Canoe launches new beer line-up
Victoria’s Canoe Brewpub has launched an all-new beer line-up this month, with four new mainstay beers and the first of its quarterly rotating Windward Series.
Helles (light Bavarian lager), Witbier (Belgian-style wheat beer), West Coast (dry-hopped pale ale) and Amber (amber ale) will form the backbone of Canoe’s offerings moving forward.
“We have tailored our beer portfolio to include as wide a range of varying palates as possible,” says brewmaster Daniel Murphy. “They favour subtle complexity, structure, and balance that will appeal to craft-beer newcomers, and experienced enthusiasts.”
The first of the seasonal Windward Series is the British IPA, a throwback to the original India pale ales, made with UK Maris Otter malt and Old World hops.
Canoe’s new line of beers will be available in bottles at the brewpub and liquor stores around Victoria and will feature new branding inspired by the geometric designs of traditional canoe paddles.
Gladstone expands
Gladstone Brewing Co. got a big upgrade this month with the addition of a new bright tank and two new 30-barrel fermenters, which will see the Courtenay brewery’s production capacity increase by 40 per cent.
The new fermentation tanks will allow a much higher volume of beer to be brewed at a time, and the bright tank will loosen the biggest bottleneck in the production line by allowing for two batches of beer to be clarifying simultaneously instead of one as in the past.
“Up until now, we’ve been struggling to keep up with the demand of supplying local liquor stores with packaged cans,” says owner Daniel Sharratt. “This expansion will allow us to keep them fully stocked, as well as expand our reach to stores further south-Island.”
This expansion will also allow the brewery’s popular tasting room to have a more reliable selection of their core brands – Pilsner, Belgian Single, and IPA – as well as new favourites and seasonal offerings on tap.
To see the progress and brewing in action, visit the Gladstone Brewing Co. tasting room located at 244 Fourth Street in Downtown Courtenay.
Beer Wars returns
Registration is now open for the third annual Beer Wars charity boxing event. If you work in the craft beer industry and want to get in shape, work out with your fellow beer folk, then punch them in the face—this is the event for you!
Prospective fighters will be whipped into shape at Eastside Boxing Club beginning Jan. 6 by coach Dave Schuck and his merciless staff. The big event will take place in April, but the exact date and location are yet to be determined. Proceeds from Beer Wars go to Eastside Boxing Club’s after school youth programs.
If you’re interested in taking part, visit BCBeerWars.com.
Stay tuned to TheGrowler.ca for more Beer Wars coverage!
