10-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba producers hold their own at competitions
Opinion
Manitoba producers picked up some hardware at global drinks competitions in the past weeks.
On May 1, the World Beer Cup doled out awards in a range of categories at a ceremony in Indianapolis, Ind. Winnipeg's Nonsuch Brewing Co. was one of nine Canadian breweries (and the only Manitoba producer) to nab an award — a bronze medal for its Baltic porter.
The dark, robust brew doesn't appear to be available at the Pacific Avenue brewery, but it is in stock at some Liquor Marts and potentially some beer vendors.
And at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Nonsuch's neighbours Patent 5 Distillery (108 Alexander Ave.) took home two medals, both gold, for its recent whisky releases — the Estate Series Three Grain Whisky and the 6th Anniversary Whisky.
It's worth noting that Crown Royal, whose whiskies are distilled and aged in Gimli and then assembled and bottled in Amherstburg, Ont., picked up a bunch of hardware at the competition, including three double golds for its 18-, 31- and 32-year-old whiskies.
Crown Royal is owned by global drinks giant Diageo. A complete list of winners is available online.
Here are six brews, many fruit-infused, to enjoy during our upcoming warm spell, to toast mom on Mother's Day or to crack open while cheering on the Jets.
All come in 473ml cans, are made in Winnipeg and, unless noted, are available at the respective breweries, as well as beer vendors and Liquor Marts.
Nonsuch Brewing Co. Peach and Passionfruit Radler ($4.00)
Pale gold and slightly hazy in appearance, with pronounced tropical and stone fruit notes aromatically and subtle citrus and malt notes in the background.
On the light-plus-bodied, off-dry palate the peach is particularly prominent, with passionfruit and malt notes hanging out in the background and, at 3.5 per cent alcohol, a very modest finish.
Enjoy with Mother's Day brunch. 3.5/5
Sookram's Brewing Co. Shore Leave Sour Radler ($4.65 — brewery, beer vendors)
Medium straw and slightly hazy with loads of froth, this pina colada-inspired sour radler is infused with pineapple and coconut; both come through aromatically along with subtle malty hints.
On the light-bodied and off-dry palate the coconut is front and centre, with pineapple, citrus and malt notes showing well and a modest four per cent alcohol for a short finish.
Crank the yacht rock and enjoy. 3.5/5
Good Neighbour Brewing Co. House Lime ($3.99)
Pale straw and clear, this light beer is infused with fresh limes, which shows nicely aroma-wise along with some cracked oat and malty, bready notes.
It's dry, light-bodied and crisp, with cracked oat and fresh malt notes lifting the bright, ripe lime flavours; at 4.2 per cent it's another easy-going, zippy brew.
Crack one open after your yard work, or hoist the White Out-ish label while watching the playoffs. 4/5
One Great City Pineapple Manifesto NEIPA ($4.30)
Medium straw in colour and hazy, this New England IPA is infused with (you guessed it) pineapple, which works well with herbal and resinous notes from the hops as well as round malty notes.
On the dry and medium-bodied palate, the pineapple and hops work well together; the former's not overly sweet and, at 28 IBU, the latter's bitterness is just right, while the robust malt note works its way in there before the punchy, six per cent alcohol on the almost-spicy finish. 4/5
Trans Canada Brewing Co. Master Angler Hazy IPA ($4.24 — brewery, beer vendors)
Pale straw in colour and hazy, with robust mango and peach coming through on the nose with key lime, grassy and malty notes.
It's mainly dry and medium-bodied, with up-front fresh malt and oat notes supported by citrus and tropical flavours.
While the bitterness is there (at 30 IBU), it plays second fiddle to the fruit, and the 6.1 per cent alcohol is decently unobtrusive.
Drop a line in the water and see how you make out. 3.5/5
Little Brown Jug Modern IPA ($4.19)
Medium copper in colour and clear, this 'fresh twist on a West Coast classic' has a more robust malty and resinous, hoppy component aromatically that comes with hints of peach and pine.
It's dry, medium-bodied and punchy, with the resinous, piney hops delivered with big malty notes, a solid belt of bitterness and, at 6.7 per cent alcohol, a long, warm and welcome finish.
For those who prefer IPAs with less chewy fruit juice, this is for you (and me). 4.5/5
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Ben SigurdsonLiterary editor, drinks writer
Ben Sigurdson is the Free Press's literary editor and drinks writer. He graduated with a master of arts degree in English from the University of Manitoba in 2005, the same year he began writing Uncorked, the weekly Free Press drinks column. He joined the Free Press full time in 2013 as a copy editor before being appointed literary editor in 2014. Read more about Ben.
In addition to providing opinions and analysis on wine and drinks, Ben oversees a team of freelance book reviewers and produces content for the arts and life section, all of which is reviewed by the Free Press's editing team before being posted online or published in print. It's part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
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