Monthly Archives: October 2015

Artisan Beer and Cheese Worthy of an Okanagan, B.C. Road Trip

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Crannog Ales makes delightful Irish-style beer at its organic microbrewery in Sorrento, B.C.

Crannog Ales makes delightful Irish-style beer at its organic microbrewery in Sorrento, B.C.

How can I resist a beer with the name Back Hand of God? Though, technically speaking, this stout from Crannóg Ales is far more pleasure than punishment. It certainly is the nectar of the gods—a smooth, dry beer with lingering coffee and chocolate notes.

Located near the little community of Sorrento, on the south shore of Shuswap Lake in B.C.’s interior, Crannog is Canada’s first organic farmhouse microbrewery. Its 10-acre farm provides organic hops and spring-fed water to help co-owner Brian MacIsaac brew small batches of unfiltered, unpasteurized Irish-style beers including a potato ale and a seasonal cherry ale.

Crannóg is a draught-only brewery, which keeps the product ultra fresh. But it also means it’s a bit tricky to purchase, i.e. you won’t find bottles at your local beer outlet. You can pick up growlers and 8.5-litre “party pigs” at the brewery, where you can also sample the ales during booked, summer weekend tours.

The good news is you can order pints of Crannog ales at a growing list of B.C. pubs, extending all the way west to Vancouver Island (I sipped a Back Hand of God at Riverfront Pub & Grill in the north Okanagan hamlet of Grindrod.) The pigs are also available at a few regional liquor stores.

Back hand or not, these organic Irish ales are well worth seeking out.

Crannog Ales
706 Elson bella Road, Sorrento, B.C.
Beer pickups Thursday to Saturday 8:30 am-4:30 pm spring to fall (Friday and Saturday in winter), summer tours/tastings Friday and Saturday 1 pm-3:30 pm, by appointment only
250-675-6847

Speaking of niche organic products in the region, Bella Stella Cheese crafts some wonderful, organic cheeses in Lumby, a small town in the northeast Okanagan, near Vernon. Here, Igor and Irma Ruffa use their Swiss-Italian background to produce Alps’ cheeses like a brie-style Formaggella with a rich, complex flavour.

Bella Stella Cheese please, in Lumby, B.C.

Bella Stella Cheese, please, in Lumby, B.C.

Bella Stella cheeses are currently only available in regional stores and farmers’ markets, which is where I stumbled upon them. Guess I’ll have to plan another Okanagan road trip.

Bargain Breakfasts and Generous Strangers in Armstrong, B.C.

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Neil and Caroline cooking up a good time at their delightful Brown Derby Cafe in Armstrong, B.C.

Neil and Caroline cooking up a good time at their delightful Brown Derby Cafe in Armstrong, B.C.

The Brown Derby Cafe opens at 8:30 on a foggy, fall Saturday morning in the north Okanagan town of Armstrong, B.C. I roll up at 8:40. No problem, right?

Dead wrong. The converted old house is already packed. But as I prepare to wait, co-owner Caroline asks an older local couple (John and Gail?) if I can sit with them. “Sure, pull up a chair.”

Everybody in the place seems to be having the daily breakfast special: local eggs, bacon or beef sausage, grilled potatoes and toast. For $2.99. What? You’re kidding? Nope.

In fact, when she takes my order, Caroline doesn’t even ask if I want something else off the menu, say, Texas French toast (also $2.99; is this a charitable enterprise?). Instead, she just asks how I want my eggs (scrambled) and toast (Russian rye, wow!). “How about some apple juice? We just pressed it this morning.”

The place is packed just after opening. And why not. It's tasty, incredibly cheap fare.

The place is packed just after opening. And why not. It’s tasty, incredibly cheap fare.

I chew the fat with my new friends and watch co-owner Neil dart around the open kitchen cooking eggs while juking and singing to a classic rock soundtrack. When I ask to take a picture, he says, “I can’t stop moving.”

Despite the crowd, the breakfast is quick, hot and splendid. And did I mention, it only costs $2.99? Actually, it doesn’t cost me anything. My seatmates get up to pay before I do and as they’re leaving, turn to casually say, “We got your breakfast.”

When I mention this to Caroline, she replies: “Welcome to Armstrong.” And as I walk down the street to my car, two passing locals look me in the eye, smile and say, “Good morning.”

What is wrong with these people?

The Brown Derby Cafe
3425 Pleasant Valley Road, Armstrong, B.C.
Tuesday to Friday 6:30 am-mid afternoon, Saturday 8:30 am-mid afternoon. Closed Sunday and Monday
250-546-8221

Just down the street, Wild Oak Cafe is bringing a sophisticated take to the Armstrong coffee scene, witness pour-overs and warm morning muffins and croissants served at vintage wood tables. Heidi Jordan’s lunch menu is equally contemporary: a grilled Cascadia cheese sandwich with garlic aioli or a curried kale salad. But don’t worry. They’re Armstrong friendly, too.

A nice blend of contemporary and vintage at the Wild Oak Cafe in Armstrong, B.C.

A nice blend of contemporary and vintage at the Wild Oak Cafe in Armstrong, B.C.

Wild Oak Cafe
2539 Pleasant Valley Boulevard, Armstrong
Tuesday to Saturday 9 am-4 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday