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OUR BREWSKI QUICK PICKS BEAT THE SUMMER HEATBy Michael Botner For slaking summer’s thirst, the drink of choice, of the alcoholic variety, is a glass of frothy beer rather than wine. “For beer sales, summer’s the hottest season by far,” says Wayne Clements, the president It will be available on June 14 at $4.95 for a 650 ml bottle and may also be included in Tree’s popular “character 8” pack.
Whether they are wheat beers or English bitters, India Pale Ales (IPAs) or golden lagers – whatever the style – these unique specialty and craft beers deliver personality and flavour in abundance – light years beyond some of the nondescript “light” versions of the big name brands. As with fine wine, the aromas and flavours in a great glass of beer are endlessly fascinating. And there is a growing movement among beer enthusiasts to drink less but better tasting brews. With the selection of brands growing exponentially, beer drinkers are becoming both more discerning and more adventurous. For a quick introduction to the vast world of specialty and craft beers, check out my summer picks, which are available at the local breweries and liquor stores. Tree Brewing (Kelowna)
Jack in the Bock — Made with Munich malts, it is flavourful with more kick, but still clean and refreshing. ($5.95/650 ml) Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale — Full-flavoured and malty. ($10.60/6 x 341 ml) Cutthroat Pale Ale — An English style pale ale with a full hoppy flavour, it a great choice with a steak or roast. ($10.60/6 x 341 ml) Hophead IPA — A popular favourite in the Pacific Northwest, it is an acquired taste but people stick to it after the initial taste, according to Tree’s Wayne Clements. ($10.90/6 x 341 ml) Watch for just released Cougar Light. A light, fresh, clean lager style beer, it is all malted barley with little bitterness. It is only sold as draft at various local restaurants and pubs. Barley Mill (Penticton) Classic Draft is a clean, crisp, malty brew with some character. Cervesa, the ultimate summer sipper, is close in style to Corona, but has more flavour and grip. Serve with lemon. Pale Ale — a malty golden ale, it is citrusy and spicy with the suggestion of orange peel. Perfect as a refresher or with food. Seasonal Raspberry — is a lighter summer quaffer with a hint of barley malt and a subtle hint of fresh raspberries. Ironman, fermented with organically grown cherries, will be available by July. NOTE: These brews are (or will be) available on tap at the brewpub and in cans at Barley Mill’s cold beer and wine store at $9.70 for a six pack. Cannery Brewing (Penticton)
Indian Rock IPA — A superb ale, the generous hops are backed up with a rich malt flavour. ($4.75/650 ml) Anarchist Amber Ale — A creamy head, lots of body and flavour and terrific mouthfeel, it combines hop and malt with pleasing results. ($4.50/650 ml and $10.50 for a six pack) Other Picks Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier (Germany) — It displays a lively effervescence, fruit and clove flavours, and a lasting creamy richness. Serve it with a wedge of lemon. ($2.65/330 ml) Stella Artois (Belgium) — Dry, crisp and thirst-quenching, it boasts a clean spicy/fruity aroma, a full flavour with a malty middle and a slightly bitter, hoppy finish. ($2.45/500 ml can plus six and 12 pack formats) Coopers Sparkling Ale (Australia) — A naturally cloudy brew, Coopers Sparkling Ale delivers a lively head, sweet malty nose, a clean, crisp, caramelly palate, and a dry, slightly hoppy finish. ($12.55/6 x 375 ml) Fraoch Heather Ale (Scotland) — Light amber in colour, it exhibits a flowery nose, thoroughly refreshing heather, spice and malt palate, and a dry apple-like finish. ($4.25/500 ml) Innes & Gunn Oak Aged Beer (Scotland) — Marston’s Pedigree Bitter (England) — Lightest of the bottled English bitters, this classic, coppery-coloured pale ale shows woody, spicy apple and nut flavours and a dry, smooth, slightly bitter aftertaste. ($3.75/500 ml) Baron Bohemian Tmavý Ležák (Czech Republic) — features a full head and a dark red-amber hue followed by lightly smoked aromas, malty flavours of chocolate and toast, and a nice bitter hop aftertaste. ($2.23/500 ml) Unibroue La Maudite (Quebec) — A bottle-conditioned red ale from Unibroue of Chambly, near Montreal, Maudite is dark, smooth and warming with flavours of coriander, orange peel and chilies. Like a fine wine, it continues to improve in the corked bottle for several years. ($4.95/750ml) Look for more ideas to make your summer sizzle in the June issue of Okanagan Life - on newstands now! |
and CEO of Kelowna’s Tree Brewing. To supplement Tree’s year-round line-up, German-trained brewmaster Stefan Buhl is crafting a hefeweizen, a naturally unfiltered Bavarian style wheat beer, considered THE summer beer in Germany. These pale, often cloudy, refreshers have the quenching qualities of lager, but, as they are top fermented, have all the flavour and character of ale. “More highly carbonated than most lagers, our yeast wheat beer displays banana and clove flavours,” said Buhl. 
Cayuse Wheat Ale is a year ’round favourite at Barley Mill Brew Pub in Penticton. “Our most popular brew, it is a great refresher on a hot Okanagan day,” said Ray Huson, Barley Mill’s craft brewer. “Lightly hopped, crisp and clean, Cayuse is crystal clear, golden, with more carbonation than a lager. It is great with fish and chips, burgers and spicy Southwestern dishes.” Cayuse Wheat Ale is on tap at the brewpub and available at Barley Mill’s cold beer and wine store at $9.70 for a pack of six 355 ml cans.
Honeycomb Pilsner — Light and refreshing, Czech hops balance the malty sweetness, touch of honey. ($10.90/6 x 341 ml) 
Cannery Pale Ale is appetizing without extreme bitterness. It features a rich coppery colour and a thick, creamy head followed by a smooth, malty flavour with a whisper of caramel, and a dry, hoppy finish. Terrific aperitif in summer or winter.