In Beer In The News, Beer Me BC excerpts news from sources around the world of craft beer. Note that the opinions expressed within are those of the original source and not Beer Me BC.
Tin Whistle Hands Up Red Ale

The Hands Up Red Ale, A New Tin Whistle Beer Release

Put Your Hands Up in the Air for Beer – Hands Up Red Ale Released from Tin Whistle

Tin Whistle Hands Up Red AlePenticton BC | On March 12th 2016, The Tin Whistle Brewing Company was proud to release another seasonal ale at Lift Off! The Lift Off event was part of Victoria Beer Week that featured twelve brand new, yet-to-be tasted beers from some of British Columbia’s finest craft breweries. Attendees to the event were privileged to sample Tin Whistle’s newest brew, the Hands Up Oatmeal Raisin Red Ale. At 6.5 percent alcohol, the red ale may be a strong ale, but it has even stronger ties to the past.

The ale’s name “Hands Up” was derived from British Columbia’s notorious, gentleman-bandit, Bill Miner. Miner who was credited as possibly having been Canada’s first Train Robber, on September 10, 1904, was reputed to have also been the originator of the phrase “hands up!” Miner was eventually caught after an aborted payroll train robbery near Kamloops. He and his two accomplices, Tom “Shorty” Dunn and Louis Colquhoun, were found near Douglas Lake, BC after an extensive manhunt. When eventually found, Miner evidently surrendered to the officers with his customary politeness, that earned him the nicknames of the Grey Fox or the Gentleman Robber.

The Hands Up label is adorned with an image of Miner, a reward poster and a short description of the bandit. The distinctive portrait, which is a wood engraving, was created by artist Jim Westergard from Red Deer, Alberta. Tin Whistle is hoping that their newest beer offering will become as notorious as its namesake. The ale has its own unique story to how it came into existence.

According to Michael Nagy, the official story around the brewery is that Tin Whistle master-brewer, extraordinaire Jeff Todd was at home one Friday night. Todd was enjoying an oatmeal raisin cookie while enjoying a snap of Sailor Jerry’s Spiced Rum, which he was washing down with a Tin Whistle Ale. He was trying to play with his dog and realized that he needed more hands. That is when the concept for the Hands Up Oatmeal Raisin Red Ale was born. The idea was that he wanted all of that goodness in only one single bottle, thus freeing up his hands.

He started right away and this new legendary beer was created. The red ale which is brewed with oatmeal, raisins, black-strap molasses and spices perfectly emulates an oatmeal raisin cookie. Todd goes onto explain, “The ale has raisins and plums on the nose, a great mouth-feel thanks to the oats. It is slightly sweet with more raisins and a little toffee up front, but then finishes with sticky and dark molasses and just a slight bitterness.” The overall bitterness is quite low at 20 IBU, which you would expect from an ale like this.

If you are looking to try one of the Hands Up Red Ales for yourself, there is no need to rob a train. The ale is available at all Penticton Liquor Stores, and most of Kelowna and Vernon’s Liquor Outlets. It is all over Victoria and will be in Vancouver stores very soon. Of course, you can always stop by the Tin Whistle Brewery Tasting Room in the Cannery Centre on Fairview Road, in Penticton. Brewery staff request that you politely ask for a Hands Up.

If you are looking to make a night of it. The Farm to Fork Festival in Salmon Arm BC is being held on April 1st, 2016. Tin Whistle will be paired with Chef James Havlin from the Quaaout Lodge, in Chase BC. He will be braising pork belly in the notorious Hand’s Up Red Ale. It will be a great way to sample the new ale and have some delicious fun. Get your tickets today.

Additionally, Tin Whistle Brewing will be featuring the Hands Up Ale (at their booth) at the 21st Annual Okanagan Fest of Ale on April 8th & 9th, 2016, in Penticton BC. The event is the Interior’s largest and longest standing craft beer celebration, with proceeds going to charity. It is definitely a not-miss event for any beer connoisseur.

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