Another beautiful sunny Friday in Victoria, another tasting of Tree Brewing's beer!
Tonight's Tree Brewing tasting features their Hefeweizen (perfect for summer), the Cutthroat Ale and the Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale.
Fans of Tree will know that this small Kelowna microbrewery makes beers that pack a big punch!
The Hefeweizen is styled on a traditional German wheat ale, unfiltered and with aromas of bananas, clove and honey with a touch of lemon. This Hefeweizen won a gold medal at the 2008 Canadian Beer awards.
The Cutthroat is a classic Pale Ale, using five different malts and hand selected hops. This was a gold medalist at the 2007 Canadian Brewery awards.
The Thirsty Beaver Amber is a smooth amber ale that is medium bodied and bursting with flavour.
The above-mentioned beer are available in 6 pack bottles, or as part of the Tree Summer Character 8 pack of bottles. If you don't know Tree Brewing, come on in to Hillside Liquor Store between 4 pm and 8 pm, and find out what they are all about. If you are already a fan, why not come in and re-visit the beers, or perhaps discover a new favourite!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Father's Day gift ideas
We're always here to help at Hillside Liquor Store, particularly for holidays or special occasions. Father's Day is Sunday June 21, and if you are still wondering what to get for dear old dad, why not fall back on liquor? By this point, Dad probably has enough golf balls and t-shirts, and you might be too old to glue macaroni on a plaque and spray paint it gold....but what does Dad never have enough of? That's right, beer! Particularly beer that comes in the 650 ml single bottle format.
Hillside Liquor Store just brought in three new singles: Anderson Valley Brewing from California http://www.avbc.com/beers/hop-ottin-ipa/and Pelican Brewing from Oregon http://www.pelicanbrewery.com/pages/brewery.html.
Anderson Valley Hop Ottin IPA-
Hop Ottin’ IPA is as hoppy as they come. The name means “hard working hops,” in Boontling, and that tells it all. Generous additions of high-alpha Pacific Northwest hops added during a vigorous boil, plus traditional dry hopping, with whole hop cones, give this ale a delicious citrus aroma, and an intense hoppy bite. This IPA is a hop lover’s dream.
Anderson Valley ESB-
The abundant hopping in this four-time gold medal winner, creates arousing aromatics, accompanied by a pleasantly bitter bite. Boont Extra Special Beer is deep gold in color, with a spicy hop aroma. Starts with a big, malty backbone and finishes with a refreshingly bitter bite. Boont Extra Special Beer is excellent alone or as an accompaniment to your favorite well-seasoned meals (such as Mexican, Korean, Chinese, Indian, or Thai, cuisine).
Pelican Brewing IPA- that's India Pelican Ale....
Our mascot, Phil the Pelican, got this recipe from his long-lost Indian cousin, and has recreated the flavor of the British Empire with his own American twist. Enjoy the huge Cascade hop aroma, the subtle malty sweetness, and the spicy, citrusy flavor of this robust, gold colored ale. This brew began life as a seasonal beer during our first year and was so popular while we had it, and so frequently requested when it was gone, that we turned it into our fifth regular beer style the second year.
Phillips Brewing http://phillipsbeer.com/home has also just released its third incarnation of the Accusation Ale, an ESB. Availability on this one is pretty limited, so get it while you can!
Granville Island Brewing http://www.gib.ca/ has just released its first ever Belgian Wit. That's a Belgian style white ale. Our Belgian Wit is a lightly hopped unfiltered wheat beer spiced with coriander and exotic curacao orange. Witbier is a combination of pale grist, regional spices and hops fermented with a unique Belgian yeast to create a refreshing yet flavourful ale. With its nearly white appearance, wit was named for its unique cloudy look.
We'd be happy to help with other beer selections, or to help combine those into just the perfect gift basket. In addition to beer, we also have yummy BBQ sauce from Rufus Teague http://www.rufusteague.com/r/index.php. We carry the Touch o' Heat, the Blazin' hot and the Honey Sweet. There are also different meat rubs, mustards bread dippers and a variety of other items to round out the gift basket.
Hillside Liquor Store just brought in three new singles: Anderson Valley Brewing from California http://www.avbc.com/beers/hop-ottin-ipa/and Pelican Brewing from Oregon http://www.pelicanbrewery.com/pages/brewery.html.
Anderson Valley Hop Ottin IPA-
Hop Ottin’ IPA is as hoppy as they come. The name means “hard working hops,” in Boontling, and that tells it all. Generous additions of high-alpha Pacific Northwest hops added during a vigorous boil, plus traditional dry hopping, with whole hop cones, give this ale a delicious citrus aroma, and an intense hoppy bite. This IPA is a hop lover’s dream.
Anderson Valley ESB-
The abundant hopping in this four-time gold medal winner, creates arousing aromatics, accompanied by a pleasantly bitter bite. Boont Extra Special Beer is deep gold in color, with a spicy hop aroma. Starts with a big, malty backbone and finishes with a refreshingly bitter bite. Boont Extra Special Beer is excellent alone or as an accompaniment to your favorite well-seasoned meals (such as Mexican, Korean, Chinese, Indian, or Thai, cuisine).
Pelican Brewing IPA- that's India Pelican Ale....
Our mascot, Phil the Pelican, got this recipe from his long-lost Indian cousin, and has recreated the flavor of the British Empire with his own American twist. Enjoy the huge Cascade hop aroma, the subtle malty sweetness, and the spicy, citrusy flavor of this robust, gold colored ale. This brew began life as a seasonal beer during our first year and was so popular while we had it, and so frequently requested when it was gone, that we turned it into our fifth regular beer style the second year.
Phillips Brewing http://phillipsbeer.com/home has also just released its third incarnation of the Accusation Ale, an ESB. Availability on this one is pretty limited, so get it while you can!
Granville Island Brewing http://www.gib.ca/ has just released its first ever Belgian Wit. That's a Belgian style white ale. Our Belgian Wit is a lightly hopped unfiltered wheat beer spiced with coriander and exotic curacao orange. Witbier is a combination of pale grist, regional spices and hops fermented with a unique Belgian yeast to create a refreshing yet flavourful ale. With its nearly white appearance, wit was named for its unique cloudy look.
We'd be happy to help with other beer selections, or to help combine those into just the perfect gift basket. In addition to beer, we also have yummy BBQ sauce from Rufus Teague http://www.rufusteague.com/r/index.php. We carry the Touch o' Heat, the Blazin' hot and the Honey Sweet. There are also different meat rubs, mustards bread dippers and a variety of other items to round out the gift basket.
Spyhopper Tasting Saturday June 20
Vancouver Island Brewery will be holding an in-store tasting of their newest beer, Spyhopper Honey Brown. Spyhopper Honey Brown is available in a 6 pack bottle format, or in the recently released 8 pack cans.
Vancouver Island Brewery is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, which is why they have created Spyhopper. Spyhopper uses local Vancouver Island honey, from the famous Babe's Honey located just off of West Saanich Rd. Spyhopper is handcrafted using honey malt and a signature blend of Hallertauer and Saaz hops. This combination united with a delicate twist of locally produced wildflower honey creates a beer with a mild hop impression, smooth, full body and honey sweet finish. For more information about Vancouver Island Brewery, click here:
http://www.vanislandbrewery.com/default.aspx?PageID=1000
The name Spyhopper comes from distinctive Orca behaviour in which orcas will playfully pop vertically out of the water in order to check out their surroundings or examine prey.
Just in time for Father's Day- enter to win a Vancouver Island Brewery Spyhopper jacket during Saturday's in-store tasting! Dark grey in colour with a subtle Spyhopper logo, this is sure to make the perfect last-minute gift. Draw will happen at the end of the tasting.
Vancouver Island Brewery is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, which is why they have created Spyhopper. Spyhopper uses local Vancouver Island honey, from the famous Babe's Honey located just off of West Saanich Rd. Spyhopper is handcrafted using honey malt and a signature blend of Hallertauer and Saaz hops. This combination united with a delicate twist of locally produced wildflower honey creates a beer with a mild hop impression, smooth, full body and honey sweet finish. For more information about Vancouver Island Brewery, click here:
http://www.vanislandbrewery.com/default.aspx?PageID=1000
The name Spyhopper comes from distinctive Orca behaviour in which orcas will playfully pop vertically out of the water in order to check out their surroundings or examine prey.
Just in time for Father's Day- enter to win a Vancouver Island Brewery Spyhopper jacket during Saturday's in-store tasting! Dark grey in colour with a subtle Spyhopper logo, this is sure to make the perfect last-minute gift. Draw will happen at the end of the tasting.
Palm Bay Tasting
In case you missed the first in-store tasting of Palm Bay, Hillside Liquor Store is holding another one today from 4 pm until 8 pm. Both the Ruby Grapefruit Sunrise and the Pineapple Mandarin Orange flavours will be available for tasting.
Haven't seen Palm Bay? Palm Bay is a new product in a distinctive teal can with either pink or yellow palm trees (depending on flavour). Lightly carbonated vodka coolers, these are available in 6 pack cans for only $8.49 + deposit. Perfect for outdoor activities, these truly are the "sophisticated vodka coolers".
The Ruby Grapefruit is delicious over ice, and many find the Pineapple Mandarin orange even better with a twist of lime. Your favourite? Come on in and find out!
Haven't seen Palm Bay? Palm Bay is a new product in a distinctive teal can with either pink or yellow palm trees (depending on flavour). Lightly carbonated vodka coolers, these are available in 6 pack cans for only $8.49 + deposit. Perfect for outdoor activities, these truly are the "sophisticated vodka coolers".
The Ruby Grapefruit is delicious over ice, and many find the Pineapple Mandarin orange even better with a twist of lime. Your favourite? Come on in and find out!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Bud Light Lime
With all of this sunshine so far in June, by far the most popular beer must be Bud Light Lime. Or perhaps it would be, if it was available for purchase in Victoria. Many people who have visited the States in the past few years have tried this beer, and were excited to find out that it was available in Canada. However, due to the incredible heat wave at the beginning of June and the subsequent weeks of sunshine, Budweiser was unable to meet demand in Victoria. Bud Light Lime comes from the UK, so this has something to do with the shortage.
Hillside Liquor Store has yet to receive a shipment of Bud Light Lime (BLL for those in the know), and doesn't anticipate receiving one until possibly Wednesday June 17, or maybe not even until June 22. Random phone calls to other stores around town and checking the BC government liquor store website have shown that Bud Light Lime is out of stock all over town!
In the meantime, what can someone do? The Bud Light Lime website (http://www.budlightlime.ca/bll.php) claims that it is a premium light beer with 100% natural lime flavour. Although the website does not say lime juice, if you are hoping for a similar taste, why not try any of the following beer, and squeeze your own limes into it:
Dos Equis Lager
Corona
Pacifico
Stella
Boris
Kronenbourg
Red Stripe
Phillips Phoenix
Sleeman Original Draught
Bowen Island Lager
Alexander Keith's IPA
Pabst, Blue, Kokanee, Canadian, Budweiser,Coors, Raineer, Old Stock, Pilsner, Pacific Pilsner, Pacific Dry...
Any light, crisp beer works well with lime juice. Why not just get your current favourite beer, and combine it with one of the limes that Hillside Liquor Store sells for $0.50? Perhaps it will be an even better taste sensation than BLL.
Hillside Liquor Store has yet to receive a shipment of Bud Light Lime (BLL for those in the know), and doesn't anticipate receiving one until possibly Wednesday June 17, or maybe not even until June 22. Random phone calls to other stores around town and checking the BC government liquor store website have shown that Bud Light Lime is out of stock all over town!
In the meantime, what can someone do? The Bud Light Lime website (http://www.budlightlime.ca/bll.php) claims that it is a premium light beer with 100% natural lime flavour. Although the website does not say lime juice, if you are hoping for a similar taste, why not try any of the following beer, and squeeze your own limes into it:
Dos Equis Lager
Corona
Pacifico
Stella
Boris
Kronenbourg
Red Stripe
Phillips Phoenix
Sleeman Original Draught
Bowen Island Lager
Alexander Keith's IPA
Pabst, Blue, Kokanee, Canadian, Budweiser,Coors, Raineer, Old Stock, Pilsner, Pacific Pilsner, Pacific Dry...
Any light, crisp beer works well with lime juice. Why not just get your current favourite beer, and combine it with one of the limes that Hillside Liquor Store sells for $0.50? Perhaps it will be an even better taste sensation than BLL.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Mike's Hard Tasting Today!
Tired of the same old beverages on the weekend? Wish you had a blender or a muddling set to make classic summer cocktails like the Margarita or Mojito?
Mike's Hard Beverage Company has solved your problems with a tasting of the newest flavours at Hillside Liquor Store from 4 pm until 8 pm!
No blender or muddling sets required.
The first to be tasted is the Pink Lemonade- classic pink lemonade flavour without being sweet- and one good reason to buy this is that Mike's will donate 25% of net profits to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This product is available in the 4 pack bottle format.
As well, we will be tasting the Mike-a-rita -their version of the classic Margarita using agave nectar and lime juice- and the Mojito, with real cane sugar, mint and lime juice. Both of these are available in 4 pack cans, for $9.95 each- Perfect for outdoor activities!
Mike's Hard Beverage Company has solved your problems with a tasting of the newest flavours at Hillside Liquor Store from 4 pm until 8 pm!
No blender or muddling sets required.
The first to be tasted is the Pink Lemonade- classic pink lemonade flavour without being sweet- and one good reason to buy this is that Mike's will donate 25% of net profits to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This product is available in the 4 pack bottle format.
As well, we will be tasting the Mike-a-rita -their version of the classic Margarita using agave nectar and lime juice- and the Mojito, with real cane sugar, mint and lime juice. Both of these are available in 4 pack cans, for $9.95 each- Perfect for outdoor activities!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Penfolds Grange 2004
Also arrived yesterday is the Penfolds Grange 2004 vintage, and the Penfolds Magill Estate 2006.
Penfolds Grange is arguably Australia's most famous wine, and is officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia. Grange boasts an unbroken line of vintages from the experimental 1951, and clearly demonstrates the synergy between Shiraz and the soils and climate of South Australia.
For more info:http://www.penfolds.com/wines/luxury/default.asp
Penfolds Grange displays fully-ripe intensely flavoured and textured Shiraz grapes in combination with new American oak. The result is a unique Australian style that is now recognized as one of the most consistent of the world's great wines. The Grange style is the original and most powerful expression of Penfolds multi-vineyard, multi-district blending philosophy.
"The wait for this Grange release has truly been worthwhile- arguably the finest vintage since Mother Nature's endowment of a number of stellar 1990s vintages. Just how good a vintage only time will tell, but all current indicators auger well. Certainly stylistically in the mould of the wonderful 1990 and 1996 vintages." Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker.
"Deep dark red (at 5 years of age). The nose is enticingly fragrant, yet at once Grange- elements of cola, bay leaf, malt, Indian spices and nougat. An ethereal Oriental lift of glazed Peking Duck is interspersed with fermented black Chinese tea. Oak at one with the wine, other aromatics unite to create a continuum of spice and fruit. Impressive. The palate is seamless redefined. Classic Grange structure- tight, defined and balanced with slate-y, sandy tannins. Saturated fruits with blackberry and concentrated Satsuma plum skin. A darkened flavour theme of chocolate, liquorice and fermented black Chinese tea mask any overt presence of new oak, courting a long effortless finish.
Pair with rare roasted aged fillet with a red wine reduction. Best from 2016 to 2050."
The Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz comes from a vineyard that is historic and heritage protected, and one of the only single vineyards in the world located within city boundaries (near Adelaide). The fruit is crushed, fermented and matured at the original Penfolds Magill winery, established in 1844.
The 2006 vintage is "dark red to the rim. The nose is perfumed and sweeter with air- potpourri florals, cola and nut, fig/quince paste nuances. The palate is full of small dark fruits- cranberry redcurrant, dark cherry alongside green olive with mocha/malt. Surprisingly succulent and juicy with smokey barrel ferment notes, fresh tobacco and cedar. pair with duck confit. Best from 2012-2030." Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker.
Penfolds Grange is arguably Australia's most famous wine, and is officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia. Grange boasts an unbroken line of vintages from the experimental 1951, and clearly demonstrates the synergy between Shiraz and the soils and climate of South Australia.
For more info:http://www.penfolds.com/wines/luxury/default.asp
Penfolds Grange displays fully-ripe intensely flavoured and textured Shiraz grapes in combination with new American oak. The result is a unique Australian style that is now recognized as one of the most consistent of the world's great wines. The Grange style is the original and most powerful expression of Penfolds multi-vineyard, multi-district blending philosophy.
"The wait for this Grange release has truly been worthwhile- arguably the finest vintage since Mother Nature's endowment of a number of stellar 1990s vintages. Just how good a vintage only time will tell, but all current indicators auger well. Certainly stylistically in the mould of the wonderful 1990 and 1996 vintages." Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker.
"Deep dark red (at 5 years of age). The nose is enticingly fragrant, yet at once Grange- elements of cola, bay leaf, malt, Indian spices and nougat. An ethereal Oriental lift of glazed Peking Duck is interspersed with fermented black Chinese tea. Oak at one with the wine, other aromatics unite to create a continuum of spice and fruit. Impressive. The palate is seamless redefined. Classic Grange structure- tight, defined and balanced with slate-y, sandy tannins. Saturated fruits with blackberry and concentrated Satsuma plum skin. A darkened flavour theme of chocolate, liquorice and fermented black Chinese tea mask any overt presence of new oak, courting a long effortless finish.
Pair with rare roasted aged fillet with a red wine reduction. Best from 2016 to 2050."
The Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz comes from a vineyard that is historic and heritage protected, and one of the only single vineyards in the world located within city boundaries (near Adelaide). The fruit is crushed, fermented and matured at the original Penfolds Magill winery, established in 1844.
The 2006 vintage is "dark red to the rim. The nose is perfumed and sweeter with air- potpourri florals, cola and nut, fig/quince paste nuances. The palate is full of small dark fruits- cranberry redcurrant, dark cherry alongside green olive with mocha/malt. Surprisingly succulent and juicy with smokey barrel ferment notes, fresh tobacco and cedar. pair with duck confit. Best from 2012-2030." Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker.
Vertical of Penfolds RWT
Just arrived yesterday is the 2006 vintage of Penfolds RWT, making a vertical of Penfolds RWT from 2004, 2005 and 2006 available at Hillside Liquor Store.
Wine Spectator gave the 2004 vintage Penfolds RWT 92 points and said:
Broad and generous. A lively mouthful of black tea-accented cherry and herb notes, lingering against crisp tannins on the finish. The flavors have a purity and focus that comes through all the accents. Best from 2009 through 2015.
The 2005 vintage received 93 points from Wine Spectator, which said:
Rich, ripe and focused, with a lovely purity to the blackberry, dark plum and sweet spice flavors, playing against bittersweet chocolate notes on the long, expressive finish. Best from 2010 through 2020.
The 2006 has not yet been rated or reviewed by Wine Spectator. This is the first vintage under screwcap.
Penfolds says the wine is a "deep dark magenta, with a nose of dark spices and saturated fresh regional Shiraz fruits- tell-tale wafts of blueberry, blackberry, liquorice and black olive. Secondary notes of rosemary, peppercorn and thyme. Subtle cedary French oak in the background is in equilibrium with other incense-like and beguiling artifacts.
The palate is lush and expansive, yet with a defined, sleek demeanor. Plush velvety tannins are rounded and dense. There is a tarry liquorice blackness with notes of espresso, coffee ground and dark chocolate with high notes of sarsaparilla, aniseed and green olive.
Pair with rabbit, pork or duck terrine.
Best from 2012-2030."
Wine Spectator gave the 2004 vintage Penfolds RWT 92 points and said:
Broad and generous. A lively mouthful of black tea-accented cherry and herb notes, lingering against crisp tannins on the finish. The flavors have a purity and focus that comes through all the accents. Best from 2009 through 2015.
The 2005 vintage received 93 points from Wine Spectator, which said:
Rich, ripe and focused, with a lovely purity to the blackberry, dark plum and sweet spice flavors, playing against bittersweet chocolate notes on the long, expressive finish. Best from 2010 through 2020.
The 2006 has not yet been rated or reviewed by Wine Spectator. This is the first vintage under screwcap.
Penfolds says the wine is a "deep dark magenta, with a nose of dark spices and saturated fresh regional Shiraz fruits- tell-tale wafts of blueberry, blackberry, liquorice and black olive. Secondary notes of rosemary, peppercorn and thyme. Subtle cedary French oak in the background is in equilibrium with other incense-like and beguiling artifacts.
The palate is lush and expansive, yet with a defined, sleek demeanor. Plush velvety tannins are rounded and dense. There is a tarry liquorice blackness with notes of espresso, coffee ground and dark chocolate with high notes of sarsaparilla, aniseed and green olive.
Pair with rabbit, pork or duck terrine.
Best from 2012-2030."
Palm Bay Tasting!
Looking for the perfect drink for hot weather and outdoor activities? Come on in to Hillside Liquor Store today between 4 pm and 8 pm to try the Palm Bay line up of beverages.
Available in 6 pack cans, there is a choice of two flavours: Pineapple Mandarin Orange or Ruby Grapefruit Sunrise. Both are vodka based and 5% alcohol, and the best part is that they are made with fruit juice, soda water and vodka, with no added sugar!
Truly refreshing, these are the perfect summer drink -available at an introductory price of $8.45 for 6 (plus deposit).
Available in 6 pack cans, there is a choice of two flavours: Pineapple Mandarin Orange or Ruby Grapefruit Sunrise. Both are vodka based and 5% alcohol, and the best part is that they are made with fruit juice, soda water and vodka, with no added sugar!
Truly refreshing, these are the perfect summer drink -available at an introductory price of $8.45 for 6 (plus deposit).
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