18 Karat Ale - Barkerville Brewing

Hey all! Since Brewji just hit a milestone in views, I decided to celebrate with a brew from smaller-town BC! Although Barkerville Brewing Co. takes its name from an old gold rush town in BC, they brew their suds in Quesnel, BC. If you've ever driven up to Prince George from Vancouver, chances are you've passed through (or visited) this lovely place. Barkerville Brewing Co. hasn't been brewing for very long (just over a year now?), and they're just beginning to get solid ground as they develop in the craft beer industry.

Long story short, I picked up the 18 Karat Ale from my local BC Liquor Store, and headed home to see how it'll do. It's categorized as an "Amber Ale", and since we're in BC, I guess I can throw that into a Northwestern Amber Ale.

Barkerville Brewing Co. 18 Karat Ale @ Brewji Home
Photo: Brewji

On first sniff, I get some citrus, a little bread-y malt, and a tingle (yes, I said tingle) of hops. Smells like your average APA (American Pale Ale), with a little kick of sweet malt.

On first sip, the citrus-y notes start, and turn into a bit of caramel malts, which then finish off with the tingle of hops. It's a very beginning-middle-end beer, which is a strong first impression from Barkerville! It's nothing over-the-top in terms of great beer, but I would definitely pick this over quite a few other Northwest Amber Ales out there.

A solid brew as it may be, as it warmed up I expected to taste more flavours, and expected it to unravel more richness in the taste. However, I was met with unhappy taste buds as the ale warmed. It docks a little from the score, but let's be honest -- other than me, who drinks ale that isn't fully chilled?

I give the Barkerville Brewing 18 Karat Ale a good-first-impression 7.0 / 10
Tammy gives the Barkerville Brewing 18 Karat Ale a 6.0 / 10

Granville Island - Brash Knuckles!

My apologies! This post has been sitting as a draft for a couple of weeks! Please read as if I didn't forget to post it ;) I owe you a drink, GIB!

Last night, Tammy and I were invited to an intimate tasting and pairing of Vern Lambourne's last small batch brew! We went down to the Granville Island Brewing Taproom on Cartwright street, and were treated like royalty. Before the event started, Tammy and I had a pint each of the GIB Honey Lager, and just as they were finished, we were invited into a small glass-walled room that had some GIB memorabilia in it (old labels, bottles, cans, tap handles, etc.).

Table of Hops @ Granville Island Brewery, Vancouver B.C.
Photo: Brewji

On the centre table, there was a display of three different types of malts, as well as different hops. We were lucky enough to be in the company of (here are their Twitter handles) @Miss604 herself, as well as @BCbrews, @BC_Traveller, @JohnBollwitt, and @CDBasso -- it was great meeting you guys in person!

To start, we were offered drinks. When I say drinks, I mean "What do you want? Here you go." Hence the word royalty mentioned earlier. We were also handed a list of food pairings that we were to taste with the beer.

Brash Knuckles Food Pairing Menu @ Granville Island Brewery, Vancouver B.C.
Photo: Brewji

When it came time to tasting the Brash Knuckles (6.2% ABV), we were excited as ever! It gave a smell of nuts and malts, smooth and dark. A cross between a Waterloo Dark and a Cannery Naramata Nut Brown Ale in terms of smell.

As you can see, it poured very well. It's got that beautiful solid inch of head, bubbly but smooth. From this point on, I was pretty much done taking pictures.

Brash Knuckles @ Granville Island Brewery, Vancouver B.C.
Photo: Brewji

On first sip, you get the malts, and a bit of nut. You get caramel, and a bread-y taste as well. It all bundled together like a satisfying dessert, but with the brawn of a solid brew. It's very drinkable, seeing as it's 6.2% (which is considered a "Strong Beer" in this part of the world).

Either way, this post has taken much too long to get up here, so go out and get yourself a pair of Brash Knuckles and see what all the fuss is about!

Cheers!

I give the GIB Brash Knuckles a them's-fightin'-words 7.5 / 10
Tammy gives the GIB Brash Knuckles a best-thing-I've-had-from-GIB-so-far 7.0 / 10