Flaskers Ale Best British Bitter – Smugglers’ Trail Caskworks Ltd


From the new Smugglers’ Trail Caskworks Ltd brewed out of Factory Brewing in Vancouver comes their “Flaskers Ale Best British Bitter”.  The beer pours a copper colour with a tan head.  The aroma consists of caramel, toasted malts, sweetness and maybe a hint of fruit.  The flavour is of caramel, toasted malts, mild citrus with hints of resin and bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 3.8% with an IBU of 24.  This is a nice session ale and well worth a try if you find it at the store.

Commercial Description:  Flaskers were the characters who supported the lifestyle of early BC gold miners by smuggling (among other things) traditional ales to the goldfields.  Dark and smooth, just like the rogues who delivered it to you.

Schwarzbier Dark Lager – Big Ridge Brewing


From Big Ridge Brewing in Surrey comes their “Schwarzbier Dark Lager”.  The beer pours a deep brown colour with a light brown head.  The aroma consists of toasty caramel, sweetness and some fruitiness.  The flavour is of toasted malts, caramel, hint of chocolate, coffee, earth and a mild bitterness in the finish.  The alcohol content comes in at 5% with an IBU of 22.  Ashley has done a great job on this beer and if you find yourself in Surrey stop by for a glass as you will not regret it.

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Dutch Pale Ale – Field House Brewing


From Field House Brewing in Abbotsford comes their “Dutch Pale Ale”.  The beer pours a copper colour with an off white head.  The aroma consists of caramel, biscuit, fruity and floral hops.  The flavour is of caramel, mild toasted malts, earth, some citrus and a mild bitterness in the finish.  The alcohol content comes in at 4.75% with an IBU of 15.  While this beer is mild in flavour it is seriously refreshing.  You would not go wrong picking this beer up.

Commercial Description:  Unassuming West Coast hops combine with traditional Dutch sensibilities to create a brew that is unruffled and refreshingly easy going.  Subtle, smooth and always pleasant, this is an ale to while away the evening with.

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Frank’s Brown Ale – Strange Fellows Brewing


From Strange Fellows Brewing in Vancouver comes their “Frank’s Brown Ale”.  The beer pours a brown colour with a light brown head.  The aroma consists of roasted malts, nuts, chocolate and caramel.  The flavour is of toasted malts, nuttiness, chocolate, caramel with a hint of toffee.  The alcohol content comes in at 5% with an IBU of 16.  This beer made to honor Frank Appleton one of two of the founders of the craft beer movement here in BC is a well made basic brown ale that hits on all the points needed to be an enjoyable addition to the scene.

Commercial Description:  Inspired by the first recipe for Frank’s Nut Brown Ale made at Yaletown Brewing Company circa 1994, our Frank’s Brown Ale honours Frank Appleton – the father of craft brewing in North America. In the early 80’s, Frank and John Mitchell opened North Americas first “micro brewery” in Horseshoe Bay, BC. This English style ale brings together several specialty malts, using hops only to balance its rich chocolaty backbone.

Food pairing as per the brewery:  Burgers & Fries, Stew.

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Red Line Red IPA – Torque Brewing


From Torque Brewing in Winnipeg Manitoba comes their “Red Line Red IPA”.  The beer pours a deep reddish colour with a tan head.  The aroma consists of caramel fruity mild roast and floral hops.  The flavour is of caramel, toasted malts, citrus, grapefruit, pine, some resin and  bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 6.5%.  Torque Brewing in Winnipeg has started out pretty strong so far and this beer is just anouther example of this.

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