Leapbeer Reviews #304-306 A Few Lighthouse Signature Beers
I realized a little while ago that, while I’ve been more than content covering the limited releases and new beers from my beloved Vancouver Island Breweries, I have unintentionally ignored the staple brands from these said breweries. I intend to do some rectifying of this situation, starting today.
Today I have a trio of, as fresh as I could get them (read: straight from the brewery) beers from the Lighthouse Brewing Company. These beers are available all year round, as well as in their mixer packs. They do a summer and winter mixer available in most government liquor stores in BC, as well as six packs of most of their beers, either cans or bottles. My friend Aaron shared a summer mixer with me earlier this year on a fishing trip, but I was too preoccupied to take notes on the beers.
Starting off I went with the Beacon India Pale Ale. This isn’t a super hop forward IPA like their delectable Switchback IPA, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t tasty in its own right. It pours to a deep golden colour with an off-white head. I get a nice aroma from this beer of hops and grains, only mildly but still present. The real surprise was tasting the beer. It took my taste buds for a bit of a ride. Starts off a bit strong with a bitter punch, then it smooths out with malty goodness, followed by a bitter back. The rich maltiness is really accented well by the bitter notes.
Leapbeer #304 is Beacon India Pale Ale by Lighthouse Brewing Company
Lighthouse Brewing Company Beacon India Pale Ale
Next up is the Race Rocks Amber Ale. This beer was literally my first ever Lighthouse beer. When I worked in the interior of BC, up in a town called Smithers, a coworker of mine there gave me one. She had them special ordered in by the government liquor store for her husband because he was a fan. This was probably ten years ago or more. I can honestly say I don’t remember what I thought of it then, so this will be a revisiting of a forgotten beer. This beer pours to a clear chestnut brown colour with a thick tan head on top. It has a nutty and malty aroma. Not a big hop presence in this beer. It tastes very malty. There’s also a hint of a near pear like-flavour. It is a lovely and rich amber ale, lovely.
Leapbeer #305 is Race Rocks Amber Ale and a second picture to show the colour of the beer
Lighthouse Brewing Company Amber Ale
The Colour of Race Rocks
Next I’m covering the Keepers Stout. This is a jet black stout with a light brown head that dissipates quickly. There’s an aroma of light licorice and malty goodness to this beer. It is a light and playful stout, with a tasty coffee note to it. This beer is very smooth, easily drinkable with a gentle bitter back to it. I would really enjoy seeing if Dean @ Lighthouse could do an imperial version of this stout.
Leapbeer #306 is Keepers Stout
Lighthouse Brewing Company Keepers Stout
Brewery: Lighthouse Brewing Company from Victoria, BC
Size/ABV: 355ml Bottle/5.2% (Beacon IPA), 5.3% (Race Rocks), 5.1% (Keepers Stout)
Webpage: http://www.lighthousebrewing.com/products/signature-brands
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