British Columbia’s talented craft brewers have been busy capturing the flavours of the season, perfect for your next can, bottle, or glass of the sudsy stuff.
You can taste your way around the province this fall thanks to the BC Ale Trail‘s picks for some awesome autumnal examples of delicious B.C. brews. But you’d better hop to it because seasonal releases are as fleeting as the sunshine seems to be in a Vancouver fall.
Here are seven fresh highlights for fall beers from around the province, with tasting notes courtesy the BC Ale Trail.
Explore BC IPA with Haskap Berry – Brewed collaboratively by six regional breweries
The Explore BC IPA is a collaboration among six breweries from across B.C.’s mountain towns to the wild north, and the Sea-to-Sky to our ranches, rivers and ranges. Homegrown haskap berries and blackberries present a rich berry colour, while the balance of B.C. hops and locally-malted grains provide traditional pine notes and subtle fruity, floral flavours. This limited edition West Coast IPA is a true representation of our province that pairs perfectly with B.C.’s natural beauty. The Explore BC IPA is available for a limited time at 50 government liquor stores, several private liquor stores, and on tap at several breweries and restaurants. A complete distribution list is available here. (6% ABV, 60 IBU)
Fresh Prince Fresh Hop IPA – Bright Eye Brewing
Brewed with 100 lbs of Comet hops from Legit Hops in Chilliwack, straight from the bine to the brewery within three hours of harvesting. Notes of oily citrus, pine and peppercorn in every mouthful. Bright Eye Brewing can be found on the Kamloops, Shuswap, Vernon & Merritt Ale Trail. (6.5% ABV, 40 IBU)
Dying Wish Nordic IPA – Jackknife Brewing
This beer includes a big addition of fresh Centennial, Cascade, and Chinook hops from the brewer’s own backyard. Brewer Brad Tomlinson, who has 22 hop plants at home and another eight at the brewery itself, describes the beer as fresh, juicy, and smooth. Jackknife Brewing opened at the start of the pandemic. We hope to add it to the Kelowna Ale Trail soon. (5% ABV, 40 IBU)
AION Farmhouse Ale – House of Funk Brewing
House of Funk’s first anniversary beer, Aion, is a culmination of the brewery’s house cultures developing over the year, providing a unique harmony of acidity, aged complexity, and funk. House of Funk Brewing can be found on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail. (7.0% ABV)
Maiden Harvest Saison – Foamers’ Folly Brewing
This farmhouse saison features triticale, a hybrid of rye and wheat, from the first yield of the brewery’s own farm in Maple Ridge. The triticale was paired with a citrusy yeast, and hopped with just enough Sabro hops to incorporate notes of citrus and cedar. Foamers’ Folly Brewing can be found on the Maple Ridge Trail. (6.5% ABV, 27 IBU)
Fresh Data Fresh Hopped Hazy IPA – Category 12 Brewing
This once-a-year release features delectable, freshly picked Cascade hops from Chilliwack. Category 12 Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail. (5% ABV, 34 IBU)
Full Patch Pumpkin Saison – Longwood Brewery
Who knew that a Belgian-style saison brewed with pumpkins and spices would taste so good? Longwood’s brewmaster Harley Smith, that’s who! Longwood Brewery can be found on the Vancouver Island Part 1 Ale Trail. (9% ABV, 30 IBU)
This story was originally published by Vancouver is Awesome.