Van Pours takes Vancouver Craft Beer Week Festival
The Vancouver Craft Beer Week Festival is like the adult version of a theme park (“adults” in this context refers to oversized children), only instead of running through the scorching sun in search of the next roller-coaster, you’re running through the scorching sun in search of the next great beer. In short, it’s a lot of fun.
Fittingly enough, the event takes place at Vancouver’s PNE Fairgrounds, directly beside Playland. It was the second year Van Pours got out to the event and although both years were a blast, 2016 takes the cake for us. This year there were over 100 craft breweries and cideries onsite and over 300 tasty (for the most part) beverages being poured. Between the two of us, we managed to taste a broad spectrum of beers. We’ve highlighted our top three beers from the day in the sun below.
Before that though, we’d like to extend a special thank you to the VCBW team for putting on a fantastic event and patrolling the grounds with pitchers of H2O in hand to keep us hydrated throughout the day. And one more shoutout to the great musicians who performed on the Saturday that we were there: Disco Funeral, Band of Rascals, Damn Fools, and Jesse Roper.
VAN POURS BEST OF THE FEST
Field House Brewing – Salted Black Porter – 7% ABV
This is the first Field House beer for both of us and won’t be the last. Like Tofino Brewing Company’s Kelp Stout, which we both sampled at the Vancouver Craft Beer Festival last year, this boozy, dark beer can be enjoyed on any occasion at any time of the year. It’s just that good. The “salted” aspect makes for a very interesting taste. Mellow smokiness adds to the flavour as well. Head out to East Abby and give this beer a try.
Yellow Dog Brewing – Super Secret Sour Blonde – 5.2% ABV
We’ve been told that this beer is so secret we’re not allowed to talk about it. Kidding. This beer is sour, sweet, and a perfect treat to enjoy under the sun. Props to Yellow Dog for bringing this brew for all to enjoy. Head out to Murray Street in Port Moody to give this a go before it runs out.
Raven’s Brewing Company – Spruce Tip IRA – 6.25% ABV, 75 IBU
First beer from Raven’s. First India Red Ale. Double Whammy?! I’ve never turned down a good red ale and with this added mix of extra hops and subtle spruce notes… Wow.
On a cide(r) note, we finished a solid day of pinting with a couple of delicious beverages from Sunday Cider. Their First Press Cider is crisp with a dry finish and is easily one of the best tasting ciders we’ve had to date. Very excited to try their Hop Cider once it’s released (yes, you heard that right). Huge fans of the branding as well!
It’s awesome to see Vancouver Craft Beer Week bringing in a wider range of beverages for attendees who may not be huge beer drinkers. They even held a Cider House Rules event at Lamplighter Public House earlier in the week. This surely opens the door to people who may not attend a craft beer festival otherwise (insert gluten-free joke here).
Here’s a few more photos from the festival:
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