Tag: British Columbia

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BC Cidery # 3 – Dominion Cider


Our final BC cider visit is in Summerland at Dominion Craft Cider. The name stems from Experimental farms named Dominion, “stretching from coast to coast, including one in Summerland. Set up to study and develop new apple varieties introduced by early settlers from Europe…”

Here are the ciders that I would try…
Dominion Craft Cider
“Our flagship pub-style craft cider. It has a light golden colour with a lively effervescence in the glass. It has a distinctive apple aroma with a full-bodied mouthfeel from the blend of apple varietals in each batch.”

Dominion Ginger Cider
“Our limited-batch ginger cider co-created with Dickie’s Ginger. This ginger cider combines the crispness of our dry apple cider with real ginger to add a complex aroma and a hint of spice.”

They also have a rhubarb version and a Cascade dry-Hopped cider that I would sample as well.

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B.C. Cidery # 2 – The Naramata Cider Co.


Our middle stop is the Naramata Cider Co. where you can fancy big bottles or opt for their pear cider in stubbies.

My taster tray starts with that Okanagan pear cider…

Pear Cider
“Crafted from 100% local pears. Just pears. Fresh pears, tasty pears, not overtly pear, refreshing, delicious.”

CMS – L❤vander
“Pink Lady apples + local Lavender Limited Production. Apple cider falls in ❤, romanced by the rows of beautifully scented lavender that line our orchard edge.”

CMS – Peaches + Cream
“Local Apples fermented with splash of fresh Naramata peaches. Limited Production.
Apple cider kissed with a healthy dose of neighbor and farmer extraordinaire, ‘Super Dave’ Pedersen’s peaches.”

CMS – Gin Botanicals
“Local Apples co-fermented with Legend Distilling’s Gin Botanicals Limited Production. Apple cider co-fermented with locally foraged botanicals used in crafting our neighbor, Legend Distilling’s, Dark Moon Gin.”

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BC Cidery # 1 – Left Field Cider


Our first apple-laden stop is good timing for the MLB surge to the post-season at Left Field Cider. Here you will get English styled ciders from the founders who actually studied under cider makers in the English industry.

Here is what I would add to my initial sample tray:

Big Dry – Dry Sparkling Cider
“Our driest cider will attract those looking for a more traditional style cider. The blend is dominated by bittersweet cider apples whose rich tannins are balanced by the fruity aromatics of Okanagan dessert apples.”

Little Dry – Dry Sparkling Cider
“Light and refreshing with a slight effervescence, our Little Dry is blended to highlight the natural characteristics of the crisp, fresh apples from which it was made.”

…and something from their limited series…
“The cidermaker’s select series was created to allow our customers to join us on our journey as we explore new cider apple varieties, blends and fermentation techniques. Enjoy these limited release ciders while they are available, because once the tank runs dry they will be gone for good.”

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BC Brewery # 3 – Deep Cove

Deep-Cove
Our final BC stop goes by the name of Deep Cove and not only do they brew beer but they also distill spirits as well. A dual threat or you could just combine the two into a craft beer cocktail. Using any of the beers that would be on my first taster tray, if I was visiting….(all are 5% and under)

Patersbier Belgian Enkel

“A Trappist style table beer designed to be flavourful and thirst quenching. The name literally translates as “Father’s Beer”- referring to it traditionally being brewed for the monks’ own consumption.”

Kentucky Common

“A pre-prohibition American style that utilizes ingredients and techniques used in the making of bourbon – corn, rye, and a sour mash.”

Trapper Johns Lager

“Our Brewmaster has created a bright and crisp lager that displays hints of sweet malt and lemon. Adding a touch of local tradition, Trapper John’s was named for the longest running employee of Mt. Seymour- A man, they say, who’s skiing ability is legendary.”

Sun Kissed Tea Saison Summer Ale

“This playful beer will surprise you with its combination of fruity tones, peppery spice, and a refreshingly dry tartness. Made with apple, mango and papaya infused Rooibos tea, Sunkissed is the perfect summer sipper.”

Or you could go with the extremely unique Oyster Gin “Ahab” that is “made with BC Royal Miyagi Oysters & local botanicals”

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BC Brewery # 2 – Four Mile Brewing

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The middle stop in British Columbia is in Victoria and Four Mile Brewery.

They brew on a Peter Austin system which according to their website “is a direct-fired, brick clad, copper whirlpool and hop percolator, and you cannot buy it at Costco when you get a Vitamix.”

They also enlisted Alan Pugsley to be the brewmaster. Pugsley has come in and brought his expertise to a few breweries, Shipyard being the most known, then he leaves the brewing to a resident brewer. In this case Doug White who has UC-Davis learning in his past.

Without further ado, here are the British style ales that I would have in my first taster tray…

Best British Beer

The 4 Mile crew call this their “Stiff Upper Sip.” A cask conditioned beer that they deem a true session beer. Comes in at a low 4.25% ABV.

Golden Ale

A golden blond Canadian style ale with a crisp dry clean finish. Plus, “Just a flash of sweet.” And another low ABV at 4.6%.

Brown Ale

5 malts including crystal, chocolate & roasted barley are used to bring out “notes of caramel, mocha and coffee and chocolate.” Comes in at 5.3% ABV.

English Strong Ale

A style that is overlooked as people go to barley wines but the ESA is a more subtle dance of malt and hops and despite the Strong in the title it still clocks in under 7% ABV.

 

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BC Brewery # 1 – Bad Tattoo

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Our first Canadian and more specifically British Columbia stop is the Bad Tattoo Brewing Company with their impressive logo.  They are based in Penticton (which I have yet to visit) They just started up kegging and serving beer in late July/ early August.  And since they are so new, their website only shows four beers  so those are the four beers that I will put on my taster tray.

You can start with ACP their sessionable beer that is short for Achieve, Conquer & Persevere.  Then move on to Los Muertos Cerveza  Negra a malt forward dark lager.  Before dipping into the hop pool with their West Coast IPA.  To finish the aptly named Full Sleeve Stout.

Frankly I don’t know how people stand the pain of tattoos but if an arm with a tattoo is proffering me a beer, I frankly don’t care.

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In the Tap Lines for September 2014

header_attractionsSeptember means L.A. Beer Week.  Last month was inundated with all things Sierra Nevada and this month will be filled with info on happenings during our SoCal salute to local craft beer.

~ e-visits to three breweries from the BC (British Columbia) Bad Tattoo, Four Mile and Deep Cove
~ video reviews (returns) with two beers picked up in San Diego at this year’s Beer Blogger Conference
~ two more beers will come up from the BSP cellar to be reviewed. This month there will be no theme.  I will sort of randomly select two.
~ Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events (like a little thing called L.A. Beer Week)
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world
~ … and Session # 91 will converge bloggers onto a single topic, this month My First Belgian

Here are two events to get your September started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) Friday, 9/5 – Shmaltz Brewing Reunion Ale Charity at Surly Goat
2) Sunday, 9/14 – Rock & Brews (El Segundo) 4th Annual Local Craft Beer Fest, 12-5pm