Penticton breweries talk food, beer pairings to celebrate Beer Week

Photo: Contributed

The Beer Week Do Good brew at Cannery Brewing

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Penticton is making a name for itself in craft beer circles with eight craft breweries and dozens of choices from ales to stouts. Once you’ve chosen what to sip, the next question is: what to eat?

Thankfully, menus at many brew pubs are designed with the beers in mind, and there’s always the option of taking bottles, cans, or a growler home to pair with your favourite snack or fall comfort food.

Cannery Brewing’s Flights and Bites menu is a good place to start, and co-owner Ian Dyck has a few tasty suggestions.

When in doubt, go for a selection of local meats and cheeses, including boards offered on the Cannery’s menu. And as for snacking?

“Our rotating popcorns are good for here or home,” says Ian, “or any kind of nacho, everybody has their own way to make nachos.” Both good choices if you’re enjoying any brewery’s seasonal pumpkin brews; though pumpkin pie is a clear choice, he adds.

The Cannery has three versions to whet the appetite and allow craft beer fans to try different pairings: chicken with artichokes and peppers, Santa Fe veggie nachos featuring corn and beans, or a vegan version.

Try one with the Do Good Hazy IPA, the collaboration beer created together by all eight breweries for Penticton’s 4th Annual Beer Week, with partial proceeds in support of the Dragonfly Pond Society.

Ian recommends pairing the “soft, pillowy” Do Good IPA with the Prawn Mi Sandwich for their complementary tropical notes, or pair the signature Naramata Nut Brown Ale with the Caramelized Onion Roll.

Pizza and beer is classic, and both – with a twist – can be paired together at Bad Tattoo.

Year-round and seasonal brews are on the menu, alongside ‘red’, ‘pesto’, ‘weird’, and plant-based pizzas.

The BCBLT pizza of maple bacon, basil and cherry tomatoes might be an interesting compare and contrast with the peach notes of the Hellion IPA or Particularly Peachy. Maybe the Aloha BBQ pizza of pulled pork and pineapple with the Pina Colada IPA, or the Chinese Takeout with the award-winning Moscow Mule lager? The choices are almost endless.

As part of Beer Week, running until Oct. 22 breweries have special events planned. Slackwater Brewing has Calm Like a Bomb, a Rage Against the Machine tribute band on Oct. 21, and the Freida Whales Drag and Burlesque Show on Oct. 22.

Meanwhile, Slackwater’s Liam Peyton says excitement is brewing for Oktoberfest, and in anticipation, the brewery has released Schnitzengiggle Festbier, a slightly stronger than normal German lager.

“It’s flying off the shelves,” says Liam, and it’s made to pair with the current Oktoberfest feature menu of pork schnitzel, cheesy spaetzle, and apple strudel. The menu is available until Oct. 27

With the unseasonably warm weather, Liam suggests taking the Idleback Amber Ale home.

“It’s a beautiful perfect grilling beer, and still good for BBQ season. And it’s a great fall beer to enjoy.”

Finish everything off with a nod to summer memories: Slackwater’s mini-donuts with ‘Pretty Fly’ Peach Shandy Peaches and Cream dip (on a warm afternoon), or Coffee Stout Dip (on a cool night).

Find a full Beer Week schedule online here.

Learn more at www.visitpenticton.com and on social @visitpenticton.