Every week we post tasting notes from our Friday Staff Tasting, providing you with our take on all the latest craft beer arrivals. More delicious sours have arrived this week, along with some lighter seasonals, such as hefeweizens and witbiers.
Also, next time you’re in the store, pick up a copy of the new Growler Craft Beer Handbook. It’s an amazing resource for BC craft beer. Best of all, it’s FREE.
Driftwood Obscuritas Dark Sour 2015 7.6% 650ml (Victoria)
Pours a reddish chestnut brown colour. Tart fruit notes of sour raisin, raspberries and wild strawberries on the nose. Tart and vinegary on the palate with notes of sour strawberry and oak. Beautifully balanced sour. Two Rufus paws up from: Ayja, Brent, Ian & Amy
Les Trois Mousquetaires Gose 3.8% 375 ml (Quebec)
Pours a slightly hazy yellow colour. Perfumey notes of apricot, lemon curd, melon and strawberry on the nose. Tart and lemony on the palate with a hint of honey and a touch of saltiness. Light, fruity and refreshing.
Parallel 49 Sour White 7.5% 650ml (Vancouver)
Pours a bright, clear rich yellow colour. Huge, juicy fruit notes of banana and citrus on the nose. On the palate there’s tart apple acidity with hints of citrus and a smack of vanilla and a toasty roundness from the oak aging.
Coronado Orange Ave Wit 5.2% 650ml (San Diego)
Pours a hazy orange-yellow colour. Notes of fresh orange peels and coriander on the nose. Slight honey sweetness on the palate, with floral notes of orange peel and orange blossom and a grainy malt base.
Steel & Oak Smoked Hefeweizen 5.2% 650ml (Vancouver)
Pours a cloudy orange-yellow colour. Fresh notes of orange peel spiked with cloves on the nose and a hint of wood smoke. On the palate it’s deliciously juicy and fruity, with notes of bubblegum, smoke, citrus and clove. Robust carbonation.
Mill St Grapefruit League Imperial Pale Ale 7% 650ml (Ontario)
Pours a burnt orange colour. No actual grapefruit in this. Rich notes of sweet malt and candied citrus on the nose. Sweet up front on the palate with sharp grapefruit/citrus hop notes. A little boozy, with big malty heft.
Dieu du Ciel Disco Soleil 6.5% 330ml (Quebec)
Pours a slightly hazy rich yellow-orange colour. Soft notes of tropical fruit, resin and bitter citrus on the nose. Complex tropical fruit notes with plenty of sweet citrus, as well. Nice combo of kumquat skin and hop bitterness.
Dieu du Ciel Herbe a Détourne % 330ml (Quebec)
Pours a copper orange colour. Notes of tart orchard fruits, spice and Belgian yeast on the nose. This is a big, sweet triple with robust fruit notes and a spicy hop bitterness on the finish.
Breakside India Golden Ale 8.2% (Portland)
Pours a very bright golden yellow colour. The nose offers a strong hit of mint, spice, resin and pine. Great hop aromas! There’s a definite sweetness up front followed by lots of exotic fruit, resin and pine notes and a well-balanced dry finish.
Townsite Cardena Belgian Quad 10.5% 650ml (Powell River)
Pours a deep, rich amber brown colour. Dark fruit, banana, nuts and booze notes on the nose. On the palate it’s big notes of burnt raisins and boozy cherries. A lot like Gulden Draak.