Well, here it is, BC beer week on Toronto Beer Blog. I had decided last week, given the large amount of BC beer currently available at the LCBO, and also the sexiness of said beer, to do a whole week just on BC brews. The players we currently have access to here in Ontario are Tree who, in addition to the regularly available Hop Head IPA, also has a five bottle brewery feature on; Central City who just landed a general list for their magnificent Red Racer IPA; and Phillips who has a limited release of their Ginger Beer for the summer. We are seeing these companies increasing their availability because drinkers want them and are buying their products. So from those of us who sell beers from BC (I’m one of them) and the folks who make them, thanks. Feel free to buy more! So we’re starting out the week with a beer that isn’t available yet (patience). Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale is a bit of a gateway craft beer, well-made and interesting enough to not be passed by, yet accessible to people who might not be used to drinking 70IBU IPAs. Let’s do it!
Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale - Tree Brewing Co.
From a 355ml can with a best-before date stamped on the bottom edge, Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale pours a deep amber that hits at reddish in the centre. About 1″ of foamy head drops to a dense film that hangs around the whole drink. Aroma is lovely, sweet malts like proofing bread dough and a touch of honey. Hops are earthy with just a touch of wild flowers and black tea. Taste is exactly what you would expect, immediately sweet with more dark grainy malts and again that touch of honey, changing over in the mid-palate to a lovely dry hop presence that is now just earthy with a hint of black tea, but with quite a nice dry bitterness on the finish that leaves just a hint of the sweet malts lingering. An amber ale that is perfectly balanced, I would drink it all the time if I had regular access to it. I wouldn’t hesitate to give it to a friend or take it to a party, though i still suspect people drinking things that are simply yellow and cold might have a bit of trouble with this. Still, it’s the kind of beer that could convert a whole lot of people to drinking better beer.
Cheers Tree!
About The Brewery
A company focused on quality, excellence and creating great tasting beer, Tree Brewing Company has been taking craft brewing seriously for 15 years. Located in beautiful Kelowna, British Columbia, Tree brews in small batches using only water, malt, hops and yeast to produce the highest quality, all natural, unpasteurized beer. The Tree family of Craft beers include Hop Head India Pale Ale, Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale, Cutthroat West Coast Pale Ale, Kelowna Pilsner, Beach Blonde Lager and Vertical Winter Ale. Special releases also make brief appearances depending on the inspirations of Brewmaster Stefan Buhl. In 2011, Tree Brewing also introduced its first cider to the lineup; Dukes Dry Apple Cider is the only 100% BC-produced Dry Apple Cider available on the market. For more information on Tree Brewing and its award-winning lineup, please visit www.treebeer.com.
