Vancouver Craft Beer Week has new attractions for 2016

Craft beer lovers are no doubt counting their sleeps, because Vancouver Craft Beer Week begins on Friday.

The seventh edition of the annual event has the usual tasting events, food offerings and live music. On The Coast beer columnist Rebecca Whyman says this year will have some new wrinkles.

"From the opening night tasting at the Roundhouse on May 27 through showcases of Belgian beers, fruit beers, sour beers and ciders and culminating in the three-day beer festival at the PNE, June 3, 4 and 5, there's a whole lot going on," she told On The Coast host Stephen Quinn.

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Some of the highlights for Whyman include:

• The Collaboration Beer Fest at Big Rock Urban Brewery: this event will feature 15 collaboration beers, many of which were made especially for this event, brewed by local favourites and new breweries, plus a distillery, a cidery and Beau's Brewing from Ontario.
• Best of B.C.: a tap takeover at Central City's Beatty St. Pub where you can taste the top B.C. beer in each of 20 styles from the Canadian Brewing Awards.
• Feats of Strength Herculean Beer Party: this event at the Cobalt on will feature arm-wrestling, phonebook tearing and keg lifting by folks in the industry.

Here are Whyman's beer picks for this week:

Doan's and Raven's Brewing collaboration kettle sour

"Made with rye, which provides an underlying spiciness, and dry-hopped with Pacific Gem, a New Zealand hop with oak and blackberry notes. This is a lovely summer beer. Bright, fruity and tart!  5 percent and available at both brewery tasting rooms and in 650 ml bottles."

Vancouver Craft Beer Week collaboration beer Tu Meke saison  

"Tasmanian Pepperberries and a collection of New Zealand hop varietals contribute notes of fresh cracked pepper, blackberry, currant, raspberry and a hint of zested citrus. Proceeds from the purchase of the 650 ml bottles got to benefit Music Heals, VCBW's official charity partner for 2016."

Four Winds and Brassneck's collaboration Honeymoon Baby

"Following tradition, last year's brewery of the Year, Four Winds, brewed a collaboration with a host city brewery, Brassneck. The beer, a tropical saison brewed with rice and coconut is available in the tasting rooms, and in cans at liquor stores."

With files from CBC Radio One's On The Coast

To hear the full story,click the audio labelled: Going to Vancouver Craft Beer Week? Here are some highlights