VANCOUVER, BC – The Vancouver chapter of CAMRA BC recently held their annual general meeting, and in addition to electing their new executive, the group announced the results of their annual members poll which recognises the best in Vancouver and BC brewing.
The full press release, including the list of winners, appears below:
CAMRA RECOGNIZES VANCOUVER’S BEST IN BEER
The Vancouver chapter of the Campaign for Real Ale has announced the results of its annual members poll recognizing local and regional excellence in brewing and beer service. Dix BBQ & Brewery was awarded Best Local Brewpub; The Alibi Room is Best Local Beer Cafe, Pub, or Restaurant; and Brewery Creek, Best Local Liquor Store for beer selection.
“While it may seem curious that the best beer is in Surrey and the best brewery in Victoria, this year’s results reflect the growth in popularity of real ale in Vancouver,” explained CAMRA Vancouver President, Rick Green. “We are fortunate to have brewers throughout the province willing to meet the demand here.”
Dix BBQ & Brewery began the trend in Vancouver in 2002, featuring a cask-conditioned ale once a month. With the encouragement of CAMRA Vancouver, the following has grown. Now Dix features a weekly cask ale and hosts a semi-annual cask festival.
“We are very pleased to be awarded favourite brewpub in the Lower Mainland,” said Dix brewer, Derrick Franche. “On behalf of the Dix BBQ & Brewery staff, I’d like to thank CAMRA Vancouver for their support.”
In January of 2007, The Whip Restaurant & Gallery partnered with local microbrewery, R&B Brewing, to offer a weekly cask from brewers all over BC. Last year, they inaugurated the annual Feast of Five Firkins, a special brewmasters’ dinner featuring five courses paired with five firkins from five brewers. Their success is reflected in the three rewards they received this year.
Real ale is also reaching the suburbs. Taylor’s Crossing brewpub in North Vancouver offers a monthly cask ale, as does Surrey’s BigRidge brewpub. Central City Brewing, also in Surrey, launched their annual cask festival last summer.
Not only is Gastown an evolving dining destination, it’s also a growing focal point for craft beer. Steamworks has been the standard bearer since 1995. Two years ago, the Alibi Room changed direction to become a true free house showcasing all of the province’s best beers. Publican, Nigel Springthorpe, noted:
“We went out on a limb to try something different. The build has been slow, but I really feel things are coming together. We pick up our own beer from the Island; we even have small breweries in the Interior carpooling their beer or getting visitors to throw kegs in their trunks to bring to us. Things are changing. Craft beer is becoming a bigger part of our culture here in BC.”
Last year, the Irish Heather moved across the street into a newly-renovated location. As part of their makeover, they became the first establishment in Vancouver to offer cask-conditioned ale daily, supplied by R&B. And with first-rate imports being sold through progressive retailers, such as Brewery Creek, we can expect the bar to be raised in Vancouver.
The results of the 2009 CAMRA Vancouver Awards are:
Best Local Brewpub
Gold: Dix
Silver: Central City
Bronze: Yaletown
Best Local Beer Cafe, Pub, or Restaurant
Gold: Alibi Room
Silver: The Whip
Bronze: The Wolf & Hound
Best Local Liquor Store
Gold: Brewery Creek
Silver: Firefly
Bronze: BCLS 39th & Cambie Signature Store
Best Local Beer Event
Gold: The Whip Real Ale Sundays
Silver: CAMRA on a Mission to Mission, Feast of Five Firkins (tie)
Best BC Brewery
Gold: Phillips
Silver: Storm
Bronze: Crannog, R&B (tie)
Best BC Beer
Gold: Central City Empire IPA
Silver: Storm Black Plague Stout
Bronze: Crannog Back Hand of God
Best BC Seasonal Beer
Gold: Yaletown Oud Bruin
Silver: Steamworks The Grand
Bronze: Granville Island Winter Ale