Welp. The sky is falling. The end is nigh. That’s right: Hockey is cancelled.
In times of crisis, I tend to follow Simon Pegg’s example and head to the pub, have a nice cold pint, and wait for all of this to blow over. Unfortunately, even the pubs are closing, so what’s a thirsty Vancouverite to do?
Thankfully, your local craft brewery is still open and could definitely use your support in these trying times. While many, like East Vancouver’s Bomber Brewing, have decided to close their tasting rooms in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19, thankfully they are still doing retail sales and will even deliver beer right to your door.
Since we’re all going to be stuck in our apartments/condos/basement suites/vans for the foreseeable future, I think it’s imperative when stocking up on beer to pick something that you’re not going to get tired of drinking. For me, malt-forward English-style ales are a natural choice. These beers are designed to be consumed for hours on end, day after day, without ever inflicting any palate fatigue. Perfectly balanced and “moreish,” the sixth pint tastes as good as the first.
Georgie’s Best by Bomber is an absolute delight of a beer. In a world of barrel-fermented-double-dry-hopped-mango-passion fruit-milkshake-IPAs, a malt-forward ale is nothing short of a revelation.
Like all great English beers, this one is all about balance. Rich and nutty, with notes of toast and marmalade, the ample malt character is perfectly balanced by a not insignificant amount of hops.
However, unlike many North American ESBs, which go way overboard on the hops (shocker), Georgie’s Best has a moderate hop bitterness that’s just enough to clean up the finish without leaving your mouth feeling like a pine tree took a shit in it. The only thing you’ll be wanting for after a pint of Georgie’s Best, is another pint of Georgie’s Best.
So head down to Bomber or whatever local craft brewery you normally patronize and buy enough beer to get you through a possible quarantine. Seriously, hoard it like it’s toilet paper. The last thing you want to do is run out of beer.
Georgie’s Best by Bomber Brewing
Extra Special Bitter • 5.2% ABV • 40 IBU • 473 mL tall cans
Appearance: Deep copper brown with a hearty beige head.
Aroma: Nutty, caramel, citrus, toast.
Flavour: Toast, nutty, bready, caramel, fruit, earthy, citrus, moderate hop bitterness.
Body/Finish: Medium bodied with a semi-dry finish and a hint of lingering hop bitterness.
Pairs with: Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, fish and chips, self-imposed isolation, and another pint because why the hell not.
