2014 Beer in Review

FAVORITE LOCAL BREWERY
Driftwood retains its position at the top of the Vancouver Island breweries for me, but the competition is getting fierce out here! A great time to be a BC beer enthusiast.

FAVORITE BREWERY - OTHER
For widely available quality products, Sierra Nevada. If we're talking rarities, Cantillon never did me wrong. Otherwise I drank a lot (comparatively) of Stone, Firestone Walker, and Deschutes beers this year and came out even more impressed with them than I was before.

FAVORITE LOCAL BEER
Favourite year-round: Driftwood Fat Tug. Favourite seasonal: Driftwood Gose-Uh. Favourite limited release: Moon Under Water Oud King Crow (what a knockout sour! Hope to see more stuff like this from Moon in the future).

FAVORITE BEER - OTHER
The best beers I had in 2014 were: Baladin Xyauyù Barrel 2008, Bruery Oude Tart, Bruery Tart of Darkness, Cantillon Iris, Cantillon Lou Pepe Kriek, Cantillon Mamouche, De Cam Oude Lambiek, Deschutes The Abyss, Deschutes The Dissident, Dieu du Ciel Péché Mortel, FiftyFifty Eclipse - Elijah Craig 12 Yr, Firestone Walker §ucaba, Founders Breakfast Stout, Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout, Half-Pints Humulus Ludicrous, Logsdon Peche N' Brett, Maine Lunch, Odell Myrcenary, and Victory DirtWolf. If I had to pick favourites I think I'd go with the Lou Pepe.

NEW LOCAL DISCOVERY
Four Winds finally made it to the Island in quantity. What a great line-up! Their four packs and 750s are awesome.

NEW DISCOVERY - OTHER
I was in Saskatchewan and made my way to the Paddock Woods Alehouse. I had previously tried some of their six-pack offerings that are available in BC and knew they were decent but I was absolutely blown away by Monkeys of the Caribbean! A rum barrel-aged stout that crashed into my top ten of all time right after the first sip.

NOTABLE BEER-CHIEVEMENT
I'm not an elite BA so I wouldn't say I accomplished anything noteworthy in the world of beer. In 2014 I tried over 330 new beers and ticked 12 beers on the current Beer Advocate Top 250.

LOCAL BREWERY TO WATCH
Moon Under Water just keeps getting better and better, and the recently opened Category 12's debut beers were not bad at all!

BREWERY TO WATCH - OTHER
Prairie is making big waves in the States and is coming to Western Canada, could be interesting. I've had the Prairie Hop and it was fine and would like to try Bomb! but I'd be wary of the hype. Lots of American gypsy brewers with hipster appeal are getting a lot more praise than they deserve.

LOCAL BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED BEER
Parallel 49 still isn't wowing me, despite what their fanboys would have you believe.

BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED - OTHER
I tried one of my Mother-in-law's Corona Lights at Christmas. Never again.

MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING (OR HOPE TO TRY!)
The brewery that has caught my eye the most is Bellwoods. I really would like to get my hands on some; I'm in the process of joining the Canadian military right now so hopefully the Forces give me an opportunity to travel to new places with new beer!

 

That was a great read. Thanks for the thoughtful post!

Not sure if I misunderstood you point above, but Prairie is not a gypsy brewer. And they are legit Cheers!

 

Thanks, glad you enjoyed reading it.

I'm sorry if I misspoke but I was under the impression that Prairie Artisan Ales was a gypsy brewer; their BA profile says "beers are brewed at / by another brewery" which I thought was the definition of gypsy brewer. Do I have my definitions wrong here? In any case if Prairie is making great beer at proportional prices more power to them.

 

I see that it does say that on the BA listing. Did a little research and I stand corrected. You learn something new every day, as they say.

 

Hard to define 'local' around these parts. Bellingham is less than an hour away, Seattle barely 2 hrs, Portland 5 hrs, but for the purpose of this thread I'll try to keep it Vancouver, with a few honorable mentions from our southern friends

FAVORITE LOCAL BREWERY
This is a bit of a toss up between Four Winds and Brassneck. FW's regular lineup doesn't exactly excite me, but when it's on it's on. Anything they put a cork in is really worth seeking out. Brassneck has a great growler station + tasting room and continually knocks out new beers, many of them great or awesome.

FAVORITE BREWERY - OTHER
Fremont. They might be the best brewery in the US right now. Wait...no...you didn't read that. Shhhhhhh. Honorable mention to Firestone Walker and Crux and Crooked Stave and....and....too many (but not as easy to get).

FAVORITE LOCAL BEER
Recently, the Brassneck One Trick Pony Mosaic. DAMN! that's a tasty beer. Also the Four Winds Saison Brett might be the best beer ever made in BC. Yellow Dog is making the best IPA in BC right now.

FAVORITE BEER - OTHER
KDS and 2014 BBomb. Can't say enough about how lucky we are these sit on shelves. Also Crux Half Hitch, Freakcake, and Tough Love. Favorite 'Beer Pairing' of the year goes to Avery at GABF Midnight Breakfast "Opuntia Barrel-Aged Sour Ale paired with pork belly, cream cheese, and Anaheim Monte Cristo, lardo powdered sugar, tart prickly pear jam" so good.

NEW LOCAL DISCOVERY
Hard to 'discover' anything hidden here as anything worth talking about is usually out in the open and known. I guess you could call aging flip-top growlers a bit of a discovery, everybody here seems to be doing it now with great results.

NEW DISCOVERY - OTHER
Found some great new bottleshops/grocery stores/taprooms in Bellingham and Seattle. A bit further down I'd say Imperial Bottle Shop in Portland was a great find this year, came home with some amazing growlers, and they properly fill and cap them! I also had Barley Browns for the first time, amazing. Also went to Crux and Block15 for the first time, great places to eat & drink all night.

NOTABLE BEER-CHIEVEMENT
2014 saw the end of @YVRBeerTweetup for my involvement. It was a great run and we did some awesome things. Hard to believe it went almost 3 yrs. Bigger and better things coming in 2015, can't wait to announce on here! Did some really fun photography work for a couple beer importers, even went to GABF!

LOCAL BREWERY TO WATCH
Yellow Dog and Strange Fellows, + Category 12 on the island. With a permanent fixed watch on FW and BN.

BREWERY TO WATCH - OTHER
Wander and Melvin. And Crux, they seem to be reeeeally dialing things in.

LOCAL BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED BEER
Driftwood. What the hell happened? And Central City because it's almost impossible to ever find their IPA fresh anymore. Expanded way too much way too fast. Lots of old stock sitting around everywhere.

BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED - OTHER
Had plenty of beers this yr that didn't live up to the hype, even some from Hill Farmstead! GASP! Seriously, starting to just drink more of what I like and trade for less whalz. Plenty of amazing beer available on the shelf.

MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING (OR HOPE TO TRY!)
Right now Strange Fellows barrel program. In the meantime, I look forward to Crooked Stave being available really close.

 

FAVORITE LOCAL BREWERY
Bellwoods, hands down. In my opinion they are not only the best in Toronto, but the best in Canada right now.

FAVORITE BREWERY - OTHER
Hill Farmstead. Most breweries are great at one style, but HF kills it with IPAs, saisons, stouts and basically everything they do.

Honourable mentions go to Firestone Walker, Jester King, Hair of the Dog, Anchorage and Lawson's Finest Liquids.

FAVORITE LOCAL BEER
Great Lakes Thrust! is the best IPA in Ontario and it's right up there for me. Limp Puppet was another great beer from GL, and a much needed session beer this summer.

In terms of beers brewed just one, Bellwoods Motley Cru and Bring out Your Dead were possibly my two favourite new Ontario beers in 2014.

FAVORITE BEER - OTHER
Toppling Goliath's Psuedosue really stood out from the rest in 2014.

Any IPA from Hill Farmstead, but specifically Abner, Susan, Double Citra and Double Galaxy. Also, HF's E was one of my best beers of 2014.

Just recently finished drinking each of the 3 variants of Fremont's Kentucky Dark Star (Regular, Coffee and Spice Wars) and they impressed the hell out of me.

Drank a lot of great beers in 2014, and I could go on an on here...

NEW LOCAL DISCOVERY
Finally made it to The Only and loved it there. Went back once already. If it was more conveniently located for me, I it would be my go-to.

NEW DISCOVERY - OTHER
Blackback Pub in Waterbury, VT. Love that place!

NOTABLE BEER-CHIEVEMENT
Getting married and having a special one-off beer brewed for my wedding


LOCAL BREWERY TO WATCH
I am really looking forward to what Left Field has in store for us with their new facility almost functional. Aside from them, I can't think of anything local that was new in 2014 that is worthy of being on a beer nerd's radar.

Elsewhere in Canada, I have been VERY impressed by what I have tried from Four Winds in BC.


BREWERY TO WATCH - OTHER
Two US breweries that I tried for the first time in 2014 and blew me away were Toppling Goliath and deGarde. If you can get your hands on any of deGarde's fruited "Bu" series beers, don't pass up the chance.


LOCAL BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED BEER
My biggest local beer disappointment is how difficult it has become to get a table at either of the city's two premier beer bars (Bar Hop and Volo) as well as at Bellwoods. I have no problem with the growing popularity of craft beer in Toronto (in fact, I welcome it), but it is beyond me why there aren't more great beer bars opening up downtown (or why the current spots don't expand).

In terms of breweries, my biggest disappointment is lack of quality and creativity in almost all Ontario breweries. It seems to me that Ontario breweries are generally happy to put out average products and don't want to risk experimenting. Aside from Bellwoods and the amazing IPA lineup at Great Lakes, there isn't a single other Ontario brewery that consistently brews outstanding products. Nickelbrook made some positive strides forward in 2014, and I commend them for that. But Beau's, Flying Monkeys, Muskoka, Grand River and most of the others continue to disappoint. In fact, some of these breweries appear to have regressed over the past year or two (Flying Monkeys), which is even more alarming. Hopefully some of the new places that are slated to open in 2015 will show us the quality and creativity that we lack.


BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED - OTHER
Upland - their beer is so abrasively sour that it is undrinkable. I don't get the hype there.

I also remain perplexed by the love that is out there for Mikkeller.

MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING (OR HOPE TO TRY!)
My #1 "want" beer in Cigar City's Double Barrel Hunahpu's Stout.

In general terms, I would love to try more from Toppling Goliath (KBBS and Mornin' Delight) and more Jester King sours!!! Would also love to try some Tree House Brewing IPAs, Maine Dinner and something from Tired Hands (never had anything from them).

 

FAVORITE LOCAL BREWERY

Another vote for Bellwoods. Easily the most diverse and creative regular line up and consistently putting out some of the best barrel-aged offerings I've tasted, Canada or US honestly. The beer alone is why they are the top, but they lap the field due to having a wonderfully informative and UP TO DATE web site. Knowing that I can simply click on the bottle shop to see an up to date list of beers available is huge for this out of towner, especially given the fact that you need to comb social media like twitter and facebook to get that same information for nearly all other breweries.

Runner up is Nicklebrook who put out two of my favourites from Ontario this year and really did a nice job of Bolshevik Bastard. Improve the communication, put out Immodest and Malevolent on a regular basis (quarterly at most) and I'd be stoked.

FAVORITE BREWERY - OTHER

For off the shelf regular store purchases in western new york, I'm going to go with Sixpoint. Resin, Global Warmer, and Bengali were all nice, bright, refreshing IPAs that were easy to get fresh and come at a great price point. Pretty much my goto shelf IPAs. The addition of Dark Horse to WNY distro could bump them off as I love crooked tree and they have a solid diverse lineup, but we will see how fresh I can get crooked tree year round and how hard stuff like plead the 5th and double crooked tree will be to grab.

Brewery only, probably Jester King due to having a buddy down there sending me their fruited sours and shelf saisons which I apparently love now.

FAVORITE LOCAL BEER

I loved Bellwoods Skeleton Key, so I'll go with that one even though it was really limited. For less limited, I always love Nickebrooks Malevolent and feel it is among the best black ipas I've ever had. This spring hopefully I can do a taste off vs the other big guns as long as I can get them fresh!

FAVORITE BEER - OTHER

BCBS. The first time I had this beer it was mind blowing and I love that it's in a small bottle format. This year and last year I seem to be able to get a decent supply of it so I wasn't drinking it feeling like I was already going to miss it when I finished it (as I do with so many single bottles that I obtain). Also, really loved dark lord this year. Last year's (2013) I thought was an overly sweet soy sauce replacement, but this year's was outstanding.

NEW LOCAL DISCOVERY

Innocente in Waterloo. Many of his beers taste too much the same, but for a brewery in the first 8 months of existence he made a really nice IPA, IIPA, and a unique take on a RIS.

NEW DISCOVERY - OTHER

The Local Option in Chicago. It was new to me on that wonderful Dark Lord Day weekend and they had a sick tap list that day.

NOTABLE BEER-CHIEVEMENT

Joined BA and completed my first trades.

LOCAL BREWERY TO WATCH

Innocente, see above.

BREWERY TO WATCH - OTHER

Resurgence Brewing. I haven't had any of their stuff yet, but I've read good things and have my fingers crossed that this Buffalo brewer can put out some great stuff.

LOCAL BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED BEER

Silversmith continually putting out middling, uninteresting beers. Sorry, that's harsh, because they have been putting out "different" beers like a gose and chili porter so I applaud the intention, but they are all just too restrained in flavour (pretty much standard for most Ontario breweries like 7duffs was talking about above). They are the brewery I root for the most and would love nothing more if they would at least as good as Nicklebrook, but they just aren't getting there. I'd love it if a year from now their name is in place of Bellwoods on this review.

Oast house's hilariously overpriced offerings are another big disappointment since they actually have some beers that I would buy regularly if weren't way over the market rate for similar beers.

BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED - OTHER

Great Lakes BA Blackout Stout really disappointed me as well since I had high hopes of grabbing a case or two of this at the brewery this month, but after tasting last year's I just can't justify going out of my way for it.

7duffs' thoughts are mine exactly with regard to Ontario breweries, so nothing else to add there. There's a glimmer of hope, but I wonder if the distro model here is really holding brewers back as they fight to make enough money to be operational by brewing middle of the road beers. It's easy for a brewery in Toronto to go crazy with styles because they have such a large market to draw from, but I wonder if you plopped them down in the middle of nowhere if people would make the trek to grab beer from them regularly? It's hard to tell where our market is at.

MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING (OR HOPE TO TRY!)

I really want to try the full range of Hill Farmstead's regular saisons and IPAs. I traded for Anna and it was every bit worthy of the hype, so I'm excited to try and grab more.

 

FAVORITE LOCAL BREWERY
Have to continue to give the nod to Beyond the Pale. Some of their regulars seems to have gotten exponentially better (latest batch of Darkerness is the best example) and their experimentation with barrels, bacteria and different styles, while not always stellar, is pushing the envelope in Ottawa. Honourable mention to Covered Bridge is also doing some great things (look forward to trying “One” soon and love their Chai beer).

FAVORITE BREWERY - OTHER
Although DDC is probably making the best beer that I regularly drink from Canada outside of Ottawa, the new stuff I get to try on a semi-regular basis from Bellwoods makes it the star in my eye. Bring out you Dead (2013) with 8 months on it was spectacular.

FAVORITE LOCAL BEER
So local (province at least) my favourite of the year was a strange one, that I would even consider beer – Flying Monkey’s Orange Mungus, which seemed more like an orange juice beer cocktail. But it was delicious and unique. Flying Monkey’s had some other strong offerings thoughout the year (Dorothy’s Strange Adventure, versions of Matador), and Sawdust City with variations on their Imperial Stout.

FAVORITE BEER - OTHER
Thanks to generous souls got to try KBBS and it lived up to the hype; one of the best beers I’ve ever had and simply delicious.

NEW LOCAL DISCOVERY
That ice apple cider bottles once opened can age, amazingly (sampled a 10 yr bottle of regular Niege Reserve that was my best drink all year). Also beer put into liquid nitrogen makes a great party snack!

NEW DISCOVERY - OTHER
Ratings re-enforced that my palate is all over the place and saying no to a beer because of pre-conceived notions is always a bad idea – some of my best beers were outside of my preferred styles.

NOTABLE BEER-CHIEVEMENT
Had a great 2K rating tasting jointly with Luc (Lubiere) for 10K and we had some delicious beers!

LOCAL BREWERY TO WATCH
This is hard. Keeping my eyes on three places. Beyond the Pale as they move into their new digs and have their old brew equipment to experiment with; Covered Bridge as they do more style variations; and Gainsborough as they brew more (although wish they would do growlers!)

BREWERY TO WATCH - OTHER
Dunham. Want to pick something different and some of their wilds and saisons, with a bit of time on them, have been excellent.

LOCAL BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED BEER
Honestly I don’t think anything in Ottawa is hyped so have nothing to say.

BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED - OTHER
Some of the tequila and rum barrel treatments from Bellwoods were a bit of a disappointment but were still interesting to try. Overall though 2014 was a good beer year so not too many disappointments.

MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING (OR HOPE TO TRY!)
Just good, new beer.

 

I look forward to posting my review sometime this week!!! Great thread thanks for starting it up again!!!
A lot of great, and insightful reads so far!

As a quick preface... I agree completely with the growler comment!!!!
Given the constraints on time that they remain fresh/ carbonated if I'm not committed to having many friends over, or a big drinking night they often find themselves half empty and flat in my fridge.
My other comment is the pricing structure seems a bit aggressive/ prohibitive at some breweries.
I've seen up to $25/fill plus growler cost! I can often get just as good or better quality beers packaged in single bottles ,with labels, carton, and not to mention drastically better shelf life for anywhere between $11-$15.

I would also buy a lot more bring home beer if more bottles were available.

 

FAVORITE LOCAL BREWERY
Beyond The Pale. Easy choice for the second straight year. I find them to be a bit inconsistent from batch to batch of some of the regular offerings, but overall I'm generally satisfied with their beer.

FAVORITE BREWERY - OTHER
Bellwoods. Easy.

FAVORITE LOCAL BEER
I guess BTP Rye Guy is what I drank the most in Ottawa this year.

FAVORITE BEER - OTHER
I had Alpine Nelson the second week of January and the only beer I enjoyed more the remainder of the year was Hill Farmstead Le Sarrasin.

NEW LOCAL DISCOVERY
...nothing?

NEW DISCOVERY - OTHER
I now frequently visit family in Washington DC, so I'm becoming quite familiar with that entire scene. Beer prices down there are outrageous, even compared to Canada, but that's only a minor complaint. I'm enjoying clearing Tilquin and Hanssens off their shelves.

NOTABLE BEER-CHIEVEMENT
Jean Van Roy poured myself and a few others Soleil de Minuit while I was at the brewery earlier this year. That was pretty special.

LOCAL BREWERY TO WATCH
Beyond The Pale with their upcoming expansion.

BREWERY TO WATCH - OTHER
I'm gonna keep it local and say Le Castor.

LOCAL BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED BEER
I've started catching up on trying some of Ottawa's new breweries, and unfortunately, average is the first word that comes to mind...perhaps that's even being generous in some cases.

BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED - OTHER
My visits to Ballast Point and Stone while in San Diego earlier in the year were quite poor. Thankfully, the rest of the trip was incredible in terms of beer.

MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING (OR HOPE TO TRY!)
Nothing specific, just some breweries I've yet to try. De Garde, Jester King, Side Project, SARA, etc...

 

FAVORITE LOCAL BREWERY
Brewsters, solid beers and are good value. Sadly no Bellwood's in Alberta.

FAVORITE BREWERY - OTHER
Dieu du Ciel

FAVORITE LOCAL BEER
Brewster's Vampire Pils (or least one that I had most during the year) Crisp, solid, hoppy and clean.

FAVORITE BEER - OTHER
The Allagash/Russian River/Cantillon friendship blend. But if it was an everyday beer it would be DdC's Disco Soliel.

NEW LOCAL DISCOVERY
National on 17th's Happy Hour, pints from great breweries for $5.

NEW DISCOVERY - OTHER
Shiga Kogen (definitely Japan's best)

NOTABLE BEER-CHIEVEMENT
A private tour of Rochefort taken off my bucket list.

LOCAL BREWERY TO WATCH
Dandy

BREWERY TO WATCH - OTHER
Castor

LOCAL BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED BEER
Village. The beers are clean, well made, but boring. Maiden was the only thing from them that I liked. Marketing does sell beer.

BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED - OTHER
More and more $30+ beers clogging up shelve space and getting dusted in the Alberta market. In a market as fast and free as Alberta's it hurts everyone in the supply chain. The warehouse, the licensee, the agent and most importantly the end customer. On top of that there have been a lot odd entries in to the Alberta market this year. When a brewpub from Germany that has almost no ratings for their beers enters the Alberta market with non-Germanic styles like IPAs, IRSs to me that makes no sense.

MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING (OR HOPE TO TRY!)
The Dopplebocks of Bavaria during Strakbierfest this March.

 

FAVORITE LOCAL BREWERY
Like most of the other Ottawa folks, I have to go with Beyond the Pale. They are just so far ahead of the others here in the Capital that it is not really a contest. Darkerness was one of my favorites from them this year.

FAVORITE BREWERY - OTHER
I would have to say Allagash. I enjoyed just about everything I tried out of their brewery, from their dubbel, to their one off sours. In addition, I got to see the brewery and meet many of the folks who are responsible for the product. A quality organization top to bottom.

FAVORITE LOCAL BEER
Beyond the Pale Rye Guy was the local I enjoyed the most this year. I had it a number of times, filled a number of growlers and shared it with others across the country.

FAVORITE BEER - OTHER
Lawson's Finest Liquids Sip of Sunshine. Enjoyed a few pints and wow...just loved it.

NEW LOCAL DISCOVERY
Hard to put anything here...but I will go with Dominion City and the friendliness of their organization. I have a friend getting married and have inquired about having them brew some stuff for his wedding...they have been receptive and great about it, and even willing to accept style ideas.

NEW DISCOVERY - OTHER
Portland, Maine...okay, not a new hot spot for many in the craft beer world, but I managed to get there for the first time this year, and it was an amazing experience. I could not believe the scene and the friendliness of the people there. I met so many great pub owners and staff, a good number of brewery workers, and more BAs than I could possibly name. I can't forget the amount of awesome local beer that I had there as well.

NOTABLE BEER-CHIEVEMENT
My New England tour/adventure. A stop in Waterbury at the Prohibition Pig, Blackback and Reservoir pubs where I got to try all the Vermont favorites and meet some amazing people. Down to Boston, where we hit the Publick House, Lord Hobo, and Cambridge Brewing Company. Then off to Portland, where there was too much to list, but highlighted by a very personal tour of Allagash and some fantastic food and beer.

LOCAL BREWERY TO WATCH
I would have to say Dominion City, they started slow but I think they are coming along nicely. Perhaps not up to the Beyond the Pale standards yet, but give them a bit of time, they are young.

BREWERY TO WATCH - OTHER
Tough one for me...I love Trou du Diable, so I will go with them. (keeping it Canadian here)

LOCAL BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED BEER
As always, Beaus.

BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED - OTHER
Okay...I am going to stir up some trouble here, but I had a number of Bellwoods beers, and I am not sure I get it. Perhaps I didn't have their best efforts, but I found the beers good, but not up to the praise I perceive them getting. I am not disappointed in their beer, I just don't see the hype.

MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING (OR HOPE TO TRY!)
I would love to get my hands on some Parabola. Not sure how I can do that though.

 

You could always trade for a bottle Now, that would require you to have something nice to trade, but I am sure you do... we could always talk.

 

Here's my crack at beer 2014, wishing all of you a great 2015 with lots of (loons) brews!

FAVORITE LOCAL BREWERY
Beyond the Pale, they released some great brews this year and the Darkerness took the crown for me this year. I'm hoping they will open the new location soon and perhaps we will be in store for some new treats!

FAVORITE BREWERY – OTHER
I’ve had lots this Calendar year and to single one out would be quite the task. I was lucky enough to enjoy a great selection of beer and my favourite ‘new’ brewer of the year would be Oskar Blues. I was very impressed by both Ten Fidy and Old Chub.

FAVORITE LOCAL BEER
The Darkerness won me over this year although I would give an honourable mention to the earl gray marmelade saison by Dominion city which really surprise me.

FAVORITE BEER – OTHER
That's a really tough choice as it was a great beer year for me. I'm going to have to go with a cliché answer here and say Heady Topper. It lived up to the hype and was new to me in 2014. Thanks to my amigo (@polloenfuego ) for hooking me up!

NEW LOCAL DISCOVERY
Dominion city. Great folks and good brew. I'm excited to see what 2015 may bring from them.

NEW DISCOVERY – OTHER
Trading! Taking part in my first CANBIFF experience was definitely fun. Also establishing a regular trading partner (@Coronaeus ) has been a great experience. I can't speak highly enough of it. CANBIFF has also lead to a new beer friendship with someone on the east coast (@CaptainMurphy ). Trading has turned my beer consumption/acquisition into an even more social experience! I'm hoping to establish some trades with west coast folks!

NOTABLE BEER-CHIEVEMENT
Not intentional but as things turned out... having heady topper, westy and bourbon county in the same calendar year. The beer gods definitely smiled upon me in 2014. Partaking in brewery tours for the time.

LOCAL BREWERY TO WATCH
I was hoping to have more to write for this one; however most of the locals I've visited have left me disappointed and hoping for better. I'll have to repeat myself again and put my hope in one basket with Dominion City.

BREWERY TO WATCH – OTHER
I'm hoping for something new from Les Trois Mousquetaires. Their release of Dixième in 2014 has me hopeful.

LOCAL BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED BEER
Beau's... there's Beau's everywhere at the LCBO and it doesn't move much. While I have respect for the brewery and what they have done I wish they would step out of the comfort zone and produce something different, I'm sure they have the talent!

BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED – OTHER
Taking part in beernukah with the Shmaltz brewing kit, while the experience was fun and the marketing was fantastic including all of the materials provided in the kit the beer itself was rather disappointing! Having my first The Bruery was also a let down, despite it being a fantastic sour it did not live up to the hype and advertised style, I’m hoping my opinion may change in 2015.

MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING (OR HOPE TO TRY!)
Further selection of Cantilon, with a trip planned later in the year I expect to drop by the brewery in Brussels. Any beer that's new to me with the hopes of further refining my palate. Hoping to also take a crack at more of the Canadian top 100!

 

FAVORITE LOCAL BREWERY
Four Winds.
Honorable mentions - Brassneck, Dageraad, Yellow Dog, Persephone.

FAVORITE BREWERY - OTHER
3 Fontenien.
Honorable mentions - Block 15, Hill Farmstead, Commons.

FAVORITE LOCAL BEER
Four Winds Saison Brett (second batch).
Honorable mentions - Persephone DIPA, Brassneck OTP Mosaic, Central City IPA (there is perpetually a 6-pack in my fridge when I can find it fresh)

FAVORITE BEER - OTHER
Boon Oude Gueuze '94 (belgium ruined me this year!)
Honorable mentions - 3F OGV '03, HF La Sarrasin, HF Flora, Fremont KDS Coffee.

NEW LOCAL DISCOVERY
Port Moody. Home to Yellow Dog, S&O, and a rather notable BA member.

NEW DISCOVERY - OTHER
London's (UK, not ON) craft beer scene is exploding - a trip this summer was utterly phenomenal. Great to see what places like the kernel & pressure drop are doing. Vancouver's slack group and TB have also been incredible resources and I've managed to meet some great people through both of them this year too.

NOTABLE BEER-CHIEVEMENT
Lucked into sourcing (and muling) a couple of interesting bottles from Belgium to Brews For New Avenues '14.

LOCAL BREWERY TO WATCH
Strange Fellows. Iain Hill unshackled from Yaletown Brewing Company is a very, very exciting prospect.

BREWERY TO WATCH - OTHER
I'd expect a lot more eyes on Fremont this year; rightly so and long overdue.

LOCAL BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED BEER
Old Cellar Dweller. A once quite fun barleywine is now drinking like a crappier DFH 120 (and I didn't like DFH 120!).

BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED - OTHER
If you'd have asked me 5 months ago, I'd have said De Garde. I tried a lot of their beers this year, and lets just some are hits and some are misses. This years worst beer for me was their Cornelio Nunez Porter - but their fruited Bus, black raz bu especially, more than made up for it. They hit more than they miss, but there seems to be no middle ground. In any case, de garde are NOT my answer now that I've tried more from there.

Perhaps the biggest single beer disappointment would be aged Cantillon, for me, albeit from a small sample set of 04' St Lamvinus (at DHVL) and '07 LPF (at a restaurant in toronto!). Both were tooth-tingling acidic and sour, almost to the point of undrinkable. Perhaps a small pour would have worked but I ended up drinking the majority of the bottle of each myself in both cases and it was frankly unpleasant.

MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING (OR HOPE TO TRY!)
More local output, the bar keeps getting raised. Aside from that - more meads from schramms and b nektar.

 

FAVORITE LOCAL BREWERY
When you can get Fat Tug IPA 'daily' or seasonal release such as Naughty Hildegard ESB , Blackstone Porter
& even Sartori Harvest IPA on growler , best damn local brewery DRIFTWOOD

FAVORITE BREWERY - OTHER
Deschutes , Sam Smith , DDC

FAVORITE LOCAL BEER
Sartori Harvest IPA , Naughty Hildegard ESB , Blackstone Porter , Fat Tug IPA , Singularity ...

FAVORITE BEER - OTHER
Black Butte Porter , infamous Taddy Porter , Aphrodisiaque

NEW LOCAL DISCOVERY
Category 12 , The Drake (Eatery & Craft Beer Bar) , Victoria BEER Week

NEW DISCOVERY - OTHER
Duff Gose

NOTABLE BEER-CHIEVEMENT
3 years old on BA , almost 700 beers tried , +450 reviews , 2nd year volunteer at GCBF

LOCAL BREWERY TO WATCH
Category 12 , Moon Under Water & Four Winds

BREWERY TO WATCH - OTHER
Duff

LOCAL BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED BEER
Craft Beer Advent Calendar's , didn't seem like anybody enjoyed Phillip's or CC/P49 for the $$ price

BEER DISAPPOINTMENTS / OVERHYPED - OTHER
Bar Hop , poor service even worse food (avoid the Seafood Poutine),
bad location (super noisy Streetcar's) only saving grace got to try Witchshark & Thrust IPA's

MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING (OR HOPE TO TRY!)
drinking & reviewing more good/great beer's