Remember when music existed as a physical medium instead of streaming ones and zeroes? No? Well, apparently, people would spend upwards of $20 to purchase these objects, known as albums, even though they only contained maybe 10 to 15 songs, tops. It might seem crazy to think of people actually paying money for music, but I was alive in the ’90s — it totally happened.
And like some weird, unwanted and misshapen 13th wiener in your pack of hot dogs, artists would sometimes include a bonus song on an album. Most of the time, the secret tracks were pretty terrible, unless you like looping white noise or minutes of silence followed sudden robotic screeching like a hard drive with Tourette’s (looking at you, Beck’s Mellow Gold).
Thankfully, Secret Track by Coal Harbour Brewing Co. and their buds at Doan’s and Kamloops’ soon-to-open Bright Eye could totally be a single.
Made with all German malt and hops, this hazy pale ale is an Old World take on a New World style. The hop flavour is cranked to 11 with big citrus and fruit flavours up front, segueing into a pronounced piney hop bitterness. A crackery malt character helps support the hops, because any band is only as good as its rhythm section.
Secret Track by Coal Harbour Brewing Co./Doan’s Craft Brewing Co./Bright Eye Brewing (5.4 per cent ABV, 35 IBU, 473 mL tall can)
Appearance: Hazy amber with a pillowy off-white head.
Aroma: Tropical fruit, mandarin orange, melon, citrus.
Flavour: Tropical fruit, mandarin orange, citrus, melon, pine, cracker-like malt character, assertive hop bitterness.
Body/Finish: Medium bodied with a dry, hoppy finish.
Pairs with: Halibut tacos, capicola pizza, playing the inside groove of the original Parlophone pressing of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, annoying your people with irrelevant, esoteric music knowledge and dying alone.
• The Winter 2018 issue of The Growler is out now! You can find B.C.’s favourite craft beer guide at your local brewery, select private liquor stores, and on newsstands across the province.
