Beer of the Week
Click here to view previous beers. We feature a new beer every week - This week's beer:
Gastown Amber Ale - Granville Island Brewing, Vancouver, B.C.
Price: $11.50 for 6 x 341 ml bottle (5.5% alcohol)
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Best Features: medium body and flavour
Gastown Amber Ale from Granville Island is a good mid-range amber ale. This style of beer is unique because it uses a blend of malts that include caramel, amber, biscuit and roasted flavours. Amber Ale (sometimes know as Red Ale) get its name from the amber colour of the beer. The nose can range from roasted to caramel and there can also beer a subtle citrus aroma from the hops.
For some people who prefer light beer , this Gastown Amber Ale may seem more bitter and stronger in flavour, however it is nicely balance with a sweet beginning and lightly roasted finish making this style of beer very palatable. The pour creates an darker amber colour beer with a tight head that leaves a nice lace around the top of the glass. The aroma is a very inviting mixture of roasted malts and bitter sweet chocolate even molasses. In addition to being my favourite colour, red beers are also my favourite style because of the complexity and blend of flavours. Gastown Amber Ale does not disappoint and is they type of beer that has very recognizable flavour stages; a sweet beginning followed by a slightly roasted and bitter finish. The carbonation is at the medium level meaning that the beer has a mid-range body and the tastes linger on the tongue for a longer period of time.
The additional sweetness and medium body make this beer perfect for hot and spicy food, BBQ sauce, smoked Gouda and a range of salmon and red sauce dishes. Next weekend we are pairing Granville Island Gastown Amber Ale with a Chipotle Chocolate; the additional sugar content and body will help cool the tongue from the nice spicy tingle of the pepper and also pair well with the rich roasted and chocolate flavours.
Beer Fact: This beer was originally launched for the 10th Anniversary in 1994. The use of more specialty malts often creates a more pleasurable beer tasting experience but also is directly related to the price of the beer.
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Best Features: blend of rich flavoured malts
Granville Island Brewing Gastown Amber Ale has an inviting clear, dark amber colour with minimal head and light carbonation. Its aroma was agreeable but not too strong. When I held this beer on my tongue I found the mouthfeel full-bodied followed by a sharp and distinct after taste. Gastown Amber Ale has a blend of flavours that create a bitter-sweet chocolaty experience. The beer has a slightly sweet beginning and then a bitter roasted malt and hoppy finish. This is the kind of beer I would have with a steak dinner, nice BBQ pulled-pork or even enjoy in front of the fire. This is not necessarily the type of beer I would drink all night at a party because the flavours body may be a little overwhelming.
Beer Fact: Beer styles (like amber ales) will have a huge range in flavour profile from light to strong. Most light pales ales come from larger brands and strong pales ales come from the smallest breweries.
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*Unless otherwise stated, this is the BC Government Liquor Store price quoted.
*Our rating scale is based on a five point system (1 being least enjoyable, 5 being excellent) We rate the beer using the following criteria; overall taste, appearance, mouthfeel, freshness, body, aroma, finish, availability, and price.
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