Whistler Brewing Company - Mother's Pale Ale

Note: I also have a picture of the original Painting of "Whister's Mother" that I'd like to put side by side of the label for a "Pre-Ale" and "Post-Ale" comparison. It might come as a surprise to anyone appreciating the colorful image featured on the label of Mother's Pale Ale that the beer's name and label design were both inspired by the 1872 James McNeill Whistler's portrait of his mother, "Whistler's Mother". It would seem that Mama, as the brewer's affectionately refer to her, has busted out of her rocking chair and reinvented her self image after being introduced to this great American Pale Ale.

Mother's Pale Ale is brewed with primarily Canadian pale malts and the remainder, English Carastan malts. Cascade and Willamette hops are added throughout the 90 minute boil for both aromatic and bittering contributions. Mother is a bottom-fermented pale ale, brewed with a proprietary yeast strain.

This pale ale has a great nose in which cascade hops with a estery maltiness evident. Note a light copper color, clear appearance and an average head on this clean and fresh, medium-bodied beer. The flavor has a fantastic character to it with caramel malt and floral hop tones up front and a medium-bitter finish. The best balanced of the three. Overall, a superb American Pale Ale.

In addition to mastering the bumps and powder, The Whistler Brewing Co. also takes advantage of being located in North America's No.1 Ski Resort by obtaining only the highest quality spring water from the Whistler mountains. The brewery is one of just a few in Canada to use traditional, German copper brew kettles to produce their award-winning line of beers. We are extremely pleased to be able to include their exceptional pale ale as our first Canadian-featured product.

Whistler also produces Black Tusk Ale, a very dark, almost porter-like, bitter ale, Whistler Premium Lager, a Bavarian-styled, full-bodied, pleasantly hoppy lager, and Avalanche Pilsner, a lighter-bodied, slightly bitter, delicate pils with a dry finish. The brewery has plans to introduce a winter beer brewed with cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, clove and ginger. Brewery tours are available Tuesday through Saturday, from 2 p.m. onward.

For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (604) 438-BEER.