We regularly post tasting notes from our Friday Staff Tasting, providing you with our take on all the latest craft beer arrivals. Since things were a bit slow as far as new arrivals go, we skipped doing a post last week and have doubled up this week on everything that has come in in the last two weeks. We’re excited to have the 2016 Black Swan Imperial Stout by Swans Brewpub in stock. This is a beer that you can drink now and also put one away in the cellar. We’re also slowly adding to our craft cider selection, with new arrivals from Gabbie’s (on Gabriola Isl.), and we will continue to grow that area as we make more room in the store.
Red Arrow Kustom Kölsch 5% 6-pks (Duncan)
Pours a bight, deep lemon yellow colour. Fresh grainy, malty notes on the nose. A bit floral with some biscuity notes, as well. Notes of slightly sweet honey biscuit on the palate with a clean, dry finish.
Russell Peaks & Valleys Locally Hopped Extra Pale Ale 5.7% 355ml can (Vancouver)
Pours a bright orange colour. Notes of mandarin orange, sweet malt and bubblegum on the nose. Citrus hop notes on the palate with an earthiness bitterness to the sharp, dry finish. Hoppy.
Gabbie’s Semi-Dry Premium Cider 6.5% 750ml (BC)
Pours a straw yellow colour. Sweet, creamy apple notes on the nose. Rich creaminess on the palate with crisp tart apple notes, a hint of sweetness and a tannic finish.
Gabbie’s Real Dry Premium Cider 6.5% 750ml (BC)
Pours a bright pale yellow colour. Fresh, crisp apple and fruity bubblegum notes on the nose. Tart, dry and grippy up front with pleasant apple and orchard fruit notes. Light bodied and very crisp.
Powell St Mosaic Sour Wheat 5% 650ml (Vancouver)
Pours a hazy peach orange colour. Dank cannabis and tropical fruit notes on the nose. Fresh and tart on the palate with notes of cannabis, fruit and lemon acidity.
Powell St Whisky Barrel Aged Porter 6% 650ml (Vancouver)
Pours a dark brown-black colour. Boozy bourbon, vanilla and chocolate notes on the nose. Very boozy on the palate, with notes of bourbon, vanilla, coconut & dark chocolate.
Swans Black Swan 2016 Imperial Stout 8.5% (Victoria)
Pours a dark brown-black colour. Perfumey chocolate and vanilla notes on the nose. Big chocolate and coffee notes on the palate with hints of vanilla and smoke. Sweet & strong!
Category-12 Transmutation 9.8% 650ml (Saanich)
Pours a dark brown-black colour. Sweet notes of ripe peach, spice and booze on the nose. Big on the palate with a big sweet fruitiness up front and a substantial hoppy, bitter finish.
To Øl Sur Amariilo 330ml (Denmark)
Pours a hazy orange colour. Big notes of funk and fruity/piney hops on the nose. Good body with major grapefruit pith notes, hint of tartness and bitter finish.
To Øl Snowball Saison 330ml (Denmark)
Slightly hazy orange-yellow colour. Fruity and spicy up front with a hint of funk on the nose. Spicy saison notes with hints of fruity Pez and bitter earthy hops. Big carbonation.
Epic Brainless Raspberries 9.8% 650ml (Utah)
Pours a red-tinged orange colour. Floral raspberry and bubblegum notes on the nose. Sweet and boozy with strong,candied raspberry notes.
Also Available:
Epic Brainless on Cherries 10.1% 650ml (Utah)
Epic Brainless on Peaches 11% 650ml (Utah)
Woodland Empire Set ’em Wild, Set ’em Free Cranberry Berliner Weisse 4% 650ml (Boise, Idaho)
Pours a pink-tinted orange colour. Bright fresh cranberry notes and green herbs on the nose. Dry and refreshing with tart acidity and subtle fresh cranberry notes. Easy drinking sour!
Persephone Best Bitter 5% (Gibsons, BC)
Pours an orange-yellow colour. Spicy, citrusy hop notes backed with brown sugar malt notes on the nose. Earthy notes of dried herbs and rich malt notes on the palate. Flavourful, yet small.
Bridge Black Rye IPA 5.8% 650ml (N. Vancouver)
Pours a dark brown colour. Fruity and floral hop notes on the nose contrasted with nice chocolate dark malt notes. Notes of coffee, chocolate, earthy bitter hops and a hint of citrus on the palate.