Magazine of the Campaign for Real Ale British Columbia
Volume 20 No 1
Jan - Feb 2010
CAMRA BC: 25 years a potted History It was born in the summer of 1985, at a meeting of CAMRA Canada’s Vancouver Chapter at the Rowing Club in Stanley Park. That day was special from the start for me, travelling as I was from Victoria to attend my first CAMRA meeting with people I had only met previously via mail. The folded-paper-in-an-envelope kind that you stuck a stamp on and dropped into a mail box. There was a sporadic newsletter from Ottawa back then, but it never mentioned B.C. and we never met any of the members from back east, or from anywhere else in Canada for that matter. On the face of it, the gathering looked like a fairly ordinary sort of thing: beardy guys with OldCountry accents, swarthy Canadians of the rugged coastal build, no-nonsense women that laughed a lot and had mischievous eyes (that could have been the effect of the beer). The first person to speak after I arrived (I was late) was discussing a letter from ‘head-office’ which came in reply to a plea for funds to set up a beer festival in B.C. He was disappointed to report that the membership fees paid to CAMRA Canada from British Columbians (incidentally, a whopping $25 ... almost the same as they are now) were not available to the chapters; we had to do our own fundraising to finance local events. This was a disappointment to all of us, but to me especially as I had a vested interest in Inside: ‘trading up’ to a proper Out & About 6 beer festival. For several years then I had organized Froth: Book Review 8 ‘The Great Western Beer Real Ale as Saviour 9 Festival’ in Victoria; an extravaganza that mixed Ullage & Spillage 10 homebrewers with beersausage sandwiches and Calendar 12 home brew. Exactly. But What’s Brewing
while the speaker moved on to other things and I poured beer onto my disappointment, a voice at the back (how come those voices always come from the back?) piped up loud and angry. “I am sick and tired of sending money across those mountains and getting nothing in return!” he shouted. I should paint a little context here; those were the days when Canada’s love affair with Brian Mulrooney hit the rocks. We didn’t like Central Canada and they didn’t know who we were. “I vote we tell those *******s to **** off and keep our money here!” Chorus of assent, chinking of glasses and there you have it: a unilateral declaration of independance that gave birth to CAMRA BC and a rush to the bar for refills. The new arrival was greeted with all the warmth and excitement of an adopted child. Except for the unneccesarily enthusiastic consumption of beer (which was for the most part crap, by the way - there was no craft beer in those days except for on-premise at the fabled Troller in Horseshoe cont. page 11 ...
We sincerely thank our valued Corporate Members. To join these professional beer lovers, (and first-time members get a free 1/4 page ad!) Contact CAMRA BC today: 250 388 9769 or camrabc@shaw.ca Amber Jack’s Taphouse Askims Beer & Wine Emporium Ltd Bartholemew’s Bar and Rockefeller Grill Bedford Brewing Company Beer Thirst Brew Brothers Brewery Ltd. Brewery Creek Cold Beer & Wine Canada Malting Company Canoe Brewpub, Marina & Restaurant Central City Brewpub Christie’s Carriage House Pub Cox Land Surveying Inc. Crannog Ales Dan’s Homebrew Supplies Darby’s Pub and Liquor Store Dead Frog Brewery Dipsophilia Dix BBQ and Brewpub Driftwood Brewery Eagle Draft Services Ecolab Firefly Fine Wines and Ales Fort Cafe Four Mile House Granville Island Brewing Haebler Construction Hobby Beers & Wines HopUnion L.L.C. Howe Sound Brewing Co. Island Brew Byou Jake’s Steakhouse Libations Wine & Beer Lighthouse Brewing Co. © tbpl
What’s Brewing deadline March - April issue: February 19, 2010
What’s Brewing 2817 Colquitz Ave. Victoria BC V9A 2L9 Phone 250 388-9769 E-mail camrabc@shaw.ca Web site http://members.shaw.ca/camrabc
Page 2
Longwood Brewpub Maple Leaf Adventures Merecroft Village Pub Merridale Ciderworks Corp. Mt. Begbie Brewing Company Mission Springs Brewpub Moonrakers Pub Mousetrap Web Development Phillips Brewing Co. Ltd. R & B Brewing Salt Spring Island Ales Savoury Chef Foods Ltd. Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse Sherbrooke Liquor Store Silver Chalice Pub Six Mile Pub Spinnakers Brew Pub St. Augustine’s Steamworks Brewery and Restaurant Storm Brewing Ltd. Swans Hotel & Brew Pub The Alibi Room The Irish Heather The Whip Restaurant The Wolf and Hound Truecask.com Two Rivers Specialty Meats Uli’s Restaurant Vancouver Island Brewing Co Vancouver Morrismen Viti Wine and Lagers West Coast Brew Shop (2009) Ltd.
CAMRA BC: to join discussion group send request to: CAMRA_BC_Discussion-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to post a message to the list, send to: CAMRA_BC_Discussion@yahoogroups.com CAMRA Victoria: http://www.camra.ca CAMRA Vancouver: http://www.camravancouver.ca
What’s Brewing
Our Silver Anniversary ... ... has me, frankly, astounded. There have been countries shorter-lived. I have a calculator on my desktop that I just used to work out how much I have spent on beer over that golden era: figuring it at a modest pint-a-day at today’s price -- I’m using $6 --I have dropped $54,750. Quite a lot really. (I know those of you who knew me in my youth are laughing at the one-pint thing, but my wife reads this). Now you know why barkeeps smile at you even when you are spouting utter rubbish
Fall in Victoria by Roy Leeson CAMRA Victoria enjoyed a busy fall season. Many CAMRA members, including some from Vancouver, volunteered at the alwaysenjoyable Great Canadian Beer Festival in September. At the GCBF, CAMRA Victoria was pleased to present a plaque to Frank Appleton honouring his many years working with craft brewing in B.C. Our first fall meeting was a tour of Lighthouse Brewing in Esquimalt on Oct. 8. The tour and tasting was very well attended. During the brewery tour, members had a look at Lighthouse’s grain loft and their new bottling line. On Saturday, Oct. 17 there was a mini-cask event with Swans and Spinnakers serving up cask ales which more than 20 of us in attended. Thanks to Malcolm Crerar for organizing that afternoon drop-in. On Nov. 10, about 30 members braved the first monsoon of the fall to visit Crossroads Bar and Grill in Colwood. We were very impressed with the line-up of draught beers. Crossroads has 17 taps of which 15 are craft beers from the Victoria region and the Gulf Islands. Owner Mike Spence explained that serving quality local beer and food was their priority. He also mentioned that they would be hosting their second annual Craft Beer Experience on Jan. 9, 2010. Spinnakers hosted its second cask festival What’s Brewing
and annoying everyone with your encyclopedic knowledge of Clayquot Sound molluscs. Seriously, though, it’s a great achievement. I sound like my dad these days when I go on about ‘how it was back then ...’ but British Columbia was not the beer emporium it is now; there were basically two types of beer: take it, or leave it. Those who are glad for the change have CAMRA BC, the GCBF, pioneers like John Mitchell and Frank Appleton and, especially, our craft brewers to thank.
of the year on Nov. 21 and it was well-attended like the first event in March. There were 16 casks on hand, including 12 from the Lower Mainland and Oregon, with an emphasis on big beers, undoubtedly due to the time of year. By my count there were five winter ales, four stouts and porters, three IPAs, and two Belgians. Thanks to Spinnakers’ Paul Hadfield and Dustin Sepkowski for organizing this great event. Also in November was Canoe’s launch of their fine Winter Gale – strong ale. The ale and appetizers
Page 3
Saville’s travels – From the Beer Side by Gary Saville It was a typical West Coast day when Carie & I set out on our long-awaited and long-planned 18-month RV trip of North America and Mexico. As I sat on the ferry looking out at the heavy, grey skies and light drizzle, I started thinking of the huge variety of beers, microbreweries and pubs that awaited me. What a thought! I wondered how many tastings and visits to breweries I could get away with since Carie does not drink beer. However, she knows my love for the brew and she surely would not deny me as long as I found her lots of cider and good wine.
Since we had to be in San Dimas, California a week later, I knew I would not be doing much sampling in Washington State or Oregon. Our first night’s stop was in Portland to see old friends. No breweries were visited but I did get to a great liquor store that had every possible beer on the planet. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of it. Stocked up on some good import beer and wine, we headed back to the rig for the night. The 5th day saw us heading to Fort Bragg as I wanted to check out the Northcoast Brewing Company, having heard that good beer flows from this brewery and also that it has a good restaurant.The brewery Page 4
was established in 1988 and is rated one of the top 10 breweries in the world by the Beverage Testing Institute. My first beer was a Copper-Red pale ale, which was full bodied and generously hopped for a long, spicy finish. (6 gold and 2 silver medals). After a nice dinner I tried the Old Rasputin Russian imperial stout. This was a rich, intense brew with a robust palate and a warm finish (8 medals). Northwest has 10 beers currently brewing and it was well worth the visit. While in San Dimas I found a great little wine shop which was hosting a beer tasting that coming weekend. I booked my spot paid my $11.00 and trotted down on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Beers from: Dale Bros. Brewery California black beer - American style dark lager at 4.5% reminiscent of stouts or other full bodied dark ales $4.99/22 oz. bottle. Pomona Queen - American amber lager at 5.5% with five hops is their flagship beer brewed in the style of California common beer, the only beer style to originate from the great state of California. $4.99/22 oz. bottle. Winter Haze - Doubly common beer at 6.5%. This seasonal favourite is doubly common because they use more of the same ingredients as the California common beer! $5.99/22 oz. Bottle. Dale Bros. Brewery is new to California/San Dimas and did not have its own brewery. When I talked to the owner, I was told that they were brewing out of a competitor’s premises. How’s that for co-operation between brewers? Despite this, they were producing excellent beer. Stone Brewing Arrogant Bastard - American strong ale at7%. This is a catch-all style and an aggressive beer $4.99/22 oz. bottle. Chimay - Premier “trappistes” red label ale - authentic Trappist beer $8.99/25 oz. bottle. Did you know only six beers in Belgium carry the appellation ‘Trappist?’ All of the above beers were excellent quality. The tasting attracted an interesting crowd and it was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon; “fresh & local” to quote Scottie. What’s Brewing
area:
Other beers tried while in the San Dimas
Fat Tire amber ale - $2.79 /22 oz. bottle described as perfectly hopped and balanced with toasty biscuit-like malt flavours 5.2% Maximus IPA -$2.49 /22oz. bottle - full bodied, very hoppy with nectar flavours (Roy would like this one). Sam Adams amber ale - Very hoppy, bitter aftertaste. Pete’s Wicked ale - Exceptionally smooth, ruby brown ale with distinctive malt and aromatic brewer’s guild hops. So far, so good. Selection of beers here is amazing and cheap. Next time: more on California watering holes.
Jack IPA. Check out their website: www.firestonewalker.com. The second pint with dinner was a Stone Brewing IPA, a very pleasant IPA with good flavour and smooth, hoppy finish. This is a great spot for happy hour and we will return.
SAVILLE’S TRAVELS - PART TWO Well, we are into late November and hanging out in the Palm Springs, California area. Weather is sunny and warm, hovering around the high seventies Farenheit which is great beer-drinking weather. Would you believe that Karl Strauss brewing has a brewpub and restaurant at Universal Studios ... you can sit upstairs on the balcony and look down at the masses while sipping a cold pint of whatever. We did lunch and a beer which was an American pale ale, tasty and refreshing but nothing special about it. I was curious about the Beer Hunter Sports Pub and Grille in La Quinta, so dropped in one afternoon after shopping to wet the whistle. This pub boasts 158 varieties of bottled beer, four ciders, 28 draft beers and 57 TVs. The TVs were a little off-putting but we could not leave before sampling a Firestone Walker Double Barrel ale. This was a nice-tasting ale with lots of flavour and just the right temperature. Alas, the place was dark and the TVs were getting to us after one pint so we skipped back out into the sunshine. The following week we met friends at the Cliffhouse bar in La Quinta for happy hour; pints at $3 and wine at $5 with excellent food half price. I had a Firestone pale ale to start, which is similar to fat tire ale, I thought. This brewery makes three pale ales: Double Barrel, California and Union What’s Brewing
So to Arizona. After a dusty visit to Tombstone with a gunfight or two under our belts, we entered the Crystal Palace Saloon ready to down a couple of pints. I liked the sound of the Kilt Lifter Scottish ale 4 Peaks Brewing. This is an award-winning flagship ale with a nice amber colour, malty sweet with notes of smokiness in the tradition of great strong ales of Scotland with 6% ABV. A second pint was in order and seemed even smoother than the first. This brewery operates out of Tempe, Arizona. Someone at our RV resort told us about this watering hole that we had to visit just east of Parker, so we set out one Sunday and found the turnoff. Eight kilometres of dirt road only a 4X4 could traverse, (luckily our truck qualifies) led us to the Nellie B. Saloon. The day was hot and dusty again and we were ready for a good pint of ale. We pulled into the parking lot and the place was packed with 4-wheelers out for the day. A rock band was playing outside and hot dogs and burgers Page 5
Out & About with Scottie on Memory Lane For me, I grew up in the military life and beer at the mess was the first thing I knew existed. In the military world there was always some do, function, event or another, and the men drinking beer. As kids we wanted to emulate the men: the men drank … it had to be cool. Beer has been with me ever since in one way or another; to this very day we meet here; beer is still top of the agenda in my life. It’s true I’m always on about the old days of beer; for me they were part of my fabric, whatever was on to the go in whatever country; beer was always hand in hand; with me in my side bag, drinking in locals, wherever; just vagabonding; beer hunting before we knew we were. My travels have always had beer right in the middle. Beer memories just rush back … so many. Early in the 1970s all Canadian beer expectation was the same. We’d go places in Ontario just because, uniquely, they served quarts. Nothing different in the beer, just the package. It was desperate but it was some type of change. Phelpston Hotel, Ontario, in a hamlet … it was different. We went there, that was our limited power of the times in making any statement on beer, always looking for something different in beer, from what we had in Canada, all the same nationally. Let’s get out, let’s find beer and get on the road to Canada’s beer revolution. Enough was enough. I remember to this day, 1966 TV ads from New York State for Lowenbrau. The ads showed you a life of the hoi poloi drinking long-necked bottles of lager from Germany. I knew I wanted some taste of that beer and lifestyle as soon as I could. Shortly after we were tripping to Niagara Falls and Buffalo just for a change in beer and beer everything. Image, display, choice … all of it; Page 6
bring it on. It powered and drove our imagination and interest sky high. In the early Canadian tap rooms you were considered drinking premium to be seen drinking stubby bottles rather than the tap stuff; a sophisticate. Truth be known there was no difference, but again you had no other avenue or choice. The beer aficionado population was simmering underground waiting to revolt. We saw the ads on US television … there was other beer out there. The first beer I had in Europe in 1972 was standing up at Copenhagen central station at a small beer kiosk on a marble floor: a cold, refreshing green bottle of Tuborg. Then, quickly, another. In my Canada of the time it was verboten to have a beer outside, period. I just moved forward to the first supermarket I could find to look at the beer selection. Superb. Fill up the side bag full of beers and go walking through Copenhagen. Checking taverns where the people went, smoky, dark tobacco-stained cafes, with pilsner, ales and lots of dark beers in Denmark. My whole beer world had just changed. I got involved with the things going on. In the Hippie quarter I drank beer in an exmilitary bunker, Electric Ladyland in name, ended up at European battle of the bands in the military halls, everyone enjoying free flowing beers from long neck green bottles. It felt revolutionary from where I’d just come. Everything evolved daily in Europe from that day onward. I sat by a tree near an ancient cobblestone bridge where Hans Christian Andersen walked and chilled out with beautiful, malty, green bottles of crisp, flavourful lagers: Elephant, Carlsberg, Tuborg, and more. I bought bottles of dark malt ales … first time ever in my Canadian beermonopolized life. Copenhagen. Alive. I’m alive. What taste adventure. Eating sausage on a bun with mustard and beers was common everywhere. It had been so for centuries. Every conceivable style of sausage you could imagine. Kiosks at stations, on the streets, in alcoves, anywhere they could fit one you could get a beer and a sausage. Simple thing, but in those days everything was beer wonderment. It didn’t take long to keep my yap closed about Canadian Beer, when folk got into conWhat’s Brewing
versations about beer; as we travelling beer vagabonds are known to do. I drank, and shared my side bag full of Carlsbergs, Tuborgs, on the ferry to Germany; with two German students who befriended me and took me to Darmstad, West Germany (1972) wherein would be my introduction to all things beer in the Fatherland. Land of Gasthofs, beer cellars, brewery tap rooms and
beer delivered to your front step like milk. Hello! I was mentally astounded in their co-op housing with the communal honour system for their taking beers from the fridge. The first beers I drank in Germany came from that fridge. 500ml dark green and brown bottles of local-brewed lager. It’s true of that statement, “I could have died and gone to beer heaven,” … the dramatic different taste explosion, way hoppier than Denmark. Two countries so close yet so far away in many beer aspects; almost intentionally brewed as to be defined by their style in a way. You just knew. This only gets better. Beer vagabonds just kick around looking to see what they can find. When again we speak of beer outside in the public eye shared with sausage, think no farther than Germany. Beer in half-litre clay steins with the brewery brand on them served seemingly anywhere you went. German meals were all home-cooked, written daily on chalk boards and served and savoured by local citizens. Beer was always part of the scenario. On this trip was my awakening to the German traditional alcoholic cider, in litres. Fresh, local apples fermented to a time honoured tradition. It seemed the world just kept expanding. What’s Brewing
In later beer sojourns I’d end up in Bavaria sampling beers, meals and tap rooms on every corner of the street. Drinking in the Golden Goose taproom in Frieberg was an eye opener. Visiting the real Octoberfest in Munich, the local beer and sausage fests in Nurnberg, their local microbrewery with hops for the beer grown right there on the building. Wonderful. Augsberg, Regensberg, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Cologne, Heidelberg, the list goes on. It can never end in such a land of beer. I first discovered ancient metal beer signs, and cavernous cellars serving beer for centuries. Every name and place becomes a more specific story in a story. My Oktoberfest experience was to try and get around to the different brewery tents and I managed a good number, all beers sold only in litres. I took the train ride home to Mittenwald, on the Austrian frontier and spent the night carrying on after a two-hour nap heading down on the train. Germany thank you for your beer, food and traditions. I even drank beer in a monastery with the monks in Augsberg. One of my beer experience flashback stories from this same 1972 knockabout; is about drinking beer outside at 4 am near Gare du l’Est, Paris, with regulars; I felt the hippest of hip. How cool was that. It was about just being there at the time. No beer understanding; street school 101. Nothing mattered more, no place to stay; no where to be; keep the beer flowing; we’ll drink all night. Lots of the French beer was pilsner before their beer revolution and revival in the 80s. Belgian beer found a huge place in the sophisticated beer markets of the tourist cafes in major cities. France has always had strong beer history, in recent decades taking front and centre again in our world beer revival. Years later, after gaining much beer knowledge, I’d find that Paris (mid 70s) had caves of beer beneath the streets near the Marais neighbourhood. In the 80s I discovered L’ Acadmie de la Bierre, where they kept six to eight taps of the smallest French and Dutch micros and hundreds of beers in bottles. On one of my trips I interviewed the first French microbrewery in Paris for What’s Brewing decades ago. They began their movement in the industry and brought back all French-ingredient Page 7
brewing of historical styles. I found in years past Café Montparnasse for hanging out watching life and first discovering Belgian beer, Café Goblens, and Relaxbourg … all covered in What’s Brewing of old. Plus numerous assorted neighbourhood taverns that served some good French micros in the 80s. In the cafes of Paris early on I saw people drink beer for breakfast at 7 a.m. with toast and a hard egg. People looked cool with their beers; being seen and making a statement. Chic. France has seen the beer resurgence in years past. Favourite beer drinking spots on the French Riviera for me were Café la New York, Marseilles, drinking fine Belgians; also a workers’ bar in Marseilles that served a beer called Comet. In Nice, beer drinking shared spots with supermarket wine selections but daytime activities usually included buying beer and sitting on sea front. Turquoise water, interesting people; old historic seafront architecture, strong French lagers in 750 ml bottles. Cheese, baguette. Nice. I enjoyed many a fine lager at ski slopes of the French, Swiss and Italian alps; sitting in the sun, amazing scenery around … one more please. Chamonix on the top of France especially for some good beer afternoons. On the 1972 trip I was trying to hitchhike in Germany after leaving the co-op but didn’t get more than 10 km past Darmstadt, and realized I was too freaky looking to pick up, trains as transportation came shortly after. An America GI gave me my only ride; mentioned to me the Olympics coming up in Munich, but it never happened. Somehow I ended up walking off the Autobahn … off into the hills following a country road up a tree-lined hill to a small brewery where I stayed for a few days. I found one choice of home-cooked meal, and one choice of lager served in the wood tap room of this smallest of breweries. Was this beer heaven itself? You could look out across the valley to all the surrounding hills and villages, especially at night, there were countless little hamlets, probably all with their own breweries or at least superb beer cellars. I visited Vienna’s first brewpub—The Fisherman—interviewing them and sampling their product for What’s Brewing. Also in Vienna I was invited to try the Krah Krah in historic St. Page 8
Stephen square, which also had a huge selection of the best of Austrian styles. Also, it turns out well for vagabonds, it’s at the end of one of the tram lines on the fringe of Vienna where all the local wineries are. “Just ride the tram and get off where they swivel it around on the roundhouse.” Grinsig. In decades before the fall of Communism I drank in sailor bars on the banks of the Danube, with Eastern European lads trying to sell anything to get money for beer. Rough and ready; heady strong lagers; no pretences. Another city I visited over five different trips, is Innsbruck with its town-centre local brewery and tap room and many other fine halls for hearty meals and crisp, clean lagers. In Gratz I found myself in
Innsbruck beer festival 2009
huge cavernous dining tap room hall full of animal trophies and depictions of hunting. It has been there for centuries, and nothing appeared in any hurry to change. Fine meals. Great beers. Very fresh and local in a home cooked meal kind of way. Many of the local patrons had in their time been hunting in Canada. Of course they have nothing of game left in their country. At any rate it’s just a place I remember because of the fact it even existed and themed itself this way. Could not fault the food, beer or hospitality. In Switzerland they have huge buildings with breweries, hotels, tap rooms and guest accommodation, offering up hearty meals and strong local lagers on tap. Some fond fresh local beer and food memories come to me thinking of Bern, Lucerne, and Interlaken; all of which I visited twice in my journeys. What’s Brewing
In Italy in the 80s the Pirate in San Remo on the Riviera was trying to create a beer culture in a decidedly wine country. Customers were mostly British navy as evidenced by the hat bands adorning the pub from all the different ships. The owner was working hard to get beer going early on. To be fair, Italy had some not bad lagers available. On other journeys I visited German-speaking Italy (Bolzen German or Balzano Italian) and found the finest of Italian and German crossovers, with superb beers and wines from the local slopes. In Lugano, in Italian-speaking Switzerland, I enjoyed delicious Italian and Swiss lagers overlooking the lake from my pensionne balcony. In Monte Carlo in the 80s, I enjoyed oneand-a-half litre glasses of malty, copper lager on the waterfront amongst the yachts and casinos, comfortably tucked away under my shade umbrella, drinking in the feelings of being there. Living the life for a quick and brief interlude in time. In Spain, 1972 I enjoyed ice-cold lagers from a 1920s Coke cooler under palm trees and shady palapas in 110 degree heat, way down south on the coast. I ate tapas and fantastic Spanish meals before anyone thought of it being the thing to do. On my many Amsterdam and Dutch journeys drinking outside was paramount; also eating spicy Indonesian foods while savouring crisp, Dutch lagers. I’m one of the only people I know who never did the Heineken tour. Holland has the alliance of Beer Tappers organization and over the years I had superb beer visits throughout this great beer country. I will never repeat; or even a touch on even a small percentage of my stories, consisting of being a small part of it all; this beer past I have locked up; sure it all seems somewhat ancient now, but I lived it; loved it and changed my life by it. On memory lane we’ve barely scratched the surface of beer stories past; of countries not even touched on, Belgium, Luxembourg, Greece, UK, and the list goes on; but it’s great fun to haul out the storybook and start in just about anywhere you want. I was drinking cold lager in Nazare, Portugal, enjoying fresh-cooked meals right on the Atlantic when … § What’s Brewing
...cont. from page 5
were being cooked on a grille outside, as well. We fought our way into the bar room and I looked for the taps but found none. I asked the server what beers they had and she pointed to 3 cans of beer sitting on a shelf behind her. My heart sank as I saw with shock, cans of Budweiser Light, Coor’s Light and Michelob. I should have realized while driving into this place that no decent brewery would deliver beer on this road. Anyway, since we had come this far, I struggled with a Bud and a hot dog. Not a place to recommend to a beer aficionado but an interesting experience, to say the least.
London Bridge, Lake Havasu City, USA
Our next day trip was up to Lake Havasu City where the old London Bridge was reconstructed. It was a strange feeling standing there looking at the bridge and realizing I had walked across this bridge hundreds of times in London during my youth. After a picnic lunch by the lake and shopping, we visited Barley Bros. micro brewery by the bridge. We timed it right for half-price appies and dollar-off draft beers. I started with a Freedom Bridge amber ale, a German Altbier with toffee and caramel flavours - very smooth and satisfying. My second choice was the Kickstart oatmeal stout. This is medium-bodied, dark-roasted with hints of soft espresso-like tones. It was a silver medal winner at the 1999 GABF. Very nice. This brewery has been operating since July 1997 and puts out 3,500 barrels a year. Barley Bros. is a very nice spot to visit if you are ever in Lake Havasu City. § Next issue-Ontario and the Maritimes. Page 9
Ullage and Spillage by J.Random Location, location, location, the three key factors in real estate also apply, to a lesser degree, to bars and other drinking establishments. Of course, first class beer, food and ambiance will attract people even to the borders of skid road or game town but it helps if your establishment is noticeable. Steamworks still holds top prize for accessibility, with two rapid transit systems, a Seabus and the West Coast Express terminating nearby, not to mention the helicopter and floatplane terminals for high rollers. Personally, I mourn the demise of the Steamworks Express, otherwise known as the 98 B line.
Anthony serving up cask-conditioned IPA from Lighthouse Brewing
However, second prize must now be allocated to St. Augustine’s Restaurant and Lounge on Commercial Drive at the corner of Grandview Highway N. It is steps from the Commercial/ Broadway Skytrain station at the intersection of the Expo and Millennium lines, plus the terminus of the 99 B line, which shall henceforth be known as St Augustine’s Express. They also have rooftop parking for you dead-icated drivers. I am not sure about the potential for a helicopter pad. I am also awarding St. Augustine’s second prize, after the Alibi Room, for their B.C. and Pacific North West craft beer selection which, one Page 10
time I was in there, ran as follows: Rogue Captain Sig’s Northwest ale, Lost Coast Tangerine wheat, Pyramid apricot hefeweizen, Central City’s Empire IPA and Boomer’s ESB, Tree Hop Head IPA, Lighthouse Riptide pale ale and Race Rocks amber, Phillips Surly Blond tripel, Storm Scottish ale, R&B Sun God wheat ale, Granville Island English Bay pale ale, Lions winter ale and honey lager, Russell cream ale, and honey ale. Rock Creek cider and St. Augustine’s stout, pilsner, and lager, brewed for them by B.C. craft breweries. The St. Augustine’s stout is particularly worth trying. As you may know from the CAMRA Vancouver newsletter, St. Augustine’s has a cask night every Monday and the word is spreading. I was there for a cask of R&B Auld Nick, a rare treat and more recently Lighthouse IPA, only the second cask they have produced. By the way, the appellation “Manichean Mondays” was applied not by the owners but by somebody in CAMRA Vancouver with an overdeveloped knowledge of obscure religious history. I am not going to make this easy for you. Google it like I had to. It is, however, reasonably well known that St. Augustine of Hippo was the patron saint of brewers, due to early indulgence rather than a later monastic brewing habit. The appellation “hippo” had nothing to do with keeping a pet in his swimming pool, but the city in North Africa where he was bishop. Of course a good business model is also critical to success and here’s hoping St. Augustine’s will be around longer than the last few businesses that have passed through that location. Apparently one of them left behind an extremely high-end safe. The décor is open-plan-modern but with effort you can position yourself so you can’t see a TV. Apparently the TVs are turned off when they have live music on some Friday’s and Saturdays. I am giving St. Augustines a first prize for service. There are too many bars in B.C. where you can die of thirst or barely sip your beer before being pressured to order another. The staff here gets it just right. The food is good, with half-price pizzas on Mondays, but these days I chose where to eat by the quality of the beer served. Anthony has put together a selection with something for every palate and plenty of transition beers that What’s Brewing
might wean the average drinker away from fizzy yellow liquids. Check out their web site for more information on current beers and upcoming casks. www.staugustinesvancouver.com More importantly, check out whatever is on cask next Monday. The more demand, the more supply. §
registered the society with the Province (October 29th, 1985 Society No. 0020698) and had filed the first Annual Report. Alas, that was also the last Annual Report filed ... several things, sad rather than bad, happened over the following years and the Registrar delisted the society in 1989. Everybody say, ahhh ... Fall in Victoria ... cont from page 3 Here’s where something very strange served were, as usual, very tasty and well-received happened. In 1990, the famous and fabled John by all. Rowling put a notice in a Victoria newspaper We rounded out the year with the annual calling on all those interested in good beer to give potluck Christmas party on Dec. 5 at the Maritime him a call. Those that did met up and determined to Museum. This year CAMRA Victoria supplied two form a CAMRA society. Upon the announcement pony kegs of Phillip’s beer (Blue Bridge & IPA) at Spinnakers, he was informed that there already for the 40+ guests. Thanks to Greg Evans of the was one and he should call Phil Atkinson, which he Maritime Museum for arranging the venue and a did, and which is how we met and became lifelong challenging quiz. Thanks also to those corporate friends. I know what you’re thinking: there’s a members that donated prizes. § movie in this. That’s not the strange bit though. The Registrar said we could revive the society simply by paying the fees owed for the five years outstanding. Even my math was good enough to see that was five times more than the cost of re-registering; so now you know why we have two registration dates. So CAMRA BC is 25 the same time as CAMRA BC is 20. Hang on though, that’s still not the strange bit. After several meetings, during which we identified the need to set up a ‘proper’ beer festival as paramount, John said, “Hey ... I met this guy called Gerry Hieter who’s a brewer and wants to set up a proper beer festival ...” Et voila! How odd is it that exactly the right people to provide the brains for our world-class beer CAMRA members Carol and John Rowling with brewers Dave Varga festival are the same people that have of Taylor Crossing Brewpub, North Van. and Daniel Knibbs of Dead access to the brawn that can pull it off? Frog Brewing, Aldergrove, enjoy the ale and hospitality at Spinnakers’ Well, I find it at least remarkable. Cask Festival in Victoria. So, start thinking creatively about CAMRA BC 25 Years ... cont from front page events, great and small, you can come up with to Bay - we were all pretending the bottled Lowenbrau make this remarkable year also a memorable year. was real) and the bravado and the singing of the Talk to your local executive, share your thoughts Red Flag with on-the-spot new lyrics. OK, I may on the discussion list (see page 2), or just send a have false-memory syndrome about that bit. But note to camrabc@shaw.ca. Happy Anniversaries within weeks the stalwarts of Vancouver had CAMRA BC ... and Congratulations! § What’s Brewing
Page 11
What’s Happening in BC and around the World §
• Tuesday Jan. 12, - 7:30 pm - Maritime Museum 28 Bastion Square, Victoria - CAMRA Victoria AGM. Bring your ideas & your enthusiasm. Join the board. BYOB! All positions are up for nomination. Send nominations for executive to camra@shaw.ca to be included in the printed agenda. Nominations may also be made at the AGM. In order to nominate and/or vote at the AGM, you must be a paid up member for the 2010 year. If you are not sure of your 2010 status, send a note to camra@shaw.ca and we will let you know. • Sunday Jan. 17, 2:30pm – 4:30pm - CAMRA Vancouver AGM. The Alibi Room, 157 Alexander St., Vancouver. • Saturday, January 23, at Georgetown Studios at The Engine Room, 5890 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA98108. Two sessions: Session 1:Noon to 4pm ... Session 2: 6pm to 10pm see www.washingtonbeer.com/ $30 per session, or $35 at the door. • Tuesday Jan. 26, - 7:30 pm - Liquor Plus - 2915 Douglas St. Victoria - Rod Phillips will be talking about the challenges of running a private liquor store in B.C. • Tuesday, March 16, - Lance Mitchell of Deschutes will speak to CAMRA Victoria (location etc. TBD). n.b.: Notice of the CAMRA BC Annual General Meeting will be issued via the Discussion Group mailing list following the local AGMs.
CAMRA BC Membership Application Form
Name: __________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Ph. _______________ Email: _________________________
Membership year runs Jan 1 – Dec 31 New members joining at the GCBF (Sept) or in the months remaining in a year receive a membership for the balance of the year plus the following year.
Enclosed is my cheque for: Individual $25 ___
Joint $30 ___
Please send your payment to: CAMRA BC Box 30101 Saanich Centre Postal Outlet Victoria, BC, V8X 5E1
Please check:
New member
Renewing member
My nearest branch is:
Vancouver
Victoria
Corporate $60 ___
General
Publications Mail Agreement No. 41515024 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: CAMRABC Box 30101 Saanich Centre Postal Outlet Victoria BC V8X 5E1 Page 12
What’s Brewing