Best Canadian Beer/Lager/Ale

Brenton

baystoCAPS said:

i just spotted 650 ml bottles at my local private store here in van

Which is where?

southsidepride

Brewery Creek had Hoyne Dark Matter arrive a week ago.

ynwasouthside

_Alibi Room ‏ @alibiroom

A legend returns tonight. Iain Hill's once a year brew the "Oud Bruin" sour brown will be pouring. It's amazing this year._

I enjoyed this one a lot last time I was there.

Bad_Gones

Hmmmm .... I'm just down the street from there :-)

Brenton

That's just tonight? Arne, are you thinking of going? I could slip away for a bit to try it.

Bad_Gones

Decided against it. Having a Driftwood at home. We'll meet up another night when I leave the car at home.

Blue_and_White_Army · Post edited by Blue_and_White_Army at 2012-03-30 18:58:46

Just bought a Hoyne Dark Matter (and a Russell Nectar of the Gods Wheat Wine Ale).

Expect to have the former tomorrow - will let you all know what I think. In my opinion, I don't think a lot of bottles will sell, given the current labelling (i.e. it's ugly).

Blue_and_White_Army

Hoyne Dark Matter - Nothing special. Tasted like a porter (with slightly watery viscosity) to me.

Russell Nectar of the Gods Wheat Wine Ale - Not bad. Would make for a nice (session) summer beer. Could use a little spice, in my opinion.

I've bought a Lighthouse Dark Chocolate Porter and a Russell Chambar Ale. Will let you know how they were after I try them.

Blue_and_White_Army

Russell Chambar Ale is very hoppy, but not bad. If you enjoy "Cascadian" beer, you'll probably enjoy this. I'm more of a malty beer fan, so this isn't for me.

Lighthouse Dark Chocolate Porter is much like its stout: watery, with a weak viscosity. I doubt I'll try any of their stuff again.

Brenton

Time to ask local brewers if they use beaver anus in their raspberry flavoured beer:

http://www.beamsandstruts.com/bits-a-pieces/item/907-castoreum

Brenton

Parallel 49 just delivered their first beers to local pubs:

https://twitter.com/#!/Parallel49Beer

Brenton

Here's the notice:

http://www.canadianbeernews.com/2012/05/12/parallel-49-ships-first-kegs-with-bottles-to-follow-soon/

Bottles available soon.

paulonius

i reveal this discreetly out of fear of revealing more than I'm supposed to...

....Parallel 49 beers have been brewed by the President of Vancouver Homebrewers association (I know, I am a member) and believe me, he knows what he's doing. These will be good beers. In any case, support local or at least quality. I know Bud has put money into the Whitecaps as corporate sponsors but Bud and the other generic beers supplied as default at sports events are so shitty we shouldnt settle.

chauchi09

Tried to buy a glass of the Watermelon Wit yesterday at the Alibi Room and they were sold out. It disappeared really quickly I was told.

Subhedgehog

paulonius said: i reveal this discreetly out of fear of revealing more than I'm supposed to...

....Parallel 49 beers have been brewed by the President of Vancouver Homebrewers association (I know, I am a member) and believe me, he knows what he's doing. These will be good beers. In any case, support local or at least quality. I know Bud has put money into the Whitecaps as corporate sponsors but Bud and the other generic beers supplied as default at sports events are so shitty we shouldnt settle.

Preaching to the choir in here. O:-) I'm excited to try the Parallel 49 stuff!

I dig the Coal Harbour Triumph Rye Ale - unique beer right up my alley. Need to like bitters and hops, but if you do, give it a try.

Addict

Okanagan Spring has just released a seasonal beer called "Summer-Weizen". It's a very refreshing wheat ale with a nice apricot finish. Was perfect on the patio this past weekend.

southsidepride · Post edited by southsidepride at 2012-05-14 20:55:39

paulonius said: i reveal this discreetly out of fear of revealing more than I'm supposed to...

....Parallel 49 beers have been brewed by the President of Vancouver Homebrewers association (I know, I am a member) and believe me, he knows what he's doing. These will be good beers. In any case, support local or at least quality. I know Bud has put money into the Whitecaps as corporate sponsors but Bud and the other generic beers supplied as default at sports events are so shitty we shouldnt settle.

Yeah, can't wait to try Graham's beers. Plus, 49th's ownership by the folks of St. Augustine's gives it immediate credibility. I wonder how similar the Watermelon Wit will be similar to 21st Ammendment's (perhaps more hoppy?). I'm just glad to have more local quality craft beer selections.

Brenton

I just wish they would release another. I'm not at all excited about the Watermelon Wit.

Brenton

Just visited our friends at Legacy Liquor, and was pleasantly surprised to find some interesting new products:

Townsite Brewing, in Powell River, has three beers available in 650mL bottles. I bought the Zunga, a "golden blonde ale".

They are also carrying beer from Mission Springs (brewed in Mission). I bought the Bombshell Blonde.

They also have coveted Moon Under Water beers available, about six of them. I bought the Moonlight Blonde, the Lunar Pale Ale, the Blue Moon Bitter and the India Red Ale.

Finally, they have some cases of the Vancouver Craft Beer Week Cascadian Brown Ale, which is apparently light enough and hopped enough for the summer heat. Proceeds go to the Farmland Defense League of BC.

Bad_Gones

^The Blue Moon Bitter is very good. Just had one over the weekend. Haven't tried my Townsite yet.

Brenton

Drinking the Townsite Zunga. Excellent.

chauchi09 · Post edited by Blue_and_White_Army at 2012-05-17 11:01:24

Bad_Gones said: ^The Blue Moon Bitter is very good. Just had one over the weekend. Haven't tried my Townsite yet.

I agree with you Bad_Gones, closest thing to an English session bitter I've tried. lovely pint.

EastVanGuy

My personal fave at the moment (thanks to an awesome trip to Revelstoke for powder skiing) is Mount Begbie Kolsch. I have to ask the liquor store to order me in a flat (which you are supposed to buy all of btw), and I have no problem getting through it too quickly. For variety, Coopers from Australia - any of their beers that we get here are good.

cdusdal

Blue_and_White_Army said:

Blackthorn.......end of!

You have got to be joking. All ciders made with apple concentrate are sub-par.

And yes: that includes Strongbow, Tractor Boy!

Try a real scrumpy some time.

Tough to get a proper cider anywhere here it seems. Recommendations in Vancouver?

I was at Fest-of-Ale this year and there was a cider booth by 'Left Field Cider Co.' It was nice with a dry and a mid-dry. Apparently they are launching this month at Legacy Liquor Stores.

If you ever find a place with Ashton Press Cider, I will buy them out.

Robchester_2000

cdusdal said:

Blue_and_White_Army said:

Blackthorn.......end of!

You have got to be joking. All ciders made with apple concentrate are sub-par.

And yes: that includes Strongbow, Tractor Boy!

Try a real scrumpy some time.

Tough to get a proper cider anywhere here it seems. Recommendations in Vancouver?

I was at Fest-of-Ale this year and there was a cider booth by 'Left Field Cider Co.' It was nice with a dry and a mid-dry. Apparently they are launching this month at Legacy Liquor Stores.

If you ever find a place with Ashton Press Cider, I will buy them out.

My missus was very partial to the Sommersby Cider when we were drinking in the Morrissey this week. Tastes just like apple juice. dangerous.... :)

Brenton

The Mission Springs Bombshell Blonde is bland, but I should have known. The description says it's refreshing and is lightly hopped. Which is probably fine for a real summer drinker (Mexican beer) but I'm not going to pay $6 or $7 for one large bottle.

Brenton

Trying my hand at brewing tonight. I'm at the intermediate stage, mostly extract with some grain, properly hopped, etc. Full grain is just that much more labour-intensive and requires bigger equipment, etc.

Anyone else brew and have tips?

ynwasouthside

Went to the free VCBW event at O'Hares in Steveston last night, featuring Russell and North Coast. Tried the Cascadian Brown Ale. Some nice flavours, but not really my thing. The Russell Cask Imperial IPA was interesting. I just had a sip, but it was much sweeter than I was expecting or have ever noticed in an IPA. I was curious but didn't order a pint as I was saving myself for the North Coast Rasputin Imperial Stout -which I've had before and just loved. I'm malt over hops for sure, and 11.7% is not a bad kick either. Managed to also get a pint of the PranQster in there as well. Nice summer Belgian. Really impressed with North Coast, though not Canadian.

Brenton

chauchi09 said:

Bad_Gones said: ^The Blue Moon Bitter is very good. Just had one over the weekend. Haven't tried my Townsite yet.

I agree with you Bad_Gones, closest thing to an English session bitter I've tried. lovely pint.

Oh good. I'm about to have one.

I had the Moon Under Water Lunar Pale Ale yesterday. A very good pale, decently hopped but not too much, moderately malty, crisp but not light or overcarbonated. Definitely will have it again.

coriba

Brenton, I was a pretty avid home brewer a while back. Progressed from extract to all grain, even tried yeast culture with limited success. Nice thing about home brewing, you can drink your mistakes.

Brenton

Oh, maybe you can answer this then:

In our first kit, there was a packet of minerals that we had to add, something about the pH and such. I tried to sort out how Vancouver water would work with the beer, etc, but just ended up chucking the minerals in.

Without a kit, I don't have these minerals, and the homebrew shop (Dan's on Hasting) didn't mention anything about them.

Should we research this and hold off brewing until we have a better idea?

coriba

To really replicate some beers you have to adjust water chemistry, usually to make more alkaline. You don't really need the chemicals. Vancouver water is fine.

Brenton

Thanks, won't worry about it.

How big was your kettle/pot for boiling the grain?

coriba

You don't boil the grain. I mashed about twenty ponds of (IIRC) grain in a standard cooler with coiled copper tubing in the bottom. My boiler is a ten gallon stainless steel pot, hard to find and probably expensive now.

Biggest tip, disinfect everything, ... everything.

JSpice

Often adding the minerals is a good idea, as Vancouver has soft water. Not a big deal though and depends on what beer you're making. Good luck with the brewing, its a rewarding hobby!

Brenton

JSpice said: Often adding the minerals is a good idea, as Vancouver has soft water. Not a big deal though and depends on what beer you're making. Good luck with the brewing, its a rewarding hobby!

I've read that it's better water for lighter ales, I think.

chauchi09 · Post edited by Brenton at 2012-05-21 02:09:19

ynwasouthside said: Went to the free VCBW event at O'Hares in Steveston last night, featuring Russell and North Coast. Tried the Cascadian Brown Ale. Some nice flavours, but not really my thing. The Russell Cask Imperial IPA was interesting. I just had a sip, but it was much sweeter than I was expecting or have ever noticed in an IPA. I was curious but didn't order a pint as I was saving myself for the North Coast Rasputin Imperial Stout -which I've had before and just loved. I'm malt over hops for sure, and 11.7% is not a bad kick either. Managed to also get a pint of the PranQster in there as well. Nice summer Belgian. Really impressed with North Coast, though not Canadian.

North Coast is excellent their Rasputin is sooo good. The Arms Reach in Deep Cove is doing a three course meal with North Coast pairings, I'm hoping to wander down for.

CascadianLion

I'm no beer expert or aficionado, as witnessed by my consumption of Budweiser at each match, but I recently discovered Red Truck. Local company based out of North Van, they only do draught beer for now. A list of where RT is served can be located on their website.

Brenton

Brenton said:

chauchi09 said:

Bad_Gones said: ^The Blue Moon Bitter is very good. Just had one over the weekend. Haven't tried my Townsite yet.

I agree with you Bad_Gones, closest thing to an English session bitter I've tried. lovely pint.

Oh good. I'm about to have one.

Excellent beer. New favourite. Perfectly bitter, perfectly balanced. There's a flavour in there that I can't place, though.

Addict

If you can find it, there is an official "collaboration beer" in appreciation of Vancouver Craft Beer Week. It's a nut brown ale with an IPA finish. Very tasty, I'll be stocking up on it while it lasts.

http://vancouvercraftbeerweek.com/2012/official-beer/

Brenton · Post edited by Brenton at 2012-05-21 09:47:27

Addict said:

If you can find it, there is an official "collaboration beer" in appreciation of Vancouver Craft Beer Week. It's a nut brown ale with an IPA finish. Very tasty, I'll be stocking up on it while it lasts.

http://vancouvercraftbeerweek.com/2012/official-beer/

Brenton said:

Just visited our friends at Legacy Liquor, and was pleasantly surprised to find some interesting new products:

Finally, they have some cases of the Vancouver Craft Beer Week Cascadian Brown Ale, which is apparently light enough and hopped enough for the summer heat. Proceeds go to the Farmland Defense League of BC.

ynwasouthside said:

Went to the free VCBW event at O'Hares in Steveston last night, featuring Russell and North Coast. Tried the Cascadian Brown Ale. Some nice flavours, but not really my thing.

I thought it was too hop forward, actually, but it did finish with some strong hops as well.

Addict · Post edited by Addict at 2012-05-21 09:53:24

The hop finish was nice. For me I think it's best suited as a dessert beer. It's not a refreshing "hot day" beer.

Blue_and_White_Army

Howe Sound have released their 4 Way Fruit Ale:

PBandG · Post edited by PBandG at 2012-05-21 11:04:49

Tried the Watermelon Wit yesterday before the Chelsea game at Hooker's Green (basement of New Oxford). On first smell you could definitely detect a strong watermelon scent but also a bit of spice. As I tasted it definitely kept that theme. It was like other fruit beers where the beer is gone and the fruit over-powers everything. I liked the first few sips but being a bigger fan of darker beers got tired of it pretty quickly. Of course I was drinking it at 10am in a dark bar instead of out on the sun-drenched patio, where it was definitely designed to be enjoyed. Can't wait to try the IPL and Ruby.

Chris

Blue_and_White_Army said: Howe Sound have released their 4 Way Fruit Ale:

Tried this at St. Augustine's a couple of weeks ago. Fantastic if you like fruit beers.

ynwasouthside

Yowzers:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=746004&l=42df437a5b&id=126677164069362

ynwasouthside

Brenton

Wow, that's really cool (the back-story: he won a homebrew competition, they brewed this to this guy's recipe). May have to pick a bottle up.

Blue_and_White_Army

Chris said:

Blue_and_White_Army said: Howe Sound have released their 4 Way Fruit Ale:

Tried this at St. Augustine's a couple of weeks ago. Fantastic if you like fruit beers.

I was surprised by this. Not really sweet at all, and very hoppy. A little over-carbonated for my taste. A refreshing summer beer with a Cascadian twang.

Brenton

I had the most dreadful beer tonight, a Burnside Berliner Weisse With a Little Wood. I couldn't discern one beer flavour; it tasted like a refreshing, woody unsweetened pop.

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