LIONS WINTER ALE ~ 
GRANVILLE ISLAND

Lions Winter Ale is Granville Island's award winning brew taking silver at the World Beer Championships in 2011.  It is only seasonally available (October to March).  Sampled form a tin, the beer pours a filtered dark red colour with

a creamy head, and lots of effervescent bubbles.    The aroma is malty with tons of caramel, chocolate, vanilla, and a candied fruit, which reminds me of Christmas, baked goods.  The beer is bursting with bold flavours that mimic the smell, with the addition of a slight hop bitterness at the end.  The hops are not enough to cut the sweetness of the beer.  Very tasty but sweet – would pair well with sharp cheeses or a dessert. It has a creamy smooth mouth feel with medium carbonation.   A good winter warmer, I can see purchasing several more tins for cold nights.

Granville Island Brewing was established in Vancouver in 1984.  It is one of the oldest craft breweries in Canada.  Beers are named primarily after locations in Vancouver. 

5.5% from Vancouver, British Columbia