This years family vacation brought us to the beautiful Kootenay's of British Columbia. Dreamy little hobby farms surrounding crystal clear glacial rivers dwarfed by the rolling green mountains, small highways winding dangerously through heavily wooded landscapes with to many reminders of lost loved ones dotting the roads edge. A place of simple perfection, healthy happy living. The purpose of our trip was to take part in the marriage of our good friends Becca and Dean, who along with Dean's brother Gord and wonderful partner Angela own and maintain one of those busy hobby farms (although not a hobby for these fine folks). Crooked Horn Farm is where we called home for three days, tenting on the edge of the Slocan River, eating farm fresh veggies, and of course drinking wonderfully crafted BC beer.
A week or so before our departure, I contacted a friend of mine from Victoria and asked her if it was possible to bring me out a sixer of Phillips newly re-formulated Hop Circle IPA. Not a problem at all she said, seeing as her best friend is Matt Phillips right hand lady at the brewery. Not only did she bring me out a sizable sample, she even had one on ice ready and waiting for me! Oh snap...hello vacation. This IPA pours a hazy pale amber with a timid frothy head, which dissipates quickly leaving moderate lacing. Very typical of a west coast IPA on the nose, which don't get me wrong is a thing of beauty. Citrus and grapefruit notes come on strong but not over powering, it has richer accents that balance out those intense hop characters. Flavor wise a delightful beer. Medium carbonation, dry and light in the body. Well balanced malts with pleasant citrus and piney hops to kick it up. Overall quite hoppy but nothing to ridiculous, especially seeing as these days its almost as if brewers are going out of their way to make their IPA's hoppy as hell. Being a lover of all things heavily hopped I'm not opposed to this mentality, but sometimes it's just not necessary and I think it's good to remember that. It has become a summertime obsession to find the craziest hopped beers available, this beer brings you back to earth showing you that it doesn't all need to be extreme out of this world beer (ironic seeing as the label is an out of this world UFO). I'm sure if this was available in Alberta it would be a staple in my fridge.
To the lovely Soo, thank you very much for going out of your way to bring me this fantastic beer. And to Sekhina of Phillips Brewing Company, big big thanks for sending this facelss name a sample of your tasty product. I truly hope to see this and the rest of your brews in stores closer to home. Cheers!
During our trip I ended up bring home a bunch of BC craft beers, mostly from Nelson Brewing Company. During an impromptu house warming party after our return many of my holiday samples were pilfered from the fridge, but I will try to sit down sooner than later and talk about the beer that survived the party massacre. Nelson Brewery being the focus as I was extremely pleased with their all organic product.
To the lovely Soo, thank you very much for going out of your way to bring me this fantastic beer. And to Sekhina of Phillips Brewing Company, big big thanks for sending this facelss name a sample of your tasty product. I truly hope to see this and the rest of your brews in stores closer to home. Cheers!
During our trip I ended up bring home a bunch of BC craft beers, mostly from Nelson Brewing Company. During an impromptu house warming party after our return many of my holiday samples were pilfered from the fridge, but I will try to sit down sooner than later and talk about the beer that survived the party massacre. Nelson Brewery being the focus as I was extremely pleased with their all organic product.
