The official VCBW beer is a special, limited release collaboration ale that represents the creativity and camaraderie of our local craft brewers. The brewers and recipe change annually. Therefore, if you don’t want to miss out on experiencing this exclusive brew, be sure to visit the participating VCBW venues that carry it during Craft Beer Week.
The 2010 VCBW Collaboration Ale was crafted by Vern Lambourne, Brewmaster of Granville Island Brewing, and Iain Hill, Head Brewer for the Mark James Group and resident brewer at Yaletown Brewing Co. It is a West Coast Abbey Ale that takes its inspiration from the classic Belgian Abbey ales and the emergence of more hop-forward beers featuring Pacific Northwest hops.
This beer is a full-bodied ale, well-balanced by hop bitterness and the citrus & floral aromas and flavours of Pacific Northwest hops. Look also for notes of dried fruits, plums, and raisins and bold spices, like cloves and pepper, that are contributed by the Belgian yeast chosen for this beer.
Vital Statistics: OG 14.8, IBU 35, ABV 6%
Availability: on draught at select locations; a cask-conditioned version will be tapped by Mayor Gregor Robertson at the sold out VCBW Hopapalooza on May 10 at the Alibi Room.
Iain Hill (left) and Vern Lambourne enjoy a beer after the successful brewing of Vancouver Craft Beer Week’s inaugural collaboration ale at Granville Island Brewing.
Vern Lambourne
Granville Island Brewing’s Brewmaster Vern Lambourne has a knack for brewing quality beer with recognizable passion in every batch he brews.
Since joining the Granville Island team in 2001, Vern has staked his claim with innovations that have added to the already-vast selection of quality products. His flare and energy have been behind some of Granville Island Brewing’s award-winning brews, such as Kitsilano Maple Cream Ale and Robson Street Hefeweizen.
Born in Nanaimo, BC, Vern graduated with a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Victoria. After University, Vern jetted off to England where a pint is the easiest drink to find. His British brewing education crafted an appreciation for different styles of beer.
After brewing at the Orange Brewery in London, England, Vern moved back to BC to continue his passion working with various brewpubs in Metro Vancouver. Vern eventually found the gig he was born to do, Brewmaster, of Granville Island Brewing.
Iain Hill
Graduating in 1993 from the University of Victoria with a degree in Biochemistry, Iain Hill joined Shaftebury Brewing Company as Quality Control Manager. He then trained in all areas of beer production and was instrumental in the start up of Shafteburys first packaging line.
In 1995, Iain joined the Mark James Group as Brewer for Yaletown Brewing Co. Since then, the group has opened four more brewpubs, with Iain designing the most recent. Now Head Brewer for MJG, Iain oversees brewing operations at all the breweries – High Mountain (Whistler), Big Ridge (Surrey), DIX (Vancouver), and Taylor’s Crossing (North Vancouver) while remaining as head Brewer at Yaletown.
In 2004, Iain was invited to be the Canadian judge for The Brewing Industry International Awards in Burton on Trent. In 2005 he sat on the same international panel in Munich. More recently, Iain consulted on the start up of the new Swiss micro brewery, Trois Dames.
Iain is descended from Timothy Allsop of Burton on Trent, Brewer to King Charles II.
About Granville Island Brewing
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Established is 1984, Granville Island Brewing (GIB) is Canada’s first microbrewery offering a variety of award-winning beers which are brewed and sold here in BC. GIB is dedicated to handcrafting only the finest premium beers that are 100 per cent all-natural and brewed in small batches to provide consumers with the ultimate tasting experience. In celebration of their West Coast heritage GIB names each beer after iconic Vancouver locations that embody the local lifestyle. From the original Island Lager and English Bay Pale Ale, to Cypress Honey Lager, and now their latest innovation; Brockton IPA, GIB continues to produce a diverse portfolio of beers inspired by life on the West Coast. For more information, visit gib.ca. |
About Yaletown Brewing
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The Yaletown Brewing Company is Vancouver’s original and best Brewpub. Founded in 1994, just as the former warehouse district of Yaletown was just beginning to emerge as a destination for businesses and residents, the YBC was built with the vision of being a true neighbourhood pub – a welcoming gathering place whether you arrived dressed in a suit or flip-flops. During the intervening years, the neighbourhood has undergone tremendous change, but the Brewing Company has remained Yaletown’s premiere destination for superb beers, inspired menus and unpretentious good times. For more information, visit markjamesgroup.com/yaletown.html |
