Hot summer, cold beer and the Coulson Flying Tankers have been combined into a thirst quenching ale compliments of the Vancouver Island Brewery.
According to www.beernews.com, the Victoria-based brewery has just released Flying Tanker White IPA (India Pale Ale).
The pale emerald green label for the new brew depicts a red and white flying tanker dropping a load of water capped with a white froth.
Flying Tanker white will be sold in distinctive single 650 millilitre bottles, which ironically are referred to as bombers. Boutique and government liquor outlets are ordering them this week and they should be on the shelves shortly after, VIB spokesperson Rob Ringma said.
“Flying Tanker IPA is the first bottle in our Vancouver Island series to be released — we’ve got a whole series of beers tied to Vancouver Island icons planned,” Ringma said. “We spoke to Wayne Coulson a couple of weeks ago about this. He’s a big supporter of Vancouver Island and he’s excited about it.”
Company officials have been gaming out melding craft beers with iconic Vancouver Island symbols. One of the first symbols that came to mind was the Coulson Flying Tankers.
“When it drops its load of water the white mist on top looks like the head of foam on a glass of cold beer,” Ringma said.
Connections to the Alberni Valley made the initiative possible, Ringma said.
VIB General Manager Jim Dodds is originally from Port Alberni. But Ringma spent time in the Alberni Valley while growing up.
“When I was a kid we used to stay out at Tall Timbers and water ski at Sproat Lake,” he said. “We used to bomb around the water bombers, I remember that.”
According to Ringma, Flying Tanker White IPA fuses German Hefeweizen and traditional India pale ale. Once poured, its golden yellow elixir will waft scents of wheat, fruit, and spice.
“Much like Vancouver Island’s aerial firefighters, this twist on a traditional IPA will extinguish your thirst,” notes VIB promotional material. “This beer isn’t just for emergencies.”
Officials from Coulson Group of Companies weren’t immediately available for comment.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com