Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Driftwood Sartori Harvest IPA


Available now for a very limited time only!


Local Chilliwack Centennial hops go into the brew fresh, without being dried, and it really gives great flavours of grapefruit and tangerine with an enjoyable floral kick. The thing that separates this IPA from many other good craft brewery examples, is that they get the balance of malt just right. There are lovely notes of caramel that support the hops like a back bone, and they all continue to the finish making this a very drinkable ale.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

New Products this Week

New Wine

Camelback Chardonnay

Travaglini Coste Della Sesia Nebbiolo

Friuli Grave Cabernet Franc Armani Claps



New Beer

Schmaltz Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A



Beer Restocks

Anderson Valley Boont ESB

Green’s Endeavour Dubbel Ale Gluten Free

Howe Sound Pumpkineater Imperial Pumpkin Ale

Mythos beer

Paddock Wood Porter

Propeller IPA

Young’s Double Chocolate Stout



New Spirits

Hendricks Gin

Monday, September 27, 2010

Wine of the Week - Rivera Rupicolo


Rivera Castel Del Monte Rupicolo

A crisp, fruity wine, a cuvee of two of the most characteristic grape varieties of the DOC zone:  Montepulciano contributes the velvety smoothness of the wine and its easy drinkability, while the Nero di Troia provides body and structure.

Purple-tinged ruby red in colour; youthful, heady aromas of ripe red fruit; soft and full-fruited in the mouth, well balanced and judiciously tannic.

Beer of the Week - Sam Smith Yorkshire Stingo


SamL. Smith
Yorkshire Stingo





Stingo, traditional strong ale originating in the north of England, is mentioned in literature before 1700. Samuel Smith's Stingo melds the fine history of this style with the signature elegance of the brewery. Brewed from British malt and multiple hop varieties, Stingo is fermented in open-topped stone "Yorkshire Squares," with the Samuel Smith ale yeast strain. It is then aged for over a year in oak barrels that previously held cask-conditioned ale, gaining complexity and depth from the wood. Bottle conditioning - bottling the beer with live yeast for carbonation - produces soft conditioning as well as a fruity aroma and finish; it also allows Stingo to age and develop in the bottle for many month.
Taste:

Rich, deep, flavors of toffee, raisin, dried fruit, caramel; waves of flavor ascend and ebb leaving soft oak notes. Bottle conditioning creates elegant conditioning and satisfying fruitiness.
Serving Suggestions:

Stingo is a wonderful digestif when served alone, and also pairs well with beef, wild game, or demanding deeply-flavored foods. Try with strong aromatic cheese, pickled fish, cured meats, duck, or Kalamata olives. Serve at 55 degrees in a small nonik, or serve in a stemmed wineglass.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Pierre Sparr Eau-de-Vie


Pierre Sparr Eau De Vie Poire Williams 43% ABV
Pierre Sparr Eau De Vie Framboise 43% ABV


This is a rare opportunity to taste some of Alsace's finest eau-de-vie, made by one of its most respected wine producers. Poire Williams is a traditional pear brandy, made entirely from distilling the juice from crushed pears, while the Framboise is distilled from raspberries. Don't mistake these classic digestifs with crudely fruit flavoured liquor, this is the real thing! It is dry delicate and fruity, and a perfect way to end a meal.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

The Legacy Series wines from Mission Hill Family Estate



Finest vineyards, extensive canopy management, handpicking, minimal handling and the best available fermenters and barrels are used to produce The Legacy Series wines. These wines are aged in optimal conditions and tasted often before they are released. They showcase the finest of everything at Mission Hill Family Estate.


Perpetua 2008

100 % single vineyard Chardonnay from Osoyoos Vineyard Estate. Grapes were night-harvested and after crushing, 25 % of the juice was barrel fermented in new French oak. Wine was aged sur lie for 10 months.
Crisp and lively palate with yellow apple, lime, jasmine and oak spice on the finish, the nose shows honeysuckle and lemon-lime. This Chardonnay is extremely food friendly.

Quatrain 2007

Blend of Merlot (42%), Syrah (24%), Cabernet Franc (19%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%). Grapes were hand-harvested from the best blocks in Osoyoos and Oliver. Wine was aged in American and French oak for 17 months.
Juicy wine with red and black berries backed up with plums, cocoa, red licorice and allspice. Ready to drink now or within the next six years.

Compendium 2007

This Bordeaux style blend has Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Cabernet Franc (24%), Merlot (21%) and Petit Verdot (5%). Grapes are from Osoyoos and Oliver and were hand-harvested after an excellent growing season. Aged in French and American oak barrels for 16.5 months.
Classic flavours of black currants, sundried blackberries, plum, sage and dried earth. This wine will cellar well.

Now available at Firefly in Maple Ridge.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

New Products this Week

New Wine

Barista PInotage

Sperone – Marsala All’uovo Cremovo

Bodega Melipal Classic – Malbec

Benvenuto de la Serna Malbec Merlot



New Beer

Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen

Coney Island Variety Pack

Phillips Blackberry Heifer Bison

Samuel Smith Yorkshire Stingo



Beer Restocks

Pretty Things Saint Botolphs’ Town

Rogue Juniper Ale

Southern Tier Unearthly IPA

Weltenburger Hefe Weissbier



Refreshment Beverages

Magner’s Original Cider (bottles)

Magner’s Original Cider (cans)







Beer of the Week - Phillips Blackberry Heiferbison


Phillips Brewing Company
Blackberry Heiferbison

Ever seen a Blackbery Heiferbison before?
This rare creature can be a little shy at the beginning, but once you get to know them, their charms are undeniable.
Sweet blackberry hints mingle with the wheatiness of a refreshing hefeweizen.
Do yourself a favour and pour the Heiferbison into a glass, because the colour truly needs to be appreciated.

Wine of the Week - Barista Pinotage



Barista Pinotage 2009


The Barista Pinotage has a burst of intense, rich coffee and chocolate aromas with ripe nuances of mulberry, plum and Maraschino cherries. All the aromas follow through onto the palate and are enhanced by sweet aromas of vanilla and butterscotch. The wine has ripe luscious tannins and is ready to be enjoyed now. The Barista Pinotage is very food friendly and has been listed in a number of restaurants, with accompaniments varying from meat dishes and rich creamy casseroles to controversial desserts. A favourite accompaniment remains a blue cheese-filled brandy snap, with Belgian chocolate and roasted coffee beans.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Complimentary Wine Tasting- Blasted Church Wines

Complimentary Wine Tasting - Blasted Church
Saturday Sept. 18th 
2-6pm





Today, Blasted Church has grown over tenfold in sales, has become one of the most recognized, and admired wineries in Canada, and is proudly served by the best restaurants and wine merchants across the country.


Hatfield's Fuse 2009
Colour: Light golden straw.
Bouquet: Citrus, lychee, melon, floral, apple, tropical fruit.
Palate: Medium bodied, oily texture with melon, granny smith apple, citrus and tropical fruit flavours leading to a finish full of spice.
Food Pairings: Tuna poke, roast pork and escargot.

Gewurztraminer 2009
Colour: Mid straw.
Bouquet: Balanced citrus, lychee and ginger aromas followed by hints of perfume and gooseberry.
Palate: Med bodied, with citrus, lychee, grapefruit rind and a spiced finish.
Food Pairings: Jamaican jerk Chicken, Turkey cheese
burgers, Samosa’s or any spicy Asian/Indian dish.
Merlot 2008

Colour: Mid crimson.
Bouquet: Black cherry, plums, cassis, espresso, mocha and hints of cloves.
Palate: Layers of raspberry, strawberry, damson plum followed by black cherry and a touch of mint.
Food Pairings: Duck with fruit sauces (plum, raspberry glaze, etc), seared tuna and bbq Ribs.





Firefly Maple Ridge- 21755 Lougheed HWY open 10am-11pm

 

Meadow Vista Honey Wines

Honey Wine (or Mead) is reported to be the oldest fermented beverage on the Earth. Mead is often referred to as "the nectar of the gods".

Meadow Vista Honey Wines from the Okanagan Valley makes refreshing, high-quality honey wines and they have a wide variety of different sweetness levels from dry to lusciously sweet. Meadow Vista also produces Canada’s first sparkling organic honey wine using méthode traditionelle.

Joy 2008
A very crisp, brut sparkling honey wine with delicate honey aromas. This wine is a great aperitif or an interesting pairing for main courses.

Cloud Horse 2008
Dry, white honey wine. Delicate clover aromas and a hint of hazelnut on the palate. Pairs well with fresh fruit, cheese, or chicken.

Mabon 2008
Spiced with coriander, cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg, this wine goes well with walnut and goat cheese salad or herb encrusted lamb.

Libra 2008
Dessert honey wine infused with organic apricots. Wine brings soft honey and apricot aromas and it has a perfect balance between sweetness and acidity.

Now available at Firefly in Maple Ridge!

New Products this Week

New Wine

Hainle Organic 2007 Gewurztraminer

Hillside Old Vines 2009 Riesling

Hillside 2007 Merlot

Meadow Vista JOY Sparkling Honey Wine

Meadow Vista Mabon Spiced

Meadow Vista Libra

Meadow Vista Cloud Horse



Wine Restocks

Nichol Vineyards Cabernet Franc

Nichol Vineyards Gewurztraminer



New Beer

Collesi Imperiale Ubi

Howe Sound Total Eclipse of the Hop

Jolly Pumpkin Oro de Calabaza

Peroni Nastro 500mL cans

Samuel Smith Imperial Stout



Beer Restocks

Blackfriar Scottish Strong Ale

Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA

Friuli Strawberry Beer

Red Racer IPA

Samuel Smith Raspberry Ale



New Spirits

Lamb’s Black Sheep Spiced Rum

Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum





Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Beer of The Week


Rogue Morimoto
Black Obi Soba Ale

A richer version of their Soba Ale with the addition of specialty malts and a special blend of hops to give it a fuller, nutty flavor while retaining a clean, crisp finish.

Wine of the Week



Bleasdale 'Second Innings'
 Malbec

A rare use of Malbec in Australia, but in Langhorne Creek it is showing great promise, as this well-priced wine proves. It has a barrow load of ripe plum and berry flavours with a soft yet spicy finish


Monday, September 6, 2010

Wine of the week: Bastide de Garille Viognier



Bastide de Garille Viognier
Vin de Pays d'Oc




This excellent value wine shows off all the characteristics of this versatile grape. With notes of ripe apricot and peach and some balancing lemon flavours, this makes a perfect wine to sip on its own or with some grilled fish, chicken or a creamy pasta dish!

Beer of the week: Petrus Oak Aged Pale Ale








Petrus Aged Pale

ABV 7.3% (Bottled 33cl)

This highly regarded Belgian brewery have produced an exciting beer which Canadians can finally get their hands on. It is a strong golden ale that is matured in oak barrels for over 20 months, giving it a unique aroma and flavour. Using traditional malt and hop varieties, this beer has a surprising crispness and notes of dry sherry with some oaky undertones. A good one to sip with some appetisers.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Complimentary Beer Tasting - Natureland Organic Beer

Complimentary Organic Beer Tasting
Friday September 3
3 - 7


Pacific Western Brewery History Established in 1957 in Prince George, BC on a fresh water spring, the Pacific Western Brewing Company is British Columbia’s longest-established, independent BC-owned brewery.
The Brewery’s Organic beers are an innovation example; our Organic Lager first brewed in 1997 is Canada’s first organic beer. While the Organic Amber Ale, introduced in 2005, was awarded a Gold Medal in the Brewing Industry International Awards- the Oscars of the Brewing Industry.



Natureland Amber AleThis Gold Medal winning NatureLand Amber Ale is a unique beer that is certified organic by the OCIA – Organic Crop Improvement Association. Brewed with 100% organic two row malt, 100% organic Hallertau Hops and pure spring water from the pristine Caribou Spring. All ingredients are certified organic including the water which is sourced through a certified organic process.


Natureland HefeWeizenNatureland Organic HefeWeizen is an authentic Southern German style – top fermenting beer, brewed with wheat and barley malt. To ensure its true authenticity, our brewers use a real top fermenting yeast from Munch/Bavaria.

The top fermenting yeast cells collect on and near the surface of the beer during the fermentation process where they develop a “white layer” thus the HefeWeizen is commonly called Weiss (white) Bier in Germany. In contrast, a bottom fermented yeast (which would be used to brew and ferment a lager beer) settles to the bottom of the tank during the fermentation process. HefeWeizen’s bottle fermentation is a specific top-fermenting process for maturing the beer and for enriching it with carbon dioxide. Using this process, the wheat beer does not mature in the tank, but in the bottle or keg.