July 23rd, 2010
VERNON, BC – The Globe & Mail, CTV News and the Vernon Morning Star have reported that a fermentation tank exploded yesterday afternoon at the Okanagan Spring Brewery in Vernon.
It’s speculated that a small crack in the tank combined with a build up of carbon dioxide may have caused the accident, which saw over 32 thousand litres of beer lost. The force of the explosion blew through an aluminum loading door, and much of the beer escaped into the adjoining parking lot and road where a rainstorm washed most of it into the sewers.
Aside from one minor hand injury, no one was seriously injured in the incident, which also shattered several hundred bottles inside the plant.
While the articles don’t mention the brand of beer being brewed at the time, it’s noted as being “cream beer”, so it was likely a batch of Sleeman Cream Ale which is brewed at the Okanagan Spring facility for distribution in western Canada.
Categories:Beer in the Media· Brewery News· British Columbia
July 13th, 2010
VANCOUVER, BC – Scout Magazine reports that Red Truck Brewing has released a new limited edition beer dubbed Purple Haze Blueberry Blonde Ale:
This 6% blonde ale is fermented with blueberries. Deceptive to your senses like a four day trip to Vegas, this is a light tasting but powerful beer ideal for a weekend without complex plans. It is a deep purple colour with a pinkish head and a light blueberry aroma and tartness plus a dry finish. It can be a refreshing aperitif and/or should be paired with sweet dishes and desserts.
Purple Haze is now available on draught at a number of bars and restaurants throughout Vancouver.
Categories:Beer Releases· British Columbia· Seasonal Beers
July 8th, 2010
VANCOUVER, BC – R&B Brewing are getting set to release their popular Sun God Wheat Ale in bottles for the first time:
R&B’s Sun God Wheat Ale is a North American style Kristal Weizen (a filtered wheat ale) producing a crisp, clear and refreshing beer. Significantly cleaner tasting than your typical Hefeweizen (unfiltered wheat ale), Sun God is a light-bodied wheat ale made with the highest quality Canadian wheat and 2-Row malted barley and is bittered and finished with premium German Perle hops producing a delicate cereal flavour with a hint of wheat. The perfect patio beer with or without some added citrus.
Sun God Wheat Ale will be available soon in 650 ml bottles at beer and liquor stores in BC.
Categories:Beer Releases· British Columbia
July 8th, 2010
FERNIE, BC – Fernie Brewing Co. has released two previously draught-only beers – What the Huck and Ol’ Willy Wit – in bottles, launching them last month in time for the warm summer weather:
What the Huck – Huckleberry Wheat is prized for its sweetness & deep colour, blending huckleberries with wheat to create a smooth & creamy beer with a light touch of huckleberries. While our Ol’ Willy Wit – Belgian White Ale is brewed with wheat, a distinctive Belgian yeast, a touch of coriander and Curacao orange peel, producing an unfiltered beer with a signature cloudy appearance and light and spicy citrus flavours.
Both beers are available now in 650 ml bottles at liquor stores in BC and Alberta.
Categories:Beer Releases· British Columbia
June 22nd, 2010
SURREY, BC – As first reported in February, Bear Republic Brewery of Healdsburg, California filed a lawsuit against Central City Brewing alleging that Central City’s Red Racer brand constituted trademark infringement on their Racer 5 IPA and Red Rocket Ale brands.
The original complaint was lodged in January, followed by a series of responses and motions between the two breweries in the following months. The case was reviewed by Robert B. Collings, Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court in Massachusetts, and earlier this month Judge Collings issued a ruling denying Bear Republic’s motion for an injunction against Central City.
The full ruling can be read a leagle.com, but it is summed up neatly in Judge Collings’ conclusion:
After carefully weighing the relevant factors, the Court concludes that Bear Republic has failed to show a likelihood of success in establishing that Central City’s RED RACER mark infringes the RACER 5 or RED ROCKET marks. At best, Bear Republic has presented evidence that would permit a finding of a similarity of goods, trade and advertising channels, prospective customers, as well as a finding that RACER 5 is a strong mark. The remaining factors, in particular the similarity of the marks analysis, persuade the Court that Bear Republic would not be likely to succeed on the merits of the claim. Consideration of the marks in their entirety and the way in which a typical consumer would encounter the products in the marketplace does not support a finding of likelihood of confusion.
Categories:Brewery News· British Columbia
June 8th, 2010
VANCOUVER, BC – Granville Island Brewing has brought back their seasonal Ginger Beer for another year:
This limited release is an alcoholic version of a traditional Caribbean Ginger Beer. Ginger Beer combines water, malt, hops and yeast with fresh ginger root to create a refreshing taste with the flavour and aroma of ginger and a bit of that spicy warmth you can only get from Jamaica. Enjoy Ginger Beer on its own or paired with spicy foods like Jamiacan Jerk or milder foods like sushi.
Granville Island Ginger Beer is available now in select BC Liquor stores and in the brewery’s retail store.
Categories:Beer Releases· British Columbia· Seasonal Beers
June 5th, 2010
VICTORIA, BC – Phillips Brewing have announced their plans for the summer, with several new and returning beers out now or set to appear soon.
In addition to the new Service 1904 Scottish Stone Fired Ale that we reported on previously, another recent new beer from Phillips is Big Time Kölsch, brewed for the upcoming Big Day Up and Big Time Out festivals, and available in the current edition of the Phillips Showcase sampler pack.
The next edition of the Showcase will be out in late June, and will include the winner of the first Phillips Showcase Showdown homebrew contest, Garry Giesbrecht’s Oatmeal Stout.
Returning for the summer months are Raspberry Wheat Ale (out now) and Wheatking Hefeweizen (available soon). Both will be available in bottles, as well as on tap at the brewery. And also for the warm weather, Phillips has brought back 5 litre mini-kegs of Blue Buck and Phoenix Gold.
Categories:Beer Releases· British Columbia· Seasonal Beers
June 5th, 2010
SQUAMISH, BC – Howe Sound Brewing is getting set to launch King Heffy Imperial Hefeweizen, the latest in their John Mitchell Series, named after the craft brewing pioneer and former Howe Sound brewmaster.
According to the brewery, King Heffy is a strong German Hefeweizen (7.7%) with a touch of banana and clove and a unique hop profile.
The beer is available now on tap at the Howe Sound Pub, and will be released in bottles on June 15th.
Categories:Beer Releases· British Columbia· Seasonal Beers
June 5th, 2010
KAMLOOPS, BC – Beer in BC reports that Bowen Island Brewing has launched a new beer, Bowen Island Artisan IPA.
The brewery provided the following description:
Our new “Artisan IPA” is golden amber in color and typical of an English style IPA. The BU’s are in the mid 40′s, so a little less hoppy than many North American IPAs; but with all the grapefruit and herbal aromatics that are characteristic of a true IPA. We believe our Artisan IPA delivers a balance of hoppiness and aromatics which make for a truly sessionable IPA experience.
Categories:Beer Releases· British Columbia
June 4th, 2010
SURREY, BC – Business in Vancouver reports that Surrey’s Central City Brewing has found a unique way to keep their brewing equipment and canning line in use while waiting for batches of beer to ferement: They’re starting to produce botanical teas.
Owner Darryll Frost told Business in Vancouver late Wednesday that his company plans to launch a line of botanical teas that will keep both his canning line and his workers busy while they wait for beer to ferment.
“The tea will be produced in the same vessels as our beer. We’ll do a 40 hectolitre batch of each of the three teas,” Frost said.
No word on when the first batch of Central City teas – to be sold under the Veritéa brand – will be available, or how and where they will be distributed.
Categories:Brewery News· British Columbia
