The problem with festivals of any kind is an overwhelming amount of choice. This can lead to anxiety about what to try and when to try it, and what you might be missing out on. Naturally, some guidance is needed.
The Whistler Village Beer Festival will be no exception, with over 200 beers on tap this weekend. How does one navigate the complex and decidedly delicious beers available without actually drinking every beer available, getting loser wasted, and waking up the next morning remembering nothing specific about everything you tasted.
As always, WE Vancouver is here to help. Here are five beers WVBF festivalgoers absolutely must try. After that? You’re on your own.
Lagunitas - Undercover Investigation Shut Down
In 2005, Lagunitas Brewing was fined and banned from selling beer for 20 days after three people were busted for selling pot at the California brewery’s weekly Thursday night tasting. The brewery had been the subject of an undercover investigation by the California Alcohol Beverage Control Board because the brewery had been advertising the tasting nights as 420-friendly.
To commemorate the event, Lagunitas created a new beer, cheekily called Undercover Investigation Shut Down, and since 2006 it has remained one of its most popular beers. Pale barley malt, a touch of wheat, and an eclectic mix of hops that hides the boozy-y taste and makes it down right delicious. Beware though – with 9.9 per cent alcohol content, you’ll need just one glass before those beer goggles take full effect.
Brooklyn Brewery - Sorachi Ace
Sorachi Ace is brewed with the uniquely flavoured Sorachi Ace hops, first developed by a Japanese brewery and largely ignored by the rest of the brewing world. But with its curious lemon aroma, the Brooklyn-based brewery decided to experiment, creating its own farmhouse saison-style beer and adding it to its limited edition Brewmaster’s Reserve line. The brew proved so popular, they kept it going. Why? Because it tastes like sunshine in a glass, which, unsurprisingly, has earned them a slew of awards since it was released in 2011.
Les Trois Mousquetaires - Grande Cuvee Porter Baltique
This beer, all the way from Broassard, Quebec, has only recently been made available in BC. It's a dark lager inspired by porters from the Baltic Sea region, so you can expect robust, exotic flavour, with hints of caramel and dark fruit. It won the World’s Best Strong Porter at the 2013 World Beer Awards, which is high praise indeed.
Deadfrog - Rocket Man Interstellar ESB
The short runs from this Aldergrove brewer are always impressive, and this hazy amber-coloured premium bitter may well outdo them all. Rocket Man's loud, fruity flavour is contrasted by a mild bitterness that’s perfect for casual sipping on a patio…or in a festival ground surrounded by a thousand other beer fans. Either way.
It's the first of Dead Frog’s limited edition beers developed by Nick Fengler, who took over as head brewer earlier this year.
Steamworks - Jasmine IPA
Steamworks sneakily launched this IPA earlier this summer by selling it in a mix-pack – the only place to find it. Now it’s finally available on draft, which is good news indeed. A smooth, easy-drinking IPA that should be a crowd pleaser, even among people generally wary of IPAs. Light on the hoppy flavour, with a jasmine twist that makes it far more refreshing than some of the West Coast IPAs currently available. Check it.
