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Just what the heck is a foeder?
Plus our favourite beers from last month and a handy map
Joseph Lavoie
August 09, 2022
Good morning!
Could we be facing a beer shortage? Carbon dioxide could be in short supply very soon. Read on to find out.
Also, we love it when you let us know you enjoyed one of the featured new beer releases. Jarrett wrote in from Land and Sea last week to tell us the new Seafoam Green beer is a "good summer beer; very drinkable probably because of all of the pineapple. You do get a hint of the Spirulina but it is light."
Plus we've got 11 new beers to try, a deep dive on foeders and a special brewery patio map of Vancouver.
Enjoy!
ā Joseph Lavoie
NEW BEER RELEASE
Strawberry Vanilla Radler
Look at that colour! Chilliwack's Farm Country Brewing has this 3.8% radler, perfect for brunch in place of mimosa. Or as the radler style was designed for, to enjoy at a pit stop on your next long bike ride.
Available: On tap, at the brewery
Location: 6385 Lickman Rd., Chilliwack | Map
Blackberry Lavender Sour
Patina Brewing has released a tart lavender sour, promising a punch of flavour "you would normally get from eating fresh Blackberries out of Gates Park trail." The addition of hibiscus rounds out the tartness a touch. At only 4.5% ABV, this may be your next cocktail replacement.
Available: On tap and in four-packs at the brewery
Location: 2332 Marpole Ave., Port Coquitlam | Map
Dry-hopped Foeder Beer
For you wild types, here's one up your alley. This blend of 18-month old beer from 33 Acres was aged on American oak foeders and hopped with Nelson Sauvin, Vic Secret and experimental hops from Jackson Farms in Idaho. That means you get a hit of citrus, stone fruit, and white wine notes, augmented with some funk. This one comes in at 6.2% ABV. Wondering what a foeder is? We've got you covered further below in Beer School.
Available: In four-packs at the brewery.
Location: 15 W 8th Ave., Vancouver | Map
MORE BEER RELEASES
Backcountry Brewing is taking us on a trip to the candy store with Fuzzy Peach Sour. It was actually conditioned with peach gummies. šā
Another Beer Co and Four Winds collaborated on a new Kellerbier as a love letter to their staff.
Dead Frog has re-released their Moscow Mule and Ginger Wheat Ale. šø
Neighbourhood Brewing has re-released a Mango Lassi sour. š„
North Point Brewing is re-releasing Cruisy Juice, a double dry hopped hazy IPA.
Dageraad spent the weekend processing fresh blueberries for a yet-to-be-released beer. š«
Backcountry has a fresh batch of its fan favourite cherry cola sour. š
Andina Brewing is bringing us lemon citrusy tartness balanced with hibiscus with the release of Bonita (sorry, no link for this release, you'll need to take our word for it).
WHAT'S BREWING AT BC BREWERIES
Four Winds has opened up its beer club membership until the end of the month. You get a curated box of beers four times per year.
Superflux has a fresh lineup of newly-designed merchandise.
We're digging the new hats that Backcountry dropped over the weekend.
Dead Frog is giving away a boombox cooler with a built-in bluetooth speaker.
Fern and Cedar is also in on the new merchandise release.
Bakery Brewing in Port Moody announced yesterday that it is temporarily closing as it transitions to new management, promising to be up and running "as soon as possible."
Old Yale is offering a $200+ giveaway to celebrate its upcoming new steeped tea Radler.
LEARN SOMETHING NEW
What is a Foeder?
In today's list of new releases, you would have seen a beer that was aged in a foeder, pronounced, "food-er." You can think of it as one very large wooden barrel. When brewers age beers in barrels, they can choose different sized barrels which can have an impact on the final flavour.
For example, if you put beer in a very small oak barrel, a greater share of the beer would have contact with the wood, and you would get a significantly more "woody" tasting beer than you would in a larger barrel. A foeder, because of its size, allows for a lower ratio of the beer to make contact with the wood, which results in a much more nuanced oak character.
If you've never seen one before, they are beautiful and impressive.
GIVEAWAY
Six months of free beer? No, you aren't dreaming
Imagine 12 delicious BC beers delivered directly to your door each month, for free. It's a beer lover's dream...
Luckily you don't have to dream with our latest free giveaway.
We've teamed up with Craft Co. Home Delivery to give away their surprise dozen pack. Every month you'll receive 12 random BC beers delivered directly to your door. It's a great way to discover new BC beer.
How to enter: Visit our contest page and input your email to enter. It's that simple.
JOB BOARD
Silver Valley Brewing is looking for new team members for their tasting room and brewing staff.
Fernie Brewing is in need of a territory manager and a tasting room manager.
Bomber Brewing is hiring for a tap room manager.
Rewind Beer Co. needs your bartending skills.
Black Kettle Brewing is searching for a chef.
Central City Brewers and Distillers is in need of a production manager.
SOMETHING HELPFUL
Vancouver brew tour
Ever wanted a map of all the breweries in Vancouver that have patio space? Of course you did. So we made one for you:
BEER LOOP JULY BEERS
The best beers we drank in July
Four Winds (Delta): Pequeno Cabo
This beautiful sour has tequila and oak in the nose, making for a wonderful sensory experience every time you take a sip. A light tart start to the mouth gives way to more beautiful tequila and oak flavours on the tongue. The tartness returns in the aftertaste. An escape. Simply delicious.
Strange Fellows Brewing (Vancouver): Scarab
This super light rice lager was what we all needed to cope with the intense heat that hit us in July. This one is super clear with a very light straw colour. Sweet cantaloupe in the nose. Very light on the tongue with a barely-there sweet malt flavour giving way to a clean and dry finish. The aftertaste hints at melon. Super quenchable, super refreshing.
Read the entire list of our top 10 beers we drank in July.
BEER LOOP PICKS
Is there a shortage coming our way?
There's a carbon dioxide shortage. And that has some breweries worried. [The Washington Post]
Get to know the hop producing regions of Germany. [The Local]
Are beer drinkers becoming polarized with high-ABV drinkers on one side, and non-alcoholic drinkers on the other side? [The Washington Post]
Heineken has collaborated with noted shoe designer Dominic Ciambrone to launch a new beer-infused sneaker they amusingly call Heinekicks. The tongue sports a removable bottle opener. [American Craft Beer]
The death of the growler? Apparently growlers are from an archaic period. [Paste Magazine]