Here’s a look at what we’re drinking this week…
Granville Island Doppelbock
Granville Island Brewing is launching their 2017 cellar series with an updated version of the Burly Goat Doppelbock that won silver at last year’s Canadian Beer Awards. The 2017 version is “spiritually the same beer,” according to brewmaster Kevin Emms, and clocks in at 8.2% ABV and 25 IBU.
This dark lager features flavours of dried fruit, coffee and roasted malt, while the sweetness of the malt is balanced by some mild hop bittering, which helps dry out the finish. Despite the high ABV, this doppelbock is dangerously moreish.
Emms, who was responsible for Coal Harbour Brewing’s award-winning 311 Helles Lager, says he’s happy to be back brewing lagers.
“We focus on ales all the time here, so I really relished the opportunity to brew a lager,” he says. “They’re challenging beers to brew, but I’m really happy with how this turned out.”
Granville Island’s quarterly Cellar Series is intended to highlight GIB’s small batch offerings that it expects to age well, and the doppelbock can apparently be cellared for up to three years (assuming you have the self-restraint to do so, which I don’t). Up next in the series is a Wallonian bier de garde, according to Emms.
Main Street Witches Brew Schwarzbier
Main Street Brewing is teaming up with actress Rebecca Mader (who stars as the Wicked Witch of the West in ABC’s Vancouver-shot Once Upon A Time) to help raise funds for the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre. Proceeds from sales will help fund the replacement of the centre’s kitchen equipment, so it can provide even more hot meals to Vancouver’s most vulnerable citizens, the women and children of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
The beer itself comes in at 4.8% ABV with 22 IBUs, with subtle roastiness for a sessionable take on the classic German dark lager. Grab yourself a bottle and help Main Street reach its $70,000 fundraising goal.
Red Racer’s Across the Nation Collaboration 12-pack
What better way to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial (yes, that’s a word) then by drinking a whole bunch of beer from across the country! Central City’s Red Racer Across the Nation Collaboration 12-pack features collabs with breweries from every province and two out of three territories. Not bad.
“We wanted each of the collaboration beers to showcase the uniqueness of the provinces and territories to celebrate everything that is Canadian,” says Central City brewmaster Gary Lohin. “The result is a special collaboration that not only features the best of what our country has to offer, but also the true spirit of Canada.”
Taking part are Four Winds Brewing (B.C., obvs), Last Best Brewing (AB), Saskatchewan – Black Bridge Brewery (SK), Half Pints Brewing (MN), Beau’s Brewing (ON), Le Trou Du Diable (QC), Picaroons Traditional Ales (NB), Garrison Brewing (NS), PEI Brewing Company (PEI), Quidi Vidi Brewing (NL), Yukon Brewing (YK), and NWT Brewing Company (NWT).
The Across the Nation Collaboration mix pack will be available in liquor stores by early May.
