April 2017 - 3 New beers, two great ones and one for the 'don't buy again' list! an interesting beer, but not suited to any of our palettes.

A Lager, an ESB and a Gruit which is made without hops.

Spring Fever Gruit Ancient Ale

 Passed down in families or jealously guarded by monasteries, Gruit Ale recipes come from an era when beer was flavoured with a variety of herbs & spices. Developed with the help of Salt Spring’s ‘Wild Seed School of Herbal Studies’, our Spring Fever Gruit is made without hops – using wildcrafted herbs and a little ‘lunar magik’. It was brewed on the full moon – said to maximize botanical essences. Bright, cider-like flavours, a floral/clover nose and a slight sweetness make our Spring Gruit uniquely different & refreshing. Spring limited release.

Saltspring Island Ales - Saltspring BC
 http://www.saltspringislandales.com/our-brews/

This Guit rates a do not buy again.. almost tasted like an apple cider gone bad..:)

 Blood Alley ESB


 Blood Alley Bitter is an Extra Special Bitter named after a notorious cobblestone laneway in Vancouver's Gastown district. At 50 IBU's this beer is slightly higher in bitterness than the average ESB but it is well-balanced by the rich, roasted malt flavours.

Stylistically, the malt side is very English, but the hops are all floral US varieties. Brewed with only the best including: 2-row Pilsner malt, Flaked Barley, UK Crystal Malt, and a touch of UK Chocolate Malt. We use Columbus hops in the brew kettle, and dry hop with Cascade and Willamette.

PART OF THE RUSSELL BREWMASTER SERIES - a succession of small batch beers crafted for an unconventional beer drinker.

 Russel Brewing Company - Surrey BC
 http://www.russellbeer.com/blood_alley.html

Vienna Lager
 This finely made Vienna red lager is exquisite in taste, with Noble German Tettnang hops and smooth creamy maltiness. A dark, rich beer with with rich, complex ready notes and chocolate-like flavors. Perfect for your trip into the wild.

Hoyne Brewing Company - Victoria, BC
Hoynebrewing.ca