Peppermint, Piña Coladas, and Plumage

Plus the results are in on your favourite non-alcoholic beer brand

Author

Joseph Lavoie
January 13, 2023

Happy Friday!

We've added many new subscribers in the last week. Welcome! Every Friday, we share the latest beer releases and beer events so you can be the first to taste new beers and make the most of the weekend. Pretty much, it's your cheat code to the craft beer scene in the Lower Mainland and the Island. Welcome to the club!

Also, Container Brewing has a one-day deal today. $13 4-packs, taxes included. In these tough economic times, that's a hell of a deal.

Enjoy!

– Joseph Lavoie

P.S. The new ownership's team at The Alibi Room has wasted no time developing beautiful new dishes. Not to be outdone, the old ownership's team is also making beautiful food.

FEATURED NEW BEER RELEASES

After 8

We have no idea how long this cask will last, but Parkside Brewery has a new peppermint porter called After 8ish that came out Wednesday evening and sounds delightful. "Bold flavours of dark chocolate mixed with a smooth peppermint finish and just enough boozy warmth to keep you coming back for more." Put this in the category of beers I never thought I needed until I saw it. We doubt this survives the weekend, so you'll want to head to the brewery pronto if this is up your alley.

  • Available: From the cask, at the brewery.

Getting caught in the rain

Do you like piña coladas? How about blueberry coladas? Yeah? Alright, how about Imperial blueberry coladas? That's what Strathcona's offering with its latest release. This sour ale features blueberries, pineapple and "massive amounts of coconut." A relaxing 10% ABV to warm you up this winter.

  • Available: In 4-packs at the brewery and shipping to stores across the province.

A beer worth keeping

House of Funk's Cadence is a bière de garde—a beer style from the North of France. It's called "beer of keeping" because it was brewed during the fall and then kept (i.e. lagered) until the spring. It's not quite spring, but we'll still take the beer! This one has malty backbone and fruity esters from French saison yeast. Close your eyes and you might also pick up leather, white pepper, rosemary, lemon, and poached pear. It might be 8%, but it it finishes dry.

  • Available: At the brewery, online and in liquor stores.

Double down on dry hops

Beere Brewing has a fresh IPA in the tap room and it's a big one. Beautiful Plumage was dry hopped with a lot of Strata, Sabro, Sultana, and Cashmere. The result? "Notes of zesty oranges, fresh pineapples, and Froot Loops"

Available: At the brewery and select liquor stores.

ADDITIONAL BEER RELEASES

Ales

  • Field House's latest release, Cryo Ekuanot Amarillo, is a double IPA with fruit notes that complement some pine and spice and a floral nose.

  • Old Yale is kicking off its 2023 Trailblazer series with a honey golden ale that features chamomile.

Sours

  • Brassneck has a self-deprecating explanation for the "failed" photo shoot of its new Jungle Simulator tart fruit sour. It features tangerine, peach, passionfruit and coconut.

Stouts

ANNOUNCEMENT

Local news you'll actually enjoy reading

Let's face it, following local news can be a drag. Clickbait headlines, a million ads, it's downright bad.

Our friends at Vancity Lookout are trying to fix that. It's a free, 5-minute daily newsletter breaking down the best news in the city, the funniest events and restaurants to try. 

Plus it's got a breakdown of Vancouver's food and restaurant scene from an industry insider. 

READER SURVEY

The best BC non-alcoholic beer brands

Last week we asked you if any of these non-alcoholic beer brands were better than water. *shocker* Water won this round.

GET UP TO SOMETHING GOOD

This Weekend's Events

🎉 Barnside is turning three years old with a party all weekend long.

🎶 Farm Country has live music tonight and tomorrow, featuring Jordan Burgess and Ben Crosby.

🧠Trivia Night returns to Fuggles tonight at 6pm

🧘Container Brewing is offering a Beer Yoga session on Sunday.

Upcoming Events

🍽️ Dine Out Vancouver kicks off January 20 and many local breweries are participating. 

🏃Steel & Oak hosts a run club every Wednesday night. Run 3km or 5km to earn that beer!

🎤 Comedy night at Container Brewing returns January 24, February 7, and February 21. Tickets here.

♟️ Container Brewing is hosting a regular games night, with the next sessions taking place on January 17 and then the first and third Tuesday of every month. Seating is limited, so you'll need to get a ticket.

🧠 How about some music trivia at Ace Brewing on January 18?

🎴 Small Gods also hosts games night every week, with the next one taking place January 19.

🎶 Rusted Rake Brewing is hosting a night of music on January 21 from 530-730pm. 

🎶 Patina Brewing has your music needs covered on January 18 and 25.

🧠 Monkey9 has movie trivia on January 18 with Cineplex prize packs.

✨ Dragged Out Sunday makes its return to Farm Country on January 29. 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Kilt Night Caskets makes a return to Smuggler's Trail on January 29.

🧘 Patina Brewing is hosting a mindful beer tasting yoga class monthly on Saturdays. The next sessions are on January 28, February 18, and March 11.

🧘Container Brewing is also offering a Beer Yoga session on February 25.

⚽ Cumberland Brewing Co. has Foosball Tuesdays for the entire month of January and February, starting at 3pm. Bring a partner or come solo.

Long-term planning

🧺 Have you been tasked with organizing your next corporate event? The folks at Barnside have an idea for you: dinner in Between the Hop Bines in August. 

Want to have your brewery event featured? Reply to this email with details. 

🕹️ GAME TIME

Last week, we asked which city's famous dessert served as an inspiration for a dessert stout. The answer: Nanaimo. The beer? Dead Frog's Nanaimo Bar Stout. Congrats to Janet for guessing it correctly!

This week, we wonder if you've discovered which type of beer is the French cousin to saison?

READER MAIL BAG

We love getting your feedback. It helps us make The Beer Loop your favourite source for BC Beer News. Plus, it just puts a smile on our face.  Thanks Dion!

Love the updates on new beer and the activities going on around Vancouver. Keep it going.

Dion

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