Keen to get a closer look at why shredding pairs so well with beer, I interviewed five beer-loving, BC-based riders to get the in on their favourite brews, breweries, and what’s keeping them stoked this winter season.

Dylan Siggers

Local resort: Fernie Alpine Resort
Go-to brewery: Fernie Brewing Co.
Instagram: @dylansiggers, @burrrlapz, @electricblanketbandclub
Fun fact: I play in a band called Electric Blanket Band Club

Can you describe your passion for skiing in three words?

I always use the word spastic for my skiing. And I don’t want to use the word creative but I want something to tie in making videos … so maybe collaborative. And powder.

Sweet, what’s your best trick?

I don’t know if I have a best trick because I’m more of a powder guy, but I do tricks in powder. My favourite trick is probably a 180, but usually that’s off something that makes a 180 a hard trick to do. I like to do them off big cliffs or something.

How long have you been shredding in Fernie?

I actually grew up here. My parents moved here when they were in their 20s — I was born here and just haven’t left.

So you’re one of those rare locals. I noticed you also ride for Fernie Brewing Co. What’s your favourite beer?

I’m not even biased, but Hit The Deck [Hazy IPA] is my favourite beer out of all the local breweries. I also like Finish Line [Hazy Pale Ale], but I like Hit The Deck more.

If you were a Fernie Brewing beer, which would you be?

Hit The Deck… I think cause I’m kind of tangy, and like, a lot to handle.

What’s your favourite way to drink a can of the good stuff?

With my thumb and then shotgunning.­­

Brenna Donaldson

Local resort: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Go-to brewery: Whitetooth Brewing Co.
Instagram: @bkesleyd
Ambassadorships: Orage, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Fun fact: I competed in the Junior Freeride circuit in my teens

What are three words that describe your stoke for shredding?

Fun, creativity, and longevity.

Do you have any go-to tricks?

Big ol’ powder turns, and slashes that get all the snow up in your face are my go-to.

Where do you go to kick back with a beer after a long day on the slopes?

Whitetooth Brewing Company! I’m a little biased — I’m the tasting room manager and marketing manager there. It’s one of my absolute favourite places to go after a day of riding. That being said, I do enjoy a lot of BC breweries. I’m currently sippin’ on a Kelp Stout from Tofino Brewing and the Con Leche Horchata Style Milk Stout from Twin Sails has been a bit of a staple in my après beers this year.

So if you were a Whitetooth Brewing beer, which would you be?

I think I would be Thread the Needle Witbier. A light and refreshing beer, made with lemongrass, coriander, and szechuan pepper. Easy-going, but just a little spicy.

What’s your favourite way to crack open a bottle of Thread the Needle?

My favourite way to crack a cold one is pretty chill. Post ski, fire going, gear drying, dinner cooking, and most of the time my beer is paired with some sort of board game. Just the absolute best way to wind down!

Is there anything, in particular, you’re looking forward to this season?

My aim is to stay local, to try to enjoy everything my wonderful backyard has to offer, and to ski as much as I possibly can!

Kyle James

Local resort: Sun Peaks Resort
Go-to brewery: Bright Eye Brewing
Instagram: @kylejamesimages
Youtube: KyleJames1
Fun fact: I was 26 when I learned to snowboard…at an indoor slope in Glasgow

Describe your stoke for shredding in three words…

Relentless, constant, and frothy!

Do you have a favourite, frothy trick? 

Can’t beat a smooth backy for feeling feisty and free.

Speaking of free, paint me a picture of your favourite way to crack a cold one…  

Picture this: I’ve been riding with the crew all day, finding the purest of lines. We reach the bottom of the hill on the last run of the day. We think the good times are over when one of the boys pulls out a cooler — it’s stacked with brewskis, we’re talking IPA, pale ale, weissbier, you name it. The sun begins to set, we all turn to one another, nodding in appreciation of a stellar day. Right as we cheers, the clouds ignite in a fiery glow. We stare in amazement. This is perfection. End scene.

You mentioned you like Bright Eye. If you were one of their beers, which would you be?
I would be their Napoleon cause just like that stout I’m tall, dark, and handsome (and love walks on the beach). For real though, that flavour combo — milk stout with coffee, caramel and sea salt — is a good personality match. Punchy and smooth, classic Scotsman.

Anything you’re looking forward to this season?

I’m stoked on many more amazing powder days riding and getting banger shots of my homies, then kicking back and chilling in the hot tub with a cold one.

Aut-Lin Foster

Local resort: Sun Peaks Resort
Go-to brewery: Bright Eye Brewing
Instagram: @autlinfoster
Ambassadorships: McSporties, Armada
Fun fact: This year I became the Armada ambassador for McSporties – one of my lifelong ski career goals has been achieved and I’m incredibly stoked and hyped.

Describe your stoke for skiing in three words?

I’m actually staring at the words on my fridge right now — they’re live, freedom, and ski. Years ago, I went and picked up a car on the Island, and on the way back at the terminal there was a stand with a bunch of these little laser-cut metal magnets. I saw them and picked out the three that jumped out to me right away. And yeah, they were live, freedom, and ski.

 Do you have a favourite trick?

I’d have to say my favourite trick to do is a cork seven.

Fancy! What’s your favourite way to crack a cold one?

I’d have to say I’m a huge fan of the après, not even just after a good day, it could be a bad day, just after any day skiing with friends.

Do you have a go-to brewery?

I’d say my favourite one would be Bright Eye.

What’s your typical order?

It changes all the time, but usually my go-to is the darkest beer they have on the menu. Anything that’s a stout — they usually have really good stouts. Most times I go there I don’t even look at the beer menu, I just say “Give me the darkest beer you guys have.”

If you were a beer from their menu, what beer would you be?

I’m trying to think of a beer that would have layers of flavour to it … actually I would be a flight of beer, because there’s lots going on. There are definitely lots of different layers to me, lots to get to know and understand.

PJ Hunton

Local resort: Kimberley Alpine Resort
Go-to brewery: Container Brewing
Occupation: Senior design engineer for Norco Bicycles
Youtube: Less Work, More Play
Fun fact: I do a bunch of different types of shredding: skiing, noboarding, snowmobiling, and of course mountain biking

Describe your stoke for shredding in three words…

Love doing skids. Because basically all of the things that I do are about doing skids.

Apart from skids, what do you love most about winter adventures?

I like to go to places where I feel really small and totally insignificant. Then the other part of it is the actual shredding — it’s those moments of bliss where you’re two-wheel drifting or carving a big fat high G-force turn on skis. The combination of those two…life doesn’t get much better than that.

Do you ever bring beers on your adventures?

There are many great times to drink beer, but after a day of shredding, ideally in the backcountry…nothing really tastes better than that. Like yesterday, I went ski touring with a good buddy of mine, and because I’m a good snowmobiler I know you should always bring beer with you. I mean, it is a bit of a religious thing to be able to do.

Do you have a go-to local brewery?

I’m not dedicated to one brewery, but certainly, some of my local favourites would be Over Time Beer Works in Kimberley. Fernie Brewing is doing an amazing job with a lot of their beers these days, and same with the Nelson Brewing Company. I was also in some ways sad to leave the city from a beer perspective, because a couple years ago two of my good buddies started Container Brewing, and I have a real hankering for the beers those guys make.

Do you have a favourite Container Brewing brew?

Their Forty Footer is a super good one.

What’s the run you love to shred at your local ski hill — and what’s your favourite local beer to enjoy afterwards? Post your pics and tag the @bcaletrail!

Don’t live near any of the mountain resorts listed above? Please use this as a resource for planning your next winter trip. Some of these beers are also available in liquor stores throughout British Columbia, so you can seek them out there or check the individual brewery’s website for possible delivery or shipping options.  

Know before you go: Plan ahead so you can travel safely and responsibly. On this page, you can learn about the latest updates to provincial health orders & recommendations, air travel, weather alerts, and more.

The post Shredding and Beer: A Match Made in Hoppy Heaven appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

With endless campgrounds speckled across the province and breweries within shouting distance of each, it’s easy to plan a craft beer and camping trip in BC. Whatever region of the province you’ve got your eye on, we’ve got the intel you need to start scheming.

Mount Fernie Provincial Campground – Fernie Brewing Co.

If you’re looking for a place where beer meets adventure, then Fernie’s got you covered. Located at the base of countless trails sits Mount Fernie Provincial Campground – a site that is also the starting point for Fernie Brewing Co.’s Trail to Ale Challenge. The challenge is simple: check off three of Fernie’s best trails – Project 9, Hyperventilation, and Swine Flu – within 24 hours, and win yourself a well-deserved après at the brewery. While the adventure may not be for the faint of heart, beer always tastes better 40 kilometres and 1,200 metres of elevation gain later. Thankfully, however, you don’t have to smash out three peaks to indulge in FBC’s crisp brews. With 12 rotating beers on tap, and countless more available for pick up, a pit stop at the brewery is an essential component to every night spent under the stars – whether it’s covered in sweat or basking in relaxation.

Syringa Provincial Park – Tailout Brewing

Nestled in the midst of a Douglas fir forest on the Eastern shore of Lower Arrow Lake, lays Syringa Provincial Park: a road-tripper’s dream. Kick back for the day surrounded by sandy beaches, rocky bluffs and ample amenities. The best part?  Not far from the lake-side campground is Castlegar’s Tailout Brewing, serving up locally-brewed lip-smacking pints, flights, and growler fills. Why just see the East Kootenays when you can taste them too?

Mystic Beach – Sooke Brewing, Sooke Oceanside Brewery and Bad Dog Brewing

What’s better than a campground near a brewery? A campground near three breweries. Earn your beers as your walk into Mystic Beach: a short but scenic two-kilometre wander through a coastal rainforest enveloped by salty air and moss-covered trees. Awaiting at the end is a dreamy campground located along the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Think gentle waterfalls and misty ocean views, sand in your sleeping bag, and the gentle sound of waves lapping the shoreline as dream about beer. Except it’s not a dream. Because located a short 35-kilometre drive away is Sooke Brewing Company, the home of summer-worthy beers like the Mai Bock Lager and Mango Saison. But the fun doesn’t stop there because just a few minutes farther down the road is Bad Dog Brewing, an oasis full of good beers for even the baddest of dogs. And then there’s Sooke Oceanside Brewery, which is moving into a new space with a full tasting room and patio this summer.

Strawberry Point Recreation Site – Pemberton Brewing and the Beer Farmers

Plopped on the shore of Lillooet Lake is Strawberry Point Recreation Site, a campground with views just about as sweet as its name. A short walk in from the road, adventure is never far from Strawberry Point, with a number of hikes, hot springs, and, of course, brews nearby. What better way to cap off a day of making memories than with a glass of hoppy, malty goodness? Waiting for you just 18 kilometres down the road is Pemberton Brewing Company. Tucked away behind alpine peaks, you’ll find a variety of curiosity-sparking beers like their Hello Sunshine Dry-Hopped Sour and Cream Puff Pale Ale. And if that wasn’t enough, you can also taste the local terroir at The Beer Farmers, where they grow their own barley and hops on a fourth-generation family farm.

Lucerne Campground – Three Ranges Brewing

If you’re the rustic, off-the-beaten-path type camper, then this is the spot for you. Nestled in Mount Robson Park on the edge of Yellowhead Lake, Lucerne campground offers the perfect combination of stunning mountain views, chilled lake swims, and peaceful serenity. An escape from the crowds typical of Mount Robson Park, this is a safe haven for campers looking to rough it for the evening. Less than an hour away awaits Three Ranges Brewing Company, putting the “ale” in Valemount. With a number of tantalizing beers on tap, like their Mt. Robson Kolsch and Ram’s Head Amber, a visit is the perfect way to ease back into civilization.

Prudhomme Lake Provincial Park – Wheelhouse Brewing

A stone’s throw away from Prince Rupert, sitting along the edge of Prudhomme Lake, is the Prudhomme Lake Provincial Park Campground. A small and quiet site surrounded by coastal forest, it’s the textbook place to recharge following a day of fishing, exploring, or knocking back a cold one at Wheelhouse Brewing Company. Located just 21 kilometres down the road from the site, Wheelhouse Brewing Company boasts a range of seasonal brews, alongside their tried and true year-rounders like Blacksmith Brown Ale and Flagship Pale Ale. Radiating the essence of true Northwest coastal culture, Wheelhouse is a must-stop on any road trip to the coastal north.

Bear Creek Provincial Park – Shore Line Brewing Co

For those looking to spend a little time in nature without compromising the comforts of the city, Bear Creek Provincial Park offers the best of both worlds. A mere 15-minute drive away from the bustling streets of Kelowna, Bear Creek has the stress-less lakeside camping, user-friendly trails, and sun-tan-worthy beaches you’ve been looking for. Sweetening the deal is a nearby canyon, etched into the bedrock by the creek’s running water. While this site can get quite busy, especially during peak season, it’s nothing a pint down the road can’t fix. Cue Shore Line Brewing Co. Sitting right at the water’s edge, Shore Line Brewing Co. oozes that laid back Okanagan vibe, while offering a wide selection of summery beers, many of which are made using locally grown ingredients. Beer, views, and camping – who could want more?

Little Bear Ranch – Ursa Minor Brewing

Care for something that’s a little more “glamping?” Little Bear Ranch is a special spot homesteaded right on Ursa Minor Brewing’s property on Ootsa Lake. This lakeside cabin is cosy, private, and just a 5-minute walk from the brewery. Opportunities for boating, wildlife viewing, hiking, and fishing are right outside your door. The brewery itself is based on a renovated farm, where the team grows fresh botanicals used in their beers and cares for a family of animals who dine on spent grains from the brewing process. So charming!

Redstreak Campground (Kootenay National Park) – Radium Brewing

Located in the beautiful Kootenay National Park, Redstreak Campground is just a bike, hike, or run away from Radium Brewing. This campground has great views of the Columbia Valley and surrounding mountains, 242 sites, and ten tent cabins. It’s also a gentle hike to the Radium Hot Springs!

Explore More Camping Spots in BC

Super Camping Guide:  Find private campgrounds. Be sure to check out the Super Camping BC app.

Go Camping BC: Your resource for all BC parks and camping sites.

The post Nine BC Campgrounds Near Craft Breweries appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

With endless campgrounds speckled across the province and breweries within shouting distance of each, it’s easy to plan a craft beer and camping trip in BC. Whatever region of the province you’ve got your eye on, we’ve got the intel you need to start scheming.

Mount Fernie Provincial Campground – Fernie Brewing Co.

If you’re looking for a place where beer meets adventure, then Fernie’s got you covered. Located at the base of countless trails sits Mount Fernie Provincial Campground – a site that is also the starting point for Fernie Brewing Co.’s Trail to Ale Challenge. The challenge is simple: check off three of Fernie’s best trails – Project 9, Hyperventilation, and Swine Flu – within 24 hours, and win yourself a well-deserved après at the brewery. While the adventure may not be for the faint of heart, beer always tastes better 40 kilometres and 1,200 metres of elevation gain later. Thankfully, however, you don’t have to smash out three peaks to indulge in FBC’s crisp brews. With 12 rotating beers on tap, and countless more available for pick up, a pit stop at the brewery is an essential component to every night spent under the stars – whether it’s covered in sweat or basking in relaxation.

Syringa Provincial Park – Tailout Brewing

Nestled in the midst of a Douglas fir forest on the Eastern shore of Lower Arrow Lake, lays Syringa Provincial Park: a road-tripper’s dream. Kick back for the day surrounded by sandy beaches, rocky bluffs and ample amenities. The best part?  Not far from the lake-side campground is Castlegar’s Tailout Brewing, serving up locally-brewed lip-smacking pints, flights, and growler fills. Why just see the East Kootenays when you can taste them too?

Mystic Beach – Sooke Brewing, Sooke Oceanside Brewery and Bad Dog Brewing

What’s better than a campground near a brewery? A campground near three breweries. Earn your beers as your walk into Mystic Beach: a short but scenic two-kilometre wander through a coastal rainforest enveloped by salty air and moss-covered trees. Awaiting at the end is a dreamy campground located along the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Think gentle waterfalls and misty ocean views, sand in your sleeping bag, and the gentle sound of waves lapping the shoreline as dream about beer. Except it’s not a dream. Because located a short 35-kilometre drive away is Sooke Brewing Company, the home of summer-worthy beers like the Mai Bock Lager and Mango Saison. But the fun doesn’t stop there because just a few minutes farther down the road is Bad Dog Brewing, an oasis full of good beers for even the baddest of dogs. And then there’s Sooke Oceanside Brewery, which is moving into a new space with a full tasting room and patio this summer.

Strawberry Point Recreation Site – Pemberton Brewing and the Beer Farmers

Plopped on the shore of Lillooet Lake is Strawberry Point Recreation Site, a campground with views just about as sweet as its name. A short walk in from the road, adventure is never far from Strawberry Point, with a number of hikes, hot springs, and, of course, brews nearby. What better way to cap off a day of making memories than with a glass of hoppy, malty goodness? Waiting for you just 18 kilometres down the road is Pemberton Brewing Company. Tucked away behind alpine peaks, you’ll find a variety of curiosity-sparking beers like their Hello Sunshine Dry-Hopped Sour and Cream Puff Pale Ale. And if that wasn’t enough, you can also taste the local terroir at The Beer Farmers, where they grow their own barley and hops on a fourth-generation family farm.

Lucerne Campground – Three Ranges Brewing

If you’re the rustic, off-the-beaten-path type camper, then this is the spot for you. Nestled in Mount Robson Park on the edge of Yellowhead Lake, Lucerne campground offers the perfect combination of stunning mountain views, chilled lake swims, and peaceful serenity. An escape from the crowds typical of Mount Robson Park, this is a safe haven for campers looking to rough it for the evening. Less than an hour away awaits Three Ranges Brewing Company, putting the “ale” in Valemount. With a number of tantalizing beers on tap, like their Mt. Robson Kolsch and Ram’s Head Amber, a visit is the perfect way to ease back into civilization.

Prudhomme Lake Provincial Park – Wheelhouse Brewing

A stones-throw away from Prince Rupert, sitting along the edge of Prudhomme Lake, is the Prudhomme Lake Provincial Park Campground. A small and quiet site surrounded by coastal forest, it’s the textbook place to recharge following a day of fishing, exploring, or knocking back a cold one at Wheelhouse Brewing Company. Located just 21 kilometres down the road from the site, Wheelhouse Brewing Company boasts a range of seasonal brews, alongside their tried and true year-rounders like Blacksmith Brown Ale and Flagship Pale Ale. Radiating the essence of true Northwest coastal culture, Wheelhouse is a must-stop on any road trip to the coastal north.

Bear Creek Provincial Park – Shore Line Brewing Co

For those looking to spend a little time in nature without compromising the comforts of the city, Bear Creek Provincial Park offers the best of both worlds. A mere 15-minute drive away from the bustling streets of Kelowna, Bear Creek has the stress-less lakeside camping, user-friendly trails, and sun-tan-worthy beaches you’ve been looking for. Sweetening the deal is a nearby canyon, etched into the bedrock by the creek’s running water. While this site can get quite busy, especially during peak season, it’s nothing a pint down the road can’t fix. Cue Shore Line Brewing Co. Sitting right at the water’s edge, Shore Line Brewing Co. oozes that laid back Okanagan vibe, while offering a wide selection of summery beers, many of which are made using locally grown ingredients. Beer, views, and camping – who could want more?

Explore More

Super Camping Guide

Go Camping BC

The post Seven BC Campground and Craft Brewery Pairings for your Summer Scheming appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Once upon a pre-COVID time, I embarked on a road trip across the Kootenays. Dipping into breweries for crisp salvation, I came across a number of brow-furrowing, curiosity-sparking Kootenay beer names. Intrigued to discover the secrets and stories that lurk within those names, I asked several Kootenay-based breweries about the inspiration behind their most creatively-named beers.

Project 9 Pilsner – Fernie Brewing Company

A classic brew for a classic ride, this clean, crisp pilsner was named after one of Fernie’s most epic mountain biking trails, Project 9.

Despite this Bavarian pilsner being an easy-going beer, there’s nothing relaxed about the trail it’s named after — but over in Fernie, descents, just like beers, are best enjoyed caked in sweat and dirt. With the trail and the beer of equal reverence in the hearts of Fernie-ites, it often begs the question: which came first, the beer or the trail?

Space Nugs Pale Ale – Rumpus Beer Company (Revelstoke)

Back before he owned a brewery, Fred Orndorff carried around a notebook in which he’d write down beer names whenever inspiration hit. Among his scribbles was Space Nugs, a term he first saw used to describe perfect trail conditions — something to the tune of “chucking space nugs off my back tire.”

Fast forward a few years, and Fred found himself dumping space-nug-looking hop flowers into the mix of a silky smooth pale ale with a citrusy twist. When it was time to name the beer, he had his answer.

In Fred’s words, this crushable, flavourful, easy-on-the-ABV brew goes down best after-hours playing in the mountains with friends, and “pairs well with sore legs and cheeks that hurt from smiling too much.”

And of course, skiing too much.

Allight Allight Allight Kolsch – Backroads Brewing Company (Nelson)

As the name suggests, this is a light, a light, a light beer — both in colour and its delicate dance on taste buds.

Inspiration behind the name of this crushable, lawnmower beer came from inside a local café, where Andrew Purtil was naming daily coffee roasts after old tunes and classic movies.

When Brent Malysh, co-owner of Backroads, noticed the name, he immediately thought it would look great plastered on a tall boy of light, German-style Kölsch.

Skip to today and Brent brewed the beer of his dreams, Andrew drew up the can’s artwork (featuring none other than Matthew McConaughey), and they both lived happily ever after.

Nasty Habit IPA – Mt. Begbie Brewing Co (Revelstoke)

Legend has it, when brewers first tasted this low-bitterness, gateway IPA, one of them reportedly exclaimed, “Oh man, this is going to be a bad habit.” Understandably wanting to avoid using the word “bad” to describe their delicious beer, the name morphed into what it’s known as today.

“It started out as a bad habit, and it ended up being a nasty habit,” said director of sales and marketing, Darryn Shewchuk. “The idea behind it is basically that, you know, everybody loves a good nasty habit.”

Giving those who don’t typically like IPAs a first-class ticket aboard the IPA train, this malty, hoppy beer is best enjoyed in a hot tub after a long day of shredding.

Helter Smelter Amber Ale – Rossland Beer Company

Paying homage to the brewery’s roots, this one gets its name partly from the local smelter, and partly from the song, “Helter Skelter.” This refreshing, easy-drinking beer was named by co-owner, Ryan Arnaud — a Beatles fan who happened to live near Trail’s smelter plant.

“He’d go for walks and see the smelter, so he put them together and said one day this would make a really good name for a beer,” said the brewery’s co-owner, Petri Raito.

With a toasty, malty aroma, this middle-of-the-line people-pleaser pairs well with everything from hanging out pool-side in the summer, to après-ing in the winter.

Out Cold Cream Ale – Erie Creek Brewing Co (Salmo)

The name for this light-to-medium-bodied, smooth-drinking beer pays tribute to the 2001 snowboarding flick, Out Cold, filmed in Salmo featuring big names like Zach Galifianakis and Victoria Silvstedt.

Capturing the complex flavours of a cream ale while balancing nicely with a low IBU bittering hop, in the words of brewmaster Colin Hango, this refreshing brew is “a common ground where both Haze Bro and Joe Budweiser can enjoy the same beer… Youngsters and grandpas can both session this beer together.”

But beware, because Colin warns, “It can knock you Out Cold if you are not careful.”

Bent Pole North West IPA – Nelson Brewing Company

At a beer tasting many moons ago, one of Nelson Brewing’s employees pointed to a picture of a woman skiing, crashing through snow-covered branches with a bent pole in hand. The scene inspired him to exclaim that one day he was going to name a beer Bent Pole — and what do you know, he did.

Capturing the essence of the Kootenays inside a silver can, this crisp Northwest IPA was brewed as a tribute to Whitewater Ski Resort’s 40th anniversary.

“Cracking open the can, smelling those piney, resinous, citrus aromas transports you to the top of the mountain, surrounded by coniferous trees and all the fresh pow you can ride,” said head brewer, Simon Barna. “It tastes like the mountains, it tastes like the hill, it tastes like a good time in the Kootenays!”

Single Spey IPA – Tailout Brewing (Castlegar)

Paying homage to the satisfying sensation of sending a single spey cast into a perfect seam on a coursing river, every sip of this classic West Coast IPA emulates the feeling it’s named after.

“My introduction to West Coast style IPAs were on West Coast rivers, chucking big flies for salmon,” said founder, Hedin Nelson-Chorney. “To me, not much can beat the intense flavour of old school IPA while sitting on the riverbank.”

Citrusy, bitter, and refreshing, Single Spey IPA is best sipped on in the great outdoors, next to a soundtrack of running water or falling snow.

Rhubarbarian Nordic Ale – Torchlight Brewing Co (Nelson)

Barbarians meet rhubarb in this strawberry-raspberry-rhubarby Nordic Ale. While the name was previously attached to Torchlight’s first rhubarb-flavoured beer, the original innovation was eventually decommissioned due to the complexities of brewing with rhubarb.

But fast forward a few years, a new brew system, and some refined techniques, and the ‘barb came back in a bright, fruity, slightly tart reincarnation of its predecessor.

Dreamily described by brewmaster Craig Swendson as “very refreshing, and very comforting in an easy, relaxing way,” this beer is a year-round jump into a cool pool.

Dirty Secret Stout – Trail Beer Refinery

With notes of dark chocolate and roasted coffee peeking through its malty thickness, this smooth stout is a rendition of the Beer Refinery’s original Slag Stout, named after the piles of black slag left behind from Trail’s smelter. Brewed with an iconic dirty brown tinge, the colour of this beer ultimately inspired its name.

“The name came after we actually saw the final product because it kind of had this dark, dirty colour to it,” explained founder, Mike Konkin, who hopes those who indulge in its drinkable, milkshake-y splendour will “savour it, and sip it, and think that it’s this decadent, dirty secret dessert that they can have.”

With countless other uniquely-named beers lurking in the depths of B.C’s fridges, the fables never end. So next time you find yourself knocking back a brew, be it Fisher Peak Brewing’s Soggy Otter Brown Ale, Old Bitch English Bitter from Angry Hen Brewing, some Right About Now IPA from Over Time Beer Works, or a bottle of Whitetooth Brewing Company’s Thread the Needle, allow your mind to wander over to the stories, the places and the people that make up each batch of hoppy, malty, crisp perfection.

All of the breweries listed here can be found on the Kootenay Rockies East and West Ale Trails. Obviously, under current COVID-19 travel restrictions, we all should stay close to home, so if you don’t live in the Kootenays then use this blog as a resource for planning a trip there when we are once again allowed to travel more freely. Some of these beers are also available in liquor stores throughout British Columbia, so you can seek them out there or check the individual brewery’s website for possible delivery or shipping options.  

The post Exploring the Kootenays’ Most Thought-Provoking Beer Names appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.