I just realized the last CBC column I did before coming to Halifax is on their website (don’t worry, I will be returning to my regular slot upon my return). It was a piece a new look at fruit beer. I have long said that I am not a big fruit beer fan – too much cooler, not enough beer. However, in recent times I have been forced to reconsider my traditional opinion of fruit beer. To be frank, brewers have upped their game, and it was time for me to acknowledge that.

It started for me, really, last year with the first edition of Alley Kat’s Brewberry blueberry beer. They put enough beer behind the fruit to make it not-cooler-like, but still summery and refreshing (of course, it is back again this summer). And over the last few months I have been sampling other versions, some with unusual fruit, others with a substantial beer base. Some worked for me, some didn’t. But I can’t say that fruit beer was boring.

So, in a nutshell, that is what the CBC column was about. We talk a bit about the trend, I suggest a couple of good versions, and then we try Cannery Blackberry Porter, which really does have a fantastic blackberry character. A marvelous beer overall.

At any rate, you can listen to the column here. Feel free to listen to it over and over (or to any of the other archived columns) if you are experiencing CBC beer column withdrawal. Actually, as I think about it, this Friday will be the first week I miss the column. Let’s hope time flies and I am back on the air soon.