I was thinking of posting again on the response to, you know, the movie but Stephen Beaumont has said it perfectly: "the craft beer market and its adherents are now confident enough and mature enough to handle both reading and writing criticism of something obviously intended for their consumption."
I think I can agree with that. Craft beer has achieved that sort of place and pace in the market over a number of years that would be pretty hard to unseat. Granville Island is a good example of that solid steady success with Brockton IPA celebrating their 25th anniversary. I last had one of their beers about ten years ago due to the national retailing nuttiness in Canada that particularly limits craft beer from 3,500 km to my west from filling my glass.
Happily, the good folks at Granville Island sent a sample and I am all the richer for it. It is a 6% malty gem. But not a hop bomb. It pours a bright smoked amber under white frothy head. A pretty soft mouthful, which I always like in an IPA, with great texture: pale malt graininess, jagged but well controlled twiggy and piney bittering hops. Sultana raisin and maybe even green grape in the malt sweetness. The finish is lighter and richly smooth with a long seam of bitter that stays behind.
Plenty of BAer respect.
Comments
Libarbarian - April 21, 2009 11:55 pm
Never mind 3,500 km west, Granville stopped distributing to we thirsty neighbours in the private liquor retailing paradise of Alberta a couple years ago. But then again BC's Nelson Brewing and Tree Brewing started coming to Alberta a couple years ago, so on balance things are okay.
Troy - April 22, 2009 10:26 am
I received a box of the Brockton IPA late last week and cracked a couple on Saturday night, although it was the end of the night and I can't remember what they tasted like. I do remember liking it, but thinking it wasn't as hopped up as I thought it would be, coming from the West Coast and all. I better sit back down and taste appropriately.
rompinreggie - April 23, 2009 12:43 pm
Having the good fortune of living about 60 miles, over the Straight of Georgia and Howe Sound from The Granville Island Brewery, we have a good supply of their various efforts in private beer and wine stores, and also the LCB. Our favourite is the mixed bag(box) with 4 different products. Such a clever idea. My wife, that quaffs about 2 bottles a week, loves the selection. Once you find your favourite, 12 packs are great, especially for me. About 4 per hockey game, relaxs me, wether the Vancouver Canucks win or loose(and win they are doing). Check out their website, and have a gander at their videos. When visiting the fair city of Vancouver, don't miss the brewerie's pub. Quaint. decent food, and a fantastic selection of their beers. Tasters too, as I recall. Enjoy!
Rick Green - May 4, 2009 4:32 pm
Granville Island Brewing does not have a pub. They have a tap room (http://www.gib.ca/taproom.php) between the brewery and the retail store that normally serves four of their beers on draught -- three of their regular Kelowna brews and the current seasonal brewed there on the Island. Food consists merely of snacks, like chips & salsa and jerky.