From Tin Whistle Brewing in Penticton comes their “Hands Up Red Ale” their newest seasonal release.  The beer pours a deep red colour with a small brownish head.  The aroma consists of raisins, fruit, molasses, malts and some rum.  The flavour is of raisin, rum, fruits, molasses, oatmeal, mild roast, bitterness and a hint of earth.  The alcohol content comes in at 6.5% with an IBU of 20.  This is a tasty red ale that sits on the sweeter side of the spectrum.

Commercial Description:  A raisin oatmeal red ale to commemorate Bill Minor, the Gentleman robber.

Backstory:  Bill Miner (1847-1913).  Bill Miner, the first train robber in Canada was known as the “Gentleman Bandit” because of his good manners during a hold-up.  He was also the originator of the phrase “Hands Up!”.  On May 8, 1906, he held up the C.P.R near Kamloops making him a local folk hero.  He was later arrested by the Royal North West Mounted Police and sentenced to 25 years in the New Westminster Penitentiary.  The 1982 Canadian film The Grey Fox was based on Billy Miner’s life.