The Bowen Wine Blog

New Craft Beers for the Holidays

paulrickett — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:19:54 +0000

We have a hugely expanded selection of beer in the new store. Here’s a ‘tip o’ the iceberg’ view of what’s in and coming down the pipe.

Arrived and in stock (single bottle format unless stated)

Fullers Vintage Ale 2011 (UK) – 4 left (may be able to get more). Cellarable: Reviews
North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout (CA) – great customer feedback on this. 4B packs
Dead Frog Citra IPA (BC) – reputedly the best of their single bottle beers
Rogue Mogul Madness winter ale (OR) – I tried this last weekend, excellent
Hopwork Abominable Winter Ale (OR)
Boundary Bay IPA (WA) – restocked again
Wychwood Brewery Bah Humbug Christmas Ale (UK)
Wychwood Hobgoblin Ruby Ale (UK)
North Coast Pranqster Belgian Golden Ale (CA). 4B packs
Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale (CA). 6B packs
Mill Street Organic lager (ON). 6B packs
Mill Street Coffee Porter (ON). 6B packs
BC Craft Beer mixed packs (BC) – 12C packs with selection of beers from different breweries. 12B packs no longer available
Red Racer White Ale (BC) – 6C packs
Raftman ale (PQ) – brewed from whiskey malt!

Arrived Friday 16/12

Rogue Mocha Porter – restock
Deshutes Inversion IPA – restock
Boundary Bay Cabin Fever winter ale *NEW*
Anderson Valley Boont ESB – restock

Inbound (ETA 23/12)

Rogue Yellow Snow IPA

UK Micro Beer (actual news!)

Here is what we have been allocated. Optimistic delivery date is 30/12, may slip back a week. Let me know how much to allocate to you. We are getting one case (12 bottles) of each except for ‘Death or Glory’ which we will receive 2 cases. All single bottles.

Moor Revival bitter (660ml)

Moor Somerland Gold (660ml)

Thornbridge Jaipur IPA (500ml)

Hawkshead Lakeland Gold (500ml)

Hawkshead Brodies Prime stout (500ml)

Hawkshead Organic stout (500ml) *one case of 8 bottles only*

Durham Magus golden ale (500ml)

Durham St. Cuthbert strong ale (500ml)

Tring Death or Glory barley wine (330ml)

Holiday Store Hours

paulrickett — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:35:16 +0000

From all of us at the Bowen Island Beer and Wine Cellar we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Holiday Hours

10am to 11pm every day except

December 24 Christmas Eve – OPEN 9am, close 7pm (after arrival of 6:30pm ferry ex Horseshoe Bay)

December 25 Christmas Day – CLOSED

December 26 Boxing Day – Open Noon, close 7pm

December 31 New Year’s Eve – Yes, open until 11pm for last minute party top ups

January 1, 2012 New Year’s Day – Open Noon, close 7pm

Cabernet Day Tasting 5pm+ Thursday 1 September

paulrickett — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 21:47:47 +0000

Thursday 1 September is International Cabernet Day. Around the world, people will be opening up Cabernet based wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and blends with Cabernet grapes like Bordeaux) in celebration and comparing notes over different social media platforms.

We are going to open two Cabernet Sauvignons for an EVENING tasting starting at 5pm until late so drop in on the way home from work to join in the celebration. We’ll be live tweeting from the store with a screen up for you to see what the rest of the world is tasting too.

Cab 1 will be the best selling Cabernet in BC – J. Lohr 7 Hills from California

Cab 2 will be a new import from Chile from Vina Arboleda. This is a new winery owned by Eduardo Chadwick, the master winemaker behind the very well regarded Errazuriz winery.

Look forward to seeing you all

4th Annual BC Wine Fest free tasting at Bowen Beer & Wine

paulrickett — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:52:51 +0000

Please join us this #BowFEAST weekend to celebrate eating and drinking locally. This is our 4th annual BC wine fest featuring FREE samples of great BC wines. Wines will be poured over 3 days starting Friday at 2pm.

Tasting session times:

Friday 2pm-6pm

Saturday 1pm – 5pm

Sunday 1pm to 5pm

On Saturday shop the #BowFEAST Farmers market from 9am to Noon. Have a nice lunch in the Cove, then mosey up to our new store on Dorman Road under the Ruddy Potato and taste some great BC wines to go with your fresh, local food for dinner.

While we end formal tasting at 6pm, if we have wine left you are welcome to come in later and try what’s still open

Big line up this year with totally different wines each day:

Participating Wineries and wines. Tasting order is yet to be determined but over the 3 days we’ll be opening wines from among the following:

The View - Frizzante, Gewurztraminer, Pinotage

Quails Gate - Rosé, Chenin Blanc

Tinhorn Creek - Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay

Stoneboat – Pinotage, Pinot Gris

Ganton & Larsen Prospect winery – Sauvignon Blanc, Unoaked Chardonnay

Lake Breeze - Pinot Blanc, Meritage

Dirty Laundry – Gewurztraminer, Merlot

Hester Creek – Cabernet/Merlot blend

Black Cloud – Pinot Noir

Tantalus – Riesling

8th Generation – Sauvignon Blanc

Blasted Church – Hatfields Fuse (white blend)

Fairview Cellars - 2 Hoots

Plus on Saturday ONLY – Red Roof Okanagan cider

Beerucopia on Bowen

paulrickett — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 18:33:28 +0000

Good craft beer is brewed in abundance these days, and not just in BC. One of the areas we have radically expanded in the new store is beer selection. Here’s a list of what we have to whet your appetite. Products are generally 650ml single bottles unless specified.

Bear Republic Brewing (Healdsburg, CA)

Hop Rod Rye (4 bottle pack)

Boundary Bay Brewing (Bellingham, WA)

Boundary Bay IPA, Scotch Ale

Cannery Brewing (Penticton, BC)

Apricot Wheat, Anarchist Amber, Blackberry Porter, Cannery Collection (6 can sampler pack)

Central City Brewing (Surrey, BC)

Red Racer IPA, Red Racer ESB (both 6 can packs)

Coopers Brewery (Australia)

Pale Ale, Sparkling Ale

Deschutes Brewery (Portland, OR)

Mirror Pond Pale (6 pack bottles)

Driftwood Brewery (Victoria, BC)

White Bark Wheat, Farmhand, Fat Tug IPA, Driftwood Ale, Crooked Coast Amber

Green Flash Brewing (San Diego, CA)

West Coast IPA

Howe Sound Brewing (Squamish, BC)

Devils Elbow IPA, Baldwin & Coopers Bitter, Diamond Head Oatmeal Stout, King Heffy Wheat, Rail Ale Brown (all 1L bottles), plus Howe Sound Lager (6 can packs)

Lighthouse Brewing (Victoria, BC)

Riptide Pale Ale

Mt. Begbie Brewing (Revelstoke, BC)

Nasty Habit IPA, Attilla the Honey

Nelson Brewing (Nelson, BC) *Certified Organic*

After Dark Mild, Blackheart Stout, Paddywhack IPA, Wild Honey, Organic Ale

North Coast Brewing (Fort Bragg, CA)

Red Seal Ale (6 bottle packs)

Phillips Brewing (Victoria, BC)

Amnesiac Double IPA (650ml), Hop Circle IPA, Blue Buck (6 pack bottles)

R&B Brewing (Vancouver, BC)

East Side Bitter, Raven Cream Ale, Hoppelganger IPA

Steam Whistle Brewing (Toronto, ON)

Pilsner (6 & 12 pack bottles)

Tin Whistle Brewing (Penticton, BC)

Peach Cream Ale

Tree Brewing (Kelowna, BC)

Hophead IPA, Cutthroat Pale

Plus other imports from

Czechvar, Zywiec, Ayinger, Boddingtons, Sam Adams, Anchor Steam, Guinness, Fullers, Becks, Bards, Pilsner Urquell, Grolsch, Victoria, Holsten, Tuborg, DAB, Brooklyn, Sapporo, Asahi, Corona, Red Stripe, Pacifico, Heineken, Stella Artois, Negra Modelo, Warsteiner, Big Rock (formats vary but generally 6/12 packs of bottles or cans)

Grand Opening Celebration – Canada Day 1-5pm

paulrickett — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:08:16 +0000

It’s time to celebrate. We’ve been open in the new premises since June 8 and worked out the kinks (we hope!) so time to raise a glass to welcome you to our new store. On Canada Day (July , 2011), we cordially invite you to drop in and be our guest at a wine and cheese tasting between 1-5pm.

The new store is light, airy and spacious and we”ve had fantastic feedback on it from customers so far. If you have not been in please take the opportunity to take a peek at Bowen’s new retail experience.

Our featured winery for the tasting is the Neck of the Woods. This is an local winery based in Langley, BC. Their wines are made from grapes grown in the Fraser Valley and the Okanagan. On deck will be their Blanc de Noir sparkling which has just won a Silver medal at the 2011 NW Wine Summit – Pacific Rim Wine Competition and a selection of their red wines.

There will be a selection of cheeses to taste alongside the wines and, of course, Canada Day cookies.

At 5pm we will draw the winners for the Grand Prize Granville Island Experience competition (see here for details) plus some other surprise prizes.

We will be opening at at 10am on Friday, and everyday for July & August, with regular close at 11pm.

On behalf of Scott, Paul, David, Cordell and Maureen we look forward to seeing you on Friday.

Win a night for 2 on Granville Island

paulrickett — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:03:11 +0000

As part of our new store launch we have a neat staycati0n package as the Grand Prize to be drawn Canada Day at 5pm.

1 night for two people at Granville Island Hotel
Water taxi to and from Bowen Island courtesy English Bay Launch
$100 dinner gift certificate from Sandbar Restaurant

Also we have surprise extra (and unadvertised) runner-up prizes.

Coleman Portable BBQ courtesy of Labatt
Gift Certificate for one night at Tinhorn Creek winery in Oliver, BC
2 sets of Riedel stemless Vinum glassware

Entry is free (no purchase necessary). Entry forms can be picked up from our store and from other participating Bowen retailers or just clip the coupon in the Undercurrent from June 24 or June 30. To enter post the entry form into the big drop box in our store.

Limit 5 entries per person please. Entries must be in drop box by 4:30pm Friday July 1, 2011 to qualify for the 5pm draw.

Thanks to all our prize sponsors, please visit their websites for more information on their services and products.

Bubbles on Bowen – Saturday June 11, 1-5.30pm – Free

paulrickett — Tue, 31 May 2011 20:54:00 +0000

To celebrate our new location, please join us on Saturday June 11 between 1pm and 5:30pm to sample sparkling wine from BC, Spain and Italy.

With our expanded store opening we will have:

Much larger selection of beers, ciders and coolers including Budweiser 8 pack cans on special at LDB price (while stocks last), upgraded selection of BC craft beers and ciders
New wines from BC and around the world plus wine specials at $9.47, $19.47 and $29.47
Expanded spirits section with all the necessaries for the “Cocktail Cabinet”

Lots of events being scheduled too in over the summer including:

Wine and Indian Food with Qui Café
Sherry tasting
Port & Chocolate with Cocoa West
Riedel glassware – taste the difference between Riedel and other glassware
BC wine fest (August in conjunction with BowFeast)
Unusual Grapes #3
Howe Sound Brewing beer tasting
… and more

Hope we’ll see all our regulars and lots of new friends too.

New Store Opens June 8

paulrickett — Tue, 31 May 2011 20:30:19 +0000

We’re finally ready to move! We’ll be closed from 7pm Sunday June 5 through Tuesday June 7. Doors open at new store 11am June 8.

It’s easy to find us – just look right from old store and we’re opposite next to Qui Café and under the Ruddy Potato, facing onto Dorman Road. Parking is available outside or feel free to use the pub car park opposite.

First event is Saturday June 11, “Bubbles on Bowen” (see next post)

New product arrivals

paulrickett — Sat, 07 May 2011 20:15:02 +0000

In preparation for the new store opening I’ve been adding a bunch of new products in all categories. Here’s a brief summary and there are lots more to come after we get into our new digs.

Wine

Opera Prima – ultra cheap and surprisingly good Spanish sparkling wine. Great for Mimosas, Buck’s Fizz etc.

Lavit Rosado – agents unearthed a cache of this no-longer-available-in-BC Spanish sparkling rosé. One of my very long-time favourites (see the Desert Island video). Back for a very short time.

Cantavida Riesling – super value Chilean dry riesling

Doma Chardonnay & Merlot – 2 big bargains from Chile

Backyard Vineyards Zweigelt & Riesling - good red from the local Fraser Valley. Riesling is very fruity.

Dirty Laundry Hush (rosé), Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer – New 2010 vintage. Hush is fabulous this year, 50% cab. Franc, deep pink and solid dark red fruit taste.

Cedar Creek Rosé – first time for a rosé from this significant BC winery. Think strawberries…

8th Generation – Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Merlot. The sparkling chardonnay has sold out completely.

Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc – simply the best PB in BC

Stoneboat Pinotage & Chorus – back for the summer season again

Cassini Maximus – BC produces some great Bordeaux style blends. This one has extra heft too.

Fairview Bear – Big Cabernet Sauvignon from BC, will reward cellaring. Coming soon: Two Hoots, Cab Franc and Sauvignon Blanc too

Blandy`s Madeira – the brown wine of the Azores

& a new selection of draft Sake

Spirits:

Pyrat rum 750ml

Courvoisier VS cognac 375ml

Remy Martin VSOP cognac 750ml

Van Gogh Duble Espresso vodka 750ml

Red Breast pot-still Irish whisky 750ml

Bell’s Scotch whisky 750ml

Dewar’s White Label Scotch whisky 750ml

Jack Daniel’s bourbon 375ml

For the Cocktail Cabinet

Akvavit

Kirsch

Alizé Blue and Red

Créme de Cassis

Galliano

Coolers

El Jimador pre-mixed Margaritas

Beer

Ayinger Dunkel – German dark lager

Cooper’s Australian pale ale

Cider

Sea Cider – Victoria, BC’s great cider maker. Kings & Spies and Pippins are back in stock