Okay so everyone know the nitty gritty on Sartori Harvest, but what else is either out or coming out that is readily available in and around the lower mainland? I know there's a Hoyne option or two, but I'm pretty clueless on fresh hopped IPA's overall.
Parallel 49 are getting close to releasing one I think, based on http://instagram.com/p/eF6H7wAdvo/. Beyond that, I've not seen any BC specific ones besides Sartori and the Hoyne one. 8 Wire (from NZ) had a ton of fresh hopped IPA land at legacy earlier in the summer, and it was absolutely stunning - but probably past it's absolute best now (though still probably better than the majority of the IPAs out there).
Driftwood - Sartori Harvest Hoyne - Wolf Vine Phillip's - Green Reaper (three from the island) ----------------------------- Granville Is - Fresh Hop ESB Townsite - Time Warp (two from the mainland) notes taken from Joe Wiebe's 'Craft Beer Revolution'
I believe Lighthouse is also coming out with one - they posted a pic of collecting fresh hops not too long ago. Brewery Creek received some "fresh" 8 Wire in a few weeks back. Bought and got home and saw it was dated December 2012
yup. Best to assume anything coming from off continent won't be fresh. The Nogne O IPAs are a perfect example of why importing these beers doesn't make any sense. The Hoyne is technically a Pale Ale right? P49 beer could be brilliant, really excited for this one!
I've had the Hoyne pale and I thought it was great for what it was. It obviously doesn't stand up to a fresh-hopped IPA (ie. Sartori Harvest) but it has a really nice hop profile for a pale ale, if that's what you're in the mood to drink. Probably one of the better pales I've had in the last while. edit: and yes, I pretty much assume everything not brewed locally is going to be old. I can literally count on one hand the times I've tried an IPA from Brewery Creek and BCL stores (that didn't have a bottle date) and had a positive experience. Even the Lighthouse Siren Red Ale Brewery Creek currently has in stock is old, and that is supposed to be a year-round beer now. Basically, unless you know it's just been released, you should probably stay away from non-BC fresh hopped beers. Actually, hell, that probably goes for BC beers as well. They might've been fresh hopped when they came out 10 months ago, but that floral hoppy aroma probably isn't there anymore. You wouldn't be able to tell that from the bottle, though, because nobody around these parts dates their bottles (except Driftwood -- The Superior Brewery)
Looks like Powell St are getting in on the action too... https://twitter.com/PowellBeer/status/383313170137247745/photo/1
