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Week 14: Slainte Mhath!

Posts Tagged ‘Brewing Process’

A Note from The Brew Master…

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

It has been several months since we celebrated the launch of Alexander Keith’s being brewed in Creston, British Columbia. I continue to receive many positive comments from those of you who have been following this blog. Followers have had an opportunity to read first-hand about the commitment that we feel is essential to Keith’s fans - to be true to the brewing tradition, and to quality standards that must be met in order to brew this great beer. Furthermore, the accreditation process that the Columbia Brewery went through to be qualified to brew Keith’s was developed as a guarantee. That is to ensure that the Keith’s beer brewed at the Columbia Brewery is identical to the beer brewed in Halifax. No compromise is allowed. On this you have my word.

The Brew Master’s Journal is intended to provide insight to the Keith’s fans. That includes explaining the proud brewing tradition that Alexander Keith started in 1820. The blog highlights the values of Mr. Keith, shows that they are still held today, and the great beer he launched is growing into a national favorite.

The Journal also acts a validation of the exacting standards that have to be met to brew Keith’s IPA. I take my hat off to Scott Stokes and the Columbia Brewery team. They had to endure numerous trials and adjustments to ensure a perfect match. This culminated in a successful result and a flavour match being declared - not an easy task . It needs to be emphasized that achieving accreditation is an initial step. On-going checks will continue and ensure that the Keith’s brewed in Creston B.C. reaches our highest standards each and every day.

I hope all of you enjoyed following along throughout this process. I have certainly enjoyed being a part of it. Send me your questions and comments on what you’re still interested in learning about Alexander Keith’s and the life of a Brew Master, and I’m happy to answer them here.

Thanks to all.

Graham Kendall

Highlights from the Accreditation Celebration

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

Here it is, folks! The big celebration marking the successful Accreditation of the Columbia Brewery in Creston, British Columbia to brew Alexander Keith’s IPA. See the video for highlights from the party!

The Accreditation Ceremony

Monday, September 14th, 2009

The tasting of the Creston-brewed Keith’s that successfully passed the Accreditation Process was a big accomplishment for everyone involved. This success demonstrated a strong sense of commitment, one that honours the Keith’s beer drinkers in the West and shows them that the Keith’s beer they enjoy is brewed the same and tastes the same [...]

On the Road to Accreditation

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

Alexander Keith’s IPA brewing trials are making headway at the Columbia Brewery! I asked Brewmaster Scott to give everyone an update on the ongoing accreditation process in Creston, and here’s what he had to say: [...]

Back to the Kettle, Scott!

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

The results have been thoroughly analyzed, and the Columbia Brewery’s Keith’s IPA that we tasted did not match the Halifax Keith’s IPA. Scott and the team need to go back and make some more changes. I will grant them that it was a good effort but the expectation is that in order to pass the [...]

The Keith’s Daily Tasting Panel

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

People often ask me how we ensure every drop of Alexander Keith’s IPA is made consistently to the highest quality batch after batch. For one, we have an advanced quality control lab that checks analytical values of the beer as it is being brewed 24 hours a day.  For every batch, the lab completes over 150 checks on the ingredients and the beer in process.  However, it would not be Keith’s unless [...]

West Meets East at the Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery

Monday, May 4th, 2009

It was with great pleasure that I welcomed Scott Stokes, the Columbia Brewery’s Brew Master, to Halifax and started taking him through the Accreditation Process to brew Alexander Keith’s I.P.A. It is important that he understands not only the process of brewing Keith’s, but also the long standing relationship that Nova Scotia has with this [...]

The Ingredients Used in Keith’s Brewing Process

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Top quality ingredients are essential to brewing Keith’s. In this video I am introducing Scott to the malt and hops that are used to brew Alexander Keith’s IPA. Fortunately many of these ingredients originate from Western Canada and are readily available to the Columbia Brewery.

The Importance of Water in the Keith’s Brewing Process

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Maintaining high quality water is important to brewing consistently good tasting Keith’s I.P.A. In this video I review why this is so important with Columbia Brewery Brew Master Scott Stokes and ensure he’s up for the challenge.

Essential elements for brewing Alexander Keith’s

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

What inspired Alexander Keith to create this fabulous India Pale Ale? This inspiration is important in what makes Keith’s the beer that it is. Mr. Keith’s Scottish heritage influenced his craft but also knowing that the local Halifax population was mostly British soldiers inspired him to create a local India Pale Ale (IPA). This [...]