Sorry for my near two month absence, my extended leave is completely inexcusable and I apologize profusely to all of you. I know it is not much of an excuse, but I just moved into a house and it turns out houses are a lot of work and will quickly consume most of your life. Things are settling back down to normal now and Shaw recently ran cable to my house last week and I am now once again connected to the world through the magic of the internet. So I am back!
I put together a post a few weeks ago about Dead Frog‘s latest release – which is a great amber ale. I thought I would be able to steal internet access from my neighbors unsecured wireless network, but the signal was no good and I couldn’t upload the post. I thought is might still be worth sharing. If you you haven’t yet tried Dead Frog’s Amber Ale I recommend you go out a give it a whirl.
Aldergrove’s Dead Frog Brewery recently released a new beer to mark their two and half year anniversary. No surprise to hear that the beer is name 2 ½ Year Anniversary Ale – very creative. This new release is asmoked amber ale and is only available in Dead Frog’s 12 pack mixer. After finding reading about this new release earlier today I stopped in at the liquor store on my way home to find this new beer.
Although I have never been a fan of clear bottles, as they tend to turn delicious beer into foul smelling skunk water, this new beer is delicious. The smokey flavour is relatively mild but is noticeable in the aroma. The 2 ½ Anniversary Ale is malty but not overpowering and is balanced by a mild hop finish. All in all a well balanced flavourful amber ale.
Smoked beer is a scarcity here in BC and often times when found the smokey flavour tends to be overpowering. Cheers Dead Frog for putting together a great smoked amber ale.
Erik
Yes, it’s unfortunate that smoked ales are not in regular supply here. Smoked Porter is fantastic with barbecue, so naturally Derrick at Dix made one, but it should be in regular attendance there, in my opinion.
Gary Lohin makes a fine smoked porter that is not of the “Who dumped the fags in my pint, wot?” variety. I wasn’t in the country when he was brewing at Sailor Hagar’s, but he has been brewing one for the last two years at Central City.
Mt. Begbie had a smoked porter as a winter seasonal until they dropped it due to threatened legal action. I only managed to try it the last season it was available, but it had been on the shelf for a bit, unrefrigerated in an BCL store. The smoke was a bit on the subtle side for my liking.
Last year for Father’s Day, Jeff Van Geest, Executive Sous Chef for Diva at the Met, smoked some malt for R&B, from which they made a Smoked Raven Cream Ale. For Diva’s ‘Unforgettable Tastes For an Unforgettable Man’ dinner (http://bcbrews.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/a-new-trend-for-fathers-day/), it was paired with Bacon Wrapped Sloping Hill Pork Loin. Oh, was it good!
R&B made some more Smoked Raven Cream Ale for The Whip’s ‘Feast of Five Firkins’ on Sunday, which was paired with Nori Salmon and Avocado Salad. This, in my opinion, was the best pairing of the meal.
Echt Schlenkerla Rauchbier is definitely an acquired taste. Its smoke is like pulling on a stogie while drinking your beer or someone lazily dumping their butts in your half-empty pint, thinking it was a dead soldier. However, none of the above smoked ales have been that intense. I hope more of the other craft breweries willing to take a risk — Driftwood, Phillips, Storm — would explore this style and come up with a version that works well with signature BC dishes, like Cedar Plank Salmon or oysters.
I have tried a few of those smoked beers, but sadly not all of them. And we missed out on the feast of five firkins because we didn’t act fast enough! Our bad. How was it (besides awesome)?
Well its about bloody time! Welcome back Erik!
Now as for these smoked beers i have not yet had one, i will have to give a batch a try.