Wine Guy: Craft lager collaborations getting creative

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It’s been said that teamwork makes the dream work. And when it comes to teaming up to brew a craft beer, well the dream is quite clearly a delicious brewski. Simple enough sure, but notable for the co-operation the local beer and food scenes continue to show in working together. Beer collaborations are a fun way for brewmasters to come together and highlight both creativity and conviviality, and as we head into the heady days of summer it’s great to see some crisp “collab” lagers hitting shelves.

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Yellow Dog Brewing Best Buddies DH West Coast Lager, Port Moody

($3.99 for 473mL can, available at select private liquor stores)

What is more West Coast than a dry-hopped lager? Not much, surely, other than perhaps a Westcoast IPA. But it’s summertime, which means the focus trends toward lighter lagers. Lo and behold, Yellow Dog’s DH West Coast Lager arrives to sate thirsty tastebuds. A brew celebrating Yellow Dog’ 10th year of operations, Best Buddies is a collaboration brew made to both commemorate and reminisce the journey alongside notable compatriots Four Winds, Dageraad, and Steel and Oak. Quite aromatic with citrus and floral notes, its engaging crispness is heavy on the hops with a sharp, bitter but super fresh finish.

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Bottom line: B+, Pair with a fish butty, or fish and chips.

Steel & Oak Brewing Co. Zlatíčko, New Westminster

(around $20 for four-473mL cans, available at select private liquor stores)

Carrying on a theme, Steel & Oak also used their anniversary as an excuse to reconnect with longtime pals at Four Winds. Part of the New West brewery’s celebration to brew “Our favourite beers of the past 10 years,” Zlatíčko is a 10° Czech-style pale lager. This translates to a lighter-alcohol lager (four per cent) that remains big on aroma and flavour. Triple decocted and employing Kazbek hops (both a late hop addition and a dry hop), this deep golden lager wafts floral and earthy aromas before bringing a robust but very fresh overall stance — and concluding with a lingering bitter tone.

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Bottom line: A, Total beer of summer vibes.

.Âu Cơ Pilsner, Port Moody

($24 for 4-473mL cans at the restaurant, also available at select private liquor stores)

Of course, collaborations don’t just have to be between brewmasters. Given the natural marriage of food and beer, it makes sense that breweries are also working with restaurants. One recent initiative ready for summer sipping is Âu Cơ Pilsner. A collaboration of Moody Ales  & Co. and popular East Vancouver restaurant Anh and Chi, Âu Cơ plays to Vietnamese flavours with notes of lime and green tea. The citrus is indeed upfront in this bright Pilsner, and its overall zesty characteristics are complemented by herbal flavours and a bitter hoppiness. Lemon grass chicken or pork definitely pairs well, but so would pretty much any grilled food!..

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Bottom line: B, Zesty meets hoppy.

The Swirl: Port Moody Ribfest

Why not consider checking out Port Moody’s beer wares firsthand by attending the upcoming, three-day Port Moody Ribfest? Running 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day from July 19-21 at Rocky Creek Park, Ribfest features barbecue from seven “ribbers,” live music, and of course a park-wide beer garden. Entrance to this community event and fundraiser is by donation to the Rotary Club of Port Moody. For complete details head to portmoodyribfest.ca/. 

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