Postmark - Apple Cinnamon Pale Ale

Guess what? Postmark Brewing made a beer from one of my Twitter suggestions!

That, and life's been hectic since my last post. Switched jobs, and now I'm in school + working + craft beer tasting + spending time with my Irish princess. Life's good.

Right, onto this brew review:

I popped into Postmark with Tammy, and it was a LOT fancier than we anticipated. It's in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, and not in the most well-kempt area either. What we discovered was a collaboration between Belgard Kitchen, Vancouver Urban Winery, and Postmark Brewing.

It's Earls-like prices, in a way-higher-than-Earls class dining establishment. That, and they do growler fills straight from Postmark themselves! I met Tyler in the Growler station area, and he's going to be giving me two growlers full of beer for suggesting such an awesome beer (totally not bragging, hehe).

Postmark Brewing "Apple Cinnamon Pale Ale" @ Postmark Brewing, Vancouver BC
Photo: Brewji

The brew itself is a pale golden colour with a reddish hue. Tammy and I got a pint each. Sadly, each pint was $7.50 -- I'm lucky I'm getting some free or I wouldn't be back at those prices.

The ale smells like a homemade apple pie. You've got your scents of Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and even something like a golden pie crust? Maybe it's just nostalgia. Full points for smell nonetheless.

On taste, it's half of what it smells like (up front), and a forward cinnamon flavour (in the middle). followed by a finish that consists of the first flavour, with a linger of hops. Not sure what kind of hops they used, but I quite like it!

I wish they didn't sell out so quickly, but it's their EXK (Experimental Keg) series. Be sure to follow @PostmarkBrewing on Instagram so you can have a chance at getting your suggestion made into a beer!

Overall, if this was available at a bar, and they called it the "Cinnamon Apple Pie Ale" - I'm sure everyone would at least try it once, if not in a pint glass, in a taster glass. Hell, I'd probably repeat it in my taster flights just to get something wacky, that I *know* will taste good.

Great job guys! Looking forward to more of the EXK series!

I give the Apple Cinnamon Pale Ale a Brewj-ified 8.0 / 10

Steamworks Frambozen Pricing!

Hey everyone! I popped by Steamworks on Wednesday night after work, seeing as the fireworks caused a zoo-like line-up at Waterfront Skytrain Station. As I sat down with Tammy and immediately ordered a pint of the delicious Steamworks Frambozen, I started to look at the menu.

The beer is delicious, don't get me wrong. I've reviewed it before (check it out here: Brewji - Steamworks Raspberry Frambozen ), and I would absolutely purchase one again. What I'm really confused about is the pricing. Take a look below:

Portion of the Steamworks Brewing Beer Menu @ Steamworks, Downtown Vancouver, BC
Photo: Brewji

You'd think that ordering a bigger glass of beer would cost either the *same* or *cheaper*, right? Well, if you're ordering at Steamworks, that bigger glass will (the case of the Frambozen) cost you more. If you take a look at the math below (trust me, I hate math, but if someone is screwing me over on my beer, I do care), you'll see that you're being charged extra per ounce of beer.

First off, we have the Oatmeal Stout. It costs relatively the same, but a pitcher will save you a ton! This is how selling beer should work.

Oatmeal Stout
10oz / $3.70 | You're paying 37 cents / ounce of beer.
18oz / $6.75 | You're paying 37.5 cents / ounce of beer
64oz / $17.25 | You're paying 27 cents / ounce of beer

I'm not bothered by this at all.

However, take a look at the beer I came here for: The Frambozen. Keep in mind, I'm not going to have just one!

Frambozen
10oz / $3.60 | You're paying 36 cents / ounce of beer
12oz / $4.95 | You're paying 41.3 cents / ounce of beer
16oz / $6.50 | You're paying 40.6 cents / ounce of beer

I regularly get together with groups of friends from work, let's say 10 people. I don't want to get all high-school math problem on you, but if we all ordered (let's keep it conservative) three 12oz sleeves of Frambozen, we would be paying $14.85 each person for 36oz of beer. That's an over-charge of almost $2 / person...which is $20/table. Think about that for a minute.

I don't mean to bring you guys down, but if I'm ordering more of your product, I'd think the prices should at least stay the *same*.

Let's just say, I'll be ordering my Frambozen in 10oz format from now on so my beer doesn't warm up + cost me more as I drink it. The "regulars" list (at the top) makes more sense for pricing...but let's not nickel and dime us, eh?

Here's the math for the remaining beers:

Gose / Pale Ale / Empress IPA / Lionsgate Lager / Pilsner / Killer Cucumber Ale

10oz / $3.60 | You're paying 36 cents / ounce of beer

18oz / $6.50 | You're paying 36 cents / ounce of beer

64oz / $16.75 | You're paying 26 cents / ounce of beer

White Angel IPA

10oz / $4.15 | You're paying 41.5 cents / ounce of beer

12oz / $4.95 | You're paying 41.3 cents / ounce of beer

18oz / $7.50 | You're paying 41.6 cents / ounce of beer

(Oatmeal Stout + Frambozen is up above!)

Gastown Saison
10oz / $3.60 | You're paying 36 cents / ounce of beer
16oz / $5.50 | You're paying 34.4 cents / ounce of beer

---

So there you have it. To some people, this post might be irrelevant. To people like me, I don't like it when someone cheaps me out when I'm a paying customer. I'm going to order beer regardless; why charge me more for ordering more?

Thanks for reading, and here's a picture of that 16oz Frambozen that I really enjoyed. You can also see it on my Instagram, Brewji.

Cheers!

Main Street Brewing - Checkpoint Charlie

I've been on the search for my "Beer of Summer 2015" for awhile now, and I think I've finally nailed it down to a few. This summer is all about taking it easy, chilling on a patio, and not letting the stress of the world get to you.

I finally landed myself and Tammy at Main Street Brewing's tap room, at 261 E 7th Ave (near Main St. and Broadway) in Vancouver, B.C.

Reading up on the board, I saw Checkpoint Charlie Berliner Weisse (3.0% ABV; 10 IBU). Main Street making a Berliner Weisse? Sign me up!

Now, this isn't my first Berliner Weisse on this blog. I initially received and reviewed the Granville Island Brewing Pucker Meister Berliner Weisse (see it at http://brewji.blogspot.com/2013/09/gib-pucker-meister-berliner-weisse.html).

Back to this one; I initially had to get a taster, you know, just to prove that it's worth drinking. Nobody likes wasted beer. After that, well, I got a pint. And then another, and another (you get where this is going).

Checkpoint Charlie Berliner Weisse + Raspberry Syrup
@ Main Street Brewing Tap Room, Vancouver BC
Photo: Brewji

On first sniff, you get a light and crisp, floral lemon with some zest. It's very faint, and doesn't have too much of a scent.

On first sip, you get the same as the nose, but a bit of earth from the Aramis hops, and some lime on the tail end.

What's better? The lovely lady behind the counter offered me some raspberry syrup to go into the brew. I was a little put off at first...seeing as I'd never done this before. Guess what? It unlocked flavour elements I didn't know the brew had! It didn't taste like a cooler, but not like a Fruli either. It was distinctly sweeter, yet maintained a true drinkable quality in terms of still being a beer.

After one sip, it was clear to me. Checkpoint Charlie is it. This is my summer beer! In fact, at my next opportunity, I travelled an hour each way just to get my 1.9L growler filled up with the stuff and bring it home to surprise Tammy.

Overall, this is a brew you can sip slowly, a brew you can chug (if you really wanted to, but I wouldn't), or a beer you can fill in a growler and drink while you play video games at home. This is versatile, and absolutely delicious.

I give the Checkpoint Charlie a Berliner-Weisse-my-glass-empty? 9.5 / 10
Tammy gives the Checkpoint Charlie a 9.0 / 10

Hazelnut Brown Nectar - Rogue Brewing

Hey all! You guys ready for something new? I know it's in the middle of summer, but let's not forget to put down the hefe's, witbiers, saisons, lagers, and all the other summer guzzlers.

My good friend Spencer recently brought me a brew worthy of a review! He made sure I had a way to taste the Hazelnut Brown Nectar from Rogue Brewing Co (6.2% ABV).

Hazelnut Brown Nectar by Rogue Brewing @ Brewji Home
Photo: Brewji

I came home from work one day, opened up the fridge and decided to relax with a little nectar from the brewery. Popped the top on this beaut of a bottle, and it poured a bold, brown ale for me.

On first sniff, you get almost a hazelnut mixed with vanilla and roasted cocoa. There are small hints of malts but nothing overwhelming.

Hazelnut Brown Nectar by Rogue Brewing @ Brewji Home
Photo: Brewji

On taste, the vanilla powers over the hazelnut, while still retaining the nutty qualities. The cocoa lingers as an undertone and finishes with a slightly bitter malt-y flavour. It has a good transition in the flavours, and works its way back to square one.

If you're looking for something different this summer, check to see if any of your local liquor stores will still carry this charm around. Definitely worth the change-up on the patio if you're used to drinking hefeweizens.

Overall, it has characteristics of a good nut brown ale, with hints of vanilla and malty finish.

I give the Hazelnut Brown Nectar a this-can-be-a-summer-beer-too 8.0 / 10

Laurelwood Part 2 / 2 (I know, I know, LONG Overdue)

I know this post has been LONG Overdue...but I've been going through some "stuff" lately, but I have the best family, friends, co-workers, and girlfriend in the entire world :)

That aside, here's the long overdue post from the night of Laurelwood's launch party in Canada, along with my friends at BeerThirst! Better late than never, right?

Okay, so back on May 8th, I got to chill with the Laurelwood crew + BeerThirst crew and celebrate their launch into Canada!

Here are the other 4 beers that I promised:

Laurelwood Brewing (Part 2!) at the Hop and Vine Pub in Burnaby, BC
Photo: Brewji

5. Workhorse India Pale Ale (7.5% ABV; 80 IBU)

Like in the previous post, Laurelwood is known for their ability to brew and renew the IPA genre, while maintaining incredible results.

The workhorse is a grittier, hoppier, kick-in-the-mouth IPA compared to its counterpart in the Green Elephant. It's a true westcoast IPA, but kind of on steroids.

You get the pine, citrus-y grapefruit and orange peel, as well as a buttload of hops. There's a medium mouthfeel, and the bitterness lingers well into the next beer tasting.

Tammy isn't the biggest fan of IPA brews, as they're quite the acquired taste. However, I still think this stands up as a strong competitor in the class.

I give the Workhorse India Pale Ale an impress-your-friends-by-drinking-this 8.0 / 10
Tammy gives the Workhorse India Pale Ale a 6.5 / 10



6. Red Elephant IRA (6.8% ABV; 80 IBU)

Okay, don't get it twisted. IRA stands for India Red Ale...in this instance.

I had to ask, just to confirm, what I should be hoping for in this brew. Was it going to be hop-forward? Was it going to have a mix between hop and malt-powered tastes? Well, I'm about to find out.

On sniff, you get an array of everything from pine, citrus, to malts and sweetness. It seems like it's going to be a balanced beer. Not many breweries can pull that off.

Initially on taste, I get a medium-bodied malty tone, followed immediately by a transition into a pine-y, hoppy, IPA flavour, which is mellowed by some winter-ale caramel-like flavours. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like we have a beer with an identity crisis...but that isn't stopping me from giving it a few more tastes.

The lingering after-taste is more citrus-y pine. However they may have brewed this one, it had me reaching for more. It definitely doesn't taste like you're drinking 6.8% ABV, and I am almost certain it didn't taste like it was 80 IBU.

I give the Red Elephant IRA a deceptively-indecisive 8.5 / 10
Tammy gives the Red Elephant IRA a 7.5 / 10


7. Organic Portland Roast Espresso Stout (6.3% ABV; 34 IBU)

This is the brew I've been waiting for! To me, Espresso Stouts are like the bacon of the beer world. It's really hard to screw it up, but also equally difficult to produce a perfect brew.

On sniff, this brew has distinct notes of roasted coffee, some dark cherry hints, and a bit of smoke. It smells absolutely incredible. If you love coffee, and you love beer, you'll be on this faster than a cat on a laser pointer dot.

The taste? Imagine a maraschino cherry, covered in dark chocolate (the good quality kind). Then imagine your favourite chocolate porter, and add roasted espresso beans to the mix. Sound difficult to picture in your head? Then give this brew a go!

Absolutely beautiful.

I give the Organic Portland Roast Espresso Stout a chocolate-dipped-cherry-with-espresso 10 / 10
Tammy gives the Organic Portland Roast Espresso Stout a delicious 9.0 / 10


8. Organic Tree Hugger Porter (5.8% ABV; 45 IBU)

This is it! The last brew of the party. I love myself some stouts and porters, and seeing as how the last one stacked up, I'm down to give this one a try.

On sniff, I get typical porter scents...roasted cocoa, malts, some coffee. Smells good!

On taste, I get the roasted cocoa, I get roasted malts, there is some coffee in there mixed in with some chocolate tastes as well. It's nowhere near being called a chocolate or coffee porter, but having a solid porter with the right mouthfeel, and having the undertones of those flavours is exactly on point.

Compared to the last brew (the espresso stout), this is a little more robust in flavour, and a little less dessert-like. Still delicious.

I give the Organic Tree Hugger Porter an I'll-hug-a-tree-for-another-glass 9.5 / 10
Tammy gives the Organic Tree Hugger Porter an 8.5 / 10





There you have it! Sorry for the long wait. I'm back in the game, and I look forward to blending life's tasks with the joy of bringing you the best in the brew world.

Cheers!

Laurelwood Brewing - Canadian Kick-off (Part 1 of 2)

Want to taste some of Portland's finest? You've come to the right post.

Laurelwood Brewing stopped by at the Hop and Vine Neighbourhood Pub this past Friday, and launched a fresh line-up of brews! They will now be available in Canada (particularly here in BC) for purchase!

Laurelwood Brewing - Tap Takeover List
@ Hop and Vine Neighbourhood Pub, Burnaby BC
Photo: Brewji

I was lucky enough to be invited by Andrew at BeerThirst, and joined by some great company as well! I brought Tammy with me, and also met the Founder of Laurelwood Brewing, Mike De Kalb!

Everyone was in good spirits as I was able to taste all 8 of their brews on tap that night.

Here are beers 1 to 4 from the taster flights:

Laurelwood Brewing - 4-Taster Flight
@ Hop and Vine Neighbourhood Pub, Burnaby BC
Photo: Brewji

1. Organic Free Range Red Ale (6.1% ABV; 60 IBU) 

What's first up? A red ale. I don't really know what to expect, seeing as one of the only red ale's I've really enjoyed was the older Elysian Men's Room from before they got bought by one of the big bad breweries. Let's see how this measures up!

On sniff, you get a little malt, with a little toffee. It's slightly sweet, with a hint of a hop finish. Nothing too strong, but nothing out of whack either. Smells like it should be sessionable.

On taste, you get the the malt, which slowly fades into the caramel-toffee sweetness, and finishes off with a crisp touch of hops. Its lightly transitioning flavours help make this one of the most balanced, flowing red ales I've yet to sample. To me, it definitely sets itself up as one of my favourite reds.

Well done as a first impression! I look forward to more!

The Organic Free Range Red Ale gets a really-damn-good 8.5 / 10
Tammy gives the Organic Free Range Red Ale a 7.5 / 10


2. Mother Lode Golden Ale (5.1% ABV; 25 IBU)

Now, when I read "Golden Ale" on the paper, I thought it might either be an improperly named econo-lager, or a weak wheat ale. Damn, was I wrong.

On sniff, you get nothing. Straight up. nothing. This could be a good thing...as it's supposed to be a really sessionable ale.

On taste, good God. Tammy and I just looked at each other with wide eyes.

Holy mother of sessionable-patio-drinking, beer-pong-qualified beers! This is something I would order a beer tower of, for myself. This is absolutely light, golden, and delicious. There isn't too much going on flavour-wise, but what there is, is delicious. You get a little bread-y taste, with a slight hint of fruit, at the most.

I absolutely found my beer of the summer. I'm just thinking, what would happen if I put a little raspberry syrup in this? This is definitely en par with the "Checkpoint Charlie" from Main Street Brewing. Both amazing, delicious brews.

I give the Mother Lode Golden Ale a pitcher-for-myself-please 9.5 / 10
Tammy gives the Mother Lode Golden Ale a delicious 8.5 / 10


3. Piston Pale Ale (5.6% ABV; 35 IBU)

Now for something a little more common out here on the west coast. This is a good old Pale Ale.

On smell, you get about your average west coast Pale Ale, done right. Notes of citrus, with a faint hops note.

On taste, you get what you smell. You get the notes of citrus-y grapefruit, a little note of hops, and a slight caramel taste to it as well. I'd actually call this a baby IPA. If you really want to see if your friend (or special someone) would like an IPA, I'd recommend this. As little as I write for this one, it's still quite well done. I'd just prefer something else from Laurelwood, but this is a necessary part of the west coast brewery puzzle.

I give the Piston Pale Ale a solid 7.5 / 10
Tammy gives the Piston Pale Ale a 7.0 / 10


4. Green Elephant India Pale Ale (7.0% ABV; 70 IBU)

From what I've heard, Laurelwood knows their IPAs.

I smelled this brew, and my eyes lit up. Tammy agreed right away as we dove into this one. On sniff, you get notes of herbs along with hops. It's almost a mellow citrus with a blend of hops.

On taste, you get hints of lemon, mild herb, and a sweetness in a fruit-like, not too hop-forward finish. For something that's 7% ABV, you don't taste it. This is a unique, and absolutely well-crafted brew. If you've gotten past trying a few IPAs in your beer drinking career, consider making the move to the Green Elephant.

I give the Green Elephant India Pale Ale a new-set-of-IPA-expectations 9.0 / 10
Tammy gives the Green Elephant India Pale Ale a great 8.5 / 10


There's still more to come!

Part 2 of 2 will be released very soon! There may even be a perfect 10 in Part 2...

Cheers!

Central City's Detective Saison

It's the start of May, and the middle of Spring! If you're enjoying the sunshine, why not grab a Saison that's brewed locally, by a former Brewery-of-the-Year?

That's right, I got a bottle of Central City Brewing's Detective Saison (6.0% ABV). There originally was a controversy with the label, as the artwork was deemed unoriginal. Central City thought they had received an honest piece of artwork, but it turns out it was an actual comic book character. They then promptly changed the label to something original. If you really want to read more into it, you can Google it. I'm here for the beer.

Seeing as I'm not the biggest fan of wheat ales, I wasn't expecting a whole lot, although I have been surprised by a few breweries like Brasserie Dupont, Driftwood, and Phillips. Central City is also big on the list, as I used to go to school right upstairs from there!

Onwards!

Central City Brewing "Detective Saison"
Photo: Brewji

The brew pours a pale golden colour, with a moderate amount of head. This already looks like something I'd want in a pitcher on a hot sunny day with my buddies (then again, it is a beer).

On first sniff, I get a wheat-grass and yeast-y overtone. Hidden beneath that, I get hints of citrus, like a lemon zest. I also get a bit of cracked pepper crackers (you know those triscuit-like things?). It's pretty interesting for a Saison.

On first taste, you get the typical wheat-like taste from a wheat ale, a bit of yeast, but definitely the pepper and lemon zest. The pepper becomes more apparent, and the lemon sits as a bit of a touch on the palate.

In a nutshell, this is a Saison with layers. It's a complex flavour for a simplistic brew, but it's done well in the way where it isn't offensive to the taste buds. I don't have to work to decipher the flavours; they're just present and flow together.

I'd still take a pitcher of this on a patio with my buds -- no doubt. This might not quite be my sunny day beer of the year, but it's definitely worth a go.

I give the Central City Brewing Detective Saison a fresh-start-to-the-Saison 8.0 / 10
Tammy gives the Central City Brewing Detective Saison a 7.0 / 10