Granville Island Brewing Company
Granville Island is the West Coast's answer to Sleeman's. If you're visiting Vancouver for the first time check out their taproom on the island. Here's where they once brewed all of their beers. Today, it's home to the specialty beer production. You can take a tour or just sample some of their suds. The environment is not bar-like and lacks atmosphere but that said, there's something I really like about the taproom. Taster rounds (four four-onze glasses) cost just over five dollars while a 12-once glass will set you back about four dollars.
Now let's talk about Granville Island Brewery's beer for a second. This company has made it big on the Vancouver and BC beer scene by producing excellent, middle of the road beer. There's nothing exciting about Granville Island beers. They won't offend you and they're an excellent choice if you're having guests over for dinner. The craftmanship of the beer is superb so it's well worth trying it out. But if you're into more distinctive beers try out some of the others recommended on these pages.
The Limited Releases follow the regular beers reviewed below.
Kitsilano Maple Cream Ale
This is Granville Island's finest beer (in my humble opinion). The best maple cream ale I've had in BC. This is surprising for a city where maple syrup is not exactly a household item. Nevertheless this beer combines the perfect amount of sweetness and bitterness to create a perfectly delicious and tasty treat. This is one of Granville's richest beers so it might not be the best for sitting on the porch on a summer day. Well worth a visit to the taproom at Granville Island.
May 2004
Island Lager
This is Granville's basic beer. Better than your ordinary liquor store variety. Crisp, smooth taste with little in the way of aftertaste. Some beers grow on you and some just fade away. Put this in the fade away category.
May 2004
English Bay
Hoppy, nutty flavour. More interesting in flavour and texture than the Island Lager but boringly safe. Doesn't stand out at all. The aftertaste is present but not overbearing. Some sweetness in this beer hinting at caramel.
May 2004
Winter 2004 - Special Edition "Scottish Ale"
As Scottish Ales go, McEwan's Scotch Ale is the definitive brew. That said, Granville Islands special winter brew (available only in a few liquor stores and at their Granville Island taphouse) is a pleasant enough addition to the Scottish Ales of BC. it's a dark brew that has a nutty flavour and is easy enough to drink. The label claims it is a full-bodied beer, but I didn't think it was as full as it could have been. Nowhere near the kick of a good hearty McEwans but still not bad.
April 14, 2004
Winter 2004 Special Edition "India Pale Ale"
Slightly bitter, but not too much. Again, this is Granville Island at its safest. But nothing risked nothing gained. Not much flavour here. I'd stick to another version of an IPA. Plenty abound.
May 31, 2004
Spring 2004 - Special Edition "Killarney Stout"
Purportedly this is an Irish beer, but this beer lacks the legs of a true Irish stout. Despite its dark texture it doesn't have the fullness of a Guiness or of Quebec's Ste-Ambroise Noire (available in BC). The bottle claims that the "Emerald Isle itself never had it so good." give me a break! Very little aftertaste this is a mild, unadventerous beer that has no legs.
April, 2004
Summer 2004 - Robson Street Hefeweizen
Ah, finally a Granville Island beer I'm prepared to say something good about. Don't forget your lime or lemon when downing this tasty creature because only this will bring out it's fragrent and tasty nature. All said, this Hef takes the cake for Granville's limited releases. An excellent choice for that hot summer day on the patio.