Tag Archives: Craft Beer

BC Beer Baron #188 – Tree Mellow Moon Pineapple Hefeweizen

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A highlight of the Sip Syndicate’s recent travels to Kelowna, BC was visiting Tree Brewing and their Beer Institute. There, Mrs. Sip and I both enjoyed this wonderful beverage.

The Mellow Moon Pineapple Hefeweizen is a delicious beer and that’s coming from someone that typically only likes pineapple on pizza. There’s a really nice balance with the drink, between the flavours of pineapple and traditional hef tastes, such as clove. The 5% ABV, 20 IBUs brew is available in bottled six packs in BC, Alberta and Manitoba.

Tree Mellow Moon Pineapple Hefeweizen

Speaking of pizza, suggested pairings include Hawaiian (or the preferable, Swineapple), as well as spicy Indian dishes, and even lemon meringue pie, for dessert. It should be noted the beer topped the Wheat Category at the 2014 Canadian Oyster Beer Pairing Competition, so shellfish seem to do the trick, as well.

The Beer Institute was a fun stop for our crew, where over beers, we sampled a bunch of their bar snacks (homemade potato chips, pretzels and beer-battered cheese curds), as well as ordered a few of their spent grain pizzas. For those with a sweet tooth, they also serve cider-glazed donuts.

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BC Beer Baron #187 – Big Rock Traditional Ale

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While hitting the Friends Pub in Kelowna, BC over the weekend to watch the Germany vs. Italy Euro 2016 quarterfinal match, the Sip Advisor enjoyed this beer (with some chicken strips and fries) from Big Rock Brewing.

The Traditional Ale features great flavours of caramel, roasted malts and nuts, perfect for watching some footy. I would have had a second serving, had I not volunteered to be the designated driver for the day. The 5% ABV beverage is smooth, with mild carbonation and hops. Big Rock calls the drink “comfort food in a glass”.

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The beer was one of the company’s original three offerings and one of the first English-style brown ales brewed in Canada. It remains Big Rock’s most recognizable release to this day and is available throughout Western Canada and as far east as Ontario.

I’ve always loved how the brewery pairs their beverages not just with food, but movies and music as well. The Traditional Ale is thought to work well with Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Tomorrow Never Knows by The Beatles, for you viewing and listening pleasures, respectively. As for food, suggested unions include sharp cheeses, red meats, and stews.

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BC Beer Baron #186 – Steamworks Farmhouse Wheat Ale

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The Sip Advisor doesn’t try to be a scavenger, but when friends pass off beers they either don’t like or are looking for help with finishing, I’m always there for them. That was the case recently when the Sip Syndicate was moving on from one stop to another and I was the lucky recipient of this Steamworks Brewing offering.

The recently released Farmhouse Wheat Ale is very good, reminding the Sip Advisor more of a European hefeweizen than a North American wheat ale. The 5% ABV, 15 IBUs drink is cloudy with a fruit and spice taste, similar to a saison.

Steamworks Farmhouse Wheat Ale

The Farmhouse Wheat Ale can be found in the Steamworks Summer Mash-Up 12-pack bottle case, joined by the Jasmine IPA and Kolsch. It is also available in the Steamworks Mash-Up 8-tall can pack, along with the Kolsch, Heroica Red Ale, and fellow new release, the YVR ISA. Those both sound like great options for relaxing poolside at Ma and Pa Sip’s place.

I’ve really enjoyed a lot of the stuff Steamworks has released this year and their mixed packs are solid. I’m also looking forward to getting acquainted with their White Angel IPA, having liked their Black Angel IPA counterpart, previously.

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BC Beer Baron #185 – Barkerville 18 Karat Ale

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On a recent Friday night drinking session – because why the hell not! – Cousin Sip brought over a bomber of this flagship beer from Barkerville Brewing.

The 18 Karat Ale plays on Barkerville’s history of being a former gold rush hub, although the brewery actually operates out of nearby Quesnel. Given the brew’s name, you’d expect a golden-hued beverage, but the beer is, in fact, an Amber Ale. We’ll let that pass, though, as the 5% ABV, 33 IBUs product is solid.

Barkerville 18 Karat Ale

The beer received silver and bronze medals, respectively, at the 2014 and 2015 Canadian Brewing Awards in the North American Style Amber/Red Ale category.

As you can probably tell, the Sip Advisor is a fan of the gold rush theming and I like Barkerville’s description of this release: “Known as underground savages, prospectors of the BC gold rush were rewarded handsomely for their toil. Rumour has it that, in the saloons of Barkerville, there was so much gold dust shed from miner’s clothes that a profit could be made just by sweeping the floor. Cash in with 18 Karat Ale, a smooth and balanced blend of malted barley and hops that will lure you back for the mother lode.”

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BC Beer Baron #184 – Bad Tattoo True Love Kolsch

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Just like yesterday, I have to apologize for neglecting a brewery for far too long, as part of this 366-day BC craft beer project. Thanks to a visit to St. Augustine’s in East Vancouver, I’m finally able to remedy that slight against Bad Tattoo Brewing.

The True Love Kolsch was very nice and may help in the Sip Advisor getting more into that style of beer. Not that I’ve even hated it, but I’ve preferred others. This 4.5% ABV, 25 IBUs brew is very new to the company’s lineup. I particularly enjoyed the flavour and carbonation of the drink, which made it quite refreshing on a hot summer day.

Bad Tattoo Brewing

I like the label art for this beer (available in bomber-sized bottles), which features a classic arrow-through-heart tattoo, with the names Lager and Pilsner crossed out… you know, just like a tattoo that needs to be edited when the love fades and another person takes the place of the original affection.

I have really enjoyed myself the two times Mrs. Sip and I have visited the Bad Tattoo tasting room in Penticton, BC. Our first stop was a late night trek for nightcap beverages, while a few months later, we popped in for some lunch and brews. Their rock oven pizzas are fantastic, particularly from the ‘Weird’ portion of the menu.

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BC Beer Baron #183 – Dageraad Amber Ale

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I honestly can’t explain why it’s taken so long (we’re halfway through this 366-day BC craft beer project) to throw some coverage Dageraad Brewing’s way. I’ve liked most everything I’ve ever had from the company, but the opportunity in 2016 just hasn’t come up.

That was, until recently, when visiting friends and being offered some of the brewery’s Amber Ale. This beer is incredibly good, with notes of sweet malts to go along with a refreshing, crisp finish. The 6% ABV is an homage to and coming together of complex Belgian and drinkable British ales.

Dageraad Amber Ale

The unfiltered brew is available in bomber sized bottles. Suggested food pairings include Indian and Malaysian curries, braised meats, barbecue, and general pub dishes. The folks at Dageraad argue the Amber Ale is a perfect pairing beer, given its flavour, complexity and higher level of carbonation to cleanse the palate.

Dageraad remains one of the few Lower Mainland breweries that we have yet to visit in-person. We just don’t head out in that direction very often, but should make a point of dropping in. Mrs. Sip would love the place, as their line is heavily made up of Belgian-style releases.

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BC Beer Baron #182 – Main Street/Powell Street Scottish Golden Ale

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While perusing new releases at the BC Liquor Store recently, this craft beer collaboration from Main Street Brewing and Powell Street Brewing instantly caught my eye.

The Scottish Golden Ale is light at only 4% ABV and 20 IBUs, but packs a punch with its taste. Although I picked the brew out for a friend who loves Scotch Ales, I probably enjoyed the drink more given its peaty smoky flavour finish. The colour of this beer is incredibly bright, or as the makers put it: “As blonde as the East Van Sun in Spring!”

Main Street & Powell Street Scottish Golden Ale

Dubbed ‘The Streets’ collaboration, thanks to the two breweries monikers, the beer is available in bomber-sized bottles. Each brewery made their own batch of the recipe, before combining the two later. I’m not sure if it was the glassware we were using or some other factor, but the beer poured with a lot of head, although it evaporated quickly.

It seems every visit to the liquor store nowadays – even if only a few days apart – provides at least a couple new treats for consideration. It’s truly a wonderful time to be a craft beer connoisseur in this province and I can’t see the good times ending anytime soon.

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BC Beer Baron #181 – Spinnakers Dragonfly Rye Spring Saison

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One of my favourite things about doing this 366-day BC craft beer project has been discovering places I either never knew about or had only had a brew or two from previously. One company that would fit in that category would be Spinnakers Brewing in Victoria, BC.

Most recently, I picked up a bomber of their Dragonfly Rye Spring Saison, which I shared with Mrs. Sip. She enjoyed the beer, noting it went from creamy to a slightly bitter finish. I had to echo her sentiment about the 6% ABV, 25 IBUs beverage.

Spinnakers Dragonfly Rye Saison

The seasonal release is available at BC Liquor Stores and I was pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive the product was, coming in at under $5, before taxes. Good deals can still be had, if you know where to look.

I’ve found that I really like rye in my beers, which give the drink an extra boost of booze on each sip. Saisons have also shot up the charts for me (I’ve dubbed this the ‘Summer of Saisons’), as I like their blend of spice and fruit, reminding me of a more potent hefeweizen.

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BC Beer Baron #180 – Bomber/Moody Ales Tam O’ Shanter Scotch Ale

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When the Sip Alliance last visited Bomber Brewing’s tasting room, we grabbed a couple bottles of this Bomber Brewing/Moody Ales collaboration beer to enjoy later.

The Tam O’ Shanter Scotch Ale is perfect for the winter season and even though we finally cracked the beer open on a sunny spring day, the experience was still magnificent. The brew features sweet flavours of caramel and toffee in the 7.8% ABV, 29 IBUs concoction, as well as a strong overall roasted malts taste.

Bomber Brewing & Moody Ales Tam O' Shanter Wee Heavy Scotch Ale

The beer’s name is a reference to a poem by Robbie Burns, which was later used to describe the classic Scottish cap or bonnet – worn by military men and bagpipers – that many of us are familiar with. If that doesn’t prove the name belongs on a Wee Heavy Scotch Ale, nothing else will.

Going with the theme of the beverage, I love how the two breweries called it a ‘Bomber McMoody Ale’. Available in 650ml bottles, the beer is best paired with sharp cheese, game bird, grilled meats, or English trifle. Include some haggis in the meal and Mr. Burns would be quite proud!

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BC Beer Baron #179 – Tofino Dark Lager

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Sadly, I finally worked my way through the set of four bombers Ma and Pa Sip picked up for me from Tofino Brewing, while they were visiting Vancouver Island earlier this year. And what a set those two non-beer drinkers selected for yours truly.

The Dark Lager is unfiltered and all natural. At 4.5% ABV, it is lighter than one would expect, but the roasted malts provide a strong flavour to the beverage. As the folks at Tofino put it, the results in a “delicate balance of dark and light.”

Tofino Dark Lager

This winter seasonal is available in bomber-sized bottles, as well as on tap at the brewery for growler fills and other servings. Tofino also has a more traditional lager, as part of their lineup.

Having now tried a fair bit of Tofino Brewing’s releases, I would still love to get my hands on their Hunt & Gather Kettle Sour, Cosmic Wave Double IPA, and Spruce Tree Ale, to name a few. I have been greatly impressed with the brewery, thanks to my bomber set experience.

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