The Real Mr. Keith

I need not tell anyone reading this website that one of the most infuriating bits of misinformation in the beer world is AB-Inbev’s insistence on calling Alexander Keith’s an IPA, despite the very obvious evidence that it is far from it. I have railed about this before, so won’t repeat myself here.

But I bring it up because my latest Planet S column tells of my adventures on the Alexander Keith’s Brewery Tour in Halifax. While in the old harbour city this spring, I decided on a lark to drop almost $20 to give the tour a whirl. You see, this is no ordinary beer tour. Located in the historic original Keith’s brewery by the harbourfront, they don’t just spin you around the brewhouse for a few minutes before dispatching you to a tasting room. They have instead constructed a living time capsule. The guides act as if the year is 1863 and anchor the tour around a much promised visit with Mr. Keith himself.

I found I quite enjoyed myself on the tour, despite its touristy kitsch. At least until the beer. You can read the details in the Planet S article. [UPDATE: You can now also find it in Vue Weekly, as it ran there this week.]

The choice of 1863 is ironically appropriate, I suppose. At that time Keith’s would have been a real IPA, produced alongside a porter and other ales.Too bad they don’t take the opportunity to come clean in that respect.

And of course, Mr. Keith never shows up and the much awaiting tete a tete between prairie beerguy and Scottish brewing magnate never materializes. Likely for the best, I suspect.