Tag Archives: Craft Beer

BC Beer Baron #226 – Whistler Grapefruit Ale

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While attending a recent Vancouver Canadians game at Nat Bailey Stadium, Mrs. Sip and I took advantage of the ballpark’s Craft Corner. There, we each picked up a serving of this Whistler Brewing beverage.

The Grapefruit Ale is light and refreshing, everything one would want in a beer enjoyed under the hot summer sun. The grapefruit comes across in the finish of the brew, giving drinkers a nice sweet and sour mix. The Sip Advisor even detected some caramel notes and a light spice.

Whistler Grapefruit Ale

I did think the 5% ABV, 14 IBUs beer was better at its peak of coldness and my enjoyment decreased when it grew warmer. This can be said of almost all drinks, though, with the only difference being how noticeable the gap was here.

Formerly known as the Paradise Valley Grapefruit Ale, this summer seasonal is available in six-packs at BC Liquor Stores. The BCL description suggests pairing the brew (which debuted in 2011) with pancakes or a light dessert.

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BC Beer Baron #225 – Lighthouse Broadside Northwest Ale

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While I appreciate whatever a company brings to a tasting event, when they provide an opportunity to sample something new or unique, that is optimal. Such was the case with Lighthouse Brewing at Tip N’ Taste in Langley.

The Broadside Northwest Ale is the brewery’s newest release. At 4.3% ABV, it won’t knock your socks off, but there is some strong hop flavour in this refreshing beverage. The product is available in six-packs.

Lighthouse Broadside Northwest Ale

The brew is part of Lighthouse’s Explorers Series, which is aimed at “adventurous craft beer lovers looking to discover more flavour, more complex nuances, and more unique characteristics in their beer”.

I appreciate the brewery’s nautical naming scheme and this beer is no different. Broadside refers to the side of a ship where all the cannons are situated. Broadside is also a measurement of a ship’s maximum simultaneous firepower.

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BC Beer Baron #224 – Bad Tattoo Waes Hael Spiced Seasonal Ale

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This Bad Tattoo Brewing beverage was another recent pick-up in the Okanagan of a winter seasonal release that I had yet to come across until summer rolled around.

The Waes Hael Spiced Seasonal Ale is a fantastic brew. There’s a lot going on in this drink, with ingredients that are inspired by wassailing, an ancient tradition of visiting homes to participate in yuletide celebrations around Christmas. Recipe elements include cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, all spice, ginger root, and even roasted apples.

Bad Tattoo Waes Hael Spiced Seasonal Ale

The beer holds up well in summer weather, despite being a ‘winter warmer’. Waes Hael means “Be You Healthy” and that is certainly achieved by the 6% ABV Winter Ale.

Bad Tattoo suggests enjoying the beer at a warmer temperature than other products. It is available in bomber-sized bottles from select liquor stores, although you may have trouble tracking a serving down until the next winter season.

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BC Beer Baron #223 – Persephone Dry Stout

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Meeting up with fellow CAMRA members at The Main on Main, prior to a night of Vancouver Canadians baseball, the Sip Advisor selected this beer from Persephone Brewing, for his pre-game beverage.

The Dry Stout features the flavours you would typically expect from the beer style, highlighted by notes of coffee and roasted malts. The 4.5% ABV, 30 IBUs brew is lightly carbonated, whereas the Sip Advisor prefers beers with more carbonation. That said, the drink was smooth and tasty, compensating for my desire for more bubbles.

Persephone Dry Stout

The brew has been quite successful for Persephone, pulling in back-to-back first place finishes at the 2013 and 2014 BC Beer Awards, in the Stout category. Rave reviews seem to also follow this product around, which makes it surprising that it’s only available on tap and not in bottles or cans.

Persephone, which is based on an 11-acre farm in Gibsons, is currently allowing prospective partners to invest in the enterprise. The minimum investment is $250 with a total of 12% equity in the brewery up for grabs.

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BC Beer Baron #222 – Stanley Park Curiosity Lager

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Full disclosure: The Sip Advisor purchased a can of this Stanley Park Brewing/lululemon athletica collaboration beer last summer and there it sat in my fridge “cellaring” for the past 12 months. My intention was to do a photoshoot with myself in ridiculous yoga poses, while sipping the beverage. That never materialized and I finally cracked the can open just the other day.

I have to say, although the Curiosity Lager was, oh let’s say aged, it still tasted pretty good. Granted, it’s your typical lager and there’s not a whole lot going on, but I enjoyed the experience. The 4.6 ABV, 18 IBUs beer is light and easy drinking with a refreshing finish.

Stanley Park Curiosity Lager

The limited edition release (only brewed once) came in 500ml tall cans and was created to be the beverage of choice for lululemon’s SeaWheeze Half Marathon after party. Suggested food pairings for the lager included barbecue meats, rich seafood dishes, and spicy Vietnamese or Thai meals.

I remember when the beer first debuted, there was a lot of negativity that came along with it. Many questioned why lululemon would bother getting involved in the craft brew game. The companies also received some flak for the label design, which included a cartoon totem pole that some thought was insensitive.

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BC Beer Baron #221 – Mt. Begbie Brave Liver Scotch Ale

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Even within the province of BC, the Sip Advisor loves going to liquor stores while travelling because I often discover products that don’t seem to get shelf space at stores in the Lower Mainland. Such was the case with this release from Mt. Begbie Brewing.

The Brave Liver Scotch Ale is very tasty, with flavours of roasted malts and caramel. At 6.5% ABV and 22 IBUs, this is a fitting ‘Wee Heavy’ Scottish Pale Ale, but the peat flavour that is often included in this style of brews was missing.

Mt. Begbie Brave Liver Scotch Ale

Although the beer is described as a winter seasonal, I came across it for the very first time this summer and don’t recall ever seeing it before. Apparently, the beer was bottled for the first time in November 2015, so I should consider myself lucky that a few bombers still existed come the summer.

I love the name of this brew and I honestly believe that my liver is one of the bravest in the land. Suggested food pairings include roast beef, lamb, game meats, smoked salmon, aged cheeses, toffee pudding, and chocolate desserts.

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BC Beer Baron #220 – Foamers’ Folly Hot Box IPA Nitro

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While recently visiting another brewery, I was able to try a guest tap from Foamers’ Folly Brewing. Based out of Pitt Meadows, it is the city’s first craft beer establishment.

The Hot Box IPA Nitro was just fine, but I’ve found that I’m just not a fan of nitro brews. I know this style of beer – nitro refers to the type of gas used in the carbonation process – is preferred by many, but every time I’ve had one, it just hasn’t agreed with me. The 6.6% ABV, 80 IBUs beverage is clearly on the stronger side (a result of the nitro practice), so some drinkers may want to proceed with extreme caution.

Foamers' Folly Brewing

This was my first experience with Foamers’ Folly and I’ve always been curious about the company’s name. Apparently a ‘foamer’ is someone who is a train nut. That said, the folks at Foamers’ are obsessed with the craft beer, instead. As for the ‘folly’ part of the name? Well, as the brewery writes, “that’s where things get interesting”, as the three-brewer team is big on experimentation.

Next time the Sip Alliance is touring the Fraser Valley, we’ll have to pop into the brewery and try more of their products. I’m particularly curious about their Railspike Black IPA, Blacksnake Porter, Bandit Brown Ale, and Heat Kink Saison.

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BC Beer Baron #219 – Old Yale Off Trail Pale Ale

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One of my favourite vendors to visit with during the annual Tip N’ Taste event in Langley is the Old Yale Brewing table.

This year, they brought the beers that comprise the company’s Summer Craft Cooler, including the Off Trail Pale Ale. Part of the Four Season lineup, the 5% ABV, 35 IBUs beverage is hoppy, but is balanced by malted barley, resulting in a crisp and refreshing experience.

Old Yale Off Trail Pale Ale

The brew is advertised to go perfect with “a juicy burger or your favorite pizza”. Other suggested food pairings include coconut curry with rice and chicken, mushroom meatloaf, grilled tiger prawns, arugula salad, samosas, and strong cheeses.

I have long been a fan of Old Yale’s ‘Tall Tale’ series, but this was one of the first flagship beers of theirs that I have tried. Mrs. Sip and I have an upcoming camping trip at Cultus Lake and you better believe we’ll be popping into Old Yale’s Chilliwack tasting room, while in the region.

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BC Beer Baron #218 – Big Rock White Rocket White IPA

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On a recent trip to Big Rock’s Urban Eatery – while guiding out-of-town visitors around the Vancouver craft scene – my drink selection was a pint of this Big Rock Brewing release.

The White Rocket White IPA is unfiltered with a wit beer base. This provides a spiciness to the beverage, before IPA flavours (hops and citrus fruits) finish the tasting experience. At 7% ABV and 70 IBUs, the brew is strong, but doesn’t overwhelm. Big Rock’s BC brewmaster, Jody Hammell, says the White Rocket was the result of leftover Belgian wit yeast and an empty tank for experimentation.

Big Rock White Rocket White IPA

The Sip Advisor was served this beer from one of the Urban Eatery’s nano-taps, but it is also available in bomber-sized bottles. While many of Big Rock’s products can be found in other provinces, this brew is a British Columbia exclusive.

Suggested food pairings include spicy curries; Mexican dishes, such as cheese enchiladas; grilled chicken or fish; and sweet desserts, including crème brulée. I paired the drink with a feature dish, the Papas Bravas Poutine (fried potatoes covered in tomato sauce, truffle aioli, and cheese curds), and that seemed to work well, too.

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BC Beer Baron #217 – Moody Ales Affable IPA

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Cousin Sip and I wrapped up our recent trek through Brewers Row in Port Moody with a visit to Moody Ales, which provided ample seating – inside and out – for customers.

There, I most enjoyed my serving of the company’s Affable IPA. At 6.8% ABV and 60 IBUs, this is not for the beer newbie. Using four different hops, there’s a slightly bitter finish to the beverage. Suggested food pairings include strong cheeses, garlic-heavy foods and fried meat.

Moody Ales Affable IPA

The brewery is most proud of the beer’s nose, which they describe as a “piney, fruity, floral bouquet”. Speaking of scents, I like how Moody Ales aroma scale goes from fruit salad to egg salad, with this product obviously on the fruit salad end of the spectrum.

The beer is available in a number of formats, including canned six packs, bomber-sized bottles and even the rare (but becoming more common) crowlers. For those who don’t know, a crowler is a canned serving, equivalent of a growler.

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