BC Craft Beer Awards
Brewsville-Vancouver, British Columbia
In preparation for Vancouver Craft Beer Week (May 10-16th) Brewery Creek Beer Store has organized the BC Beer Awards Judges for the beer awards were selected primarily from the beer media, with judges traveling from Alberta and Oregon. 188 entries from across British Columbia were submitted in 10 categories.
Beer writer John Rowling of Victoria judges wheat beers
I was honored to be asked to judge at the event, which was held March 22 at the Alibi Room. The Alibi has quickly become Vancouver’s top craft beer bar, with 24 taps dedicated to BC craft beers, one rotating Rogue tap, and three handpumps. The Albi has a reclaimed industrial feel to it, with high ceilings, and arched leaded glass windows that face on the railroad tracks. The light airy space made the perfect setting for a day of judging.
The Alibi also boasts a large collection of movie scripts, which may be perused while drinking. The Alibi offers a broad menu with a focus on hearty new world twists on European cuisine. The menu lists the local farmers and ranchers who grow and raise the food.
I can’t talk too much about the judging, lest I let slip any clues about who won, but I can tell you the best of show round to pick the overall champion beers was really tough. The beers were all so great, that judges were hard pressed to come to a decision on which three would be awards medals.
The judging was organized by Gerry Erith, owner of Brewery Creek, and Chester Carey, Canada’s first certified Cicerone, who undertook the monumental task of collecting and organizing entries from 36 breweries from across BC.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony May 14th during Vancouver Craft Beer Week. The Craft Beer Week phenomena is spreading, with San Francisco recently completing its inaugural CBW.
It all started with Oregon Craft Beer Week in 2005, which soon blossomed into Oregon Craft Beer Month. Philadelphia launched its Craft Beer Week in 2008, and has been a model for other cities, from Seattle to New York, to Charlotte, with at least 20 Beer Weeks scheduled this year according to an article on beernews.org
