Beer Doggonit

Yeah! Another sunny Friday and two friends who are free and willing to sample Port Moody brews. A visit to these two breweries easily can be paired with a nice easy hike around the inlet. You can leave your car in the free Rocky Point Parking lot.

 Our first stop was Yellow Dog Brewing located on a block of doggie daycares at 2817 Murray Street, directly across from Rocky Point Park. We were favourably disposed to this brewery as we have a golden lab called Ella. We didn't bring her along but it looks as though you could have because there was a dog water bowl in the garden.

There were also picnic benches and Adirondack chairs so it was a lovely spot for sunny day drinking. The tasting areas inside the garage-type setting were not as convivial.

We tried the Take a Walk Belgium Wit (we took 4 cans of this home), Chase My Tail Pale Ale, the Saison, and the Sit and Stay Belgium India Session Ale.  Our flight was labeled with white pen on a black bone-shaped holder but the two other flights were not labelled and left the drinkers trying to remember which was which.

We picked up a free copy of The Growler volume 1, issue 2 here so check for it at the next brewery you go to. It is a great publication. You can check out specific opening hours, whether they have tours, food, kegs, growler fills, bottled /canned offerings or if they are dog friendly.

 Our next stop was Moody Ales Brewing, a couple of blocks to the west at 2601 Murray Street. They have used their back area as parking and have put their outside drinking area at the front.  This is on the north side of the building so it is a little cold and windy in the shade.  They supply blankets.

 

 We tried Chipper Blonde Ale, Lusty Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, Coconut Chocolate Stout and Hardy Brown Ale. The latter was my favourite. The beers are identified by number so as long as you have snagged a cheat-sheet you're ok. Went home with very yummy Chocolate Stout ice cream which they sell in pints for $10 each.

Local

It's been a couple of weeks without a post - not that we haven't been drinking beer - just not at a brewery! Today we didn't have much time and we were feeling bad about not having promoted the local businesses so we stayed within 5 minutes drive of our house in New West. No pics from our first destination as a certain someone forgot to load the charged battery into the camera.

Our first stop was Central City Brewery in Surrey.  It has been relocated from its humble beginnings in the Surrey Place mall to a brand new facility (first left after the Patullo Bridge).  This place is definitely an example of big business brewing. The production facilities are large.  There are two tasting areas and the largest array of clothing-for-purchase of any facility we have visited so far. Most of the clothes, and quotes on the wall pertain to cycling and ties into the Red Racer brand as well. The C-Fox music is loud and there is a t.v. in the larger tasting room.

This brewery produces ready-bottled beer as well as growler refills and on-site pints and flights.  In addition to beer and apple cider they produce gin and vodka. We tried the Saison, Hoppin' Mad Cider, Copper Ale and ISA (described as a beginner IPA).  We would have bought a growler of the Saison but they do not have screw caps available so if you only have this sort of growler, bring your own screw cap. We went home with a bottle of the Saison, the legendary Maple Bacon Breakfast Ale, some cider and Gollum Precious Pils.

After a bite to eat we visited Steel and Oak 1319 Third Avenue, off Stewardson Way in New Westminster. This brewery is on the major bike route into Vancouver so it is a nice destination. And if you are too tired or tipsy for the ride home, you can take the Skytrain back from New Westminster station. It is a small tasting room but pleasant - music is jazz on vinyl and no t.v. They try to book a food truck Thursday - Saturday.  This brewery is involved with the local community, doing fundraising and tasting events.

We tried the Smoked Hefeweizen, Dry Hopped ESB, the Projekt 0002 and the Marzen. We filled our growler with the latter; it was my favourite. The brew master here was trained in Germany so all the beer has a German feel to it.

Just around the corner from Steel and Oak is one of the best kept secrets in the Lower Mainland - the Pacific Breeze Winery. They make great wine although it is not inexpensive.  You can taste on site and the folks are friendly.