One of the conditions was that CAMRA BC would be allowed to run an information booth to tell people about CAMRA BC and its fine work. Accompanying me to the Okanagan were Robert Catherall the BC Communications Coordinator and Rhandi Plowright the South Fraser Community Liaison seen here with the Executive Chef from Talons restaurant Jamie Hertz. The craft beer pairing and awards event was held at the beautiful Spirit Ridge Resort and Spa in Osoyoos.
One of the reasons CAMRA BC was eager to head into the Okanagan is because we’re trying to establish new branches in BC. There used to be a branch in Penticton but that closed a few years ago but since then craft beer has been exploding and we wondered if it was time to try again and stake out a spot for craft beer in the heart of Canada’s wine country.
I blind judging over 60 beer and oyster pairings during the day with Dan Clapson a Calgary based food writer and contributor to Food Network Canada, Avenue and WestJet’s up! magazine, Martin Lewis who is on the board of directors for the Okanagan Wine Society and owner of the under-construction Bad Tattoo brewing in Penticton, and culinary power couple Chef Jonathan Chovancek and Bartender/Sommelier Lauren Mote owners of Bittered Sling Extracts.
We picked our favourites and the best in Show went to local brewery Cannery and their Blackberry Porter, 2nd prize went to Moon under Water for their superb Creepy uncle Dunkel. Here’s the full list of 2014 Canadian Oyster Beer Competition Winners. My thanks to everyone who took part and congratulations to all the winners!
Despite having a belly full of oysters and beer, that evening we worked the information booth and poured both Moon-under-water and Red Truck beers (always volunteering – that’s the CAMRA way!) and it became clear that there was plenty of craft beer interest in the Southern Okanagan so we set up a meeting the next day with the owners of Tin Whistle, Bad Tattoo and Cannery to see what they thought – stay tuned for more information about that soon!
The Saturday was a wine & oyster pairing party which was wonderful but I think we all know that oysters (and everything really) pairs better with craft beer!
Many thanks to Cassandra Anderton, April Goldade, Jon Crofts, all the volunteers, chefs and everyone involved in such a great weekend and successful festival. I certainly hope we get invited back next year!
Adam Chatburn
President, CAMRA BC – Vancouver Branch
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