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Harbour Brewpubs Collective eyes new summer release

Harbour Brewpubs Collective eyes new summer release

Some would suggest that summer is a time to rest, but you won’t have any agreement from the brewhouses in Victoria around this time of year. While most families were planning their summer vacations, brewers were hard at work putting together the wonderful brews you’ll be drinking while relaxing around town.

In total, the breweries south of the Malahat have combined for over 30 new or re-released beers in the past six weeks alone, and while there is typically an assumption that Craft Beer is all IPAs and hops, only about a half dozen of those beers would fall under that category, with the rest being everything from a bright new pilsners all the way to barrel-aged sours and refreshing saisons.

Speaking of lesser hopped beers, and categories, Category 12’s Hiatus is one of those summer releases to look out for. Fermented on a Norwegian yeast called Kveik, this summer farmhouse ale with cucumber and lemon brings along some nice dryness along with a light funkiness that works really well with the fruity flavours.

Another impressive feat comes from one of the smallest brewhouses in Victoria, where Spinnakers has released four beers in that time, with such a wide array of styles, including their 33rd Anniversary Vanilla Truffle Wheat Ale, Raspberry Lager, Hummingbird Hop Saison, and Red Fife Hefeweizen.

Spinnakers, along with Moon Under Water, Swans, and Canoe, has also been working on a collaboration project, the Harbour Brewpubs Collective, with a series of four unique monthly beers being released on the same day, at the same time, at all four locations. The first two beers have already been released, but look out for one more each month through the summer.

Finally, keep an eye out for a great project spearheaded by Doug White of 4 Mile Brewing. The Fathers of Fermentation brought together seven breweries from across the country that all brew in Peter Austin Brick Kettle systems, with all seven brewing the same recipe on the same day. Look out for Sir John’s Special Eh’le to be released on July 1st, as a tribute to Canada’s 150th birthday.

Beer Tip of the Month:

Bottles Vs. Cans? It’s a matter of preference, but canning technology has advanced leaps and bounds in recent years.

Think of a can like a miniature keg, where it can keep the beer fresher longer, gives the beer no exposure to light at all, and allows for much easier transportation and recycling.

Just make sure you’re pouring it into a glass to drink and you won’t even notice a difference.