We regularly post tasting notes from our Friday Staff Tasting, providing you with our take on all the latest craft beer arrivals. We’re definitely seeing a lot more dark beers and higher ABV brews showing up now that the weather is really cooling down. We have some great winter sippers in stock now and more seasonal bomber releases are on the way.
In fact, if you pick up four of any craft beer bombers, you’ll get a free bomber carrier (pictured below). Bring it back and fill it up again, and you’ll get 5% off that purchase. Keep bringing it back and filling it up and keep saving.
And, remember, if you come in to the store and can’t find something we’ve written about here, please just ask. It’s probably still in the back, since we always seem to have more beer than we know what to do with.
Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Mango Astronaut Ale 5.3% 750ml (Oregon)
Pours a perfect mango-flesh orange colour. Huge floral & fruity notes of mango with a hint of vanilla. Same on the palate: juicy mango and hint of vanilla that gently fades to a dry, slightly bitter finish. So well balanced and quaffable. Two Rufus paws up from: Kevin, Adem & Glenn
Hearthstone Rye Ale 5% 4pk tall cans (N. Vancouver)
Pours a roasty chestnut brown colour. Hints of Dark fruit, nuts and brown sugar on the nose. Very earthy on the palate with round malt notes, rye spice, a bit of nuttiness and a proper dry finish.
Dageraad 8° 8.9% 650ml (Victoria)
Pours a cloudy orangey brown colour. Notes of rich, sweet candied fruit and booze on the nose. On the palate it’s sweet up front with notes of dried dark fruit, spice and booze. Hint of tartness on the finish. Two Rufus paws up from: David
Townsite Biere d’Hiver 650ml 7.5% (Powell River)
Pours a deep chestnut brown colour. Amazing ripe, floral fruit notes on the nose. On the palate it offers raisin/plum notes, a little booze and nice malty roundness. Clean, tasty and warming. Perfect for the season. Two Rufus paws up from: Kylli
Moody Smouldering Smoked Porter 6.9% 650ml (Port Moody)
Pours a dark black-brown colour. Meaty, cheesy and smoky on the nose. Delectably savoury and slightly sweet notes of smoked meat, soy sauce and campfire on the palate. Dry, bitter finish.
Four Winds Nectarous 5.5% 750ml (Delta)
Pours a cloudy orange colour with a huge white head. The nose is an potpourri of funk, pine/grapefruit hop notes, tart stone fruits and banana. The palate is equally complex with tart notes of peach, nectarine and apricot, along with spicy notes of grapefruit and mint. Very intriguing and delicious.
Kyritzer Mort und Totschlag Porter 7.2% 500ml (Germany)
Pours a very dark black-brown colour. Notes of Ovaltine, cocoa and licorice on the nose. On the palate you get sweet, creamy notes of chocolate, cola and smoke with a savoury hint of soy sauce. A touch sweet, but hides its ABV well. Two Rufus paws up from: Connie
Hoyne Voltage Espresso Stout 5.6% 650ml (Victoria)
Pours a dark chocolate brown colour. Funky, floral notes of freshly pulled espresso on the nose. There are notes redolent of a porter on the palate: chocolate, smoke and coffee. This beer is light-bodied and dry like an Irish-style stout.
Howe Sound Mexican Chiapas Cold Press Coffee Ale 5.5% 1L (Squamish)
Pours a burnt orange-brown colour. Strong nutty, light-roast coffee notes on the nose with a hint of fruit. The palate offers big notes of light-roast coffee and peanut butter with a dry finish.
Hornbeer Winterporter 8.6% 500ml (Denmark)
Pours a rich, dark black-brown colour. Sweet notes of coffee and milk chocolate with a savoury hint of soy sauce on the nose. Notes of sweet honeyed chocolate on the palate, mouth-coating richness. Bitter finish with hint of smoke.
Rogue Yellow Snow IPA 6.6% 650ml (Victoria)
Pours a bright, clear orange colour. Bright notes spiced orange, fresh herbs and mandarin on the nose. Basil, citrus, grapefruit and pine on the palate. Crisp bitter finish.