Brockton IPA, Granville Island Brewing, BC

GI is trying to brew a beer that tastes different from their others, but they didn't try very hard. Its boring. Hoppy, but not very, won't satisfy people who like over-hopped beers. And its not very balanced, won't make people who like more traditional IPAs happy either. Oh, well.

Nasty Habit IPA, Mt. Begbie, BC

Another hoppy, american-style IPA. OK, but not standout. Don't think I'd buy it again, though it was only $4.95, I think, for a 650ml bottle, so its cheap if you like hoppy!

Also called a "strong beer", but at 6%ABV... that seems a weak claim.

Total Domination IPA, Ninkasi, OR

American style IPA, i.e., totally hoppy. First time I tasted it I was a bit, "oh, one of these over the top ones". Next time it tasted more balanced. Anyhow, they know their market and are hopping to it. 6.7%ABV.

Bam Noire, Jolly Pumpkin, FL

Like they say, its a Dark Farmhouse Ale. A bit sour, complex, lots of different flavours. I liked it a bunch. Also, one of those expensive, need-an-excuse to buy beers. Too bad.

Nostradamus, Brasserie Caracole, BE

9%ABV, super tasty, dark, rich, very expensive... Julie and I shared it on Christmas Eve.

Abbey Ale, Abita, LA

This was a belgian style. It was OK. Julie quite liked it, I found it a bit sweet.

Christmas Ale, Abita, LA

Never had a beer from Louisiana before... my mother brought these back from New Orleans.

The Christmas ale was spiced, but not overpowering, quite enjoyed it.

Whiskey Jack, Whistler Brewing Company, BC

Used to be a good brewery, I don't think they are anymore, but I'm running out of new beer to taste at the local BC liquor store. Tried this. Tasted fine, but not so interesting.

Pale Ale, Okanagan Springs, BC

Its a decent pale ale, some flavour, cold, but not something I'd look for.

Deckhand Belgian Saison, Lighthouse, BC

Wasn't the best saison I've had, but enjoyable. Might try it again.

Belle Royale, Driftwood, BC

"Strong Belgian Cherry Ale"

Sure, its cherry flavored, but sour instead of sweet. I liked it! I'd really like to have a glass on draft.

Bob's Your Dunkel, Mt. Begbie, BC

Its a dunkel. Tasty.

The Immortal IPA, Elysian, WA

I remember liking it...

Ginger Beer, Phillips, BC

I don't know why I bought this. I like cooked ginger, but not raw ginger tasting things.

Julie said she didn't hate it, but I notice she never finished a glass.

I poured it out. Seems to be a trend, I noticed another at the store, but I won't be trying that one.

Imperial IPA, Granville Island Brewing, BC

Hoppy, 8.2%ABV. A limited release. Tasty, but I think I'm going off IPAs. I started drinking hoppier beers a year or two ago with Chris, who really liked them a the time. I think I'm saturating!

Rockfish Red Ale, Howe Sound, BC

5.3%ABV

Cuvee D'Hiver, Driftwood, BC

Despite the name, I think it'd make a better summer time beer. A bit of Belgian complexity, but light, bit hoppy, and clean. Perfect for sitting around a picnic table in the afternoon sun.

Don de Dieu, Unibroue, QC

9%. My favourite, tasted head to head against the Fin du Monde and Maudite. Doesn't taste as strong, more balanced.

Hoperation Tripel Cross Belgian IPA, Phillips, BC

Hoppy, complex, tasty, 8%.

ESB, Swans, BC

Can't remember...

Blackheart Oatmeal Stout, Nelson Brewing Company, BC

Not very stout, but a decent dark beer. Bit of bitterness from the roast.

Amnesiac Double IPA, Phillips, BC

8.5%, tasty, hoppy. Nice!

Big Bear Black Stout, Bear Republic, CA

Rich, 8.1%ABV, tasty, good.

Red Label?, Chimay, BE

Chimay strong ale... no name? They just have colors? Hm. Strong ale, 7%ABV. Tasty!

Chocolate Mint Brown Ale, Dead Frog, BC

Sometimes you know it will be bad... and you just want to know _how_ bad.

Well, we drank most of the bottle. A small glass with desert is OK.

Tastes like beer flavored with after-8 mints. Hm.

Pommeau de Bretagne, Manoir dur Kinkiz, FR

I loved this! Its a mistelle, a mixture of juice and distilled alcohol, in this case apple juice and eau-de-vie of apple. It was rich, complex, sweet but not too, 17% alcohol, and I wish I could buy it here! Thomas brought a bottle from France.

Taunt yourself by viewing it on the web

Surly Blonde Big Belgian Triple, Phillips, BC

A nice winter beer, warming!

Scottish Ale, Granville Island, BC

Their seasonal. Its OK.

Hoppelganger, R&B, BC

Tasty, hoppy, as advertised.

Crooked Coast Amber Ale, Driftwood, BC

Slightly sweet and reddish. Tasty.

The Hammer Imperial Stout, Phillips, BC

Nice rich 8.3% imperial stout.

Red Racer Pale Ale, Central City Brewing, BC

Simple, tasty, drinkable, economical. A well-crafted ale.

Blackberry Porter, Cannery Brewing, BC

As I remembered, not so great, tastes like flavoured beer... which of course is what you expect when you drink a flavoured beer, but still.

Red Racer Pumpkin Ale, Central City Brewing, BC

Enjoyable seasonal, I bought a few six packs of it, but its gone now.

Avatar Jasmine IPA, Elysian, CO

I bought this out of curiosity, it seemed a long shot, but Julie likes jasmine.

What a pleasant surprise! Its not really an IPA, if the hops were strong Julie wouldn't like it, it seems to me they "dry-hopped" it with jasmine flowers, and it works really, really well! A few weeks after drinking a few in the bottle, I found it on tap at the Whip, but only a temporary thing.

Night Owl Pumpkin Ale, Elysian, CO

Honestly, I can't remember, but I think it was good...

Saison de Dottignies, Br. De Ranke, BE

I've been really enjoying Saisons in the last year. Its my new discovery, so imagine my surprise in getting one from Belgium, the source, and it wasn't good. Kindof sour, in a bad way.

Double Chocolate Stout, Young's, UK

On sale at the liquor store, I now know why!

Yuck, degulas, it tastes like an OK stout that had chocolate flavoring added, slightly medicinal, and cheap.

Old Ruby Ale, Waitrose?, UK

Slightly sweet, organic, tasty. Also, reasonably cheap, despite being imported. I like the cents/ml price they have on the shelf at the BC liquor stores!

Porter, Eel River Brewing Company, CA

Think it was OK, but can't rightly recall...