Let me preface this post by saying that I'm a pretty positive guy, I want to spread the good word, and I usually don't say much of anything negative if I can avoid it... so I'll try to be as nice and as brief about this one as I can.
The province of PEI is pulling out all the stops this year, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference, where the idea for this great nation supposedly was nurtured, or so we like to say around these parts. Man, what an opportunity for local brewers, especially the PEI Brewing Company, who has spread its reach across the country this year. They could create a new brew (or more than one)! Maybe an historical one. Maybe one only sold here, maybe one to send to other provinces to show what they can do as a brewery... but no.
What the PEIBC has done is released a money-grab of a four-pack: four beers that already exist, just repackaged, and, in two cases, just renamed. "1864" is the Blueberry Ale (how historic), "Sir John A's Honey Wheat Ale" is the same (natch), Iron Bridge has again been renamed, this time as "Colonel John Hamilton Gray", and, in a bewildering but understandable move, their arguably lowest-quality regularly-available beer, Coles Cream Ale has been bottled for the first time as "Premier George Coles".
Sure the labels look nice, sure, it suits the 2014 theme, but what a missed opportunity.
Here's some other ideas for a commemorative pack:
What the PEIBC has done is released a money-grab of a four-pack: four beers that already exist, just repackaged, and, in two cases, just renamed. "1864" is the Blueberry Ale (how historic), "Sir John A's Honey Wheat Ale" is the same (natch), Iron Bridge has again been renamed, this time as "Colonel John Hamilton Gray", and, in a bewildering but understandable move, their arguably lowest-quality regularly-available beer, Coles Cream Ale has been bottled for the first time as "Premier George Coles".
Sure the labels look nice, sure, it suits the 2014 theme, but what a missed opportunity.
Here's some other ideas for a commemorative pack:
- A "fortified" John A. of some sort. The man was a drunk. Use one of his favourite drinks in some way. Whisky. Brandy. Take your pick. He liked a lot.
- The original conference was just going to be for NS, NB, and PEI. Take some hops or grains from all three and call that "1864" or "Maritime Union".
- Great George's Gose - how about a salty ale for the harbour & street that first welcomed the delegates?
- Slaymaker's & Nichol's Olympic Ale - hello? Crossover! 2014 is also an Olympic year, and Slaymaker & Nichol's Olympic Circus was the circus in town the same time as the conference, taking most hotel rooms and public interest. Make it some sort of strong, sweet, or wild (hell, make it a lambic) ale. The people of the time were more interested in the circus. It was the best thing in town, and hadn't been here in 20 years. Why shouldn't this sneakily-named ale be the show-stealer of the bunch, too?
Thoughts? I'd be interested to see what other folks think could have been created, in jest, or in all seriousness.
PS - I'm still holding out hope that something cool could still be produced this year...