Tag: Canada

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Sister City Brewery # 2 – Strange Fellows Brewing

The next Sister City of Los Angeles is Vancouver, Canada and the brewery I chose is Strange Fellows Brewing.

Time to check out some more Canadian beer…

Beldame Old World Pilsner – “Crossing paths with a crone is believed unlucky by some. Stooped and toothless, she’s a frightful specter of mortality. Those who can meet her gaze and see wisdom there have nothing to fear, but beware to those who scorn or overlook her. As Mother of Creation, she can wield her power in wicked ways, by nightmare, illness or a failed harvest. So next time you happen upon an old woman, pour her a glass of this bright and refreshing beer, look her in the eye, and toast to her good health.”

Rei’s Dark Lager – “This dark Lager balances the use of roasted malts and premium German pilsner malt. It delivers a clean character of a lager and offers a complex grain bill that blends aromas of chocolate, roast and has a crisp and clean lager finish.  “

Blackmail Northwest Stout – “Originally advertised as a nutritional supplement for new mothers, milk stouts contain Lactose sugar which gives this beer a rich round and slightly sweet character. Blackmail is only 4.5%abv and has a soft roast and chocolate character.”

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Canadian Brewery # 3 – Stillwell Brewing Company

Our last brewery recommended by drinks writer Stephen Beaumont is in Halifax, Stillwell Brewing Company.

For my taster tray, I would select…

Stilly Pils – “Brewed with German malt and hops in the traditional method, Stilly Pils is our idea of a great everyday beer: fresh, foamy and moreish.”

Best Bitter – “Brewed with English malt and hops in the (almost) traditional method, Best Bitter is our take on England’s great pub ale. Highly sessionable and naturally conditioned.”

13° Czech-Style Dark Lager – “Brewed with Czech Ingredients and in the traditional method, our 13° Tmavý Ležák is our take on Czechia’s magical black beer. Na zdraví!”

Cream Ale – “Brewed in the traditional method as a true hybrid beer – American hops balancing a german grist – Cream Ale is a nostalgic and highly sessionable everyday beer,”

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Beaumont

I am all for more beverage websites and I have found another one for us to bookmark, Beaumont Drinks leans into the review side of drinks which is a good thing, most beer sites have more news and event coverage (myself included), so a resource of strong reviews is certainly needed.  Check the website out HERE.

(there are also non-review pieces as well)

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Canadian Cold

A new beer from Unibroue?  Appears so, as HIPL, a hop flavored lager with citrus-flavored flavors has been promoted on social media.  Maybe my Trader Joe’s will carry it.

They also have a Bohemian pilsner on the way….

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A Podcast & A Beer – Let’s Make a Rom-Com

Last month, I listened to comedians trying to come up with a plausible Sci-Fi pilot.  Well, that same team has released (on Valentine’s Day of course), Let’s Make a Rom-Com.

Ryan Beil, Maddy Kelly, and Mark Chavez are appealing as hosts / romance writers and because they are both really trying to write a romantic comedy while simultaneously learning about why and how one clicks makes the podcast really work.

For beer, I would head to chocolate. Chocolate stouts. German chocolate pastry beer. Bottle Logic in Orange County has a plethora of beers like that. Or if you want to dig deeper, pick a past or current relationship and where you “met cute” and pick a beer from that city.

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A Podcast & A Beer – Let’s Make a Sci-Fi

This month the spotlight is on Sci-Fi.

Three Canadian comedians try to create a good sci-fi show, in Let’s Make A Sci-Fi.  Those comedians are Ryan Beil, Maddy Kelly, and Mark Chavez.  It is an eight episode series that follows the ups and the downs of birthing the next cool adventure. 

This podcast ticks a couple boxes off the bat, under 10 episodes so I am waiting for a finish and in the 30 to 40 minute range so I know editing has been done.

Plus this is not just a riff-a-thon. The trio are actually trying with humor as a side dish. Plus it makes you think about why you like certain Sci-Fi and not others. I don’t think I would have made the choices they did and I may not have liked their pilot but the getting there was fun and interesting.

On the craft beer side, I would look for any Ecliptic Brewing beers because they have space and astronomy themed beers that would match plus they have some nice lighter PNW IPAs that would be just right. If not Portland adjacent, I would choose a dark as the sky Czech Dark Lager since that style of beer hides a lighter interior.

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Long Name but Melodious

Ce N’est Pas la Fin du Monde sounds very smooth on the tongue as one says it. And considering how solid the Canadian brewery Unibroue is, I would wager this IPA, though out of the Belgian wheelhouse will be good.

“Regular” La Fin du Monde is a Strong Tripel Blonde. The new twist is described as a “New World IPA with a taste of cereals and tropical fruits.”

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Featured Review – Maudite from Unibroue

Our next “old” beer that I want to highlight is a dubbel from Canada, Maudite and the flying canoe from Unibroue.

This is how the brewery describes the flavor, “Velvety palate of caramelized sugar and marmalade, slightly roasted with a spicy finish.”

First off, Belgian yeast esters wave over along with a nice spice profile as well. A very full mouthfeel to this beer. Carbonation adds a playful tone to the beer as well. I also pick up a bit of red apple juice. I don’t think that Unibroue makes a bad beer.

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Jason Lee Norman, an Edmonton publisher and author, has come up with an ingenious use for a can of beer.  Norman teamed up with Blindman Brewing for custom can labels for the brewery’s limited edition summer ale.  Each can had a micro-short stories from local writers on the label.

For those who love to have something to read on cereal boxes this is perfect.  Pour your beer and then read your story while you taste the ale.  I could see this being a great idea for a brewery that has a large distribution footprint that can add local flavor by having a different label for different markets.

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Canadian Brewery Tour # 3 – Bent Stick Brewing


Our last stop in Canada is in Edmonton, Alberta and Bent Stick Brewing.

Here are some options from their website that piqued my interest…

First Pull Coffee Amber
“​This amber ale was cold-steeped with Sanson No. 7 coffee beans from our chums at ACE roasters here in Edmonton, Alberta. If there was ever any doubt, we’d say the coffee makes this a legitimate morning beverage.”

Swap the Hops
“Gotta have my hops! Dive into our Swap the Hops pale ale for your hop needs. Brewed on a semi-regular basis.

It’s the same but different ‘cause we swap the hops every time! Version # 8 – Simcoe Single Hopped?? [Early 2018!!]”

Rush Job IPA
“There was some tasty Galaxy & Ella hops in the freezer with a gap in the brew schedule, so we whipped up a West Coast IPA! Rush Job has big fruit and floral notes with light toffee to balance it out.”

and a past menu item….
Wakatu Wheat
“Not your poppa’s wheat beer. Wakatu Wheat has a savoury cotton candy sweetness with a nice grainy edge. It’s got a full body and smooth long linger.”