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I'm back in BC after two weeks in the UK, and let me tell you, we have a lot to be proud of here. I sampled some of the best beers from some of the best breweries across Britain and can confirm that BC breweries are in a league of their own (with some awards to prove it).
We have two Pink Boots collaboration beers out this week, as well as a couple funky options, and an old-school brown ale.
Plus, do you remember which IPAs were all the rage before the haze craze?
Have a great week y'all!
— Joseph Lavoie
New Beers in the Lower Mainland
Pink Boots Hazy IPA
Pink Boots Society and Black Kettle Brewing released a new collaboration to mark Mother's Day on the weekend. The Pink Boots Society is a non-profit which supports women working in the brewing industry. The bubblegum/melon combo has me very intrigued.
Description: “Sweet and sassy with a stone fruit nose, this crushable Hazy may be a first of its kind. Not as heavy as other Hazy IPAs, Super Soft has hints of bubblegum, tastes of melon, and citrus with a subtle pine finish.”
Where to get it: Available on tap at the brewery.
Brewery location: 720 Copping St., North Vancouver | Google Maps
Strawberry fruited sour
I can't get enough of mixed fermentation beers, and this one is on my short list. It promises aromas of lemon, citrus, and strawberry, followed by strawberry jam flavours, with a tart and dry finish. That's my kind of jam, if I'm being honest.
Details: 6.5% ABV
Description: "Loads of strawberries were harmed in the making of this intensely fruited sour beer. Layers of strawberry were refermented on this oak-fermented mixed culture while resting in stainless until outrageous."
Where to get it: Available in 750ml bottles at the brewery.
Brewery location: 15 W 8th Ave., Vancouver | Google Maps
Funky Apricots
Dageraad is on a roll this week as it prepares for its anniversary party on May 14. It continues to release new beers to mark the occasion, and this one should whisk you to an orchard, somewhere in the Interior. This release will also be accompanied by a fresh release of Randonneur (a bright peppery saison) and Syrah Saison, available May 12. One-stop shopping for a variety of fresh releases.
Description: "Barrel-aged for a year with five months more spent on whole apricots, the beer is balanced with brett funk and the tang of lactobacillus."
Where to get it: Pre-orders are available online. In limited stores beginning next week.
Location: 3191 Thunderbird Cres. #114, Burnaby | Google Maps
Want details on the anniversary party? Check out Friday's edition of Beer Loop.
New Beers in BC
Old School Honey Brown
A honey brown ale? Now here's a style we haven't seen a whole lot of in BC. Brings me back to the early 2000s, but I love me a good retro style, especially when it's a brown ale, a thoroughly under-loved beer style. Could be why the brewery says it's a beer it won't ever make again!
Where to get it: At the brewery for a limited time, only for house pours, not growler fills.
Brewery Location: 5871-A Sooke Rd., Sooke | Google Maps
Pomegranate Brut IPA
A second Pink Boots collaborations comes out this week, with this one highlighting a very pink fruit. Designed by the women who work at Phillips Brewing, it features pomegranate juice and fermented dry. It was also generously dry-hopped, so this one should pack a punchbowl of flavour.
Description: "Notes of grapefruit, candied lemon peel, and apricot balance the intentionally light mouthfeel and mild pomegranate tartness."
Where to get it: At the brewery and in the brewery's beer shop.
Location: 2010 Government St., Victoria | Google Maps
It's called what?
Black (or) White IPAs
IPA is a constantly evolving beer style. These days, we're experiencing a haze craze, but before juicy, fruity, hazy, or milkshake IPAs took the craft beer world by storm, there were a couple of other IPAs style that pushed the definition of the style: Black IPAs and White IPAs. Interestingly, while they have IPA in their name, they don't share too many of the characteristics of today's IPAs.
Black IPAs feature roasted malts, a dark colour and restrained chocolate and/or coffee flavours, boosted by typical IPA hop characteristics.
White IPAs are pretty much Belgian Witbier with IPA-level hopping. That means they tend to be spicer, fruitier, and some would say, more refreshing than a West Coast IPA.
Brewery Openings
Steel and Oak re-opens with fresh look
Had you popped by Steel and Oak in the last month, you'd have noticed it was quite the construction zone with reduced hours to help the crew renovate. Well, the wait is over and the refreshed taproom looks gorgeous!
Location: 319 3rd Ave., New Westminster | Google Maps
Beer School
What kind of flavour does Brett yeast add to beer?
Brettanomyces, aka, Brett was once commonly found in traditional sour beers like Lambic and Flanders red ales. It was traditionally considered a "wild yeast" because of its ability to spoil a beer by adding funky notes.
Today, you'll see brewers deliberately adding Brett to beers to add funky tartness like cherry pie flavour, earthy notes, hints of "barnyard" or even "horse blanket." Craft brewers have embraced these flavours, especially when producing mixed culture fermentation or when fermenting in oak barrels.
What else is brewing?
Awards, socials and beer as fuel
Can you guess which BC breweries made the honours? Canadian breweries take 14 medals at World Beer Cup. (Canadian Beer News)
The founders of the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies know good beer in Toronto. (Toronto Star)
If I only consumed beer for "fuel" to ride my bike, how many miles per gallon would I get? (Willamette Week)
What did you think of today's newsletter?