Beatroute Magazine BC Print Edition December 2017

HOLIDAY HOPS
CELEBRATING YOUR SEASONAL BEER PALATE
TOM PAILLE AND WILLEM THOMAS
BOTTOMS UP
LUCAS MARINCELJ (TRANS AM RESTAURANT)
GLENN ALDERSON
FOOD & DRINK
Powell Street Brewery’s Double IPA is twice as nice.
As fall drizzles and drips its way into winter, the weather
inevitably changes from bright and cheery to damp and
dreary. Local west coast craft brewers have developed the
perfect coping mechanism: winter ales. We decided to get a
taste of some of their offerings.
POSTMARK BREWING
Stout
Located in the old Settlement Building in the heart of the
Downtown Eastside, Postmark opened its doors in 2014
following the success of Vancouver Urban Winery and
the Belgard Kitchen. Behind that landmark doorway lies a
welcoming atmosphere that invites you to get cozy after
a sightseeing walk about Gastown. Postmark’s Stout is the
perfect companion to warming yourself beside a fireplace,
designed for sessionability with a bit less alcohol (4.8 per
cent) and a sweet balance of malts for a chocolate, coffee,
caramel taste that will warm your soul.
PARALLEL 49 BREWING COMPANY
Salty Scot
Salty Scot from Parallel 49 Brewing Company has been
making comebacks for several years, for good reason. It’s a
Scottish “wee heavy” style that combines sweet caramel and
vanilla flavours with sea salt to intensify them. The Scotch Ale
is bold behind these flavours and makes a great winter drink.
Not too many at a time, though – with 7.5 per cent ABV, it
packs a bit of a punch. With the food truck brought into the
Street Kitchen for the winter, it’s a great excuse to visit and try
one, or maybe two.
STRATHCONA BEER COMPANY
Brrr! Winter Radler
Like migrating birds, radlers seem to disappear as the weather
turns cold. Viewed almost exclusively as summer patio drinks,
many BC breweries have taken to producing their own takes,
with flavours like grapefruit and lemon hitting stores and,
subsequently, parks and beaches. Since opening in July 2016,
Strathcona Beer Company can already lay claim to making
one of Vancouver’s most popular radlers, the Beach Lemon
Mandarin Radler. For brewer and co-owner Michael “Fezz”
Nazarec, the question was how to translate that success into
a winter-appropriate version. The answer? Huge quantities
of fresh BC cranberries, which make the Brrr! Winter Radler
possibly craft brewing’s first Christmas-ready radler. Tarter
and dryer than its summer sibling, it’s light and effervescent,
while still retaining the juiciness we’ve come to expect.
GRANVILLE ISLAND BREWING
Lions Winter Ale
Holding down top seniority of seasonal beers is the Lions
Winter Ale, which has been lovingly brewed by Granville
Island Brewing since 2004. This long-time favourite blends
hints of vanilla, cocoa, and caramel into a deep, rich
mouthful. Specialty malts ensure this ale isn’t too sweet on
the palate, making it an amazing pairing with both sweet and
savoury tastes (bacon jam, anyone?). The unique sweet and
spicy taste may have everything to do with its secret “winter
flavourings,” but this ale is no secret beyond the wet and
stormy shores of our west coast.
33 ACRES BREWING COMPANY
33 Acres of Cashmere
When it comes to naming and branding their new beers,
Mount Pleasant’s 33 Acres Brewing Company follow an
aesthetic all their own, channelling themes of longing and
nodding romantically to the natural world. For their new
Northwest Red Ale, they let the properties of the beer
define itself. Smooth and balanced, 33 Acres of Cashmere
harkens back to its namesake fibre, existing as an inviting,
approachable ale. The bright amber colour and roasted malt
flavour make this the perfect beer to sneak off to a cabin (or
your basement suite) for the night. Or, as it’s a limited-run
beer, stop by the tasting room for a few.
POWELL STREET CRAFT BREWERY
Right Kind of Crazy
Imperial beers combine bold flavours with stratospheric
ABVs, and in west coast brewing, the Imperial style known
as a Double IPA generally reigns supreme. Powell Street Craft
Brewery co-owner and brew master David Bowkett’s take on
a Double IPA hits the mark, boasting a 9 per cent ABV and
bringing together three types of hops for a flavourful and
hoppy, yet remarkably easy-to-drink beer. Since opening in
2012 (look out for some neat plans for their fifth anniversary
this month!), Powell Street has won awards for their creative
takes on northwest pale ales. The Right Kind of Crazy is a big,
clear IPA that will definitely raise your spirits during a rainsoaked
December evening.
How did you start bartending?
I started bartending when I was nineteen at a neighbourhood pub down the
street from my house in Toronto. At that time I wanted to bartend more than
anything. Being young, impressionable and somewhat socially awkward, I
figured being a bar man would make girls like me. I wanted the job so bad that
I went to that bar every day for two weeks with a fresh resume until they finally
just gave me one bussing shift a week to shut me up. I eventually worked my
way up from there.
How long have you worked at Trans Am?
I showed up at Trans Am about nine months ago during closed hours on
a mutual friend’s recommendation. I can still remember the dirty look on
Gianmarco’s face when I popped my head in the door, as if I was going to ask
him “So, is this a dentist’s office?” Since then we have developed our very own
variety of in-house bitters, syrups, infusions and even liqueurs.
Best thing about your job?
Total creative freedom I suppose. Improvisation is the backbone of what we do,
and is essential to the personal experience of our guests – new and old. I also
get to work with a great friend.
Favourite drink to make?
A little drink I call Sage & Whiskey, a modern take on the Old Fashioned. Made
with local white rye, muddled sage, house-made grapefruit bitters & vanilla
syrup all stirred together, poured over hand-cut ice and smoked with a thick
cloud of burning sage.
Go-to on a night off?
I would say Trans Am makes up the majority of my social life. The rest of
my time is spent on music; either playing in bands or producing bands. I do,
however, frequent Tangent Cafe on Sunday’s for a hearty breakfast.
Greatest night you’ve ever had at work.
That’s difficult. The greatest nights I’ve had are attached more to a feeling than
a specific time. It’s the feeling that whatever it is you’re doing is working, the
people you’re in the company of are connecting and that the experience you
are providing is one-of-a-kind.
The worst?
Full moons, or when people ask for paralyzers and I have to tell them “This place
is not for you.”
Trans Am is located at 1879 Powell Street.
Photo by David Gauthier
Lucas Marincelj shows off his signature Sage & Whiskey cocktail.
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