat Gose

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Despite being only three weeks old, when the Sip Alliance visited Field House Brewing on our recent beer journey through the Fraser Valley, the place was packed and it wouldn’t take long for our crew to figure out why.

Typically, the Sip Advisor isn’t the biggest fan of sour beers, but the Sour Wheat Gose was my favourite among our four-sample taster flight. As is the case with most sours, this brew was light at only 3.8% ABV, but you don’t always need to have your socks knocked off. Perhaps I’ve opened a new door for myself, in regards to beer enjoyment.

Field House Brewing

The brewery prides themselves on “community, family and old school values,” which sounds like the definition of a true craft brewery. The company’s website states: “Let’s take care of each other and build something great that we can share together.” You can even join the brewery as an original founder, kind of like a crowdsourcing initiative.

Overall, I was impressed with Field House’s intimate cabin-style tasting room, complete with roaring fireplace. Their taster flight price was higher ($9 for four samples) than I’ve seen elsewhere, but the drinks were worth it. While most breweries might open with more traditional beer options, I thought the Field House line-up was very unique and experimental, also including a Dutch Pale Ale, Eastern IPA, and Salted Black Porter. This can only mean good things for their future!

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BC Beer Baron #48 – Old Abbey Ales Belgian Tripel

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Over the Family Day long weekend, the Sip Alliance traversed the BC Lower Mainland, hitting a number of breweries we had yet to visit previously. Among those stops was Old Abbey Ales in Abbotsford.

One of the brewery’s flagships is their Belgian Tripel, which although we didn’t select a taster of, Mrs. Sip had to grab a bomber for the road, being a huge fan of the style. Old Abbey Ales actually focuses on the Belgian style, with their logo featuring a Belgian lion, complete with chalice and wheat sheaf. Their dedication showed, with this strong (9% ABV), complex and flavourful release.

Old Abbey Ales Belgian Tripel

The Belgian Tripel is at optimum serving temperature between 8-12 degrees Celsius. Suggested food pairings include Cajun dishes, game meat, pork and roast, and curries, while blue, gorgonzola, triple crème, goat and light feta comprise cheese accompaniments for the brew.

I didn’t know what to expect as the Sip Alliance pulled up to Old Abbey Ales. The Growler BC beer guide listed only two of the company’s beers and even their own website only contains info on a half dozen brews. Once we got inside though, I was blown away. They had 25 different beers on tap, which is helped by the fact they’re one of the few breweries Mrs. Sip and I have seen outside of Portland to adopt a fill-out-your-own tasting form system. We came for the beer, but stuck around for the free popcorn, peanuts and pretzels and will return soon!

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BC Beer Baron #47 – Dead Frog Super Fearless Imperial IPA

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Our recent tour of BC’s Fraser Valley beer region got started off on the right note as we popped into Dead Frog Brewing for some tasters and other mischief.

The Super Fearless IPA is a direct, super-amped (“on steroids”) descendent of the brewery’s Fearless IPA. As an IPA fan, I can be a little picky about what I like from the family of beers and this product did not disappoint.

Dead Frog Super Fearless IPA

The brew’s description warns: “Prepare for a glorious hop bomb of epic proportions!” With four different styles of malts and the same amount of diverse hops, they ain’t lying. The specialty beer is released every July and comes in at a whopping 9% ABV and 93 IBU. That will blow your beak off like Elmer Fudd did to Daffy Duck!

This was our first visit to Dead Frog’s Aldergrove brewery and tasting room, despite the fact it has been around since 2006. Dead Frog was one of the first craft beers I ever tried and Ma and Pa Sip’s beer fridge was often filled with their summer mixed pack during the early days of the Sip Advisor’s craft beer enlightenment.

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BC Beer Baron #46 – Trading Post What Cheer Brett IPA

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Trading Post Brewing is BC’s newest craft beer operation, having just opened on Saturday. While Mrs. Sip and I tried to visit then, the out-the-door line-up prevented that, but we returned the next day and were able to partake in the brewery’s beer and chocolate pairing for Valentine’s Day.

One of our mutual favourites, among the company’s six-beer opening line-up was the What Cheer Brett IPA. This style of beer combines two of the most popular brewing families: sours and IPAs. Even Mrs. Sip was a fan, despite not loving either variety. I have suspicions that the salted caramel chocolate (from ChocolaTas in Abbotsford) pairing may have helped in her newfound appreciation!

Trading Post Brewing

The Brett IPA has a 6.6% ABV, with 56 IBUs. The refreshing brew was made with flavours of mango, guava and orange, while incorporating four different styles of hops.

To say Trading Post had a very successful opening weekend would be a huge understatement. While we were there, the company’s brewmaster was taking the time to chat with visitors about his creations and he was thrilled with the response so far from the craft beer community. Great for them, not-so-great for Mrs. Sip and I, but we’re happy for the new addition to the network.

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BC Beer Baron #45 – Barkerville Promise to Sophia Valentine Ale

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For Valentine’s Day, featuring a love-themed beer as part of this 366-day BC craft beer project seemed like the perfect idea. My research, however, proved that there weren’t too many obvious options to choose from. That was, until I stumbled across the press release for this Barkerville Brewing product.

This is the second year that Promise to Sophia has hit the market before Valentine’s Day. It is a strong (6.9% ABV) and dark milk stout, flavoured with vanilla and anise. As the brewery writes, “Smooth and slightly sweet, this winter warmer is sure to inspire everlasting devotion.”

Barkerville Promise to Sophia

Promise to Sophia is the only Valentine Ale the Sip Advisor knows about and it has a hell of a story behind it. During the Cariboo Gold Rush of the 1860’s, John and Sophia Cameron staked their claim to riches, but sadly Sophia didn’t survive their first brutal winter, succumbing to typhoid fever.

On her death bed, Sophia asked her husband to return her body to their native Ontario. Three caskets, four funerals, and two burials later, John lived up to that promise and got Sophia to her final resting place. Now that is true love and dedication!

Barkerville, BC was the epicenter of the Cariboo Gold Rush and most of the brewing company’s beers are named with this is mind. There’s the 18 Karat Ale, Paydirt Cascadian Dark Ale, and White Gold Witbier, for example. Even when you pop a Barkerville Brewing bottle cap, you will be greeted with a message stating: “No Gold – Keep Digging!”

Only available at select private liquor stores, this beer wasn’t easy to track down and I have to give a special thanks to the Brewery Creek Liquor Store for having it in stock. When I succeeded in my mission of finding the Valentine Ale yesterday morning, there was only two left in stock. That’s another story of true love that will one day be told to future generations!

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BC Beer Baron #44 – Phillip’s Longboat Chocolate Porter

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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 Valentine’s Day fast approaching, this month’s feature week will look at beers of a chocolate nature, perfect to celebrate the occasion.

Phillips Brewing is popular amongst craft beer aficionados both on Vancouver Island and the mainland and they have another winner on their hands here.

The Longboat Chocolate Porter is smooth and flavourful. The beer hits you with chocolate first and then finishes with the traditional coffee aftertaste that porters are known for.

Phillips Longboat Chocolate Porter

The brewery believes (and the Sip Advisor agrees) that one of the world’s classic historical pairings is that of chocolate and beer. Phillips goes so far as to associate their beer with the duos of “Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney, Super Dave Osborne and Mr. Fuji, cheddar cheese and pickles, Bob and Doug McKenzie, Mork and Mindy, [and] Bonnie and Clyde!”

The smallest size the Longboat comes in is as a bomber because “341 mL just isn’t enough!” Suggested pairings for the brew are with vanilla ice cream and chocolate. Phillips also provides a few recipes using the Longboat Chocolate Porter, which customers can try. These include, Funky Gingerbread Cakes and Hammer Brownies.

I’ve managed to get over to Phillips on a couple occasions for growler fills (in fact, the Sip Advisor’s first growler ever was from Phillips – a nice souvenir from a weekend jaunt to Victoria) and tastings. Sadly, our most recent visits to the island have been too short to fit in a stop, but we honour the brewery from home, when we can.

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