Whisky fest a virtual affair this time around

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/02/2021 (2000 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Whisky Festival has unveiled its 2021 lineup, with online/virtual tasting events beginning Wednesday that feature products from across the whisky-making world.

A total of 14 virtual events are being offered for the 2021 festival, with a wide range of themed tastings that fall into two categories — exclusive festival tasting package events and what have been called “discover and learn virtual events.” The former features packages that include whiskies, glassware and more, as well as access to a corresponding online tasting. The latter group is a collection of six free virtual tastings; a suggested shopping list and access to the virtual tasting is provided.

Both groups of events feature brand ambassadors, mixologists and experts who will guide attendees through the history of the products, weigh in on the whisky-making process, provide advice on crafting the perfect whisky cocktail and more. Participating distilleries include J.P. Wiser’s, Forty Creek and Crown Royal from Canada, Ardbeg, Tomatin and Johnnie Walker from Scotland and Maker’s Mark from Kentucky.

Festival tasting package events range in price from $19.99 to $184.99, and run from Feb. 24 through to March 25. A portion of the proceeds from the Winnipeg Whisky Festival, which is presented by Manitoba Liquor Marts, will go to the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.

To purchase/register for events, see winnipegwhiskyfestival.com.

 

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The inaugural Brew Box, presented by the Free Press in collaboration with local brewers and producers, has quickly sold out — a clear sign Manitobans are thirsty for fun ways to try craft beer made in our backyard.

The first Brew Box offering includes two beers by Fort Garry Brewing Co. — their Frontier pilsner and the new Coffee Stout made with beans from Thom Bargen — and treats from Chocolatier Constance Popp, Piccola Cucina, a beer glass and more, all for $25. The Brew Box also features exclusive access to a virtual tasting with Fort Garry brewmaster Josh Berscheid (and me) on March 4.

If you missed out this time around, head over to wfp.to/brewbox to sign up for the mailing list, and you’ll be the first to know about the next Brew Box, which will feature a different local brewery.

uncorked@mts.net

Twitter: @bensigurdson

 

Beers of the week

 

Torque Big Bang Passionfruit Guava Berliner Weisse (Winnipeg — $3.99/473ml can, brewery, Liquor Marts, select beer vendors)

Pale straw in colour and slightly hazy, this fruit-infused wheat beer brings tart tropical fruit notes on the nose along with floral, bread dough and wheat aromas. It’s dry, tart and light-bodied, with racy tart tropical fruit notes working well with an almost-salty note, underlying doughy malt flavours and a crisp, clean finish. At just 3.2 per cent alcohol, it’s a great alternative to a radler. 4/5

Nonsuch Blueberry Ginger Sour (Winnipeg — $4.50/473ml can, brewery, Liquor Marts, select beer vendors)

Pale copper in colour and hazy, there’s a definite ginger component aromatically, while the ripe blueberry and malt notes are more subtle. There’s a hint of sweetness on the light-plus-bodied palate that comes with the blueberry note, while the ginger and the sour component are vibrant and lively on the finish. At 5.4 per cent alcohol, it’s one of Nonsuch’s more quaffable brews, but is anything but boring. 3.5/5

Sookram’s Majestical India Pale Lager (Winnipeg — $4.30/473ml can, brewery, select beer vendors)

Featuring Aussie and New Zealand hops, Sookram’s latest is pale gold and mainly clear, bringing enticing gooseberry, green apple and malt notes on the nose. It’s dry, medium-bodied and fruit-driven, with gooseberry and lemon-lime notes working very well with the bright hops, fresh malt and the modest, six per cent alcohol finish. For those who like brews brimming with fruit and well-integrated hops. 4/5

Black Wheat Brewing Co. Great Scott! Cream Ale (Brandon — $3.69/473ml can, Liquor Marts and select beer vendors)

This Brandon brewery is just finishing setting up its bricks-and-mortar location, so its first batches were brewed at Barn Hammer’s facility. This cream ale is pale gold and mainly clear, and offers aromas of fresh malt, biscuit and modest hops. It’s dry, light-plus bodied and yes, slightly creamy, with tasty, fresh biscuit and malt notes and a hint of corn, very modest hops and an approachable 4.5 per cent alcohol level. Nice stuff right out of the gate. 3.5/5

Devil May Care Nothin’ But the Hops Vol. 01 West Coast IPA (Winnipeg — $4.49/473ml can, brewery, Liquor Marts, select beer vendors)

The players on this mix tape-inspired brew are Idaho 7, Strata and Azacca hops. It’s medium copper in colour and mainly clear; aroma-wise, there are plenty of resinous, herbal notes from the hops that work well with the roasted malt component. It’s dry, medium-bodied and robust, with those hoppy notes carrying that resinous component nicely, deep malty flavours and a lengthy finish thanks to the 6.4 per cent alcohol. Hop-heads will enjoy this punchy brew. 4.5/5

Fort Garry Coffee Stout (Winnipeg — $3.79/473ml can, brewery, Liquor Marts, select beer vendors)

Made with cold-brewed Colombian coffee roasted by Thom Bargen, the stout is deep cola in colour with a beige head. There’s a terrific chocolate-covered espresso bean note on the nose, with underlying roasted malt and vanilla notes. It’s full-bodied and slightly off-dry, lifting the chocolate and vanilla notes that complement the core coffee and roasted malt flavours before the slightly nutty finish (it’s five per cent alcohol). A solid cooler-weather brew. 4/5