Crannog Ales – Mac Tir Haskap Ale

Crannog Ales – Mac Tir Haskap Ale Review

Did you know that July is Haskap Beer Month in British Columbia? It is an initiative that came to be after an evening of drinking beer and eating freshly picked Haskap berries with neighbours of Crannog Ales;Carma Clarke & Kevin Kelly of Wolf Springs Farm. Rebecca Kneen and Brian MacIsaac of Crannog Ales decided the combination of the two would work well, and after brewing an ale with the berries Rebecca wanted to spread the BC joy!

The hope is that BC breweries will work together with BC haskap berry farmers in creating a unique ale that “shows off” this tart, sweet and juicy berry.To date there have been four breweries that have taken the challenge.

What is a Haskap berry? The name “Haskap” is actually the brand name for Lonicera caerulea or edible honeysuckle, originally from Japan. It was introduced in the 1950’s but only since the 2000’s has it been cultivated. What was once a wild and bitter berry has now become  a rich “superfruit” with more vitamins and antioxidants than blueberries. It has a flavour profile of a blend of berries, from raspberries, blueberries and a hint of apple and honeycrisp. Put that in a beer and you have a tart and mixed berry ale!

The Mac Tir ( Son of the Earth ) Haskap ale is the Crannog Ales contribution.It pours a rich raspberry/cranberry red colour with a light foamy pink head that dissipates quickly.The Haskap berries were added to a lightly hopped pale ale after fermentation, and really, this ale is all about the berry! It is so full of  fruit tartness yet crisp and refreshing. A perfect summer beer on its own, but would also work nicely in an ice cream soda or even as a radler! So get out there and give it a try and support your local farmers at the same time.