Thanks to Jeff K for inviting me to the lovely (yet dated) Vancouver Island Brewery taproom. It is rare that I make a big deal about a beer; I have a reputation to maintain. I was not very excited about this beer, although it was very tasty. What did get me excited was rumours that there would be more seasonal releases by VIB. This is just what Victoria needs to grow its beer scene. With more options from the Island, people with have less desire to turn their palates elsewhere. Lighthouse is now doing special releases. Driftwood has been sending out advancing brews for a while. A locally malted sour beer, brilliant. Phillips just keeps cranking the releases out like Pez from a dispenser. I'm excited to see what Chris and the VIB boys release in the new year. There was even talk of a bomber bottling line. Here is a list of places where you can try this brew on tap.

Dough Head Gingerbread Ale = 6/10

This was a tasty little beer. The nose was just like you would expect after reading the description: cookie dough, cloves, slight nutmeg and cinnamon. The medium mouthfeel gave a slight chewy and tingling sensation from the spices. It actually tasted like gingerbread. A little dry and powdery with nutmeg, brown sugar, cinnamon and cloves. These flavours held on for just a little while.

Thanks to Jeff and Chris for doing some painful market research.

Taste +3
Aftertaste +1
Alcohol Content 0 5.2%
Value +1
Appearance +1 (fun art)

Phillips Burley Wine 2008

Ratebeer 3.34 73 percentile
Beer Advocate B+

No preamble, just straight to the review.

Taste +2

The nose is nothing but grain (barley) and alcohol. The first sip is a strong bite of bitter/sour fruits which is strangely addictive. The next flavour that follows is the slight bitterness of hops. There is almost no carbonation. Overtop of it all is a big mouthful of sweet bing cherries.

Aftertaste 0

You are left with this mouthful of rotting fruit that slowly fades.

Alcohol +1 9.5%

Ouch, one can easily drink this beer very quickly. You can taste the alcohol, but the big malt and fruit flavours make it more palatable.

Value +1

In terms of alcohol to cost ratio, this one can't be beat at $5 for 650ml.

Ingame Enhancement +1

After quickly finishing off this beer, the zombies didn't seem so scary.

Overall 5/10

This is a beer to have once a year, and that is about it

Flavius: Left4Dead was frustrating as hell last night; I got killed by the tank 3 times.
Meterman: I thought you would be accustomed to sucking at videos games by now.
F: Not that, it was just like being in high school and getting a wedge from a football jock.
M: I can see the similarities: overly muscular person, bad complexion, not too bright and only goal in life is to cause you pain.
F: And why do you guys always follow two steps behind me during game play?
M: Oh, no reason zombie bait.

Hermannator Ice Bock (Vancouver Island Brewery) Seasonal

RateBeer: 3.38, 75th Percentile
BeerAdvocate A-


The release of this beer is a happy time for many Vancouver Islanders. Not only does it signal the beginning of the holiday season, but easily enables us to quickly dull the pain resulting from a visit by your in-laws.

Taste +5

The pouring of this beer leaves no head due to little carbonation. Immediately you drink in the nose of iced licorice. Once the beer hits your tongue, the flavours of dark chocolate are everywhere. Luckily it lacks the bitterness you might expect; this beer is nicely balanced with a dark licorice sweetness.
Aftertaste +2

After the alcohol ting fades, you notice more of those lingering flavours of bitter chocolate and sweet licorice.

Alcohol Content +1 9.5%

You can sure taste it on this beer. Be very careful, this beer goes down easy.

Value +1

This beer has three things going for it; its local, it only costs $13 for a six pack and you can get it everywhere.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Tonight Meterman was on diaper duty, so I tried my luck with a random L4D match. Perhaps I play this game too much; I had higher numbers that all three other players combined. Most of my damage came from friendly fire! One tip, if you have a shotgun; wait until the zombies are really close before you fire.

Overall 10/10 PERFECTION

If I could only have one beer on a deserted island, this would be it. Sadly it is not available year round.

Flavius: I'm mad.
Meterman: So. Should this concern me, because I don't feel anything.
F: This COD is frustrating; I suffer from P.I.S.S.E.D Syndrome
M: They have drugs to help with that leaky.
F: Not that, this:
Painkiller
Instigated
Strategic
Strike
Ending in
Death Syndrome

M: Oh that. That's where he tubes you 5 times in a row, air strikes you, then calls in a chopper to chase you around the map?
F: Right. I even started an online support group at www.fear-the-pp-no-more.com
M: You really gotta start planing better use of acronyms yellow boy.

Tree Brewing - Spiced Midwinter Ale.

Tree Brewing products regularly finds their way into my beer fridge. They make good (not great but above average) beer at reasonable prices. You can also find a large selection at most BC Liquor stores.

Taste +2

A nice red/amber ale aroma of not much, maybe a little malt, a little fruit and a little spicy. The keyword here is little. The flavour is your standard spiced ale; clover, nutmeg and cinnamon. There is also a nice sweetness, almost like gingersnap cookies. The taste reminds me of mulled wine. It is refreshing to taste a little alcohol tanginess.

Aftertaste +1

The spicy sweetness coats the mouth and lasts for a while.

Alcohol 6.5% +1

The label says "Strong Ale"; strong is a relative term.

Value 0

At $5 for 650ml it is not the best deal out there. BTW Holsten Mailbock is on sale right now for less than $2 for 500ml at 7.5% WOOT.

Ingame Enhancement 0

Couldn't get on the shire; so I did the finale airplane map in COD. Meh.

Overall 4/10

This was nice beer. If you are looking for a change of pace check it out.