Tag Archives: BC Craft Beer

BC Beer Baron #2: Whistler Winter Dunkel

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Every day through 2016, we will feature a different BC craft beer. Today’s brew of choice is the Whistler Winter Dunkel, which is perhaps the best beer I’ve had all winter and the closest thing you will ever find to drinking a Terry’s Chocolate Orange.

A co-worker and fellow beer aficionado first told me about this beer in early December. She said she couldn’t wait to track it down, having enjoyed it in years past. With the beverage on my radar, I was quick to locate a bottle and gave it to Mrs. Sip as part of my annual advent calendar for her. We enjoyed it Christmas Eve and were blown away by how tasty it was.

Whistler Winter Dunkel

Following that experience, I had a thirst for more and saw that my local BC Liquor Store had three bottles left. By the time I got there, they were down to two, which I quickly snagged. I gave one away as a gift and politely shared the other with guests at my and Mrs. Sip’s New Year’s Eve bash. After all, I kept raving about the beer, so I had to pour tasters for those that were still around.

I’m not sure how much longer this brew will be available, as it is a limited release. If you can get your hands on one, you must try it. I’m going to try and get a little stock together to be enjoyed throughout the rest of winter… wish me luck!

Mrs. Sip’s Take:

New to the Sip Advisor is Mrs. Sip’s perspective on each beer. The first thing that she noticed was the incredible smell and while she doesn’t like fruit-flavoured chocolate, this drink was the most true to chocolate tasting brew she has ever experienced. It was a definite win in her books, but would be best enjoyed in small doses.

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

BC Beer Baron #1: Steamworks Winter White Stout

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As the Sip Syndicate sat around late New Year’s Eve, the discussion turned to this wonderful site and what my plans were for 2016. Admittedly, I had thought of many projects, but hadn’t settled on anything. Then, almost as if being dared, a friend suggested doing 365 days of BC beer. Well, my little sippers, I’m more than happy to oblige and I’ll even do 366 to cover the leap year!

Steamworks Winter White Stout

Today’s beer, from Steamworks Brewing, is a unique brew that I have never had before or seen anywhere, for that matter. Stout beers are characteristically dark and heavy, but that is obviously not the case here. The beer does share the traditional stout flavour of coffee/chocolate, but it pours a caramel yellow colour. The colour change is due to the removal of roasted malts from the recipe, with the flavours coming from the beer being aged with whole espresso beans, followed by whole cacao beans.

Mrs. Sip’s Take:

I’ve asked Mrs. Sip to add her opinion of each beer reviewed for this project, to offer the female perspective. She found the beer to be disconcerting because of the expected taste versus appearance. Neither of us are coffee drinkers, so stouts and porters – while enjoyable – have always been a bit of a mystery to us and I think this beer was a little too strong in coffee taste for both of us.

I hope all you little sippers had a wonderful New Year’s and that 2016 is an amazing year for you all!

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

Sip Trips #46: Amazing Advent (Part 1)

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This week was pretty quiet for Mrs. Sip and me, so I was going to dedicate this space to looking at some of the great BC beers available during the winter season, perfect to fill any beer lover’s Christmas stocking. Then, Mrs. Sip completely changed the game by surprising me with a 24-day beer advent calendar, crafted by her. So, over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a look at her great work:

Day 1: Hoyne Gratitude Winter Warmer

Enveloped in a candy cane-coloured wrapper, I was very anxious to get my paws onto this beer and told Mrs. Sip exactly that. So, being the amazing wife she is, she placed it front and center as the opening beer of the advent calendar. I’ve come to be an avid supporter of Hoyne and many of their products, so adding this to my experiences was a Christmas must. The brew comes in at 9% and reminded me of a Scotch Ale. The best part is that you don’t even notice how strong the beer is and it’s quite smooth, going down super easy, even when not completely chilled. The bottle’s wrapping includes a message from brewmaster Sean Hoyne, thanking customers for their support and accepting the brewery into the local industry.

Hoyne Gratitude

 

Day 2: Central City Red Racer Gingerhead Gingerbread Stout

This was another beer that I was particularly intrigued by when I was doing recent research, as to what was available this time of the year. I may not be the biggest gingerbread cookie fan, but a spiced stout sounds really good on a cold Christmas morning. I figured if it was half as good as Central City’s summer seasonal, the Maple Bacon Breakfast Beer, I’d be thoroughly satisfied. Well, the Gingerbread Stout has a mild spice to it, but nothing overwhelming. The brew is flavourful, thanks to its chocolate notes and a second good choice by Mrs. Sip. Another great feature of the beer is that $1 from each purchase will go to local BC Food Banks. Here’s hoping that helps out some people and families in need this holiday season.

Central City Gingerhead

That’s all for this week, but there is much more to come and I can’t wait to share these beers with Mrs. Sip and all you little sippers. I’ve always wanted to document the beer advent calendar experience and the wonderful work by Mrs. Sip has made this possible!