Joe Wiebe - Thirsty Writer

01/05/2024

Hey BC brewers -- we all know that the best spruce tip beers are made in British Columbia, right? Well, let's prove it. Consider submitting your spruce beers to be judged at the Prairie Beer Awards Inc.. The spruce category is open to anyone across the country. See below and through the link for more info.

Cheers! 🍻

If you know Dave, you know this has been a passion project he's been working on for a while now – and we're getting close!

We have submitted an application to BJCP to have spruce beer recognized as an official style, and we need your help. ANYONE IN CANADA (commercial or homebrewer) can enter this category!

Tag your spruce beer-brewing buds – we'd love to see them enter! Registration opens TOMORROW – March 1.

14/04/2024

In the very first episode of Beyond the Cup, Competition Manager Hilary Hoogsteen sits down with Head Judge Joe Wiebe to discuss all things Canada Beer Cup. ...

10/04/2024

An interview with ... me!

In the very first episode of Beyond the Cup, Competition Manager Hilary Hoogsteen sits down with Head Judge Joe Wiebe to discuss all things Canada Beer Cup. ...

19/03/2024

Very excited to share this news! 🍻

Announcing our 2024 Head Judge line up!

The 2024 Canada Beer Cup Head Judges are: Lauren Richard (Toronto, ON), Dave Cole (Winnipeg, MB) and Joe Wiebe (Victoria, BC).

Leading the charge as Canada Beer Cup’s first female Head Judge is Lauren Richard. Lauren is an Advanced Cicerone, sensory expert, and experienced beer judge. “I am proud to be recognized at this caliber by Canada’s most prestigious national beer competition and look forward to applying the knowledge I’ve amassed in this setting,” says Lauren.

Next up is BJCP judge Dave Cole. Serving as the BJCP North Region assistant rep, Dave brings judging experience from over thirty competitions in addition to his Head Judge and organizational experience with five competitions including Prairie Beer Awards. “The Canada Beer Cup is all about furthering the industry,” says Dave. “After judging in 2023 and seeing the competition’s dedication to excellence and industry advancement, I was keen to get more involved.”

Joe Wiebe rounds out the Head Judge trio, and will also emcee this year’s Award Gala. As an award-winning beer writer and member of the North American Guild of Beer Writers, Joe will help carry on the Canada Beer Cup’s legacy as a springboard for brewers to gain exposure for noteworthy brews. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of this talented team,” says Joe. “With the support of the cross-Canada advisory panel, I look forward to working collaboratively to continue elevating the stature of Canadian craft beer.”

https://canadabeercup.com/judges-2024/

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La Coupe des bières du Canada, la seule compétition nationale de bière à but non lucratif au Canada, annonce la composition de ses juges en chef pour 2024.

Les juges en chef pour 2024 sont: Lauren Richard (Toronto, ON), Dave Cole (Winnipeg, MB) et Joe Wiebe (Victoria, BC).

À la tête de la Coupe des bières du Canada en tant que première juge en chef féminine se trouve Lauren Richard. Lauren est une Cicerone avancée, une experte sensorielle et une juge expérimentée en bière. "Je suis fière d'être reconnue à ce niveau par la compétition nationale de bière la plus prestigieuse du Canada et j'ai hâte d'appliquer les connaissances que j'ai accumulées dans ce contexte", déclare Lauren.

Ensuite, nous avons le juge BJCP Dave Cole. En tant que représentant adjoint de la région nord du BJCP, Dave apporte une expérience de juge acquise lors de plus de trente compétitions, ainsi que son expérience en tant que juge en chef et organisateur de cinq compétitions, dont les Prairie Beer Awards. “La Coupe des bières du Canada vise à promouvoir l'industrie", déclare Dave. "Après avoir été juge en 2023 et avoir constaté l'engagement de la compétition envers l'excellence et l'avancement de l'industrie, j'étais impatient de m'impliquer davantage."

Joe Wiebe complète le trio des juges en chef et animera également le Gala de Remise des Prix de cette année. En tant qu'écrivain primé sur la bière et membre de de North American Guild of Beer Writers, Joe contribuera à perpétuer l'héritage de la Coupe des bières du Canada en tant que tremplin pour les brasseurs afin de faire connaître leurs bières remarquables. "Je suis ravi de faire partie de cette équipe talentueuse", déclare Joe. "Avec le soutien du panel consultatif national, j'ai hâte de travailler en collaboration pour continuer à élever le statut de la bière artisanale canadienne."

Photo 1 credit: The Forks and Joey Senft Photography

05/03/2024

Check out my Growler BC story about visiting Penticton in the spring and then enter for a chance to win an awesome spring vacation package from Vancouver to Penticton for the Okanagan Fest of Ale. Contest runs till March 10 with the winning entry drawn on March 11.

I wish I could enter! Oh, wait a sec, I'm already going... See you there!

Enter to win the ultimate spring vacation package to Penticton, valued at over $2,100.

26/10/2023

The Canada Beer Cup is staying in British Columbia!

Deadfall Brewing in Prince George, BC, won the second annual Canada Beer Cup for its Basal Brown Ale, keeping the honour in BC.

05/06/2023

Congrats to all the fine breweries from British Columbia that won awards at the 2023 Canadian Brewing Awards!

With 220+ local craft brewery destinations throughout British Columbia, the BC Ale Trail is a series of self-guided itineraries highlighting craft beer communities and the super, natural landscapes that surround them.

18/05/2023

Let's get lunar!

(I don't even know what that means. It just seemed funny when I typed it. Anyway, this looks like a cool event coming up at Île Sauvage Brewing Co.)

The Full Moon is coming, and we’re throwing a party! 🌒🌓🌔🌕 We’ve got a luminous list of bands including , , and DJ Dan Reid. Tickets are $25 and include a free Lunar Lager. Doors open at 2pm and we will have food specials and guest taps. Eventbrite link for tickets in bio. ✨

11/05/2023

BC beer showing up on the world stage yet again!

CONGRATS to our BC winners at this year's World Beer Cup🏆

🥇BREWHALL - Slice of Paradise Yuzu Wheat

🥇33 Acres Brewing Company(Experiment)- Saaz Dryhopped Saison
🥉33 Acres Brewing Company- 33 Acres of Euphoria

🥉Shaketown Brewing- Shaketown Grisette w Szechuan Peppercorns
🥇 Sooke Brewing Company- Barleywine

🥇Powell Brewery- Old Jalopy Ale

09/02/2023

This year marks a decade after the publication of my book, Craft Beer Revolution: The Insider's Guide to BC Breweries.

I really enjoyed writing this article for Edible Vancouver Island that talks about how the scene has grown and changed here since then. 🍻

Here on Vancouver Island, we are blessed with more than 40 breweries, including Canada’s oldest microbrewery, Spinnakers Brewpub, which dates back to 1984, along with some of B.C.’s most successful (Phillips Brewing, Driftwood Brewery), plus a diverse assortment ranging from one-person operation...

11/12/2022

BC highlighted in Forbes. 🍻

Nearly 250 craft breweries are brewing beer in British Columbia, including these 10 stellar recommendations for American visitors.

08/12/2022

Join us for Virtual Hoppy Hour: Thursday, December 8 at 6:00pm PST.

This month, Joe will be chatting with 2022 Canada Beer Cup Best In Show winners Callister Brewing Company, and Jonah Cadieux-Johnson of the newly reopened Detonate Brewing Company in Summerland. Stay tuned - there might be a mystery guest joining them as well.

Tune in live on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcaletrail/

Destination British Columbia // BC Craft Brewers Guild // Canada Keep Exploring //

08/11/2022

Sharing this …

07/11/2022

Big win for Vancouver Island's Gladstone Brewing Co.!

Gladstone Brewing Wins Brewery of the Year and Parallel 49 Brewing Earns Best in Show. The 2022 BC Beer Awards were announced on November 5.

29/10/2022

Langford Fall Food Truck Festival Saturday, October 29th 2pm – 8pm and Sunday October 30th 11am – 3pm What’s Pouring Specialty Passionfruit Gose,Townsite BrewingAn Equatorial Detour, Trail & Ale Chai Pumpkin Brown Ale, Howl Brewing PLUS Mulled Wine & Hot Apple Cider (Non-Alcoholic) Hoppy & Haz...

27/10/2022

Excellent article by Dave Smith from What's Brewing BC about the SFU's BC Craft Beer archives.

BC Craft Beer Month is the perfect time to reveal a monumental development in the story of BC Craft Beer. Please welcome: the BC Beer History Archive.

20/10/2022

19/10/2022

Winnipeg's craft beer scene is vibrant and dynamic. Check out my story about it in the The Growler BC. 🍻

Winnipeg has more than a dozen breweries, along with other great ways to sip and sample craft beer in both indoor and outdoor settings.

14/10/2022

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20
 
Vessel Zooms Home : Oktoberfest 🍻
 
 
Thirsty Writer, Joe Wiebe, will ZOOM into your home in this FREE session to chat about Oktoberfest.
 
Pros’t! In conjunction with Oktoberfest, we will taste a variety of harvest-themed beers, including fresh hop beers, pumpkin ales, and Oktoberfest lagers.
 
Pick up the selected beer(s) from Vessel Liquor in advance and taste through along with Joe.
 
Small Gods Brewing Festbier, Sidney, BC. $4.99 / 473ml

Driftwood Brewing Company Sartori Harvest Fresh Hop IPA, Victoria, BC. $5.49 / 473ml

BC Ale Collaboration Explore BC Peach Farmhouse Ale, BC. $14.99

Moon Under Water Brewery Island Grown Hibiscus Lavender IPA, Victoria, BC. $4.99 / 473ml
 
Length: 45 minute seminar, plus Q&A
 
Cost: FREE! Selected beers are available for purchase at Vessel Liquor
 
Location: Your home
 
Tickets available online at www.vesselliquor.com/workshops
 
 

08/09/2022

See you at BeerFest this weekend!

The weather couldn't be more perfect — tickets are still available.

Great Canadian Beer Festival

02/09/2022

Join us today at 6 pm PST for our , hosted on Instagram Live! 's Joe Wiebe - Thirsty Writer will lead the conversation with special guests from Backroads Brewing Company, Silver Valley Brewing Company and The Heid Out Restaurant and Brewhouse 🍻

👉https://instagram.com/bcaletrail

Destination British Columbia // BC Craft Brewers Guild // Canada Keep Exploring // Backroads Brewing Company // Silver Valley Brewing Company // The Heid Out Restaurant and Brewhouse // Cranbrook Tourism // Tourism Kimberley // City of Maple Ridge // Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism // Kootenay Rockies-BC's Mountain Playground //

02/09/2022

See if your favourite brewery won a Growlie — check out the 2022 Readers' Choice Awards in The Growler BC. 🍻🥇🥈🥉

Crack a beer and check the list of winners. There might be some surprises there. Did your favourite win? Maybe you’re inspired to try something new.

11/08/2022

The BC Ale Trail is looking for a new social media coordinator.

Join the BC Ale Trail's Content Team as Social Media Coordinator. We create fun, engaging content that pairs travel around BC with our craft breweries and partners.