I have been noticing an energy saving revolution out there with breweries. Wind power, solar powered, even steam powered. The Steamworks Brewery in Vancouver BC has been a steam powered brewery for the past 20 years. How cool is that?
We made a stop at Steamworks Brew Pub for some beer and a bite to eat. Luckily for us they were open as it was Boxing Day. Little known fact – Vancouver was slightly difficult to do touristy stuff with it being Christmas and Boxing Day the following day.
We entered the pub and asked for a table. We were then led down to the lower level of the building that was almost basement like, but had the dark comfort of a pub. I felt right at home. Fermenting tanks, large wood beams and gargoyles with funny faces made up the decor. The pub also had a full bar just in case beer isn’t your thing (and don’t tell me if it isn’t).
As I was the only beer drinker in the group I decided to give this steam powered beer a try. I ordered the Black Angle IPA. A dry hopped beer with a 7% Alcohol By Volume (ABV) and a 70 International Bittering Unit (IBU). This beer had a lot of roasted flavors and despite the 70 IBU, was not overly hoppy. The beer was tasty and I would order it again.
I also ordered a pulled pork sandwich for lunch. The sandwich arrived on a toasted bun and had a good meat to sauce ratio… which I’m sort of a stickler about because when you get a dry pulled pork sandwich – there really is nothing worse.
While we waited for our check I ordered the Naughty and Nice Spiced Ale. It had notes of cinnamon and was basically Christmas in a glass. It has a 5.8 ABV and 25 IBU. It was a nice spiced ale that is always welcomed at Christmas time.
The Steamworks Brew Pub is located at 375 Water Street and open daily from 11:30 am to close. You can also visit the Steamworks Brewery which is located at 3845 William Street in Burnaby, open Friday – Sunday at 12pm and Monday – Thursday 2pm.
