Forget your IPA and embrace the malt

What beer to drink and do this weekend

Author

Joseph Lavoie
May 27, 2022

Happy Friday!

We've got a fun mix of events for you to check out in the Lower Mainland and in Victoria. If you're in the Fraser Valley, there's a new outdoor bar that requires your inspection. Our beer recommendations include a classic malt-forward beer style and one aged on spruce tips. For the adventurous types, a rare beer festival is calling your name.

Lots to enjoy this weekend, and we hope you make the most of it!

- Joseph Lavoie

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What to drink this weekend

Get acquainted with malty deliciousness

Don't worry hop lovers, we have something for you in the events section. But before you go enjoy a round of IPAs, why not enjoy something a little maltier, quenchable, and simply delicious? We recommend this Helles lager from Luppolo Brewing. It's wonderfully malty yet balanced with just enough hop bitterness to keep you coming back for more.

  • Trivia: Geoff and I came up with the idea for creating The Beer Loop over a couple pints of this lager, so it has a special spot in our hearts.

  • Where to get it: On tap, growler fills, and cans to go plus home delivery via @beervancollective

  • Location: 1123 Venables St., Vancouver | Google Maps

Spruced Up

Nothing screams west coast more than a spruce ale. I used to smuggle spruce tips back with me from visits to BC when I lived in Ontario so that I could toss them into my next home-brew and capture its wonderful taste in a bottle. I have a soft spot for this style and feel obliged to feature this new release from îLe Sauvage Brewing.

  • Details: A golden sour base beer aged on a huge amount of fresh Sitka spruce tips. Lots of blueberry, gooseberry, and lemon candy flavours.

  • Where to get it: Available on tap and in four-packs at the brewery.

  • Location: 2960 Bridge St., Victoria | Google Maps

Where to go

How about a new outdoor bar with mountain views?

Farmhouse Brewing Co. unveiled their new outdoor bar experience last week and it looks like the perfect spot to spend a couple hours this weekend. Lots of comfy chairs, picnic tables, shade, fire pits, open-air seating, and an outdoor bar for convenient re-ordering.

  • Available: Friday to Monday, starting at noon

  • Location: 6385 Lickman Rd., Chilliwack | Google Maps

What to do

Try some rare and unusual beers

Here’s a chance to taste some rare beers from 32 of BC’s best breweries including House of Funk, Studio Brewing, Locality, Hypha Project, and Superflux. The ticket price includes food from chef Anuj Sharma and beer samples. Seems like a reliable way to get your Untappd numbers up!

  • When: Saturday, May 28

  • Details: Two sessions: 11 am to 2 pm and 3 pm 6 pm.

  • Tickets: $90.17, available on Eventbrite

  • Location: Darby's Public House, 2001 Macdonald St., Vancouver | Google Maps

Hop out at this IPA Festival featuring live vinyl

For all your hop heads out there, Another Beer Company (ABC) is organizing an IPA festival in New Westminster tomorrow, featuring IPAs from Twin Sails, Boombox Brewing, Superflux, Beer Brewing Co., Back Country Brewing, and more.

  • Details: Free to enter

  • When: May 28, 12 pm to 9 pm or until the beer runs out.

  • Live Music: Live vinyl by @liarsradio

  • Location: ABC Brewing Co, 11-30 Capilano Way, New Westminster | Google Maps

Lager's more your thing?

Here's a fun way to enjoy a new beer release: put on a launch party and art show. To celebrate the release of its new Pink Grapefruit and Rose Pedal Lager, Fuggles and Warlock is putting on a party with food from Birraria food truck, a live DJ, and even a can design contest.

  • Details: May 28, 6 pm to 8 pm

  • Art: Featuring art from Sierra Holmes

  • Location: 103 - 11220 Horseshoe Way, Richmond | Google Maps

Enjoy BBQ and live music

If you're in Victoria tonight or tomorrow, head on over to Vancouver Island Brewing for BBQ, live music, and of course, beer. Lil' Ronnie's BBQ is serving up food from Torino's O-G wood fired restaurant.

Plan Ahead

Vancouver Craft Beer Week

The largest craft beer event in the Lower Mainland is back! Tickets are on sale for Vancouver Craft Beer Week, taking place July 9 to 10 and featuring 150+ craft beers from around the world, ciders, food and lots of music. Festival tickets are selling out quickly but there are still some $30 options available. Prices go as high as $160 for a VIP two-day pass.

  • Date: July 9 to 10, 2022, doors open at 2 pm

  • Tickets: $30 to $160, 19+, no minors. Beer samples are purchased on site and not included in the ticket price

  • Venue: PNE Grounds

  • Location: 2901 East Hastings St., Vancouver | Google Maps

Weekend reads

  • The cost of climate change on beer’s favourite crop (spoiler: smoked hops) (Good Beer Hunting)

  • German brewers are stressing out about bottle shortages (dw)

  • Yes taprooms are great, but here's an ode to pubs (ATJPubs on Substack)

  • Hometown brewery brings three Canadian Brewing Award medals to Burnaby (Burnaby Beacon)

From the archive

  • 15 essential IPAs from across BC you have to try - read now

  • Tropical ale over the weekend - read now

  • BC beers that won big at the 20th annual Canadian Brewing Awards - read now

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