Canadian Beer ...

Lost Horizon · Jan 04, 2003, 10:52 PM

Every year, at christmas, there is a small brewer on Vancouver Island called .. get this.. "Vancouver Island Brewery". For two weeks at christmas, they make a beautiful Ice Bock called "Herminnator". It is almost impossible to get, but this year I got two bottles as a a gift. As I'm working on the Canopy of my Heli, I'm enjoying one now. For our American friends, this beer is smooooth, and 9.5%. You don't go there, I'm told.. I think you'd need practice to even attempt a bottle, which is about twice the size of your typical bud.

So, if you happen to be on Vancouver Island at Christmas time, look for it in the stores. You might get lucky.

Have a great new year, all.!

flyfalcons · Jan 04, 2003, 11:40 PM

Where on the Island is it made? I always enjoy my summer trips to Pt. McNeill where I can get James Douglas at the pub. Have yet to see it here in the States.

Lost Horizon · Jan 05, 2003, 01:40 AM

I don't think you can get it in the US.. In fact, I don't think you can get it in the rest of Canada. ..

http://www.vanislandbrewery.com/

Bottoms up!

T. Lyttle · Jan 05, 2003, 10:52 PM

Finally we in Canada are following a British tradition that has merit. The Brits fought the Anheuser-Busch (sp?) system of buying out anyone brewiing and insisted on local independent brews; MUCH better. Beer can (and does) change its character in as little as 4 miles if allowed. The big breweries here have been fighting to stop micros here with little success; hurrah

!

We used to be able to buy 11% here; that was the Canadian Advantage at the local tracks. The guys came up from Washingto State: easy pickens here, they even offer us a beer in the pits, or two. Sluggin' it back like US 3.8, they couldn't find the track by the third heat...

Some of the stuff here in the Okanagan is truly inspiring...

John Z · Jan 06, 2003, 07:58 PM

Hooray for you guys! Up here in Northern Michigan, we have several micro breweries and they produce outstanding beer. One even has an outdoor service ....patio tables , chairs etc. where one can slurp a good one and watch the rest of the world go by.
FTW Chicago Sun Times journalist Mike Royko once said that American beer tastes like it was strained through a horse. I have to agree when it concerns anything made by annheiser-busch. It's all swill....meant for beer guzzling tv sports fans. Their beer all tastes the same....weak, no character, completely predictable and without body. It's as though they use the same recipe for every different beer.
They are the reason why so many people are switching to microbrews. Cheers, bottoms up.....John Z.

T. Lyttle · Jan 06, 2003, 09:03 PM

... until you get to Britain. I had some of the best beer/ale ever over there; even found a beer that my wife liked

, and that's a first.

Went into pubs during the Real Ale Revolution; Watney's and Co. pulled in their horns then, wonder if they won or not.

DeaninMilwaukee · Jan 06, 2003, 10:26 PM

As a homebrewer, I really appreciate top quality beers, and appreciate what it takes to make a really good one.

A high alcohol beer especially is difficult as the fermentaion process takes a very long time and gives ample opportunity for off flavors to generate.

I hate to ask, but what does a botle of that stuff cost?

Dean in Milwaukee

Lost Horizon · Jan 06, 2003, 11:00 PM

It's $5.95 worthless Canadian Dollars for 650ml. That's about $0.75 US

..

Here's a connoisseurs official description ..

Along with Niagara Falls, Vancouver Island is one of the few (if not the only) authentic interpretations of the German style Eisbock in Canada. The Hermannator is stronger than Niagara Falls' version (9% as compared to 8%). The appearance is dark, without much carbonation. Recent Niagara Falls Eisbock vintages have not been as dark as this Hermannator. There is a prominent aroma and flavour of intense maltiness. Sweetness expected in a brew of this strength; and it does not disappoint. The mouthfeel is full and smooth, and the sweetness continues through the aftertaste. Vancouver Island does not distribute any of its brands in Ontario.

BillM · Jan 07, 2003, 02:20 PM

I am no expert on what constitutes a good beer. Health problems have relegated me to the ranks of tea toddler. I do however remember while in the service of this nation I had occassion to visit our northern neighbor and to sample some of their fine brew.
IMHO nothing that comes out of an American brewery can compare with Canadian Beer. The beer that I tasted was not special. It was common to all the watering holes that we visited. Can't even remember the name. The label was blue and I believe had a picture of a sailboat on it. Forty years tends to dim one's memory but I atill remember the Kick that brew had.

ex-racr · Jan 07, 2003, 04:26 PM

Very soon, Samuel Adams is coming out with their Double Bock (3rd week in Jan.) It will not have the high alcohol content, but should approximate the malty, sweet taste. It's excellent.
Terry

DanC · Jan 07, 2003, 07:30 PM

whats sex in a canoe and canadian beer got in common ?

Their both xxxxing close to water

T. Lyttle · Jan 07, 2003, 09:13 PM

Until you get to the micros. As far as sex in a canoe is concerned... best not to go there, again...

The micros here are close to Brit beer, just not close enough to suit me is all. York beer is really good; had some difficulty finding my B&B on a couple of occasions, but I can't say which area was the best, just all of it better than US beer (sorry, yanks, but it's the truth). Surprisingly Belgium builds some nice stuff...

Lost Horizon · Jan 07, 2003, 09:33 PM

well, this old thread does seem to have developed legs.. Means we're not drinking the Hermannator/ micros to excess, that's for sure.. We'd all be under the thread by now..

I have spent time in Great Britian, Belgium, Holland, Denmark and Germany.

I fully agree they have their brilliance in certain brew areas, and, like the internet, the beauty is in the diversity. The brew depth of this discussion brings tears to my eyes. Some things are better done away from the corporate cloners a la 1984, and this is one such matter. Long live the creative micros, all around the planet.. Think I'll crack me last (sniff) Hermannator .. ahhhh..

JiffySquid · Jan 08, 2003, 01:06 PM

When your done with Hermannator you should check out the beers of Unibroue, a fantastic microbrewer, unibroue.com- and IMHO the only Canadian beer
-Squid

Viper Pilot · Jan 08, 2003, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by John Z
. . . . . .Up here in Northern Michigan, we have several micro breweries and they produce outstanding beer. One even has an outdoor service ....patio tables , chairs etc. where one can slurp a good one and watch the rest of the world go by. . . . . .

John,

Have you tried Belgian Trippel (11%) from Big Buck Brewery in Gaylord???

They come out with it every once in a while, and it compares with a lot of Euro beers as far as robustness.

Great stuff!!!

For a lighter style try their Buck Naked Beer.

VP

Jan 04, 2003, 10:52 PM	#1
Lost Horizon in a fog ... Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 471	Canadian Beer ... Every year, at christmas, there is a small brewer on Vancouver Island called .. get this.. "Vancouver Island Brewery". For two weeks at christmas, they make a beautiful Ice Bock called "Herminnator". It is almost impossible to get, but this year I got two bottles as a a gift. As I'm working on the Canopy of my Heli, I'm enjoying one now. For our American friends, this beer is smooooth, and 9.5%. You don't go there, I'm told.. I think you'd need practice to even attempt a bottle, which is about twice the size of your typical bud. So, if you happen to be on Vancouver Island at Christmas time, look for it in the stores. You might get lucky. Have a great new year, all.! Attached Thumbnails 96.6 KB · Views: 262 Last edited by Lost Horizon; Jan 04, 2003 at 10:55 PM.

Jan 05, 2003, 10:52 PM	#4
T. Lyttle Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Keremeos BC Canada Posts: 369	Microbreweries... Finally we in Canada are following a British tradition that has merit. The Brits fought the Anheuser-Busch (sp?) system of buying out anyone brewiing and insisted on local independent brews; MUCH better. Beer can (and does) change its character in as little as 4 miles if allowed. The big breweries here have been fighting to stop micros here with little success; hurrah ! We used to be able to buy 11% here; that was the Canadian Advantage at the local tracks. The guys came up from Washingto State: easy pickens here, they even offer us a beer in the pits, or two. Sluggin' it back like US 3.8, they couldn't find the track by the third heat... Some of the stuff here in the Okanagan is truly inspiring...

Jan 06, 2003, 07:58 PM	#5
John Z jollyroger Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Central Lake, Mi. Posts: 1,022	Canadian Beer Hooray for you guys! Up here in Northern Michigan, we have several micro breweries and they produce outstanding beer. One even has an outdoor service ....patio tables , chairs etc. where one can slurp a good one and watch the rest of the world go by. FTW Chicago Sun Times journalist Mike Royko once said that American beer tastes like it was strained through a horse. I have to agree when it concerns anything made by annheiser-busch. It's all swill....meant for beer guzzling tv sports fans. Their beer all tastes the same....weak, no character, completely predictable and without body. It's as though they use the same recipe for every different beer. They are the reason why so many people are switching to microbrews. Cheers, bottoms up.....John Z.

Jan 06, 2003, 09:03 PM	#6
T. Lyttle Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Keremeos BC Canada Posts: 369	It's good, ok,... ... until you get to Britain. I had some of the best beer/ale ever over there; even found a beer that my wife liked , and that's a first. Went into pubs during the Real Ale Revolution; Watney's and Co. pulled in their horns then, wonder if they won or not.

Jan 07, 2003, 04:26 PM	#10
ex-racr AKA Terry Till Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 861	American equivalent?? Very soon, Samuel Adams is coming out with their Double Bock (3rd week in Jan.) It will not have the high alcohol content, but should approximate the malty, sweet taste. It's excellent. Terry

Jan 04, 2003, 11:40 PM	#2
flyfalcons Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bonney Lake, WA Posts: 751	Where on the Island is it made? I always enjoy my summer trips to Pt. McNeill where I can get James Douglas at the pub. Have yet to see it here in the States.

Jan 05, 2003, 01:40 AM	#3
Lost Horizon in a fog ... Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 471	I don't think you can get it in the US.. In fact, I don't think you can get it in the rest of Canada. .. http://www.vanislandbrewery.com/ Bottoms up!

Jan 06, 2003, 10:26 PM	#7
DeaninMilwaukee Motors beat engines! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin, United States Posts: 4,355	As a homebrewer, I really appreciate top quality beers, and appreciate what it takes to make a really good one. A high alcohol beer especially is difficult as the fermentaion process takes a very long time and gives ample opportunity for off flavors to generate. I hate to ask, but what does a botle of that stuff cost? Dean in Milwaukee

Jan 06, 2003, 11:00 PM	#8
Lost Horizon in a fog ... Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 471	It's $5.95 worthless Canadian Dollars for 650ml. That's about $0.75 US .. Here's a connoisseurs official description .. Along with Niagara Falls, Vancouver Island is one of the few (if not the only) authentic interpretations of the German style Eisbock in Canada. The Hermannator is stronger than Niagara Falls' version (9% as compared to 8%). The appearance is dark, without much carbonation. Recent Niagara Falls Eisbock vintages have not been as dark as this Hermannator. There is a prominent aroma and flavour of intense maltiness. Sweetness expected in a brew of this strength; and it does not disappoint. The mouthfeel is full and smooth, and the sweetness continues through the aftertaste. Vancouver Island does not distribute any of its brands in Ontario.

Jan 07, 2003, 02:20 PM	#9
BillM Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States Posts: 5,165	I am no expert on what constitutes a good beer. Health problems have relegated me to the ranks of tea toddler. I do however remember while in the service of this nation I had occassion to visit our northern neighbor and to sample some of their fine brew. IMHO nothing that comes out of an American brewery can compare with Canadian Beer. The beer that I tasted was not special. It was common to all the watering holes that we visited. Can't even remember the name. The label was blue and I believe had a picture of a sailboat on it. Forty years tends to dim one's memory but I atill remember the Kick that brew had.

Jan 07, 2003, 07:30 PM	#11
DanC broom driver Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Barnsley, Gods own Yorkshire, Uk Posts: 240	whats sex in a canoe and canadian beer got in common ? Their both xxxxing close to water

Jan 07, 2003, 09:13 PM	#12
T. Lyttle Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Keremeos BC Canada Posts: 369	Exactly right, Until you get to the micros. As far as sex in a canoe is concerned... best not to go there, again... The micros here are close to Brit beer, just not close enough to suit me is all. York beer is really good; had some difficulty finding my B&B on a couple of occasions, but I can't say which area was the best, just all of it better than US beer (sorry, yanks, but it's the truth). Surprisingly Belgium builds some nice stuff...

Jan 07, 2003, 09:33 PM	#13
Lost Horizon in a fog ... Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 471	well, this old thread does seem to have developed legs.. Means we're not drinking the Hermannator/ micros to excess, that's for sure.. We'd all be under the thread by now.. I have spent time in Great Britian, Belgium, Holland, Denmark and Germany. I fully agree they have their brilliance in certain brew areas, and, like the internet, the beauty is in the diversity. The brew depth of this discussion brings tears to my eyes. Some things are better done away from the corporate cloners a la 1984, and this is one such matter. Long live the creative micros, all around the planet.. Think I'll crack me last (sniff) Hermannator .. ahhhh..

Jan 08, 2003, 01:06 PM	#14
JiffySquid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Syracuse NY Posts: 20	When your done with Hermannator you should check out the beers of Unibroue, a fantastic microbrewer, unibroue.com- and IMHO the only Canadian beer -Squid