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'Tis the Season for Holiday Ales
Holiday flavours continue to dominate the new release list
Joseph Lavoie
December 09, 2022
Happy Friday!
Three random things to get us started today...
Have you been trying to figure out how to up your chocolate box game this holiday season? I thought these looked fun: XOCO beer infused chocolates featuring Backcountry beers.
Meanwhile, big changes continue to reshape the craft beer scene in BC. Several weeks ago, we reported on some closures. This week, Penticton's Bad Tattoo Brewing announced that after 9 years, the ownership group is moving on to new adventures, with Yellow Dog Brewing set to take over the space.
Container Brewing launched a limited "Beer for Life" program. With only 100 spots, we're told—as of this writing—that there is only one spot left. Good luck!
If you're looking to get into the holiday spirit, R&B Brewing's Christmas sweaters are near perfect:
As usual, we have your Friday hit list of new beer releases and events to check out. Enjoy!
– Joseph Lavoie
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FEATURED NEW BEER RELEASES
Over Them Mountains
Beer Brewing has released a new West Coast IPA that was dry hopped with Nelson Sauvin, Simcoe Galaxy, and Amarillo, "all the dank ones... the dankest, the hanky danky." Coming in at 7.7%, this could be the ideal gift for the hop head in your life.
Available: In 4-packs to go and on tap in the tasting room.
Crisp, Cold, Citra
How about a lager hopped with Simcoe and Citra - the classic and always popular hop choices for pale ales and flavourful IPAs? That's what you get with Welcome Wagon, a crisp lager from Coast Mountain.
Available: In cans at the brewery
12 Days, 12 Casks
Here's a new release whammy for you cask lovers. Old Yale Brewing is putting on a 12 Days of Casks from December 12-23, releasing a new holiday-inspired cask every single day. You can expect delicious creations like a mulled wine plum gose, peppermint mocha stout, and gingerbread amber ale, among others. What a great way to count down the days.
Available: At the brewery
ADDITIONAL BEER RELEASES
Lagers
Lillooet Beer has a new Vienna lager named in honour of the Grizzly Bear.
Off the Rail collaborated with an award-winning home brewer to make a dark hybrid lager.
Ales
Here's something interesting, a Turkish delight dessert ale from Foamer's Folley. Made with raspberries, dates, and lactose.
Stouts and Porters
Back Country Brewing has a new bourbon barrel aged imperial stout with a fantastic label and name: Keep the Change Ya Filthy Animal
Category 12 has a boozy 11.5% Tiramisu pastry stout made with nine types of malts and loads of coffee, cacao beans, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla.
Steamworks' new Imperial Breakfast Stout was made with hundreds of toaster waffles, whole vanilla beans, gallons of maple syrup and freshly toasted oats.
Field House's latest stout is inspired by churros, popping with cinnamon and caramel notes.
Sours, Seasonal Beers and Others
Parkside is releasing holiday casks. This week's creation: a Cranberry Berliner Weisse.
Howe Sound has brought back holiday favourite, Father John's Winter Ale, featuring sweet and spicy malt flavours with a punch of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
Luppolo has a fresh release of Vinello, fermented on second use apricots and raspberries with a unique blend of brett strains.
Field House used pomegranates and pears for its latest sour release.
UPCOMING EVENTS
This Weekend
🎶 Another Beer Co. is back at it with another instalment of Friday night Karaoke.
🎶 Galaxie Brewing is hosting country singer Julia Vos tomorrow at 8pm, no cover.
🌃 Strange Fellows is hosting Krampusmarket this weekend, an old-world inspired winter market to bring merry lightness and goodwill to the darkest days of the year. Get tickets.
🦌 Locality Brewing is offering finger foods and super Christmas flights of beer on December 9, 10, and 11. Get tickets.
🍻It's Lagerfest at Gladstone Brewing, which will be pouring 15 different lagers from Vancouver Island and beyond.
Not This Weekend
💥 Ace Brewing is hosting a Marvel vs DC Trivia Night on December 15. Kids welcome.
🎤 Galaxie Brewing will play host to three comedians for a night of comedy on December 16.
🧶 Deep Cove invites you to wear your best ugly Christmas sweater for a party on December 22. Music, Santa, mulled wine, and festive activities.
🧘 Patina Brewing is hosting a mindful beer tasting yoga class monthly on Saturdays. The next sessions are on December 17, January 28, February 18, and March 11. Container Brewing is also offering Beer Yoga sessions on January 15 and February 25.
🎆 Patina Brewing is putting on a New Year's Eve Party. You're encouraged to book a spot in advance. $10 per person. Beacon Brewing is also putting on a NYE party with live music and food trucks on standby.
BEER AND FOOD
Festive Pairings
In case you missed it, we shared our ridiculously simple butternut squash soup recipe on Tuesday and paired it with a flagship West Coast IPA.
And if you're planning ahead to Boxing Day, thinking about how you can put the Turkey leftovers to use, check out our simple Turkey sandwich recipe, paired with a delicious farmhouse ale.
GAME TIME
Last week we posted a photo of a brewhouse and asked you to guess the brewery. The answer? Old Yale Brewing.
This week we bring back the Wordle, with hints of Christmas spice.