Wine Guy: Readers choice, award-winning B.C. beer

Article content

And The Growlie goes to …

Article content

Last week The Growler, B.C.’s craft beer and cider guide, published the results of their sixth annual Readers Choice Awards.

Colloquially known as The Growlies, the awards are curated from nominations put forth by a panel of experts, with each category subsequently voted on by the public.

The results are always fun to peruse, not to mention offering a great opportunity to learn about some new favourites while validating opinions on old classics.

Abandoned Rail Brewing Co. Red Hef Hefeweizen, Naramata Bench

($15.29 for 4-473 mL cans, No. 353265)

Full disclosure, the award for Best Beer in B.C. went to Abandoned Rail’s Märzen Bavarian Lager. Delicious, to be sure, however it’s worth trying the entire lineup from this family run brewery located on the Naramata Bench.

Article content

Article content

This includes their Red Hef Hefeweizen, which is brewed with estate-grown malted barley — along with wheat, hops, water and yeast.

As the name suggests, this aromatic brew pours a deep auburn/crimson colour. Wafting classic Hefeweizen aromas of spice and banana, there’s evident malt mid-palate before a smooth, richer finish.

Bring on the fish-and-chips, bowl of chilli or tofu hotpot.

Bottom line: B+, made for fall sunsets.

Container Brewing Twenty Footer West Coast Pale Ale, East Vancouver

(from $16 for 4-473 mL cans, available through the brewery)

All told, east Vancouver’s Container Brewing took home five of The Growler awards, including the commendable Best Brewery in B.C.

While a number of their award-winning limited release beers are currently unavailable, their mainstay Twenty Footer remains a worthy go-to option.

Article content

A classic West Coast Pale Ale, it packs serious flavour and hoppy punch in a crisp, easy drinking style. It’s great enjoyed in their taproom or expansive patio, but also delicious sipped in the comfort of home.

But if you are at the brewery make sure to grab an eggplant parm sandwich from the Burdy food truck parked in their lot.

Bottom line: B+, flavour packed.

Beva Brewing & Blending Clubhouse German Light Lager, North Vancouver

($19.25 for 4-473 mL cans, available at select private liquor stores)

North Vancouver’s Beva Brewing & Blending picked up the coveted Growlie for Best New Brewery.

Located in North Vancouver’s Norgate neighbourhood, Beva has been turning out a diverse variety of beers — from classic to unique — since the end of last year.

Article content

Clubhouse is their take on a leichtbier, or German light lager. Clocking in at a modest 3.5 per cent ABV, this citrus and cereal imbued lager certainly lives up to the brewery’s “crushable” promise.

It’s bright with a good crisp bite to start and follows through with a lip-smacking finish — perfect for squeezing out those late summer patio occasions.

Bottom line: B+, pairs with all appies.

The Swirl: Oliver’s Wine Capital Weekend

It’s time to get grape stomping, among other wine-centric activities, as Oliver’s Wine Capital Weekend takes place Sept. 20-22.

Featuring a Kick-Off Party, the Cask & Keg event and, yes, the 25th Festival of the Grape, the weekend offers serious tasting and eating opportunities.

Single event and weekend passes are available, along with team competitions. For complete details head to events.visitoliver.com/wine-capital-weekend/. 

Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.

You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber: For just $14 a month, you can get unlimited access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province.

Article content