Wine Man: Brewing sudsy delights in Victoria

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A latest journey via the capital metropolis revealed some actual sudsy delights. It additionally reminded us that it had been too lengthy since a correct touring of the tasting rooms of Victoria.

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This week’s picks on no account seize the whole thing of the thrilling Victoria beer scene, however the trio showcases the breadth and variety of the scrumptious creativity brewing whereas highlighting a couple of new tasting rooms. 

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Île Sauvage Brewing Co. Lunar Lager Beer

(from $13.91 for six-355mL cans, out there on the brewery and native non-public liquor shops)

Île Sauvage is not a brand new child on the Victoria brewery block, however since their opening on the finish of 2018 this Rock Bay brewery has constantly impressed. Because the identify suggests, the brewery is finest identified for wild and bitter beers made with advanced fermentations. However don’t overlook the lager. True to type, other than a cheeky identify and sort therapy, the brewery’s Lunar Lager isn’t any fundamental beer. Pouring a deep golden, because of a “particular new lager yeast,” it initially wows with surprising tropical fruit aromas of guava and fervour fruit, with a contemporary and fruity general stance earlier than a crisp end.

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Backside line: A-, Distinctive lager.

Herald St. Brew Works Authentic Dankster IPA

($5.50 for 473mL can, out there on the brewery)

On the fringe of Victoria’s Chinatown, Herald St. Brew Works payments itself as “New beer in previous city.” The spacious tasting room is heat and alluring, providing an ideal spot for a pint and respite, and properly capturing the brewery’s basic and genuine ethos is their new launch Authentic Dankster IPA. It’s an ideal identify befitting a real faculty West Coast IPA; there may be nothing shy concerning the pine meets citrus and forest flooring, hoppy depth of this wealthy and bawdy ale. Sure it’s “dank” as marketed, and wholly able to conjuring craft beer nostalgia — earlier than a lingering bitter chew.

Backside line: A-, Pair with fish tacos

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Whistle Buoy Brewing Co. Wild Cherry Combined Fermentation Ale

($8.70 for 375mL bottle, out there on the brewery)

Downtown Victoria’s iconic Market Sq. has acquired a energetic raise because of Whistle Buoy. The small brewery’s tasting room spills immediately onto the courtyard, offering an ideal pit cease whereas exploring the town. The brewery shouldn’t be afraid of experimentation, and options each Barbie and Ken-inspired ales — a pink-coloured strawberry bitter and orange-tangerine wit, naturally. However within the to-go fridge are bottles of Wild Cherry, the brewery’s first blended ferment wild ale. It’s seen 9 months getting older in ex-wine barrels adopted by the addition of 160 kilos of native, carbonic macerated cherries. Anticipate juicy deliciousness and fascinating, nutty nuance and texture.

Backside line: A-, Sip and savour.

The Swirl: Nice Canadian Beer Pageant

The good Canadian Beer Pageant returns for its twenty ninth incarnation Sept. 8 and 9 at Royal Athletic Park, 1014 Caledonia Ave, Victoria. For 2023, Canada’s oldest beer pageant options greater than 90 craft breweries from throughout Canada together with native ciders, meals vans, music, and video games. Single day tickets are $45, plus taxes and costs, and include a tasting cup and 10 drink tokens, whereas a weekend move runs $80, plus taxes and costs. For full particulars and lineup head to victoriabeersociety.com/gcbf/. 

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