It's true, we've been negligent in bringing you regular #ThirstyThursday recommendations. Why, you ask? Well, we weren't about to let our dry lines get us down: instead, we are loving lake life, getting outside and enjoying the sunshine. And honestly, we hope you are too!
But this week, I was ready for a field trip...and a good beer on tap. We recently partnered with our friend, Chef Whittaker and the crew at Quaaout Lodge, to bring you the Tapped Tap: a rotating feature beer chosen by none other than...well... us! We were super excited about this collab, and even more excited to hear that our first recommended keg had arrived.
First things first, let's chat about Quaaout and why we love it so much. Chef Whittaker will blush when he reads this, but he's really created a dining mecca out at Quaaout. His dining room and exceptional crew look to focus on in-season and regionally grown, local makers and showcases indigenous-inspired dishes. Whittaker brings his big-city experience (he was the Executive Chef at Forage in Vancouver before making the move) in a way that is approachable and *gasp* freakin incredible to the Shuswap.
So yes, the food should be enough to have you make the trip, but if it's not, let's look at the tap list! 'Cause even that has a uniquely local flare. Offering up Crannog's cult classic "Backhand of God" alongside the iconic Ironroad Lager, Mt Begbie Kolsch and Red Collar's Pale Ale, you can practically do a regional brewery tour from the comfort of the resort.
So when Chef dropped us a line, and asked us for recommendations, we looked to
his menu for inspriation. What would pair well with their Shuswap Board after a day on Talk Rock Golf Course? Well, a Hazy IPA of course!
So we set out to shortlist some of our favourite Pacific hazies, hoping to settle on something balanced and approachable. It didn't take us long to settle on Fernie Brewing's Hit The Deck. The highest dry hop of Fernie's IPA’s, it features juicy, citrusy Mosaic, Falconer’s Flight and Azacca hops, with flaked oats added to enhance the body and mouthfeel.
Juicy? Yes! Thirst-quenching? You know it! Pairs well with lake and campfires? Guys, we would never steer you wrong!
Looking for a beautiful pairing? Check out Chef's Shuswap Board which features house ferments (today it was pickled fiddleheads and sauerkraut), artisan cheeses (including some delicious choices from Salmon Arm's Tanto Latte), a selection of beautifully locally cured meats and a Quaaout must: bannock!
So whether you find yourself in the Shuswap this summer for a family vacation, or just driving through. Swing into Quaaout: golf, dine, spa all in spot. And we highly recommend you carve out some time to kick back and sip on some of the finest suds BC breweries have to offer. Don't forget to tell 'em Tapped Events sent ya!
Have a beer you want to see featured on our blog? Drop us a line at cheers@tappedevents.com We can't wait to hear from you!