Penticton’s seven breweries, and residents across BC, are finally getting to taste the fruits of their labour.
The Penticton Seven Hazy Pale Ale was officially released Oct. 1, and it is available at the Penticton breweries and many other liquor stores across Penticton and around the Okanagan as of today.
“To me this beer was kind of built as a nice mellow, easy-drinking pale ale, which is exactly what comes to mind when you take your first sip. It’s really approachable for people that don’t really enjoy beer that much, but they can still get into this beer,” said Bad Tattoo head brewer Liam Hutcheson, standing beside a pallet ready for distribution. “And it’s also great for any craft beer drinker, because that’s the big scene right now – hazy pale ale. It has classic fruit-forward style hops – El Dorado is the main kicker, and that’s what really gives you that well-rounded mellow beginning of the beer and the finishing fruitiness.”
The seven brewers came together Sept. 2 to begin the brew process.
“It was a fun one to brew, because I think all of us in Penticton have now brewed a hazy-style beer,” added Hutcheson. “It was just fun to have a collaboration day with the whole group and enjoy what we’re doing. It’s a fun industry. Each brewery gets to be a part of it and that’s really the fun of it for us.”
It’s the second year that Penticton’s seven breweries collaborated on a brew in time for Penticton Beer Week, which takes place Oct. 16-24.
As was the case last year, Bad Tattoo was used as the host brewery, although Hutcheson would like to see the collaboration take place at one of the other Penticton breweries next year.
“That’s the thing I love about the craft beer industry in general. I feel in Penticton we have one of the better inclusive breweries. There’s seven of us, and we work together year-round, and really don’t have any issues.” said Hutcheson. “I was just over at Slackwater yesterday picking up a little gypsum for the brew. If you’re short one thing, the next guy’s got ya. And that’s definitely way more fun than being competitors with each other.
“I want to go over to the next brewery and have a pint after work, and enjoy the fruits of our labour. It’s definitely better working together.”
Hutcheson also appreciates the fact that as a brewer, he gets to experiment, and try different ingredients that ultimately blend well into a beer.
“I’m sure everyone’s noticed – breweries are popping up everywhere. We do work together here in town. You’re competing with one another, but you also have 150 others in BC to compete with,” said Hutcheson. “It’s also the fact that we want to drink good craft beer. And we want to try something different all the time. It’s in your brain and you have to put it out there. You can’t wait for someone else to put it out there. You’ve got to make it. It’s a lot of fun.”
And now, the Hazy Pale Ale is available to everyone.
"The Penticton Seven collaboration beer is currently making its way around BC. It will be available in 4-packs of 473ml cans at private liquor stores in Penticton and throughout BC. It is being delivered this week throughout the Okanagan. It will be delivered to stores at the Coast around Thanksgiving, and to the Island shortly thereafter,” said collaboration organizer Kim Lawton with Cannery Brewery and the Penticton Ale Trail. “This limited release beer will also be available on tap at each of the Penticton breweries as well as select local restaurants in Penticton and surrounding area."
For a list of all BC locations where Hazy Pale Ale can be purchased, click here.
For more information on beer month and Penticton Beer Week, click here.
