the WINE GUY

The other week I found something fascinating at my local farmers’ market. Cruising the stalls, I suddenly came across a shiny white/gold/black six-pack emblazoned with Persephone Brewing Company’s logo. Turns out the cans are the latest release in the Sunshine Coast brewery’s “Single Hop Series.”

Previous editions came in bomber-sized, 650mL bottles. The helpful salesperson explained how this year they switched to 355mL cans to make it easier for enthusiasts to perform a side-by-side taste comparison. It’s a great idea, and a good example of how engaging and absorbing beer culture has become.

Six-packs run around $17, with limited availability from the brewery and select private liquor stores.

GrapeJuice 2017 THE SWIRL:

It costs $2,000 to maintain a Big Sister/Little Sister match for a year, which is why founding sponsors McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group and MLA Canada created GrapeJuice. In its 10th year, GrapeJuice 2017 takes place April 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Aston Martin & Bentley Vancouver (1770 Burrard St., Vancouver). Tickets cost $125 (a tax receipt can be issued), and proceeds from the annual wine auction and tasting benefit the Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland. For complete details go to: grapejuicevancouver.com.

Persephone Brewing Co. Belma Pale Ale

As the name suggests, the basic idea behind the single hop series is to take the same pale ale base and incorporate just one specific type of Humulus lupulus. As hops contribute significant flavour to beer, this allows a more fine-tuned appreciation of the different taste and aromatic nuances of each hop species. For example, the Belma Pale Ale comes across slightly lighter than the others, with citrus and melon aromas before a fresh, biscuity finish.

Bottom line: B, Crisp and balanced

Persephone Brewing Co. Pekko Pale Ale

Another cool facet of the single hop series is not only does each beer feature a unique type of hop, all hops are grown by the same farm: Crosby Hop Farm of Woodburn, Ore. Like Persephone Brewing, Crosby Hop Farm is a Certified B Corporation, aiming to benefit both society and their shareholders. The Pekko hop is named for the Finnish god of fields and crops, and Persephone’s Pekko Pale Ale pours dark golden in the glass with great floral and herbaceous notes. It comes across quite rich overall, with a healthy bitter (almost minty) edge to finish. Bottom line: B+, Quite floral

Persephone Brewing Co. Idaho #6 Pale Ale

Idaho #6 is an experimental hop. What’s an experimental hop? Essentially a new hop strain, in this case initially developed by Jackson Hops in Idaho (hence the name) and now contracted to Crosby Hop Farm until 2020. Which is how Persephone acquired the hop, and the result in their single hop series is the densest of the pale ales, earthier and heavier overall with a bitter, guttural finish. Bottom line: B+, As the label says: dank