We regularly post tasting notes from our Friday Staff Tasting, providing you with our take on all the latest craft beer arrivals. With a couple of exceptions (more on those later), this week’s notes are all about BC brews. And what an incredible variety—from Four Winds’ new session lager and saison to Tofino’s accurately named Super Tuff. But don’t overlook those plain-labelled De Molen brews, as they represent the closest thing we’ll get to Hair of the Dog brews here in BC. Two of Hair of the Dog’s iconic beers—Adam and Fred—were brewed in the Netherlands by De Molen and we have a little stash of these rare beauties.
Steel + Oak Titian Oud Bruin 7.5% 650ml (Vancouver)
Pours a hazy reddish chestnut colour. Funk, sour cherries, oak and balsamic vinegar notes on the nose. Big acidity, with notes of tart cherry, funk and oak on the palate. Hint of cocoa, as well.
Four Winds Elementary Lager 4.5% 650ml (Delta)
Pours a slightly hazy pale yellow colour. Subtle notes of grassy/spicy hops and grainy malt on the nose. Similar crisp, fresh, light lager notes on the palate. Pleasant hop bite on the finish.
Four Winds La Maison Wild Saison 4.5% 650ml (Delta)
Pours a hazy lemon yellow colour. Pineapple, citrus and hay on the nose. Fresh and funky notes of hay, fruit and spice on the palate. Very light and refreshing.
Doan’s/Russell New Style Pacific NW Pilsner 6.5% (Vancouver)
Pours a bright, clear rich yellow colour. Bold lemon/citrus and crackery malt notes on the nose. Drinks like an IPA with big fruit and spice notes, a hint of sweetness and a drying bitter finish.
Townsite Peralta Wild Pale Ale 6.5% 650ml (Powell River)
Pours a burnt orange colour. Incredibly fruity on the nose with notes of stone fruit, candied citrus and funk. Deceptively dry on the palate with funky notes of barnyard, dried fruit and spice. Dry finish.
Howe Sound Sea to Sky Dry Hopped Red 5.5% 650ml (Squamish, BC)
Pours a chestnut brown-orange colour. Robust citrus and round malt notes on the nose. Rich caramel malt notes on the palate backed with some dark fruit notes and polished off with a bitter finish.
Townsite Barrel Aged Perfect Storm Stout 5.5% 650ml (Powell River)
Pours a deep chocolate brown colour. Nutty on the nose with notes of burnt raisins and dark caramel. Boozy bourbon notes on the palate with a hint of vanilla. Light bodied and quaffable yet full-flavoured.
De Molen/Hair of the Dog Fred Golden Special 10.7% 330ml (Holland/Portland)
Pours a deep orange colour. Big candied orange and sweet malt notes on the nose. Strong and fruity with big stone fruit, candied pineapple, and booze notes on the palate.
De Molen/Hair of the Dog Adam Old World Ale 10% 330ml (Holland/Portland)
Pours a deep chestnut brown-red colour. Nicely perfumed notes of sweet caramel and chocolate on the nose. Chewy on the palate with boozy, rich caramel and chocolate notes and big bitter finish.
Tofino Super Tuff 10% 650ml (Tofino, BC)
Pours a deep mahogany orange-red colour. Booze, vanilla and dried fruit on the nose. Sweet and boozy on the palate with notes of vanilla and caramel and a drying bitter finish.