HEY DAY HEFEWEIZEN ~ GRANVILLE ISLAND

Sampled from a tin, this beer poured an opaque honey-amber colour with a generous white head. The head had good retention before fading into a cap and leaving some lacing. The nose was typical of a hefe with lots of clove, bready wheat and banana esters. There is also a subtle lemony citrus and peppery notes. There was not as much banana as I expected on the palette. Bready wheat, lemon and orange citrus are pronounced with sweet notes of pear and apple, clove and coriander are also present. The beer is light bodied, even a little watery at times, with average carbonation and a crisp off dry finish. Very refreshing, mild enough to have at breakfast, but nothing outstanding.

5% from Vancouver British Columbia IBU 15

BLUE BUCK ~ PHILLIPS

Sampled from a tin, Blue Buck is an English Pale Ale brewed in Victoria, British Columbia. The beer poured a clear coppery amber colour, with a small off white head, that lasted about a minute. The nose had lots of sweet malt caramel, with a slight earthy hop and a floral scent. The taste was very mild and lighter than I expected. The malts were present t but could have added greater sweetness and depth, and the hop presence was very unobtrusive. The mouth feel was light and creamy and the carbonation was quite pleasant. Overall I think this beer is OK, not offensive and quite meek.

5% from Victoria BC.

GYPSY TEARS RUBY ALE ~ PARALLEL 49

Sampled from a bottle. This beer pours a beautiful clear dark ruby colour with a one finger of off white head. The aroma is comprised of malty bready sweetness and some caramel, spice and red fruit notes. The beer begins with a lovely maltiness with hints of caramel, breadiness and ripe fruit. Gypsy Tears is made by adding dry West Coast hops late in the brewing process, giving it a kick. The hops add a grapefruit/pine and spice taste to the bitter finish. Overall this is a nicely balanced beer, delivering both a sweet malt and bitter hop. 

6% from Vancouver, British Columbia 40 IBU

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