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BEER STUFFS (May 2nd, 2013)

 

Unfortunately, I was away from the computer desk last week so Beer Stuffs: Last Week’s Edition is M.I.A.  However, I’ve attempted to rectify the situation by including last week’s new releases in this week’s edition. So let’s not waste any time shall we? 

 

 

8 Wired Rewired Brown Ale [American Brown Ale; 500ml Bottle]: Another new addition from one of my favourite New Zealand craft breweries! Due to their consistent and relatively subdued nature, Brown Ales can be overshadowed by more assertive and “in-your-face” styles, especially in the craft beer world. To combat this notion, 8 Wired have taken the American Brown Ale style and loaded it with rich dark malt flavour and balanced it with three varieties of hops. Rated 93 on Ratebeer.com!

Also check out: Anchor Brekle’s Brown, Lost Coast Downtown Brown, Rogue Hazelnut Brown, Evil Twin Wet Dream etc.

 

Cucapa Green Gard [American Barleywine; 650ml Bottle]: Opening in 2002, Cucapa was one of the first micro breweries in Mexico, and we are very lucky to receive their product here in Alberta. Green Card is one of the breweries’ most lauded creations and showcases an immensely flavourful array of plums, raisins, figs, caramel, and toffee with just enough hop character to keep everything in balance. A very high quality (and affordable!) example of the style.

Also check out: Pike Old Bawdy, Reel 10 Squared, Half Pints Burlywine, Demeter’s Harvest, Dieu Du Ciel Solstive d’Hiver etc.

 

Granville Island Ginja Ninja [Ginger Beer; 6-pack Bottles]: Brand new summer seasonal release from our friends at Granville Island Brewing!  Previously, Granville has released a Ginger Beer in a single bottle as part of their Limited Release Series. While this original beer was an ale, the Ginja Ninja is a lager so it will have a cleaner, more crisp flavour which will suit the ginger wonderfully. Spicy, fruity, and refreshing, I anticipate Ginja Ninja being one of the most popular beers of the summer. Grab it while it’s still available!

Also check out: Phillips Ginger Beer, Wychwood Ginger Beard, Hitachino Nest Ginger, Penpont Ginger etc.

 

Gulden Draak 9000 [Quadrupel; 330ml Bottle]: Undoubtedly, many of you are already familiar with the original Gulden Draak. After all, it is one of the best dark Belgian ales available and comes in a nifty and distinctly eye-catching white bottle. To accompany the original, 9000 is named after the city of Ghent and was brewed in part to celebrate Gulden Draak’s 25th birthday. Using three different types of malt at a higher volume than its predecessor, 9000 is an intensely flavourful and aromatic Belgian ale which has undergone a secondary fermentation with wine yeast for added complexity. Don’t miss it!

Also check out: Gulden Draak, St. Bernardus Abt 12, Westmalle Tripel, La Guillotine, Delerium Nocturnum, Mikkeller Monk’s Elixir etc.

 

Laughing Dog Rocketdog Rye IPA [American IPA; 650ml Bottle]: I’ve yet to try a beer I didn’t love from Idaho’s Laughing Dog, so I’m excited to see more of their product hit Alberta shelves. As the name suggests, Rocket Dog, is made with a significant portion of rye malt which typically lends a subtle sharpness and peppery spice quality to beer. Add a healthy dose of Simcoe, Columbus, and Cascade hops to the mix and you have a winning combination.

Also check out: Roguenbier, Charlevoix RyePA, Dieu du Ciel Route des Epices, Alpha Dog, Lenny’s Bittersweet RIPA etc. 

 

Laughing Dog Huckleberry Cream Ale [Fruit Beer; 6 Pack Bottles]: We actually received a few cases of this new release last week and it was gone almost immediately. One taste, and it is no mystery why it is so popular! Real huckleberries are added late in the brewing process to add a tart berry flavour which blends perfectly with the subtle malt-sweetness of the cream ale. We may have an early contender for Beer of the Summer!

Also check out: Pump House Blueberry, Alley Kat Summer Squeeze Grapefruit, Granville False Creek Raspberry, Pyramid Apricot etc.

 

Melville’s Craft Lager (Innis & Gunn): Launched by the immensely popular Innis & Gunn brand, the line of Melville’s Craft Lager aims to blend high quality lagers with 100% Scottish cold-pressed fruit including Glen Ample raspberries and Jubilee strawberries. In addition, they are also introducing a ginger beer using only the finest natural ginger. Supplies are extremely limited this week, so hurry down if you want to be one of the first to try one of these amazing craft-lagers:

Melville’s Ginger [4x275ml Bottles]

Melville’s Raspberry [4x275 Bottles]

Melville’s Strawberry [4x275ml Bottles]

 

Ribstone Creek Lager [American Pale Lager; 6-Pack Cans]: Based in the small village of Edgerton Alberta, Ribstone Creek has been causing quite a stir now that their excellent lager is available in 6-pack cans. In fact, it has been selling out at the source mere minutes after it becomes available. We were quick on the draw last week, however, and we were able to secure some flats and become the first store in Edmonton to offer this great product! Now, I can’t promise that we will still have some in stock by the time you read this, but we are working at making sure it becomes a regular sight on our shelves! Come and see what all the buzz is about. You won’t be disappointed!

Also check out: Yellowhead Lager (100.3 The Bear Anniversary Beer), Howe Sound Lager, Creemore Springs Lager, Alley Kat Charlie Flints, Tree Beach Blonde Lager etc.   

 

Tuatara Double Trouble [Imperial/Double IPA; 650ml Bottle]: Newest addition to Alberta shelves from this amazing New Zealand craft brewery! Double Trouble is a hop behemoth topping out at a staggering 167 Bittering Units. Hops added throughout the brewing process include (deep breath): an initial dose of Pacific Jade, followed by more Pacific Jade, Nelson Sauvin, Simcoe, Zythos, and then an initial dry-hop of Nelson Sauvin, and then Simcoe and Zythos for a second dry-hop.  Hopheads rejoice! This will likely make your head explode.

Also check out: 8 Wired Superconductor, Evil Twin Molotov Cocktail, Paddock Wood Loki, L’Interdite, Tree Hophead Double IPA etc. 

 

Xingu Black [Schwarzbier; 355ml Bottle]: Finally a beer available in Alberta from Brazil! A schwarzbier is a traditional German style dark beer that is relatively light and refreshing without the strong roasted bitterness found in a stout. Named for the river in the Amazon Rainforest, Xingu Black from Cervajaria Sul Brasileira typifies the style perfectly.  Flavourful yet light and easy to drink, Xingu Black is a very welcome addition to our Dark Lager shelf.  

Also check out: Asahi Black, Paddock Wood Black Cat, Krombacher Dark, Okanagan Springs Black Lager, Guinness Black etc.  

In addition to the brand new product, we’ve also seen some exciting restocks and seasonals including:

 

Hogshead Baby Back Hops (now in 6-pack Bottles!)

Howe Sound King Heffy

Innis & Gunn Scottish Pale Ale

Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot

 

On top of all this, we are receiving around 15 pallets of general restocks, so I guarantee we’ll have something you’re looking for. Cheers!

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May 9th, 2013

Wow! After seeing what a busy weekend we had last week, it’s clear that summer is almost upon us. To replenish our shelves we are getting upwards to 20 pallets worth of product this week, so there will be the usual immense selection to peruse. In addition to all the regular favourites, we going to see some exciting new releases hit the shelves, so let’s get to it!

 

Ommegang Iron Throne [Belgian Pale Ale; 750ml Bottle]: Over the past couple of months, there has been plenty of buzz surrounding this one, and now the wait is finally over! Iron Throne is the first beer in a collaborative series between HBO and Cooperstown’s Ommegang based on the massively popular television/book series Game of Thrones. Ommegang are renowned for their world-class Belgian style ales, including Three Philosophers and Hennepin, and Iron Throne is certainly right up there with them. A Belgian Pale Ale, Iron Throne showcases a variety of malts (pils, honey, red wheat etc.) as well as noble hops (Styrian Golding, Hallertau Spalter Select). To top it off, it is spiced with grains of paradise and lemon peel. Needless to say, this is an extremely limited release and many have already been committed, so hurry down!

Also check out: Ommegang BPA, La Chouffe, Duvel, Orval, Rare Vos, Cuvee De Ranke, Petrus Blonde etc.

 

Alley Kat Jade Dragon [Double IPA; 650ml Bottle]: The highly anticipated new addition to Alley Kat’s immensely popular Dragon series! This time around, Jade is single-hopped with Citra hops which give the beer a refreshing burst of tropical fruit and citrus flavour. In my experience, Citra tends to be the most popular of single-hop IPAs, so I’m sure we’ll rip through our stock of Jade pretty quickly. Make sure you pick some up before the weekend.

Also check out: De Molen Citra, Mikkeller Single Hop Series, Alpha Dog, Loki, Elevator Imperial IPA, Amnesiac Double IPA etc.

 

Flying Monkeys Matador Imperial IPA [Double IPA; 750 ml Bottle]: Those who have been keeping up with the new product entering the province lately are well aware that there has been an abundance of Double IPAs (I’m certainly not complaining!). Flying Monkeys from Ontario, however, have certainly made this special limited edition stand out from the crowd. Aged on Spanish cedar, Matador has all the immense flavour you’d expect from a great Double IPA but with a whole new dimension. This is extremely limited and has already been receiving some great reviews, so don’t sleep!

Also check out: Haand Norwegian Wood, Molotov Cocktail, Big Rock Erratic, Brewdog AB:10 etc, Mad Tom Double IPA etc. 

 

Half Pints Pothole Porter [Baltic Porter; 650 ml Bottle]: Wow! I was very pleasantly surprised to see this one become available this week! Brewed by Winnipeg’s Half Pints in celebration of “pothole season”, Pothole Porter is a fantastic Baltic Porter with notes of chocolate, smoke, dark fruits, coffee and a myriad of other dark malt flavours. Limited? Yes, of course it is. Rated a 97 on ratebeer.com!

Also check out: Sherbrooke’s Ragutiene, LTM Baltic Porter, Mikkeller Porter, Deschutes Black Butte, Brewdog Alice Porter etc.   

 

Howe Sound Super Jupiter Grapefruit [American IPA; 1000ml Bottle]: The season is certainly switching into high gear for Howe Sound. First, they introduced their Dortmunder style lager in 6-pack cans, then two seasonals King Heffy and 4 Way Fruit Ale arrived, and now their Grapefruit IPA is hitting Alberta shelves! Super Jupiter is made using real grapefruit and dry grapefruit peel which combine with the citrusy hop profile to create an incredibly refreshing take on the always popular IPA style. Our first batch already sold out over the weekend so this is sure to be a popular one once it’s restocked!

Also check out: Rogue Yellow Snow, Alley Kat Summer Squeeze Grapefruit, Laughing Dog IPA, Propeller Pale Ale etc.

 

Sound Brewery Humulo Nimbus [Double IPA; 650ml Bottles]: Yet another amazing American craft brewery graces Alberta shelves! This time, we’re happy to introduce three new products from the Poulsbo Washington based Sound Brewery. First off is the Humulo Nimbus, an extremely flavourful and balanced IPA with huge West coast hop flavours kept in check with a clean caramel malt backbone. Rated 96 on ratebeer.com!

Also check out: Molotov Cocktail, Lenny’s RIPA, Garrison Imperial IPA, Alpha Dog, De Molen Lentehop etc.

 

Sound Brewery Monk’s Indescretion [Belgian Strong Pale Ale; 650ml]: The second new offering from Sound is a magnificent Belgian Strong Pale teetering on the edge of a Belgian IPA with a pronounced tropical fruity hop character melded with the flavourful esters produced by the Belgian yeast strain. Rated “Exceptional” by beeradvocate.com and given a score of 97 on ratebeer.com!

Also check out: Duvel, Delerium Tremens, Moinette Blonde, Pere Noel, La Chouffe etc.

 

Sound Brewery Ursus Spelaeus [Russian Imperial Stout; 650ml]: Last, but certainly not least, comes Ursus Spelaeus a rich and robust Imperial stout with an enticing array dark malt flavours. Using a Belgian strain of yeast however, Sound has provided Ursus Spelaeus with even more complexity including spicy esters and notes of dark fruit.

Also check out: Paddock Wood 1000 Monkeys, Gudelos, Rasputin, Brooklyn Black Ops, Courage Imperial Stout etc. 

 

Nelson Brewing Company Full Nelson [Double IPA; 650ml]: The newest addition to Nelson’s line of excellent organically produced ales! Loaded with only the finest in organic malt and hops, Full Nelson possesses all the qualities you would expect from an excellent Imperial India Pale Ale. Huge earthy floral and citrus notes are complemented by a strong yet delicate malt presence. Like the other ales produced by Nelson Brewing Company (Blackheart, After Dark, Paddywhack etc.), this sure to fly off the shelves.

Also check out: Alley Kat Jade Dragon, Epic Armageddon, Indica, Paddywhack, Granville Imperial IPA etc.

 

Cheers!

May 16, 2013

 

Big Rock Rosmarinus Aromatic Ale [Spiced/Herb Beer; 6-pack bottles]: Big Rock’s Brewmasters Edition program allows brewmaster Paul Gautreau to spread his wings a little bit and experiment with an array different flavours. As a result, these limited edition offerings are often some of the best in Big Rock s extensive line-up, and Rosmarinus is no exception. A classic Pale Ale with the addition of rosemary, Rosmarinus starts with a pleasant malt sweetness followed by a delicate and refreshing herbal, spicy finish. Aromatic, unique and delicious!

Also check out: Penpont Ginger Beer, Dieu du Ciel Route des Epices, Madison River Salmon Fly Honey Ale, Granville Ginja Ninja etc.

 

Bone Beer Lager [Pale Lager; 6-pack cans]: Straight from BC s Bone Enterprises Inc. comes  Canada s very first beer by outdoorsman, for outdoorsman ! Indeed, Bone Enterprises are giving 5% of the proceeds from Bone Beer are going towards wildlife enhancement in areas where Bone Beer is sold. So, come on down and pick up  a clean, crisp, good old fashioned lager and help support a good cause!

Also check out: Alley Kat Species at Risk Amber Ale, Howe Sound Lager, Kohler Lager, Tree Brewing Beach Blonde Lager etc.

 

Granville Island Cloak and Dagger [Cascadian Dark Ale; 650ml Bottle]: Granville Island have just released their 2013 version of their Cascadian Dark Ale into Alberta, and it is fantastic! Dark, toasted malt flavours are blended perfectly with an abundance of Northwest hops to create a sweet, roasted, piney, and citrusy character. It s been a few months since we’ve seen a really good new Black IPA hit the Alberta market, but thankfully, Cloak and Dagger fit s the bill perfectly!

Also check out: Granville Island Imperial IPA, Phillips Cabin Fever, Haand Sundland Kreosot, Mikkeller Sort Gul Black IPA etc.  

 

Grimbergen Double Ambree [Dubbel; 6-pack Bottles]: A brand new Dubbel style ale  from this excellent group of Belgian abbey beers! Dubbels are very rich and complex yet still an accessible style of Belgian ale which often features an array of chocolate and toasted malt flavours accented by dark fruit esters. Undergoing two fermentations and exhibiting rich, malty flavours with subtle notes of spice and fruit, Grimbergen Double Ambree is a prime example of the style, and we are lucky to see it hit Alberta shelves!

Also check out: Chimay Red, St. Bernardus Prior 8, Affligem Dubbel, Rochefort 6, Achel Bruin etc.

 

Innis and Gunn Canadian Cherrywood Finish [Scotch Ale; 330ml Bottle]: In my opinion, our Scottish friends at Innis and Gunn have saved some of their best beer for their extremely limited Canada Day editions. All things considered, Canadian Cherrywood Finish exceeds these already high expectations! Aged over Bourbon-infused Canadian Black Cherrywood and then finished with maple syrup, the Canadian Cherrywood exhibits an array of fruits, caramel, toffee, and of course maple! Rich, flavourful, and complex, Innis & Gunn are going to have another winner on their hands with this one!

Also check out: Innis & Gunn (Original, Irish Whiskey Cask, Rum Finish, Scottish Pale Ale, Winter Treacle). Traquair House Ale, Pump House Scotch Ale, Cannery Maple Stout, Fernie Sap Sucker etc. 

 

Townsite Powtown Porter [American Porter; 650ml Bottle]: We are very excited to announce the arrival of yet another quality British Columbia craft brewer into Alberta: Powell River s Townsite Brewery! Powtown is a big, roasted and  chocolatey, Porter with notes of coffee, nuts, and a variety of other dark malt flavours!

Also check out: Fullers London Porter, Paddock Wood London Porter, Moor Amoor, Moor Old Freddy Walker, Mill St. Coffee Porter etc.

 

Townsite Tinhat IPA [American IPA; 650ml Bottle]: The second new addition to our cooler form Townsite! Tinhat is an extremely flavourful West Coast style IPA so you can expect loads of pine and citrus-like notes followed by the classic lingering bitterness. At a relatively small 55 IBUs however, Tinhat is still an excellent choice for newbies looking to venture into the wonderful world of American style India Pale Ales.

Also check out: Half Pints Little Scrapper, Fort Garry Portage and Main, Cannery IPA, Howe Sound Devil s Elbow etc.

 

Townsite Yogn 82 [Tripel; 650ml Bottle]: Yogne 82 is part of a limited edition series of Belgian-style started by Townsite s head brewer (himself a Belgian). With floral, citrus, and hints of spice, Yogn 82 is an extremely tasty and complex beer which hides incredibly well behind the daunting 9% ABV.  An amazingly well done take on this notoriously difficult style!

Also check out: St. Bernardus Tripel, Reel Monkfish, Brother David s Tripel, Mikkeler Belgian Tripel, Westmalle Tripel etc.

 

Townsite Zunga [American Blonde Ale; 650ml Bottle]: Last but not least comes Zunga, a very sessionable, refreshing, and mildly hopped Blonde Ale using fine noble hops. Light and grainy with a delicate hint of fruit, Zunga is perfect for the warm summer weather!

Also check out: Old Yale Chilliwack Blonde, Griffon Extra Pale, Mill Street Stock Ale, Phillips Blue Buck, St. Ambroise Pale Ale etc. 

 

Tree Brewing Mellow Moon Pineapple Hefeweizen [Fruit Beer; 6-pack Bottles]: Another high quality Fruit Ale hit s the shelves just in time for the long weekend! With Mellow Moon, Kelowna s Tree Brewing have created a perfect seasonal ale, combining delicate spice and clove-like qualities of a world class German wheat ale with the refreshing aroma and flavour of juicy pineapple. Fresh tropical fruits and spice give way to a subtlety dry finish making Mellow Moon a perfect and unique patio beer. Come pick some up before the long weekend!

Also check out: Okanagan Springs Summer Weizen, Laughing Dog Huckleberry Cream Ale, Alley Kat Summer Squeeze Grapefruit Ale etc.

 

Also, don't forget that we have received another limited supply of Deschutes Hop Henge. This is one of the best Double IPAs on the planet in my opinion and it has arrived just in time to celebrate American Craft Beer Week. Need I say more?

 

Cheers!