2023 held a few firsts for me, including the launch of my website! But the digitally wicked never sleep, so my site is already changing to represent more of me as a content creator and not just offer content support. But before we dive fully into my own craft—creativity—in 2024, here’s to last year, and the best core BC craft beers I discovered in 2023. I hope you’ll try one (or more) next time you come by to read a chapter of a serialized novel, laugh over a sarcastic take on current events, or see what else I’ve recently sampled that I want to recommend.
Best Core BC Craft Beer 2023
I shared my favourite new discoveries as I found them in 2023 (like Ravens Brewing’s Grapefruit IPA and Powell Brewery Tangerine Dreams) but the seasonal and experimental releases keep disappearing from the shelves. So in my wrap-up I’m concentrating on the “cores” that the breweries plan to make available year round.
Taylight Brewing “I’m Juicy and I Know It” NE IPA
New England IPA: IBU 22 ABV 6.1%
My absolute favourite core BC craft beer discovered in 2023. I expected a good, fruit-adjacent IPA that could fill the hole when Ravens Brewing stopped producing their Grapefruit IPA. It’s exactly that, and more: citrus notes, full bodied, and a tart finish with the right bitterness to encourage the next sip not turn me off of it. Oh, and it’s juicy. I knew I liked hazy pales, but I’m learning I like hazy, juicy beers in general. I’m a West Coast kid, a loyalist almost, but New England-style beers brewed with West Coast ingredients are apparently exactly what I needed in my life.
Slackwater Brewing “Idleback” Amber Ale
Amber Ale: IBU 25 ABV 5.5%
Don’t tell anyone, but I like a good amber ale more than I like many pales (obviously this does not include Steamworks Pale Ale, which is superior). But many ambers taste rushed through the flavour stage and remind me of malt beverages like Old English. Luckily, that doesn’t apply here! It might be the perfect combination of maltiness, or it might be that Idleback is brewed with Cascade hops, my favourite citrusy hops available. It’s well-balanced and deeply flavoured, without the cloying sweetness some heartier ales can’t avoid.
Powell Brewery “Old Jalopy” American Pale Ale
American Pale Ale: IBU 40 ABV 5.5%
Surprise-surprise, since this is a year of difference: As a lover of “West Coast Pales” my favourite pale ale of 2023 is a non-West Coast Pale…but made on the West Coast. I have to remind myself that the black label does not mean it’s a dark beer. Old Jalopy is deeper in flavour than the Idleback but not as rich as an amber, with a lovely heavy hopiness to balance the heartier malt of the “pub style” pale.
Fuggles Beer “Javaverse” Vanilla Cream Cold Brew Coffee Stout
Coffee Stout: IBU 20 ABV 6.5%
Fuggles has been finding its feet and has created some amazing sci-fi inspired labels and names. Their Javaverse is even more than that: it marries cold-brew coffee’s nitro-simulating depth with vanilla notes and a really stellar stout. I’m not much for porters before eating, but an after dinner Javaverse is an exceptional treat that also won’t keep you up all night. But don’t have too many or you won’t get up the next day either!
Tin Whistle Brewing “Peach” Cream Ale
Cream Ale: IBU 15 ABV 5.2%
Look, I am lactose intolerant. I often find a deliciously creamy beer that I just can’t recommend because it’s “lactose finished” and I can only drink one, ever. This cream ale is different. Great both as a fruit beer and as an ale, with a perfect match of stone fruit and summer ale: full-bodied but not heavy, hops-forward but not lacking in fruit richness. And according to the ingredients list it’s a cream ale with real Okanagan peaches, not an ale made with “peach flavour” and cream ingredients.
BC Craft Beer 2023 Honourable Mentions (a.k.a. if you can find them):
Mariner Brewing Sasquatch Pale Ale
IBU 30 ABV 4.8% The first American pale ale I tried that led to Old Jalopy on the list. “If you can find them” is just the problem: I might have drunk them all.
Lighthouse Brewing Raspberry Lime Pilsner
IBU 11 ABV 5.0% I started drinking this in the summer of 2022, so it’s not new to me this year. The lime and tart raspberry add depth to the lightness of a pilsner. Perfect for hot days.
Balderdash Brewing Sneaky Weasel Lager
ABV 5.6% Fun branding—I had to try it! But even weasels as their motif can’t get me past the flavour of lager when my mouth is expecting ale.
What BC Craft Beer 2023 Standard Did I Miss?
And so ends my search for the best core BC craft beer in 2023, and begins my search for the best brews in 2024! Did you discover something amazing this year that I should review? Leave me a comment and let me know what I need to try next…and what you’re going to sample yourself.
Cheers!
–AJ