Fresh Microbrews, local to each region, reflect the commitment to all things fresh at Earls
In a commitment to promoting microbreweries across Canada, Earls Restaurants is pleased to present their new beer selection offering craft beers local to each region where restaurants are located – British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.
With the growing emphasis on only fresh, made from scratch items on their food menu, and fresh squeezed juices, no artificial flavours on their bar menus, artisanal craft beers are an important part of the authentic flavours available at all Earls 60 restaurants.
Defined as small-batch beer made by independent, traditional breweries, craft beer is free of preservatives and stabilizers and created to be served shortly after brewing and bottling.
Keeping craft beers local ensures freshness as well as offering unique flavour profiles distinct to each region.
Beverage Director Cameron Bogue (Advanced WSET Level 3), who oversaw the selection of beers for Canada and worked with a tasting panel that included Executive Chef/Corporate Development Chef Reuben Major and George Piper, the long time wine buyer for Earls, noted it was both an envious and difficult task. “With all the fantastic breweries across Canada, it was very difficult to narrow down our favourite,” explained Bogue, “we conducted a blind taste test of nearly 200 beers in one afternoon alone looking to find the very best – the perils of my job!”
Microbrews are not new to Earls Restaurants, nor is the emphasis on great quality beers. Earls broke ground as the first restaurant in Canada to offer draught beer back in 1982, when only bars and taverns could offer it (Alberta’s Drummond Brewing) and that same year Earls’ first location in Edmonton broke ground again creating Albino Rhino, their own house beer made by, then microbrewery, Big Rock. Five years later Whistler Brewing Co. took over as the microbrewery producing the iconic house brand in the west. With the 2009 move into Ontario, Muskoka Brewing produces the house microbrew in the east. Both Whistler and Muskoka also create new seasonal flavours for Earls throughout the year.
Regional selections include:
British Columbia: Phillips Brewing Co. (Blue Buck Pale Ale, Slip Stream Cream Ale), Howe Sound Brewing Co. (Devil’s Elbow India Pale Ale, Four Way Fruit) Whistler Brewing Co. (Albino Rhino house and seasonal beers) as well as bottled microbrews by Whistler Brewing Co. (Whisky Jack Pale Ale, Grapefruit Ale)
Alberta Alley Kat Brewing Co. (Aprikat), Big Rock (Traditional Ale), Whistler Brewing Co. (Albino Rhino house and seasonal beers)
Saskatchewan Saskatoon Brewing (Pale Ale), Whistler Brewing Co. (Albino Rhino house and seasonal beers)
Manitoba Fort Garry Brewing Co. (Pale Ale, Dark Ale), Whistler Brewing Co. (Albino Rhino house and seasonal beers)
Ontario Muskoka Brewing Co. (Cream Ale, Summer Weiss, Mad Tom IPA ), Mill Street Brewing Co. (Tankhouse Ale, Organic Lager), Steam Whistle Brewing Co. (Premium Pilsner) Albino Rhino (house and seasonal beers)
The new selection of beers is available now at all Earls Restaurants.
“I started out by looking for breweries that make a selection of beers, each unique to their style,” added Bogue. “What I found was a world-class selection of beers, bolstered by stories of entrepreneurship in their local communities – in other words, craft brewing with a purpose.”
SPECIAL EVENT
In conjunction with the VANCOUVER CRAFT BEER WEEK Earls presents “Earls Gets Crafty”
Sunday, May 20th from 4 pm – 6 pm
$25 includes 8 beer samples, food and gratuity
Join BC Brew Masters from Phillips, Howe Sound and Whistler Brewing at Earls Restaurant, Yaletown and be part of the official launch of our new North America wide craft beer and microbrew program. We’ll sample all 8 of our BC craft beers and serve up some beer friendly appetizers from our new spring menu made fresh from scratch in our Yaletown kitchen. $25 includes 8 beer samples, food and gratuity. Tickets at http://vancouvercraftbeerweek.com/2012/events/sunday-may-20th-2012/
About Earls
Earls Restaurants opened the doors to their first customer in 1982 creating, then setting, the standard for a new casual fine dining concept in North America. Aiming for a target well above fast food, without the airs or prices of fine dining, Earls is fun and casual, offering great food and service at a great price. With 63 locations throughout Canada, Washington State and Colorado, Earls remains a family-owned restaurant group started by Leroy (Bus) Earl Fuller and now run by his son, Stan Earl Fuller. A chain that doesn’t act like a chain, each restaurant opening is carefully overseen by the Fuller family with menus and service of the same high standards, while every location offers a unique design, thinks independently and is part of the local community – supporting local suppliers and hiring local staff. Today Earls is a steward of casual culinary culture with a global menu that features local ingredients and an award-winning wine list. Earls is considered to be one of the best companies to work for in North America, voted Best 50 Employers in Canada. The restaurant group continues to grow with new locations opening in Canada and the US. For further information, visit www.earls.ca.
Earls, where the kitchen is the soul, the bar the spirit, and our people the passion
