Craft Beer Spotlight: De Molen

The labels are plain, the names are odd, but the beer is amazing. That's Holland's quirky De Molen (which means The Mill). All of their beers are packaged with generic-looking black and white labels with only text, no images, on them. Even the text may leave you scratching your head as to what's actually inside. Well, since we have such a good selection of these tasty brews, we thought we'd help you out. Below we've listed what we currently have in stock, as well as translations of their names and a quick note on what style of beer they are. Additionally, if you click on each link, it will take you to our tasting notes for them.

Definitely don't overlook these brews just because the plainness of their labels or the Dutch names. De Molen is one of the rising stars of craft brewing in Europe.

Hamer & Sikkel (aka Hammer & Sickle) 330ml (Porter)
Hemel & Aarde (aka Heaven & Earth) 330ml (Smoked Imperial Stout)
Lentehop (aka Spring Hops) 330ml (IPA)
Mooi & Meedogenloos (aka Beautiful & Ruthless) 330ml (Belgian quad)
Licht & Lustig (aka Light & Cheerful) 330ml (hoppy wheat beer)
Op & Top (aka On & Top) 330ml (English bitter)
Vuur & Vlam (aka Fire & Flame) 750ml (IPA)

Amazing New Gluten-Free Pale Ale Now in Stock: Omission 6-packs

Until recently, there have been very few gluten-free beer options available. There were a couple, but selection was limited. Now, we're not only seeing more, we're seeing some that taste just like "real" beer. The latest arrival is going to be a huge hit with gluten-intolerant beer drinkers: Omission Pale Ale.

This beer was made by Widmer Brewing in Portland and, in a blind taste test you'd be hard to pick it out from any other West Coast-style pale ale. It has a nice hop component, a little sweetness and it's super refreshing and drinkable. This is now the brand to beat in this category. As good as it is, however, we'll still carry other brands, just in case it doesn't suit your taste.

Limited Amounts of Burrowing Owl Wines in Stock

It's not often we can get our hands on Burrowing Owl wines from the Okanagan, but when we do they usually go very quickly. You'll have to act fast to snag any of these as we only received a small quantity of each.

2008 Meritage $50 (1 per customer)

2008 Athene $40 (2 per customer)

2009 Cabernet  Sauv $43 (2 per customer)

2010 Merlot $35 (2 per customer)

"Tugging For Tim!" Fundraiser to Benefit Driftwood's Head Brewer

On Sunday, March 24, the Marina Restaurant will host a fundraising dinner and auction in support of former Cook St Liquor employee and Driftwood Brewing’s current Head Brewer, Tim Fukushima,  who was diagnosed with leukemia in mid-February. Proceeds from the evening will go to Tim and his wife, Marina employee Holly Ball, to help lessen the economic blow as Tim continues his 6- to 12-month treatment in Vancouver.

The event, which starts promptly at 7:30 pm, will include a craft beer-paired dinner with a menu specially prepared by Chef Jeff Keenliside and beer supplied by Driftwood, Lighthouse, Phillips, Hoyne, Vancouver Island and Moon Under Water breweries. A silent auction and raffle featuring donated items will complete the evening.

Tickets are $100, cash only and are available exclusively at:

Cook St. Liquor, 230 Cook St

The Marina Restaurant, 1327 Beach Dr

Vintage Liquor Store at the Rialto Hotel, 635 Pandora Ave

Craft Beer Spotlight: 8 Wired & Renaissance From New Zealand

In the last couple of years New Zealand has slowly started to creep across the craft beer world's consciousness as a result of the wonderfully exotic hop varieties grown there. North American brewers have started using Nelson Sauvin and others in their brews, and locally Lighthouse Brewing has been incorporating heaps of Kiwi hops in beers like Tasman Ale.

However, you can't beat the efforts of Kiwi craft brewers such as 8 Wired and Renaissance when it comes to spotlighting their locally grown hops. We have some new additions to the store from these breweries that will not only give you a taste of what hops from that area are all about, they also demonstrate just how skilled Kiwi craft brewers are. Stop in and pick some of these up!

8 Wired Superconductor Double IPA 500ml
Renaissance Elemental Porter 500ml
Renaissance Stonecutter Scotch Ale 500ml
Renaissance MPA Double IPA 500ml

The Latest Wine Arrivals!

Tons of new wines from all around the world arrived in the last couple weeks. Some real beauties, hand-picked for value, uniqueness and, of course, how amazing they taste. Stop in check out these great new selections.

NEW WHITES

Argento Pinot Grigio (Argentina)

Coldstream Hills Chardonnay (Australia)

Calling All Angels Chardonnay (California)

Jean Bousquet Sauv Blanc (Argentina, organically grown grapes)

Neudorf Riesling (New Zealand)

Neudorf Sauvignon Blanc  (New Zealand)

NEW REDS

Big House Cardinal Zin 3L (California)

Cellar No. 8 Red (California)

Chateau Darmagnac Bordeaux Superieur (France)

Chateau Ollieux Capucine (France)

First Drop Mother’s Ruin Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia) 

J Lohr Wildflower Valdiguié (California)

La Joya Carmenere Reserva (Chile)

Layer Cake Garnacha (Spain) 

Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz Mourvedre (Australia)

Renacer Punto Final Cab Sauv Estate Grown (Argentina) 

Renacer Enamore (Argentina) 

Tenuta Maggiore Amphorae (Italy)

Torti Barbera (Italy)

Win a VIP Portland Craft Beer Getaway on the Coho Ferry!

Portland has emerged as one of the craft beer meccas on the West Coast, as exemplified by breweries/brewpubs like Hopworks, Upright, The Commons, Gigantic (all of which we carry) and many others that have helped give the area the nickname "Beervana." Portland, in fact, has more brewpubs per capita than any city in the United States. It's the kind of destination any craft beer drinker would want to visit.

Thanks to a Black Ball Ferry Line VIP giveway called "Sail & Sip Into Spring" you'll have the opportunity to win a free getaway to the Portland Spring Beer & Wine Festival. Here are the details of what's up for grabs:

This year’s prize package includes two VIP passes to the festival on March 29-30, an awesome beer and wine themed gift basket with tasting tokens and souvenir glasses, a two-night stay at the Portland Oxford Suites and round-trip transport on the MV Coho for a vehicle and two adults.

The Fine Print: Contest ends March 12. You have to be 21 to enter and have a valid passport for traveling between the US and Canada. To enter, just click to the Coho Ferry here .