I took a month off writing, mostly to keep up with real world work, but partly as a rest and respite to review what I had done, to try and improve. We'll see how well that goes. But back in the saddle again, with several places in the list to publish reviews, and a coffee shop comparison to get on and do.
Local beers, not just for local people. Though some really should be kept on the island to avoid shaming the name of Victoria's brewing scene. And other's are up there with the best of the world brewing. The recent Great Canadian Beer Festival showed the strengths and weaknesses.
First, the weakness. I noted from the Victoria Intoxicant site that Vancouver Island Brewery was releasing a new seasonal, Iron Plow Marzen. If pushed, I'd say Marzen is my favourite long drinking beer. Amber hued, toasted, malty flavour, vague hints of hops and it drinks smooth. Not in your face, but ideally it's a lager stored (matured) for a couple of months at least to develop that refined taste. VIB's seasonal is... disappointing. It's not truly awful, but it's not a classic of the style. They've hit the colour, but the smell lacks some of the toasty malts I'd expect, and it doesn't finish well, leaving a distinctive yeast-like flavour that is reminiscent of their Piper's Pale Ale. I wonder if it was brewed using a lager yeast and let to mature (lager) a while. It certainly just doesn't have the complexity of malts I'd expect, and love from a good Marzen.
The good stuff though is coming from Lighthouse Brewery right now. I'm pretty sure both their Tasman and Switch Back ales are brewed somehow differently from Beacon and Race Rocks. Neither has a the slight (or heavy) tea-like astringency that's turned me of their regular brews. The Tasman Pale Ale is something I'd love to see on the taps in my local. Brewed using down under hops, it's got great balance that you'd expect from a good pale ale.
Switchback IPA is brewed strong (6.5%) with a lovely Northwest nose, assertive bittering, but still some of the malt left in their, so it doesn't knock you out with the hops. Just lets you know it's there and isn't going away. There's a touch of alcohol warmth backing it all, which just adds to the brew well, making it a interesting beer to drink if you want to study it. Or just a good strong IPA if you want something cold and tasty at the end of the day.
And while I'm writing up Lighthouse in glowing terms (they ain't paying me), I can also recommend the Dark Chocolate Porter. The pure cocoa gets in there and sits well with the dark chocolate malts. This adds a new bitterness from a new direction. I'm not a huge fan of chocolate beers, but this is a good one for the style. I'm also liking Lighthouse for the Szerac Saison they served at the beerfest. Fine and tasty goodness.
I seemed to have missed out this year on the Satori IPA from Driftwood, but have reports it was as good as ever. Damn.
And looking outside Vancouver Island for beer, I've been impressed by the range of imports in Hillside Liquor Store (who advertise 'Liquor Store prices'... well yes, you are a Liquor Store...). Recently I got the set of Adnams (from Suffolk, England) beers to enjoy. Gunhill is a great British Mild (serve it cold, not chilled). Only 4%, but a tasty rich mix of malts and british hops. Adnam's Explorer is a blonde beer, brewed North American style with Northwest, citrus hops, best served cold. Excellent, refreshing beer. I've got a Adnam's Broadside ready to go here as well. Much loved and drunk in my days in London.
