  Canada's beer crown has left Mill Street after three years. (QMI Agency files) |
Canada's beer crown has left Mill Street after three years for a western address.
Central City Brewing from Surrey, B.C., was named the 2010 Canadian Brewing Awards' brewery of the year on Friday, dethroning the three-time winner from Toronto at the tail-end of Toronto Beer Week.
Including the national title, the six-year-old brewery from B.C.’s second-most populated city took home five awards.
City's outstanding Thor’s Hammer Barley Wine conquered Canada by winning best beer of the year. It was certainly no fluke, as the 10.5% alcohol by volume barley wine — a high-alcohol ale style most often served as a nightcap or dessert drink, at room temperature — won the 2010 silver medal at the World Cup of Beer in April.
Overall, B.C. breweries won 11 gold medals out of the 31 categories at the Toronto gala, a number matched by Ontario. More than 390 beers from 76 breweries across the country were in the running for the eighth annual affair.
Other unique winners from across the country included:
American Style India Pale Ale: Surrey, B.C.'s Central City took this category as well, this time with their Red Racer IPA. It’s copper in colour and, typical of the style, has an unmissable grapefruit nose and flavour, along with pine and spicy hops. The beer has 6.5% alcohol by volume.
Bock, Traditional German Style: Oktoberfest may be upon us soon, but this German style was traditionally brewed in the city of Einbeck for monks fasting during Lent. Colder seasons are best for a Captivator Doppelbock, the winning bock by Tree Brewing in Kelowna, B.C. — which boasts toffee, light caramel and hazelnut flavours.
Imperial Stout: Also called a Russian Imperial Stout, the flavourful and potent style was first brewed in England and caught the fancy of Catherine the Great in the 18th century. It seems Garrison Brewing of Halifax caught the fancy of the Brewing Awards' judges with their Black IPA’s flavourful mix of coffee, chocolate, citrus, pine and smoke (6.5% ABV).
Kellerbier: This German style translates to “cellar beer”. Stored at cool cellar temperatures, kellers are unfiltered, meaning plenty of yeast and sugars still floating in your beer. Do not be afraid - it’s delicious. And Denison’s Dunkel by Denison’s Brewing in Toronto, is a sweet, malty, dark beer, with just under 5% ABV, that is deserving of this title. A great session beer for Oktoberfest!
Light (Calorie-Reduced) Lager: So you think your light beer is the best one? So does everyone else. But the awards judges chose Great Western Brewing’s Brewhouse Light (4%) for its clean and refreshing blond lager. Must be handy to make beer in Saskatoon, located in the province from which most Canadian breweries get their malted barely. Brewhouse won in 2008 as well.
Other notable winners: Special Honey/Maple Lager or Ale: Enigma, Le Saint-Bock (Montreal); Strong or Belgian Style Ale: La Fin Du Monde, Unibroue (Chambly, Que.); Fruit & Vegetable: Coconut Porter, Swans Buckerfields (Victoria, B.C.); North American Style Amber/Red Ale: Yukon Red Amber, Yukon Brewing (Whitehorse, Yukon).
For all of the medal winners, visit www.canadianbrewingawards.com.
Aonghus Kealy is Sun Media’s national beer columnist.
