I dropped by the brewery Saturday to check it out and pick up some beer from the mothership.
Nice bunch of folks. Happy to come out and talk beer with me ! They're pretty happy with how sales have been going and that the LC has been supportive. I noted that back in the early days of Fort Garry / Agassiz it was hard to find the stuff at most LC's - don't mind find a variety of flavours and sizes. WIth HP every LC I have been in has it stocked right in the cold cases at the back as well as near the till at the front, which is nice.
They have two new seasonal brews:
Oktoberfest which is a lager, fairly dark and strong (6.2 %). It's a tad bitter, but quite fruity and surprisingly light tasting. I was expecting something a that would feel and taste heavier. Sort of like a bitter Trad.
The other is called Humulus Ludicrous. It certainly sounds ludicrous. It's a DOUBLE IPA with an alcohol content of 8.0. I find all of their beers bitter, which is fine, but their single IPA (Schooner ?) is about the top level of what I like. I got it in my head that this would be a combination of Sour Puss and Fin du Monde.
It was actually quite nice. Yes, it was bitter and it did have a heavier, grapefruity taste. I didn't find it packed full like a Hoegarrten (which I do not like) - it was much lighter tasting than that. The alcohol does hit you but not in a "beaten up and left for dead in a back alley" way that Fin does. More like being jostled getting on a bus at rush hour ! Nice beer but I wouldn't want to have more than 1 !
Phil's Pils, their seasonal from the summer, is still around and they are working on something for Christmas !
the bulldog amber was not a bad selection from this house. still had nothing on my fave the Innis&Gunn oak age from scotland. now that is beer. a bit pricey though at 4 bux a bottle.
[quote][cite] Terrible:[/cite]the bulldog amber was not a bad selection from this house. still had nothing on my fave the Innis&Gunn oak age from scotland. now that is beer. a bit pricey though at 4 bux a bottle.[/quote]
I also picked up a bottle of Humulus Ludicrous at the LC along with the other five selections they had. It was a nice treat at $7 for the bottle, all six bottles were about as much as a 24 of Labatt would have been a few years ago.
They explain the brewing process they use and are more then willing to answer any questions you have... Its not a huge place, so dont expect to be awed, but it is a good informative tour.
I picked up a t-shirt while I was there. I'm not a fan of wearing logos but the shirts looked nice and $15 a piece - what the heck. Nice toques, too !
I agree that stir stick stout is their best brew. I take a bottle whenever I go visiting. I find that people either absolutely love it or hate it ! Most assume by "stout" you'll get a thick Guinnessy style beer but it's a pretty light stout. The hint of coffee is just perfect - I find Guinness has a bit of a coffee taste anyway.
Thanks for the tip about the mailing list. I will certainly sign up !
[quote][cite] StBPegger:[/cite] Their best brew by far is their Stir Stick Stout. Chocolate AND Black Pearl coffee - Super-double-yum! [/quote]
Its my favorite by far! God in the morning too :wink:
I have spread the word to so many people about this beer. the LC in City Place wouldnt carry it last winter, until I harassed them daily to bring it in!
[quote][cite] Zwikster:[/cite]I have spread the word to so many people about this beer. the LC in City Place wouldnt carry it last winter, until I harassed them daily to bring it in![/quote]Good show in supporting the local man...besides, what does that LC know! :smile:
[quote][cite] Zwikster:[/cite][quote][cite] StBPegger:[/cite] Their best brew by far is their Stir Stick Stout. Chocolate AND Black Pearl coffee - Super-double-yum! [/quote]
Its my favorite by far! God in the morning too :wink:
I have spread the word to so many people about this beer. the LC in City Place wouldnt carry it last winter, until I harassed them daily to bring it in![/quote]
I must say thanks, then. I often pick mine up there !
mr c yes the innis&gunn is in the l.c. I have tried a few beers in my day and i must say this is my personal fave. if the price was right I would have a fridge full of this stuff. for now I brew my own and push it though pepsi kegs. I was thinking about buying an oak barell to try and duplicate the superior aging process that these scotsmen use.
dammint I am geting thirsty I might have to trod off and pick up a bottle.
[quote][cite] mrchristian:[/cite][quote][cite] Zwikster:[/cite][quote][cite] StBPegger:[/cite] Their best brew by far is their Stir Stick Stout. Chocolate AND Black Pearl coffee - Super-double-yum! [/quote]
Its my favorite by far! God in the morning too :wink:
I have spread the word to so many people about this beer. the LC in City Place wouldnt carry it last winter, until I harassed them daily to bring it in![/quote]
I must say thanks, then. I often pick mine up there ![/quote]
hehe, no prob!
The Ellice location would have them, but when its -30, I'd want to stay indoors as much as possible. Whenever I would go there and buy something OTHER than HalfPints, the lady there would bug me.
[quote][cite] Terrible:[/cite]mr c yes the innis&gunn is in the l.c. I have tried a few beers in my day and i must say this is my personal fave. if the price was right I would have a fridge full of this stuff. for now I brew my own and push it though pepsi kegs. I was thinking about buying an oak barell to try and duplicate the superior aging process that these scotsmen use.
dammint I am geting thirsty I might have to trod off and pick up a bottle.[/quote]
Good news - the arrival of the first of the Holy Trinity!
From Half Pint's blog: "The Father is to be release this weekend (January 5th) with the Son following on January 19th, and the Holy Spirit on February 2nd."
The Holy Spirit last year was super yum, and I never got a bottle of The Father, so I'll be sure to get some this year. Woo hoo!
My husband and my father shared a bottle of Half Pints' Burly Wine over the holidays, didn't like it. Liked the other flavours, tho'. Thanks for the heads up about the Holy Trinity, those were apparently very good.