A funny thing happened on the way to the wine festival: They added a beer festival.
The story behind Parksville Uncorked shows what can happen when competition turns to co-operation. Nine years ago, two of Vancouver Island’s most prominent resorts, The Beach Club and Tigh-Na-Mara, launched Parksville Uncorked. In under a decade the festival has grown to embrace Vancouver Island’s blossoming culture of wine, craft beer and artisan spirits. So much so that this year’s event sold out well ahead of time.
It’s tough to put a handle on precisely what’s driving such interest, but my guess would be that people all over B.C. are genuinely proud of what local producers are offering and are only too pleased to support them with their wallets. If you were ever in any doubt as to just how energized our spirits scene is, consider this: currently there are 39 licensed distilleries in the province, with 15 more in the wings, most slated to open this year.
The Island also has a long and noteworthy history of top-quality brewing, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed by the province’s lawmakers. It was a few decades ago that thirsty politicians, after wrangling in the provincial legislature, helped sow the seeds for today’s brews and spirits revolution.
While Victoria continues its brewing apace, Nanaimo is also proving to be a hotbed.
At White Sails Brewing (named for the city’s landmark sails and civic logo), founder Brad McCarthy, coincidentally, has been involved in the U-Vin business for years. But recently he figured the craft beer market in Nanaimo was underserved, then with just two breweries.
When the chance to purchase an existing pub and license came up, he decided the time was right to launch his brewery and tasting room and has never looked back. White Sails’ Mount Benson is a well-balanced IPA with assertive hop and a citrus streak.
At Dashwood, on Old Island Highway just north of Qualicum Beach, Dave Paul has fired up LoveShack Libations, named for the small cabin he and his partner lived in while they were building their house. In just under a year they’ve taken his idea to make small batch, bottle condition brews from a dream to reality. Among a few good tastes, his DPA Dark Pale Ale (a.k.a. Dave Paul Ale) is a smooth, darker variation on an IPA with decent body and well-balanced hop.
Swirl, the wine tasting, is still Parksville Uncorked’s main event. This year it was hosted by The Beach Club Resort, with pouring stations throughout the public areas, along with good eats prepared by the resort’s kitchen.
Untapped, the night before, may not have the same element of razzle dazzle but it draws a crowd anxious to unearth more specifically Island tastes new and old.
Here are some more top tastes, some available on this side of the Salish Sea.
Red Arrow Brewing Sweet Leaf IPA (Duncan): Firm hop and floral notes, before a nice balance of assertive hop with smooth malty undertones.
Moon Under Water Creepy Uncle Dunkel (Victoria): A smooth and not-too-hoppy riff on a German dark lager (but still with plenty of character) that should appeal to lesser hopheads.
Sea Cider Kings and Spies (Saanich): Sophisticated dry cider, crisp and clean but not tart, and very food-friendly.
Driftwood Brewing Naughty Hildegard ESB (Victoria): Named after Hildegard von Bingen of Diessenberg, thought to have been the first to use hops in beer. A smooth variation on the typical ESB, with a healthy hop, smooth malty component and a hint of citrus.
Sheringham Distillery Seaside Gin (Sooke) from Canada’s westernmost distillery, near French Beach. A clean and well-crafted gin, and likely the only one that lists kelp as an ingredient.
Floral and citrus notes, plus a gentle suggestion of salt. Also of note, their Aquavit.
Tim Pawsey writes about wine for numerous publications and online as the Hired Belly at hiredbelly.com. Contact: info@hiredbelly.com.
