Okay, the title New Beer Wednesday doesn’t mean much more than it is Wednesday and I am going to talk about some new beer releases. I got tired of “roundup” and other such phrases. I really need to figure out a good headline for newsy items…
At any rate, on to the new beer releases:
Sherbrooke Liquor/Alley Kat Single Star: The team of Canada’s best beer store and one of Canada’s best microbreweries is at it again. This particular release, which officially arrived yesterday, is Alley Kat’s Big Bottle Series Oatmeal Stout (named Three Bears) aged for a couple of months in an original Jack Daniel’s whiskey barrel. The barrel came from a Single Barrel Series made exclusively for Sherbrooke. It was shipped up here and Alley Kat decided to put the stout into it. It is called Single Star to represent the original confederate flag during the American Civil War, which – as it works out – was 150 years ago to the day of the beer’s release. Pretty cool historical connection, although somewhat esoteric around these parts. Haven’t tried it yet, but hoping to get a bottle soon. I don’t like bourbon itself, but clearly its barrels add a rich complexity to beer. I think the decision to use a stout is particularly inspired.
Alley Kat Brewberry Blueberry Ale: I will admit I am normally not a big fan of fruity wheat beer – too much fruit, not enough beer. But last year I really enjoyed Brewberry (more on tap than in the bottle). Edmonton’s Alley Kat returns to this beer again for their spring/early summer seasonal. I don’t blame them. Apparently it was one of their best selling seasonals EVER. A good reason to try again. What I like about it is the blueberry is assertive, but there is a clear malty, wheat base that balances it. Blueberries are one of my favourite fruit, so an upfront blueberry taste is fine with me. But what makes the beer is its real beer taste in the background. On a hot summer day a glass of this would go down well – if summer ever happens. Plus I love the playful label.
Half Pints W: Okay, not really a beer, but one of the best April Fool’s jokes I have seen in a long time. It is a wonderful satire that burns Molson M and boring macro-lagers while staying playful. Kudos to Half Pints Dave for this clever and original spoof. To figure out what the hell I am talking about click here. I particularly encourage you to check out the video a little lower on the page.
Plus, don’t forget the spring releases from other prairie brewers which I have mentioned before. Paddock Wood has their Maibock, which is definitely worth a try and will be in Alberta and Saskatchewan for a couple of months. And Wild Rose has their Alt, available in Calgary until June and in Edmonton until supplies last. And don’t forget that Sherbrooke/Alley Kat also have Bad Hare Day, their double IPA, available at the moment.
So there is no shortage of new prairie beer to try. So put down that bottle of far-away import(as lovely as it may be) and try one of the above beer.
April 17, 2011 at 8:19 AM
I admire and like alley kat’s brews for the most part and I am looking forward to trying this single star. I’m kinda feeling scratchy about the american story in the label. I would have appreciated more canadian content in the label. Is our edmonton/ab history that boring? Is it just me-maybe I just need a drink.
April 18, 2011 at 8:27 AM
You need a drink. May I suggest “Ochsner’s 1905 Alberta Porter?” Or “Glenn Sherbrooke?” And soon, drumroll please… “Glenda Sherbrooke!” (Don’t ask)
Sorry if you didn’t like the label. But there’s more Canadian content there than you realize. Like it or not, an awful lot of Canadians have American roots, whether they realize it or not. My mother is American, but that had nothing to do with the label.
We did a beer using a barrel that held Tennessee Whiskey. (Our own barrel, in fact. If you buy a bottle of JD Single Barrel at Sherbrooke, you’re getting the product that came from that barrel…and you will for probably 2 or 3 more years… there was a LOT of it!)
I did originally intend to have a different label, though it would still have been American. I went looking for reference material, intending to have our regular artist do something humorous, using an anthropomorphic version of a Confederate soldier. Instead, I found Don Troiani http://www.historicalartprints.com/ and knew I had to use his art instead.
The soldier is a member of the 14’th Mississippi, sitting in Fort Donelson, Tennessee. To me, this was perfect. U.S. or not, this is currently my favorite label, and I hope to do more with him.
That said, got a good idea for a Canadian Content Beer? Let me know, and maybe I’ll use it!
April 18, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Point taken Jim. I did get a drink- just cranky I was and I should have had that drink first before jumping on the keyboard.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Nice of you to consider canadian label suggestions so I’ll keep that in mind, as that appeals to me since I value greatly local culture and local cuisine.
April 18, 2011 at 5:22 PM
You’ll like our Variety Pack label then, coming out in the next week or so…
April 20, 2011 at 7:05 AM
Thanks Jim- I’ll look for it.
Here’s a local labe idea;
down in the area east of Muttart, there used to be a brick factory. in honor of of the industrious labor types of edmonton that forged out a history here, farming, oil etc. included, you might consider a red ale named Big Red Brick or Brickhouse.
red ales are generally popular depending on you talk too.
April 20, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Hmm. Brick. Can’t see any lawsuits there. Probably too close to the brickwork on our Big Al’s Red Kiss as well. (More Americanism, sorry:))
Except…Feb 16’th has a fairly significant history here. (Jason?) We’re planning to bring Big Al back next year anyway, possibly a re-labelling of half the batch…
This is workable. Jason, we should chat.
Thanks.
April 20, 2011 at 4:38 PM
Sorry, I have the dates wrong, silly me and too quick a check on the net. But Jason and I have chatted, and there are possibilities…
April 20, 2011 at 7:29 PM
Jim:
Just keep in mind about Brick brewing in Ontario.And they large enough to create a problem. We also have a Red Brick Ale here in BC, done in a brew pub, but they have sued smaller breweries and won…
April 21, 2011 at 1:01 PM
I think Jim’s tongue was firmly implanted in his cheek when he suggested no worries of a lawsuit there. I suspect he will try his best to avoid angering anyone who has access to lawyers…
April 21, 2011 at 7:08 PM
well- guess I haven’t been back in canada long enough to learn of these others. uhmm- i though there was tongue in cheek. what isn’t taken? I quit.