The Victoria beer thread

[amor de cosmos]

Victoria's craft beer makers are taking issue with a new Statistics Canada report suggesting beer drinking in B.C. is on the wane.

According to the city's brewers, it's not that the public has stopped buying beer - drinkers are just no longer buying just from the "big guys" and they're spending more on brews from small-scale operations.

A Statistics Canada report released Monday showed beer sales in this province dropped 5.8 per cent to $1.2 billion in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011, but the craft breweries contend their market share is actually growing.

"Craft beer sales have been going up - the crunch has been on the [Molson Coors and Labatt's] end," said Gary Lindsay of Driftwood Brewing, which is preparing to expand its footprint in Victoria by increasing its production this summer. "The vast majority of beer sold is still that domestic-style beer, but the market share of the big guys is shrinking."

In its quarterly review released in December, the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch showed larger brewers, defined as producing more than 150,000 hectolitres annually, saw a four per cent drop in sales last year, while smaller brewers' sales increased by 19.3 per cent.

http://www.timescolonist.com/busines...810/story.html

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quoti...20326a-eng.htm

[pontcanna]

Originally Posted by dirtydeeds

Vancouver Island Brewery's new seasonal offering?

http://www.canadianbeernews.com/2012...e-coming-soon/

This is VIB's third go at a wheat beer. I liked the first two (but then VIB tends to discontinue anything too tasty) so I'll break with my Hoyne/Phillips/Spinnakers/Moon growlers and give this a try.

[Holden West]

Went to the Keg downtown to have a few appys in the lounge. We were a little shocked to learn they have no local beer on tap. Seems they have two fewer taps since the renovation and since Molson's contract with the Keg guarantees all six existing taps are Molson products that leaves no room for anything local. They will bring you a Blue Buck or Hop Circle in a bottle if you ask for it but it's not on the menu. I mean, I expect Canadian and Rickards when we go to Swiss Chalet but this is the Keg.

[Van]

I'm guessing that since The Keg is all over Canada (and in the States), they want to keep everything uniform. I'm guessing the menu will be the same at every location as well.

[pontcanna]

What's this I'm reading on Facebook about a "anti-Phillips Brewing League"? Can't seem to find any links, but some local beer folk are getting their backs up about it.

[Holden West]

Drinking some of Hoynes's new Down Easy Pale Ale. Despite the chart on the side that places it in the centre of the mild to hoppy scale, this brew is very hoppy, which is fine for me but Mrs. West tasted the hops-heavy beer and pulled a gas face so I'll be finishing this one myself.

[Holden West]

A notice at Liquor Plus says "can/production problems" are delaying delivery of their "Buck a Beer" brand for a few days.

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by Holden West

A notice at Liquor Plus says "can/production problems" are delaying delivery of their "Buck a Beer" brand for a few days.

So what did you have to buy instead? Lucky, or Black Label? Extra Old Stock?

[Holden West]

^They were recommending Hell's Gate and a couple of other cheapies. Myself, I bought Granville Island Winter Ale.

[Sparky]

Mrs Sparky and I were able to visit the Granville Island Brewery this weekend.

I know they aim for the middle of the market as opposed to brewing on the edge...but fresh out of the keg......delightful.

Winter ale..........

[amor de cosmos]

in case anyone hasn't seen yet:


http://twitpic.com/98af9t

[Benezet]

Erm... This little contest must be to determine which is the second-best IPA, after Phillips Hop Circle.

[amor de cosmos]

story about our beer scene
http://cvvmagazine.com/brewing-a-com...r-renaissance/

[dirtydeeds]

From VIB facebook page "VIB has resurrected our old 650ml bottling line. Something exciting is about to fly into #yyj"

Says the "Flying Tanker White IPA" available in the 650mm bomber size late next week. Great logo with the Mars Water Bomber on it. Maybe it was before my time but I don't remember VIB having 650ml bottles maybe some of our more experienced craft beer drinkers on VV can clarify?

[amor de cosmos]

why not include the label?



those 650ml bottles must have been before my time also. I've heard of white ipas before but the style seems to have been created only within the last few months. can't wait to try it out.

[Holden West]

I'm glad VIB is changing their labels. They were looking a little fusty compared to their hip upstart competitors.

[dirtydeeds]

Originally Posted by amor de cosmos

why not include the label? .

Thats a little out of my technical comfort zone
I too am looking forward to trying it, I still haven't got to VIB's "Beachcomber" yet but have heard good things from friends?

[dirtydeeds]

Originally Posted by amor de cosmos

those 650ml bottles must have been before my time also. I've heard of white ipas before but the style seems to have been created only within the last few months. .

This review does nothing to settle the question of if VIB ever had Bomber's before but has made me think it will be my next beer purchase for next weekend? Good on em for getting more "crafty" lately!

http://www.left4beer.com/2012/05/flying-tanker-vib.html

[amor de cosmos]

the alberni valley news has some back story

“Flying Tanker IPA is the first bottle in our Vancouver Island series to be released — we’ve got a whole series of beers tied to Vancouver Island icons planned,” Ringma said. “We spoke to Wayne Coulson a couple of weeks ago about this. He’s a big supporter of Vancouver Island and he’s excited about it.”

Company officials have been gaming out melding craft beers with iconic Vancouver Island symbols. One of the first symbols that came to mind was the Coulson Flying Tankers.

“When it drops its load of water the white mist on top looks like the head of foam on a glass of cold beer,” Ringma said.

Connections to the Alberni Valley made the initiative possible, Ringma said.

VIB General Manager Jim Dodds is originally from Port Alberni. But Ringma spent time in the Alberni Valley while growing up.

“When I was a kid we used to stay out at Tall Timbers and water ski at Sproat Lake,” he said. “We used to bomb around the water bombers, I remember that.”

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/150523755.html

[amor de cosmos]

http://canoebrewpub.com/newsletter/

southern cross... this must be what they mean:

Brewer’s notes:
Used for first addition bittering this hop has no pretence at substitution for noble type. A kettle variety of the highest order Southern Cross imparts a soft bitterness with a subtle resinous quality. The essential oil component is such that it can deliver a delicate balance of citrus and spice when added toward the end of boil. Generally selected for its consistency in mainstream Lagers this hop has also ventured into the craft market as a reliable Brewpub mainstay.

Applications:
High Alpha Acids and Total Oil matched with low Cohumulone find this extraordinary hop several applications, single or dual-purpose. Difficult for us to list a substitute as there is really nothing quite like the New Zealand Southern Cross available on the world market. A testament to our successful breeding programme…

http://www.nzhops.co.nz/varieties/southern_cross.html

[amor de cosmos]

more about flying tanker
http://www.left4beer.com/2012/05/tal...ut-flying.html

[OSJ]

Originally Posted by amor de cosmos

why not include the label?



those 650ml bottles must have been before my time also. I've heard of white ipas before but the style seems to have been created only within the last few months. can't wait to try it out.

Just tapped a keg of this at Garrick's Head Pub. Only have a couple kegs of it though, so get it while it lasts.

[amor de cosmos]

VICTORIA, BC – In honour of both the Victoria Day long weekend and the 150th anniversary of the city of Victoria BC, Spinnakers Brewpub has released Hoptoria, a 6.5% abv IPA that is described as follows:

Brewed with Canadian Superior Pale, English Munich and Cara malts and hopped with Columbus, Summit, Super Galena, Sterling and Cascade hops and then dry hopped with an additional half kilogram each of Cascade and Sterling, resulting in a remarkably smooth American Style IPA.

Hoptoria is available now on draught at Spinnakers, and will also be featured on cask on Monday May 21st. Bottles are planned to follow soon.

http://www.canadianbeernews.com/2012...-hoptoria-ipa/

[Holden West]

For curiosity's sake, I'd like someone to re-create a typical beer sold in Victoria saloons in the 19th century. There is some history on local breweries, but not much on what specifically was on tap and how it tasted. I know some beer was brewed with Swan Lake water and I'm not sure that sounds appetizing.

It appears that at the turn of the century, ales, porters, stouts and lagers were available. I'm guessing they would be funkier, cloudier and warmer than the beers we are accustomed to. Thoughts?

[Tim]

Originally Posted by Holden West

For curiosity's sake, I'd like someone to re-create a typical beer sold in Victoria saloons in the 19th century.

It appears that at the turn of the century, ales, porters, stouts and lagers were available. I'm guessing they would be funkier, cloudier and warmer than the beers we are accustomed to. Thoughts?

That is an interesting idea, as a very avid home brewer I will have to look into it. I know the person to ask about these ideas would be Greg Evans. He does talks on old time Victoria beer on occasion but sadly I have not made it out to one yet.
Beer changed big time in the late 19th century as Pasteur figured out spoilage organisms, refrigeration was invented and the isolation of yeast strains came about.
Before then the beer would go sour relatively quickly due to contamination. The yeast used would have been a mix of different strains which would make for an inconsistent product, although perhaps more complex in flavour. Going from what I have seen of old British beers the grain bills used would be far more simple than nowadays. So you are pretty much likely right about, cloudy, funky and warm. I will likely bring this idea of historical brewing up at our brew club. If something comes of it I will make sure you get some beer for the idea

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