October is so, so close, which is great news for beer lovers. Why? Because it’s beer month, obviously.
Yes, BC Craft Beer Month is nearly upon us, along with the signature event, the BC Beer Awardson Saturday, Oct. 25, which celebrates the local craft beer scene in all its tasty and innovative glory.
The CBC’s Stephen Quinn will host the event, which alone is reason enough to go (who doesn’t like Stephen Quinn?). Add to that a fine selection of BC craft beers sold for public consumption at a decent price, plus the chance to mingle with the brains behind these delectable brews, and you have a mighty attractive event to pay $27 for…Right. Here.Get on ‘em quick though – 2013’s event was completely sold out.
This year, BCBA is partnering with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Each attendee that donates a nonperishable food item will receive one drink token (butonly one – keep that in mind). All proceeds from the coat check service will be donated to the food bank, so make sure you bring a coat or cumbersome luggage of some kind. There will also be a 50/50 draw, with half the proceeds going to the food bank and the other half going to me, God willing.
The BCBA is also offering four education classes for $15 each, for anyone hoping to bone up on their craft beer knowledge. The classes are:
- Hops Connect, an introduction to the marvelous vine that will include samples of beer and is designed for beer drinkers to examine beer styles in new ways.
>- The History of Beer, hosted by BC Craft Beer Guild president Ken Beattie, which will take attendees from the dawn of civilization to the modern day brewing, tracing six styles of beer that relate to the historical significance of beer for humans.
- Malts, a sensory evaluation of several malts and the flavours and characters they impart to the beers brewed with them.
- Off Flavours, hosted by Chad McCarthy, a certified cicerone, who will help improve everyone’s understanding of beer flavour and aroma.
For more information, or to buy tickets for any of the classes, visit theBC Beer Awardswebsite. Check outthe full list of last year’s winners, while you’re at it.
