Miranda Maxson carries a wealth of craft beer knowledge to pass along to customers at Urban Liquor Store.

(STACY PAVLOV / iNFOnews.ca)

Beer drinking is no longer just about cracking open a domestic cold can on a hot day.

     Beer drinking and tasting have become a consumer movement as the BC craft beer industry is exploding.

     Kelowna’s Urban Liquor Store owner Riki-Lynn Boettcher says there are new craft brewers popping up on an almost daily basis in B.C., and right across the country.

     “People are caring more about what they drink and they’re asking more questions. To be into craft beer is trending right now,” says Boettcher, who stocks dozens of craft beers, many from the Okanagan, in her Guisachan Village Centre store.

     Boettcher says people started catching on to craft beers when there were a few entry level craft beers coming on to the market several years ago. From there, customers began demanding more variety. Now, Boettcher’s customers are regularly coming in to her store to discover what new brewery has crafted the next flavour sensation.

    The movement is now bringing people together for tasting parties and gatherings, just as wine drinkers gather. “Craft beer drinkers are becoming a discerning crowd,” says Boettcher.

     The industry is a competitive one, with breweries planting their own hops and making several different small batch beers a year; some of which are a one-time brew. Beers such as pumpkin ales, chocolate porter or candy cane stouts are on offer this fall and winter for example.

     Miranda Maxson, Urban Liquor Store assistant manager and craft beer consultant can help customers learn what may be the best ale, stout, lager or other beer to suit their taste or occasion. Her knowledge of craft beer, says Boettcher, is constantly evolving with the industry. “She loves to be in the know about the latest breweries before they even hit the market and she does an incredible job of engaging with our customers on their interests.”

     Maxson says a couple of her favorites that customers have really expressed interest in are Foamers Folly Boysenberry Saison, and Andina Milk Stout which uses lactose to give it a creamy mouthfeel, explains Maxson.

     Urban Liquor, located at #106-2395 Gordon Drive in Guisachan Village Centre, has endless brews on hand for gift giving this holiday, or festive gatherings. You’ll also find specialty wines, top quality spirits, domestic beer, wines from around the world and a wall of Okanagan VQA wines, quality mixes and various other gift ideas. It doesn’t take long with some holiday shopping to accumulate the three per cent cash back on purchases Urban Liquor Store offers, along with a free bag of ice with purchase.

     Visit www.urbanliquor.ca for gift ideas, the latest products, tutored wine tasting dates and even recipes.

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