Anybody have a case of the February Funk? Dark clouds, gray weather and a quiet Shuswap left me with a case of the Monday blues...on every day that ended in Y. So, it was time to pack up the car and head on a field trip, back to our childhood stomping grounds on the Westcoast.
After a snowy drive on the Coquihala, we landed in Langley and checked into our hotel. A quick google search proved we were in the heart of one of BC's newest brew towns. Lucky us! A late arrival, meant we'd only have time for a stop or two on our first night.
After a quick stop at Five Roads, we rolled into Trading Post Brewing. Admittedly chosen primarily because they promised to serve food.
Have you ever pulled up to a brewery and immediately felt at home? Whether it's the way the lights twinkle, or the cosmic vibe it gives off, you just know you've found a place that fits? Well, for us, that was Trading Post. Smitten walking up to the door, we giggled at the front patio which featured astro-turf and Hudson Bay blankets. Ahhhh....living in a climate where Spring starts in March.
Lucky us, Wednesday features live music! We were delighted to walk in to a welcoming crowd, singing along and cheering on the musical acts. Look up, and a comprehensive beer menu had us drooling. In true The Tapped Truck fashion, we asked for flights to include every house-brew. That made for 11 tasty samplers. And the food menu? Our hungry tummies were growling and we were stoked to see a beer-inspired menu included a hearty stout braised beef dip sammy and ridiculously decadent mac n cheese featuring truffle and just the right amount of spice.
Ok, enough about atmosphere and food: what about the beer?!
Rob and I were ecstatic to find that their long tap list featured a diverse collection
of pallet pleasers. From light to dark, hoppy to malty, the Trading Post has something on tap for everyone. We asked the bartender what the crowd favorites were. No surprise to hear that their Cranberry Tart Ale had regulars and newbies alike, excited. It's a striking blush colored beer that had us puckering, true to it's "tart" name. When we asked what his favorite was, he brought our attention to the 1827 Helles Lager. This crisp blonde was like a Spring day: delightful, light and easy.
We had one paddle of tasters dedicated to darker brews. Rob delighted in the Russian Imperial Stout: it was beautifully complex. I fell in love with the Belgian Style Quad, which I likened to Desert Wine...it really is the desert of beers, offering sweetness from dark fruit flavors and a boozy warm up clocking in at 10.4% ABV.
And their Best Coast IPA? Simple. Nothing complicated. All delicious.
So if you find yourself in Langley, stop in and say HI to the team at Trading Post! And let us know, what your fave Trading Post brew is!
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