Brewery artisan markets a chiller way to gift shop

If the thought of frenzied shoppers clambering for hot Black Friday deals at the mall sends shivers up your spine, fret not — you can avoid the throng while finding charming gifts (for others or for yourself) by hitting up local breweries hosting artisans, makers and other local sellers this weekend.

Barn Hammer Brewing Co. (595 Wall St.) is hosting the Cask Blast Makers Market today from 2 to 6 p.m. In addition to a quartet of local makers, the brewery will be pouring small-batch cask beers and offering mulled wine and holiday mocktails. Come later and take in the local music from 8-10 p.m.

Over at Little Brown Jug (336 William Ave.), the Sip n’ Shop Vintage Market runs today from 5-11 p.m. Order up a pint (or other beverage) and peruse the vintage threads being sold by four different vendors.

Kilter Brewing Co. (450 Rue Deschambault) is hosting a holiday artisan market this Sunday and next from noon-5 p.m., with eight different local vendors each of the days. Purchase a pint or a sandwich, and the brewery will set you up with “all you need to start wrapping your gifts,” while 10 per cent of all draft and to-go sales sales will go to the Christmas Cheer Board. For a list of all the vendors, check out the brewery’s social media pages.

Up in Dauphin, Obsolete Brewing Co. (24 2 Ave. NW) is hosting a Sip & Shop event tomorrow from 1 to 5 p.m. with a dozen local makers, and the chance to win a door prize, special mimosas and hot chocolate and more.

And Good Neighbour Brewing Co. (110 Sherbrook St.) is hosting a holiday market running from Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 7. Activities and vendors vary by day, so check out the brewery’s social media for more information.

Beers of the week

All the local beers tasted below are available at beer vendors, Liquor Marts and the breweries where they were made, and are listed from lightest to darkest in appearance/weight.

Trans Canada Brewing Co. Christmas Orange Pale Ale ($3.94/473ml can)

Pale gold and clear in appearance, this pale ale has a bright, almost-sweet orange aroma that comes with fresh malt, bread dough and herbal notes.

On the light-bodied, off-dry palate the ripe citrus and malt notes are front and centre, with the herbal and almost-doughy notes showing well.

At five per cent alcohol, it’s fun and fresh. 3.5/5

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One Great City Starry Solstice Winter Wheat ($4.49/473ml can)

A wheat beer infused with orange peel, vanilla bean and cocoa nibs, this pale gold and hazy wheat beer is the brewery’s most recent collaboration with FortWhyte Alive.

Aromatically it brings citrus and baking spice notes, along with a fresh cocoa and malt component. It’s mainly dry, medium-bodied and driven by wheat and baking spice flavours, with hints of caramel and spice coming with herbal and modestly bitter hops.

The alcohol’s a modest five per cent. 3.5/5

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Little Brown Jug Vanilla Nut Brown Ale ($4.89/473ml can)

Dark cola brown in appearance and slightly hazy, hints of roasted chestnuts, chocolate donut and baking spices are front and centre, with secondary sweet roasted malt and bread dough notes.

It’s medium-bodied and slightly sweet, with prominent glazed doughnut, vanilla, nutty and sweet malt flavours, with six per cent alcohol bringing a modest punch. 3/5

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Barn Hammer Brewing Co. Vodnik Czech Dark Lager ($4.19/473ml can)

There’s a touch of hoppy bitterness that comes with the earthy, roasted malt and subtle barnyard aromas here.

It’s dry, medium-bodied and robust, with cola, Tootsie Roll, roasted malt and slightly bitter herbal notes and, at five per cent alcohol, a short but slightly chalky finish.

Deceptively light but with good depth of flavour. 3.5/5

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Interlake Brewing Co. Night Walk Porter ($4.49/473ml can)

Deep cola brown in appearance and with an off-white head, aromatically this porter brings espresso, white pepper, dark roasted malt and chalky notes.

There’s a touch of dark/dried fruit on the medium-bodied palate, with espresso, white pepper and subtle herbal notes bringing some bitterness and, at 5.5 per cent alcohol, a finish with a touch bit of kick.

Brewed at Oxus Brewing Co. 4/5

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Good Neighbour Brewing Co. Candy Cane Mocha Stout ($4.65/473ml can)

Steeped with fresh ground coffee and infused with peppermint, candy canes, vanilla and brown sugar, this stout is medium cola brown and aromatically brings all of the above in spades.

It’s medium-plus-bodied, medium sweet and oh-so-minty, with peppermint and candy cane flavours coming with chocolate cake, herbal and dark malt notes, hints of brown sugar and espresso and, at 6.5 per cent alcohol, a medium-length finish. 4/5

 

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