On Friday evening, Vancouver Craft Beer Week’s big kick-off Headliner went down at Yaletown’s Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre.
Served up “rock star style”, the event featured a DJ who spun a mix of rock, classic rock, and punk tunes throughout the evening.
Beer samples of many of the week’s upcoming event brewery hosts were available, along with gourmet cheese from Benton Brothers Fine Cheese and sliders from Kitsilano’s Nimby Burger.
[Jonah and Andrew Benton, Benton Brothers Fine Cheese]
Since Mayor Gregor Robertson couldn’t make the official Collaboration Beer keg tapping this year due to a last-minute engagement, John Mitchell took his place.
[John Mitchell, BC’s first craft brewer, taps the Collaboration Ale keg]
[John Mitchell toasting Headliner host Rick Green]
John is considered the grandfather of the BC micro brewing movement. In 1980, he opened his Horseshoe Bay craft brewery, Howe Sound Brewing, launching BC’s “craft brewing renaissance”.
I did try a glass of this year’s Collaboration Beer (a true collaboration being the work of over 30 BC craft brewers!). Brewed at Surrey’s Russell Brewing, this year’s Cascadian Brown Ale is a medium-bodied marriage of a traditional English Ale with a hoppy West Coast character.
My favourite beer of the evening however was Driftwood Brewery’s Farmhand Ale. It’s an easy sipper that I’d imagine marrying with many dishes, cheese, nuts, sliced fruit, and on its own.
[Robin, Yelp Vancouver’s Community Manager]
There’s a huge variety of events happening now through May 26, with a few event tickets still remaining. Visit the VCBW website for what’s on tap for the next several nights. With over 60 breweries showcasing their labours of love at over 60 venues, there’s something in the mix for everyone to enjoy. More photos of the Headliner can be found here.
I’ll be attending a couple more VCBW events this week. Hope to see some of you there. Cheers!