Boost your support by pairing the game with some B.C. craft beer
Beer and hockey. It’s a winning combination. But let’s face it, fans: Beer is the neglected part of this duo.
How much do you invest in your team every year? The season tickets, the pay-per-view, the replica shirts …
Beer is a big part of any hockey season, but too often it’s an afterthought — the rushed purchase of a six-pack on the way to your friend’s place to watch the game, or the sports bar’s special deal on sub-zero mega-brewery fizz. And it’s not like you get much choice in Rogers Arena.
In this 40th-anniversary Canucks season, don’t you think you and your beer fridge deserve a little something more special?
Happily, there’s a vast choice of microbreweries brewing amazing craft beer, right here in B.C. So as well as supporting your team, you can support local businesses, while drinking some award-winning brews in the process.
Anniversary Hopped Lager (5.2%) Okanagan Spring Price: $10.95, 6 x 341ml, B.C. Liquor Stores
It’s time to think outside the usual six-pack. Here are five B.C. craft brews to enjoy with the game.
It’s not just the Canucks celebrating a landmark year. This medium-gold lager was brewed to celebrate a quarter century of Vernon’s Okanagan Spring brewery. It features aromas of caramel, almost chocolatey malt, balanced with a green hoppiness. There are lightly tangy hops
up front and a malt sweetness up top, while a crisp bitterness attacks the side of the tongue. The flavours coat the mouth, resulting in a full, satisfying lager.
Hermann’s Dark Lager (5.5%) Vancouver Island Price: $11.90, 6 x 341 ml B.C. Liquor Stores
If you like the crispness of lager but want to max out on malt flavour, Hermann’s your man. The Canadian Brewing Awards recognized that recently when they awarded this dark lager a bronze medal. It’s a near-black brown with rich roasted aromas of malt and coffee. A biscuity crispness gives way to licorice and roasty flavours with undertones of coffee and caramel. A balancing bitterness slowly develops, leading to a delicately dry finish.
Nut Brown (5%) Dead Frog Price: $12.15, 6 x 341 ml,
B.C. Liquor Stores
This dark-brown ale’s your answer if you want something easy to drink but don’t want to sacrifice flavour. It has plenty of complex aromas, including oak and caramel. With an average carbonation, it feels remarkably light in the mouth, but packs a punch of molasses-like roasted malt flavour with a hint of coffee. The finish is clean, full and a little dry. A nice comfort beer to partner those winter matches.
Red Racer IPA (6.5%) Central City Price: $12.99, 6 x 355 ml B.C. Liquor Stores
Let Central City be an inspiration to the Canucks in their push for Stanley Cup glory: The Surrey operation was named brewery of the year at the recent Canadian Brewing Awards, while this IPA bagged a gold medal. I can’t give this beer enough play. It’s packed with hops but maintains incredible balance. With a creamy head, floral, toasty-sweet aroma, herby flavour and addictive dry finish, this deserves all the medals it gets.
Pumpkineater Imperial Pumpkin Ale (8%) Howe Sound Price: $10.90, 1l, select private stores
Of the many pumpkin ales being brewed these days, Howe Sound’s alluring, amber-brown brew is the best. The nose is an appetizer of chocolatey malt and warm spices. In the mouth, it’s got a luscious depth and richness. Earthy nutmeg and tangy-sweet cinnamon are rounded out by sharper star anise and an alcoholic warmth. A great beer to sip while ruminating over the post-match analysis.
jzeschky@theprovince.com
Read more: The Province
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