Tag Archives: BC Craft Beer

BC Beer Baron #32 – Steel & Oak Tortuga Wild Ale

Posted on by
Reply

If you had told me at the start of this 366-days of BC craft beer project that February would hit and I still wouldn’t have covered Steel & Oak Brewing (one of my and Mrs. Sip’s preferred breweries), I would have told you to lay off the sauce… and leave it for the Sip Advisor. That’s just a testament to all the good beer out there in this province.

The Tortuga Wild Ale is a special release, as part of Steel & Oak’s Oak-Aged Series. This brew was aged a full year in Caribbean rum barrels and then given a second fermentation to add notes of sour cherry. I’m not very familiar with wild ales and although I’m not a huge fan of sour beers, I did enjoy this beverage. The Tortuga has a strong rum finish following tart sour cherry beginnings and something about the combination of those two elements really worked for me.

Steel & Oak Tortuga Wild Ale

Mrs. Sip’s Take:

This wasn’t really for her. She liked how the beer was strong (7.3% ABV), being a Belgian Dubbel and Tripel fan (are there Beligan Singels?), but didn’t really enjoy the sour tastes. She would gravitate towards other Steel & Oak products.

Tortuga, of course, is an island in the Caribbean – belonging to Haiti to be exact – which was an epicenter of pirate activity in the 1600’s, including being heavily referenced in the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise. And where there are pirates, there will also be rum. For what it’s worth, a direct translation of the term means turtle or tortoise. The more you know [rainbow swipe]!

It may have taken us a while to get to our first beer from Steel & Oak, but it certainly won’t be our last… especially with a bottle of the company’s Smoked Dunkelweizen sitting in my fridge!

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

BC Beer Baron #31 – Black Kettle IPA

Posted on by
Reply

The thing I like best about beer festivals is being introduced to breweries I haven’t yet had the chance to experience or in some cases, breweries I’m being reintroduced to. Such was the case at the recent Tapped Vancouver at the Yaletown Roundhouse, where the Sip Advisor was able to get reacquainted with Black Kettle Brewing, after last trying their wares at July’s Tip N’ Taste in Langley.

As myself, Cousin Sip, and her husband approached our first booth of the night at Tapped Vancouver, we each picked one of the company’s options. I went with the IPA and found it to be a great starting point to my evening. I later returned for their two other selections (the Pale Ale and Scottish Ale), which will be profiled here at later dates. Where was Mrs. Sip, you might be asking? Well, she was running late, as is typical for her and with beer available, we weren’t willing to wait.

Black Kettle IPA

The brew comes in at 6.4%, but is lighter than most IPAs, while still being joined by the hoppy taste we’ve all come to expect from this variety of beverage. As an IPA fan, I will look out for this product when buying beers and suggest it to friends who also like their brews to have a little more of an edge to them.

I named Black Kettle my choice for MVP of the Tapped Vancouver event (not that this was an actual competition there) and it has earned its way onto our list of must-visit breweries when the Sip Alliance finally gets their act together and tours North Vancouver’s burgeoning brewery region. This little exploration can’t happen soon enough!

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

BC Beer Baron #30 – Central City Red Racer IPA

Posted on by
Reply

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. For the opening month of this project, I wanted to look at some of the flagship and original offerings from breweries around the province.

The Red Racer IPA from Central City Brewing may have been my first introduction to IPAs. Back at a time when I wasn’t into IPAs, I’m not sure I fully appreciated the 6.5% ABV, 80 IBU beverage. Thankfully, that has changed, as my tastes have evolved and I’ve become an IPA fan.

Central City Red Racer IPA

Central City started as a brew pub operation in 2003, before moving into canning their products and finally opening a brewery and tasting room location just a few years back. The company boasts that their Red Racer IPA can be found in 156 BC Government Liquor stores, as well as many private locations. The brew can also be found in 230 LCBO stores in Ontario. Heck, Red Racer products can also be found across the line in the U.S., under the Red Betty brand, thanks to legal action from California’s Bear Republic Brewing.

I’ve enjoyed a few trips to Central City’s Surrey hub (a perfect place to go when Mrs. Sip tells me she’s going to be late leaving work, as I’m already waiting at the Scott Road SkyTrain Station… and trust me, it’s happened a lot), as well as their brew pubs at both the Surrey Central Mall and in Downtown Vancouver. The Vancouver location is conveniently close to the Sip Advisor offices.

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

BC Beer Baron #29 – Whistler Black Tusk Ale

Posted on by
Reply

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. For the opening month of this project, I wanted to look at some of the flagship and original offerings from breweries around the province.

Whistler Brewing has been around for over 25 years, established in 1989. For a time, the beers weren’t even produced in Whistler, but that changed for good in 2009 when the company opened a new facility. Located in the Function Junction area of the resort destination, Mrs. Sip and I visited the brewery a few years back and had a fantastic time.

One of the funnier getting sick from drinking stories I’ve witnessed came from that visit, as one of our fellow travelers fell in love with today’s feature beer a little too much, resulting in a not-so-happy ending to the evening for him.

Whistler Black Tusk Ale

Speaking of that beer, the Black Tusk Ale recipe has existed since the brewery first launched all those years ago. The dark, English-style mild ale is slightly bitter with flavours you’d expect from darker brews, such as chocolate and coffee.

The name of the beer is derived from a Whistler tourist attraction, the core of an extinct volcano that makes up the mountainous town. The brewery describes the experience of drinking their beers as “More flavor. More Character. More to Experience.” That statement pans out with this product.

We still haven’t had a chance to attend the Whistler Beer Festival (a Whistler Brewing initiative, which takes over the village every September), as we’ve been out of town the last couple years around that time, but it’s among the top of our list for festivals to experience.

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

BC Beer Baron #28 – Phillips Phoenix Gold Lager

Posted on by
Reply

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. For the opening month of this project, I wanted to look at some of the flagship and original offerings from breweries around the province.

The Phoenix Gold Lager literally rose from the ashes, as a collection of the bottles was rediscovered in 2003, two years after Phillips began making beers. It’s a solid brew that the brewery suggest pairing with spicy Asian foods, seafood, and medium cheeses.

Phillips Phoenix Lager

Originally located in Esquimalt, B.C., Phillips began creating beers in 2001. I love the story behind Phillips and if you visit the brewery’s website, you can read a poetic version of the tale. To sum up here, though, brewer Matt Phillips risked his financial future on the success of the brewery, maxing out numerous credit cards (no bank would give him a loan) in order to get the operation up and running.

Obviously, things worked out, as the brewery moved into their current facility, in Victoria, in 2008 and are regarded as one of the province’s most popular brewing companies. For example, their Blue Buck Pale Ale (which will eventually be featured as part of the BC Beer Baron project) has often been credited for successfully introducing drinkers to craft beer.

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

BC Beer Baron #27 – Parallel 49 Gypsy Tears Ruby Ale

Posted on by
Reply

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. For the opening month of this project, I wanted to look at some of the flagship and original offerings from breweries around the province.

While Parallel 49 Brewing has grown to have numerous beers on tap in their East Vancouver (affectionately known as ‘Yeast Van’ among beer aficionados) tasting room and available in stores across the province, my original experience with the company was through their Gypsy Tears Ruby Ale, which I still enjoy today.

Parallel 49 Gypsy Tears

“Of all the test batches we did, we found that Gypsy was a clear winner, and thus was part of the launch beers,” said Chris Bjerrisgaard, Marketing Manager of Parallel 49. “It remains popular to this day because it’s an incredibly versatile beer which can please the core craft beer nerd, as well as those who are not even into craft beer. It’s malt and hop balance allow you to drink a lot of them without getting tired of it. All in all, it’s the Swiss army knife of craft beers… it does it all!”

Started by a troupe of home brewers, Parallel 49 has evolved to become one of Vancouver’s most popular craft breweries, featuring an always expanding product line. The team opened a restaurant together in 2008, before focusing on their own brewery, launched in 2012. Over time, I’ve tried countless Parallel 49 beers and don’t know if I could name a favourite. Some have satisfied, a couple have disappointed. Gypsy Tears, a solid brew, may be up there among my favourites from the company.

Mrs. Sip and I have visited Parallel 49’s tasting room on a few separate occasions. Most recently, we went in with Sis-in-Law Sip and ordered one sample of everything they had on tap. While this worked in getting to try their entire menu at the time, we weren’t provided any kind of map or chart of what was what, so we had to play the “guess the beer” game. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon, if you ask the Sip Advisor!

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

BC Beer Baron #26 – Vancouver Island Hermann’s Dark Lager

Posted on by
Reply

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. For the opening month of this project, I wanted to look at some of the flagship and original offerings from breweries around the province.

Vancouver Island Brewing has been in business for over 30 years, or as they put it, since “Bon Jovi was a hot new band, mullets were cool, [and] lawn darts were legal!” Born in 1984 as Island Pacific Brewery (Vancouver Island’s first of its kind), the company started small and has grown exponentially over the years, changing its name in 1992.

Their Hermann’s Dark Lager was first created in 1986 and has remained a staple of the brewery ever since. The beer is named after brewmaster Hermann Hoerterer, whose name also adorns their Hermannator Ice Bock. When Hoerterer moved to Canada, he brought with him the inspiration to create the Dark Lager, among other recipes.

Vancouver Island Hermann's Dark Lager

“It is a testament to [Hoerterer’s] brewing skill that he formulated the recipe for a beer that continues to be a significant brand in the west coast markets thirty years later,” said Barry Fisher, President of Vancouver Island Brewing. “The craft beer market today is far more receptive to beers that bring new experiences. Fortunately, Hermann’s Dark has benefited from being attractive for new drinkers, while holding on to a loyal group of dedicated Hermann’s fans.  Hermann’s Dark: often copied, never duplicated.”

A few years ago, Mrs. Sip and I visited Vancouver Island at their beautiful facility on Government Street. There, we did a tasting and had a long chat with our server about the brewery and beer in general. Without Vancouver Island, other Victoria breweries, such as Phillips, Hoyne, Lighthouse, Driftwood, Moon Under Water, and Spinnakers might not exist. For that alone, they deserve credit.

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

BC Beer Baron #25 – Red Truck Ale

Posted on by
Reply

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. For the opening month of this project, I wanted to look at some of the flagship and original offerings from breweries around the province.

Red Truck Brewing has been a Vancouver fixture since it was founded in 2005. Originally located in North Vancouver, the company recently moved their operations to the Brewery Creek region of the Downtown Vancouver core. They stress brewing honest beers by hardworking people.

I first enjoyed the Red Truck Ale at my local watering hole: Jimmy’s Taphouse. It quickly became a go-to pitcher beverage for me, while out with friends. Therefore, many nights ended with an order of Red Truck.

Red Truck Ale

The brewery is recognizable for their line of delivery trucks, including Old Weird Harold, Flying High Frank, and the Young and Old Frankensteins. Red Truck has recently ventured into more adventurous waters with their limited edition releases, including the Ridin’ Shotgun Belgian Blonde Ale and Double Clutch Unfiltered Double Pale Ale. These are largely only available in their tasting room.

Mrs. Sip and I have yet to visit Red Truck’s new facility, although we’ve heard that it is a hopping place and we’re not just talking about their IPA recipe. Even former Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, stopped by the joint, although this gained the brewery more flack than good press from the liberal Vancouver crowd.

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

BC Beer Baron #24 – Granville Island Island Lager

Posted on by
Reply

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. For the opening month of this project, I wanted to look at some of the flagship and original offerings from breweries around the province.

What better way to start than with BC’s very first craft brewery: Granville Island. The brewery opened its doors all the way back in 1984, changing the local beer landscape. Their first release was the Island Lager, which can still be found being poured at the brewery and at restaurants around BC, as well as being available at liquor stores throughout the province to this day.

Granville Island Island Lager.jpg

“A traditionally brewed and full-flavoured lager seemed a natural choice for our first brew,” said Nickolai Zarchukoff, Sponsorship and Event Coordinator of Granville Island Brewing. “The enduring popularity of our lager is most likely due to the fact that most beer drinkers are consumers of macro-brewed mainstream lagers. Our lager has proved a durable alternative and exists as an introduction into the world of craft beer.”

From that original release spawned numerous beers (most of which are named after locations around Vancouver), including English Bay Pale Ale, Cypress Honey Lager, and False Creek Raspberry Ale. While there has been some debate as to whether Granville Island Brewing still belongs in the micro-brewery category, following its acquisition by brewing giant Molson Coors, the brewery continues to put out small batch releases, keeping them in the craft beer conversation.

Personally, I love making the odd trip out to GIB’s Granville Island tasting room and checking out what’s new on tap. It’s a good walk or bike ride away and reminds me of some of my first craft beer experiences, picking up their mixed packs and enjoying them poolside at Ma and Pa Sip’s place. As the brewery’s mantra goes: “It’s Good to Be Here”!

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

BC Beer Baron #23 – Stanley Park Windstorm Pale Ale

Posted on by
Reply

While recently dining out at Wild Tale in Yaletown, Mrs. Sip and I took advantage of their happy hour drink deals. On the beer side of that ledger was selections from Stanley Park Brewing and I was happy to place an order.

I really enjoyed my servings of the Stanley Park Pale Ale, which were paired with our lobster dinner, featuring items such as seafood chowder, mussels, trio of salads (potato, coleslaw and mixed greens), one and a half pounds of lobster, and dessert. I felt the Pale Ale partnered best with the chowder and salads, but it wasn’t out of place with the other meal items, either. The brewery suggests pairings of grilled steak, citrus salad, Thai curry, and roasted vegetables.

Stanley Park Windstorm Pale Ale

The beer comes in at 5.7% and 35 IBU, which seems like just the right balance to me. Named Windstorm because of the 2006 squall that may have damaged Stanley Park, but inspired generations of British Columbians to repair and preserve the grounds, the company donates some proceeds from each sale of this brew to the Stanley Park Ecology Society, which provides upkeep of the landmark as well as “promotes awareness of and respect for the natural world”.

Stanley Park Brewing (under the banner of the Turning Point Brewing Company) has received criticism in the past because it operates more like a macro-brewery; have taken their name from an original brewery that operated back in 1897; and doesn’t have some of the intimate features we’ve all come to expect from craft breweries, such as a tasting room. There’s also been an issue with the company being called Stanley Park, but being located in Delta.

Despite all this, I have tasted some of their smaller batch stuff and have really liked it. Add to that their regular line-up containing some good brews and it’s at least worth trying for yourself and seeing whether or not you like it.

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