Economical Beer Review: Bowen Island Beer
November 15, 2008 by Matthew Mcgarnickle
Well, we finally recovered from our hangovers from taste testing Iron Horse last week. The headache eventually goes away, but the scars will never heal. So welcome back to the Economical Beer Review. Where it’s our goal to help you make the right beer choice for your wallet, your taste buds and your self-respect.
This week, by popular demand, The Daily Seagull is reviewing Bowen Island Beer. Enjoy!
Beer: Bowen Island Beer. At the liquor store we were surprised to see that Bowen Island Beer actually has five different flavors to choose from: Traditional Lager, Irish Cream, Honey Brown, Extra Pale Ale and Special Light. We chose Traditional Lager because we’re in between pay cheques, and it was the least expensive.
Price (6-pack before taxes): $7.95, or $1.33 per beer.
Slogan: The slogan for Bowen Island Traditional Lager is “Traditionally Brewed.” How original… If anyone from the Bowen Island Beer marketing division is reading this review, please come up with something better. Our suggestions:
“Bowen Island Beer, Catch The Ferry To Flavour-Island”
“Bowen Island Beer, Drown Yourself In Deliciousness”
“Bowen Island Beer, Give Yourself A Bowener”
Quality: Pleasantly surprised. The consistent taste from can to can was a relief from previous reviews. It does not have an overwhelmingly good flavor, but it is definitely not undrinkable.
Social Acceptability: For some unexplained reason, Bowen Island Beer is very socially acceptable. Perhaps it’s because it can easily be mistaken for a high quality micro-brew beer. Or maybe it’s the fact that there’s multiple types of Bowen Island Beer to choose from. Or maybe it’s the pretty picture of a boat on the can. Bowen Island Beer just has that ‘it’ factor.
Unique Factor: Anything created on Bowen Island has got to be considered unique… wait a second, it’s not brewed on Bowen Island? It’s actually brewed in Vancouver? You…Son…Of…A….B@#TCH! YOU LIED TO ME!!! YOU LIED!!! AS GOD IS MY WITNESS!!!
<cut to scene of me crying in the shower fully clothed>
Final Score: 5 beers out of a 6 pack. The quality is there, but the lies are unacceptable.
Come back next week for another Economical Beer Review!
I’ve seen the picture in their logo before somewhere………..I to was mystified that it was not brewed on Bowen Island. Anyway …….I like it…and the price is definitely right!
Good review. I’m enjoying a smooth bowener right now ….
There really is a “consistent taste from can to can” – for all 5 types. I’m pretty sure they just have one recipe, with five different can colours.
so by these reviews you are saying that bowen island traditional is the best and cheapest six pack
One of the best ale’s I have tasted. Had it during a stay in Whisler!! Is it available in the U.S.
I always have to get used to BI Irish Cream and Honey Brown by getting past the first sort-of chemical taste of the first can. After that, it’s not bad at all. Except for Pale Ale which is great right from the start. Why don’t they try an amber?
You really didn’t provide any background: Bowen Island has been a “shadow brand” for a number of larger brewers the last couple of years.
It started off as a legitimate Bowen I. microbrew many moons ago, famous for its Hemp Cream Ale and its Special Bitter Ale. The new owners have successfully leveraged off that respectable name recon and rebranded the name as a low-cost “craft” (that’s a joke) brewery. Works for me when I’m feeling cheap.
O.K. Beer ..But I have had a few Yeasty ones ! If you pour it in a glass you see yeast floating around in it and it has a “Funny” taste ..
cloudy crap! Bowen Island Lager needs something, it’s too sweet and yeasty. Hmmm, something, come on you guys figure it out or ask Pacific Western Brewery their secret for the red label TNT