During the early days of craft beer in BC casks were all the rage. Weekly cask nights kept the thirsty beer nerds busy between the cask festivals that had developed a very keen following. Brewers would create 20-40 litres of a one-off beer and serve it directly from a steel cask. CAMRA, Central City, Tri-cities, … Continued
Whether you’re embracing Damp January, taking your turn as the designated driver, pursuing health and fitness goals, or simply taking a mindful break from alcohol, today’s craft brewing scene ensures you won’t have to compromise on flavour or experience. Gone are the days when “non-alcoholic beer” meant relegating yourself to a dusty bottle of O’Douls … Continued
While autumn usually signals the inevitable onslaught of everything pumpkin-spiced, savvy B.C. craft beer drinkers know that there’s another seasonal beer trend to keep a close eye on. I’m talking about fresh hop beers, of course! Fresh hop beers are made with hops that come fresh off the bine, making it into the brew kettle … Continued
Our fearless correspondent Rob Mangelsdorf taste-tested nine high-ABV beers from BC Ale Trail breweries. It wasn’t so long ago that thirsty beer drinkers with a hankering for a high-test brew had very few options. Big beers were once brewed only to give drinkers more bang for their buck, and flavour was an afterthought for these “malt … Continued
With the arrival of autumn, BC breweries are releasing a variety of fall-themed beers. Here is a sampling of some autumnal beer styles to look for from your local brewery or to seek out on a fall getaway. How Fresh Can You Get? Each autumn, beer lovers await the arrival of a very special style … Continued
Saison is a Belgian-style ale with a unique flavour profile and an interesting historical legacy. In a flight of beers, a saison will stand out as elegant and effervescent, almost like champagne. These days it is even more popular in North America than it is in its country of origin. The Beer Judge Certification Program … Continued
Looking forward to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this week? Here’s a guide to the beverage many folks choose to quaff to celebrate the Irish holiday. When it comes to drinking a specific beer on a certain day of the year, there is no better-known example than drinking stout on St. Patrick’s Day. The tradition goes … Continued
With milkshake IPAs everywhere these days, beer drinkers might be forgiven for thinking that a “cream ale” is the same kind of thing. An older American style that was popular in the 1980s, cream ales are starting to appear on BC breweries’ taplists again. But cream ale has no dairy in it, nor is it … Continued
Beer. Chocolate. Mmmm. Two of life’s finer pleasures — indulgences many of us choose to enjoy on a regular basis… in moderation, of course. But what about together? That’s right, I’m talking about chocolate beers — special beers brewed with chocolate as an ingredient in some form, whether it is milk chocolate, dark chocolate, cacao … Continued
“You agreed to what?” I’ve made the mistake in the past of saying that there isn’t enough money in the world to get me to drink pumpkin beers, and I’ve managed to stick to that statement pretty well. Until now, when, in true daytime talk show style, the results are in, and this article proves … Continued