Love Good Beer

Bad BC Beer News

Sunday, February 14th, 2010 | Beer | 2 Comments

A couple of my favorite BC breweries are going through some turmoil. Old Yale Brewing from Chilliwack is a very small brewery that brews really good beer. Their beer is available direct from the brewery, in some BC Liquor stores, and in the better beer stores. Canadian Beer News is reporting that the brewery is up for sale. I’m hoping that whoever buys Old Yale preserves their recipes and quality standards. I imagine that anyone purchasing the brand would move the brewery from their tiny strip mall location and I can only hope that such changes wouldn’t tarnish the beer.  I can imagine why the two man team at Old Yale would want to sell; they are likely over worked and underpaid.  I really hope Old Yale stays alive.

Central City Brewing, my favorite local brewery from Surrey BC, is being sued by California’s Bear Republic Brewing for trademark infringement.  Bear Republic brews beers with the names Racer 5 and Red Rocket, which they claim are being confused with Central City’s Red Racer brand.  The dispute arose when Central City began distributing its highly acclaimed beer (for good reason, it is wonderful) in the USA.  Bear Republic likely views Central City as a threat now that they’ve moved into some of their markets, but Bear Republic can be purchased here and you don’t see Central City complaining (FYI Bear Republic, I won’t be buying your beer anymore).  Both breweries brew wonderful beers and it is a shame to see small time craft brewers like these fighting each other.  I hope the dispute is quickly and cheaply resolved, but I have a feeling that Central City will either have to re-brand or pull out of US markets.  To support Central City, start buying their delicious beer from BC Liquor Stores.  Not only are the Red Racer beers delicious, but they are one of BC’s cheapest beer options.  Both Canadian Beer News and BeerNews.org have more coverage of the lawsuit.

Cheers,

Chris

Tags: bear republic, Central City Brewing, chilliwack, old yale brewing, racer 5, red racer, red rocket, surrey

Beer Shopping and a Mill Street Update

Friday, February 20th, 2009 | Beer, Breweries | No Comments

One of my good friends Peter, of guest post fame, just took a job near Firefly.  In preparation for Sundin’s return to the centre of the universe, we did a little beer shopping on our lunch breaks.  It is always fun to introduce a friend to the glorious bounty held within Vancouver’s specialty beer stores. Both of us came home with some tasty treats:

Peter:

• Bear Republic Big Bear Stout
• Paulaner Salvator
• Brasserie Dupont Biere du Miel

Chris:

• Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA
• Mill Street Organic Lager
• Westmalle Trappist Tripel
• Green Flash Barley Wine (should I cellar this one?)
• Samuel Smiths Oatmeal Stout
• Thomas Hardy’s Ale 2006 (one for The Cellar)

The haul this week, Leafs suck, woooo!

I recently noticed a full page Mill Street ad on the back cover of Taps and was reminded of my Mill Street quest. I’ve already sampled four of their five bottled brews, notably the Tankhouse and Stock Ales, and more recently their Coffee Porter and Belgian Wit.  I enjoyed the Coffee Porter, a Canadian Brewing Awards gold medal winner.  I was not as fond of the Wit, which I found to be too flavored by its adjuncts.  In any case, I figured I should give the Organic Lager a try.

What struck me about the Mill Street ad was their emphasis on recent awards, which include Canadian brewery of the year.  I have the utmost respect for the CBA organizers and judges, who impartially conduct blind tastings. However, I’m wondering if the beer provided by the brewers for the judges is the same bottled beer waiting for consumers on liquor store shelves?  I am not accusing any brewery of foul play (I hate the Leafs, I like Mill Street), but I’m sure the breweries see the marketing value in winning these awards.  I may be out of line, but I consider this food for thought.

Cheers,

Chris

Tags: bear republic, canadian brewing awards, firefly, mill street, sundin