Raising a glass to events celebrating … raising a glass

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/08/2023 (751 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If the thought of navigating the rocky landscape of retail booze-buying right now is enough to drive you to drink, take the opportunity to check out some beverage-related events taking place around town and beyond over the next month…

Torque Brewing celebrates seven years of beer today, with music from Diedra Borus, Northern Royals and Ladywood throughout the day, plus small-batch pours, food, vendors and more. The festivities run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the brewery (330-830 King Edward St.).

Over at The Beer Can (1 Granite Way), Nonsuch Brewing Co. is teaming up with four local watering holes on Sunday to offer beer-based cocktails. Check out collaborative cocktails with Langside Grocery, Sous Sol, The Roost and Patent 5 Distillery (the Beer Can and Nonsuch will also be making special drinks of their own).

Pop by a Winnipeg Goldeyes game between Aug. 21 and 27 and check out the latest offerings from Devil May Care Brewing Co., Little Brown Jug, Dastardly Villain Brewing Co. and Fort Garry Brewing Co. as they take over the taps at Shaw Park’s Craft Beer Corner.

Speaking of Little Brown Jug, it plays host on Friday, Aug. 25, to a trio of musicians on its patio (336 William Ave.) in an event presented by Real Love Winnipeg. The show features music by Cassidy Mann, Syd Bomek and Carlo Capobianco. Doors open at 7 p.m.; tickets are $15 plus fees and are available at wfp.to/N12.

Shrugging Doctor Beverage Co. may currently be closed for renovations, but on Sept. 10, the folks there are taking time out from construction (and pouring wines, ciders and coolers at farmers markets) to offer a tour of the vineyard where they’re growing grapes in southern Manitoba. In addition to the tour, the trip includes a tasting, Q&A with the winemaker and a barbecue. Tickets are $100 plus fees if you want to drive yourself, or $120 plus fees to grab a spot on their bus, and are available at wfp.to/N1M.

Another brewery, another anniversary — this time it’s Trans Canada Brewing Co. (1290 Kenaston Blvd.), who celebrates six years of slinging brews on Saturday, Sept 16. Like Torque’s, the festivities will include special beers, food, live music and more — and, like Torque’s, the party runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sept. 16 was also to be the opening day of the Winnipeg Wine Festival, whose theme region this year is Argentina. The South American country was slated to be the theme region a few years ago, but the fest was stymied by COVID. However, the ongoing dispute between Liquor Mart workers and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries management has seen this year’s fest postponed, according to a news release sent out Aug. 16 by festival organizers. No alternate dates have been announced; check winnipegwinefestival.com in the coming days for updates.

By the time you read this I’ll be on holidays, so no Uncorked next week — fingers crossed things are back to normal when I return. And for those heading out to buy booze, may the odds be ever in your favour.

uncorked@mts.net

@bensigurdson

 

Wines of the week

Raventós Rosell NV La Fea (Cava, Spain — around $22, private wine stores)

Pale straw in colour, like most Spanish cavas the La Fea is a blend of three indigenous grapes — Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo. Aromatically it’s citrus-driven, with lemon and lime notes coming with green apple and modest chalky notes. On the mainly dry, light-bodied palate there’s a bread-dough note accompanied by citrus rind, green apple skin and a slightly saltiness, while the 11.5 per cent alcohol is unobtrusive. It’s tasty but won’t change your world, and would work well in mimosas, an Aperol spritz or on its own in the warm summer sun. Obtained from Kenaston Wine Market. 3.5/5

Cirelli La Collina Biologica 2019 Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo (Abruzzo, Italy — around $30, private wine stores)

Made from the Montepulciano grape in Italy’s Abruzzo region, this organic Italian rosé is deep pinkish-copper in colour, with ripe strawberry and black cherry aromas as well as slightly bruised apple and herbal notes. It’s dry and light-bodied, with tart raspberry and ripe strawberry working well together, a hint of cranberry in there for good measure, and a splash of acidity to keep things lively. Having said that, this is a slightly old vintage for a rosé; the fruit is predictably less fresh than it would have been a couple years ago, or in a newer vintage. Still, there’s decent character and flavour here. Obtained at Ellement Wine + Spirits. 3/5

 

Beers of the week

Anyone who has typically avoided craft breweries because they think the beers are too hoppy/heavy/weird/etc. should have another look — there are loads of local lagers, pilsners and lighter ales out there that should satisfy even the most timid of palates.

Check out these four local craft beers — they’re approachable, easy-going and would surely get a thumbs up from even the most “mainstream” of beer drinkers.

Section 6 Brewing Co. Cerveza Light (Brandon — $2.40/355ml cans, brewery, beer vendors, Liquor Marts)

Pale gold and clear in appearance, this Mexican-style beer brings fresh malt, hints of corn and a touch of citrus aromatically. It’s light-plus bodied, with a slight creaminess that ramps up the malt notes, some lingering citrus flavours and hints of oats and corn on the relatively short finish (it’s 4.5 per cent alcohol). A solid value. 3.5/5

One Great City Orellana Paddling Pilsner (Winnipeg — $4.49/473ml cans, brewery, beer vendors)

This pilsner, pale gold in colour and clear, has been brewed in honour of intrepid Manitoba paddler Don Starkell, with a portion of proceeds going to the Manitoba Paddling Association. The fresh malt notes on the nose come with a touch of herbal hops and corn, with a modest floral note in there to boot. It’s light-bodied, dry and crisp, with the malt and herbal hop flavours landing nicely on the palate before the relatively short finish (it’s five per cent alcohol). Easygoing but lively — well done. 3/5

Interlake Brewing Co. Bay Dreaming Kolsch (Winnipeg/Gimli — $3.79/473ml cans, brewery, beer vendors, Liquor Marts)

Medium gold in colour and clear, there’s an apple note that comes with malt, corn and oat aromas here. It’s light-bodied and dry, with crisp malt and apple flavours showing pretty well, a slight peppery note (but nearly no hoppiness) and a short-ish finish (it’s 4.5 per cent alcohol). Grab a pint on Interlake’s rooftop patio on Gimli’s main drag, or pick up a can at Oxus in Winnipeg (where they’re produced). 3.5/5

Trans Canada Brewing Co. Beachcomber Summer IPA (Winnipeg — $4.24/473ml can, brewery, beer vendors, Liquor Marts)

Deep gold in colour and clear, there’s an intense and lovely mish-mash of tart citrus fruit, deep malt, grassy hops and a hint of pine aromatically here. On the dry, light-plus bodied palate the medium-plus hoppiness leads the charge, with grassy and citrus rind flavours followed by grapefruit, fresh malt, gooseberry and yeast before the medium-length finish (it’s 6.5 per cent alcohol). Delivers robust IPA flavours without getting too heavy and while highlighting the fresh fruit. Lovely. 4/5