The last time Americans invaded the Great White North was 200 years ago, with then-President James Madison flexing his military might from the Atlantic Coast all the way to the American Northwest during the War of 1812. And we all know how that worked out for our friendly neighbours to the south, don’t we?
Here’s hoping the invasion goes a little smoother for one of America’s most revered craft beer producers, Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery, who will take over the taps at Dubh Linn Gate Old Irish Pub this Thursday (Nov. 29), showcasing a small selection of their award-winning brews paired with a specially prepared festive feast for guests to enjoy.
“We’re very excited about it and any time they have a beer in here it goes really quickly, so we’ve decided to make a really big event this year,” said Evan Wilkin, director of bars, restaurants and events for Pan Pacific Whistler, owner of the Dubh Linn.
The Gaelic pub holds a Cask Night on the last Thursday of every month, typically serving two seasonal craft beers fresh out of the cask with a paired dinner. This month, to mark the start of the 12th annual Whistler Film Festival and to showcase one of the bestselling craft brewers in the U.S., they decided to have three additional tapped beers on-hand to go along with Deschutes’ cask offerings.
Deschutes’ flagship beer, the Black Butte Porter will be available Thursday for thirsty Whistlerites, and was one of the first beers made at their Bend, Oregon brewery over 24 years ago. It’s also the highest selling craft porter in the U.S., despite only being distributed in 19 states.
“A lot of people get hung up on the colour, saying ‘I don’t drink dark beers,’ so when someone comes up and asks us for the lightest thing we have, we like to give them a sample of Black Butte Porter and have them try it first because flavour-wise, it’s really smooth and easy to drink,” said Deschutes’ digital marketing manager, Jason Randles.
The pub will also be serving the 2009 and 2012 versions of its winter craft creation, Jubelale, the first beer to be bottled at the brewpub in the late 1980s, which is only available from October through December every year.
Dubh Linn’s chefs will use the holiday ale to prepare a hearty meal of marinated turkey breast and festive cranberry ale sauce, a play on one of the dishes that’s been offered at Deschutes’ restaurant in the past.
“The Jubelale has got some nice spices in it so we’re going to marinate this turkey for about three days,” said Dubh Linn Pub’s manager Harrison Stoker. “It’s a nice wholehearted ale and we’re hoping it’s going to soak really well into this turkey.”
If you’re still thirsty (and who wouldn’t be?) after your ill-advised post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas turkey, there will be a pair of other Deschutes delectable libations available: their signature Mirror Pond Ale, which Randles’ called “a quintessential pale ale brewed exclusively with cascade hops,” and their brand new Chasin’ Freshies brew.
The IPA uses fresh from the field cascade hops, a variety of hops native to Oregon that can produce a spicy, citrus-like flavour and a pleasant aroma.
Using fresh hops is rare for most brewers, who typically dry the flower in a kiln before it gets packaged and frozen for its eventual use, and they can only be harvested once a year.
“Our proximity to the hop field allows us to fill up a truckload of hops … and three hours later those hops arrive at the brewery and they start brewing the beer,” said Randles. “It shows our dedication and pursuit of brewing the best beer and experimenting and trying new things.”
The Deschutes Brewery Tap Takeover is Thursday at the Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub in the Village at 7 p.m. For $20, attendees will get two 10oz pints and a turkey dinner. Call the pub at 604-905-4047 for tickets. Tapped beers are expected to sell out quickly, and are available for $8.25 a pint until they’re gone.
Visit www.deschutesbrewery.com for more information on all of their award-winning craft beers.
