The Tin Whistle Brewing Company is a small microbrewery nestled in the town of Penticton BC. While they are small and perhaps you are not familiar with the beer Brewmaster Jeff Todd is a creative brewer that has been manning the helm at Tin Whistle for some time now. Unlike many of the smaller BC breweries you can find Tin Whistle’s beer in the craft corner of most government liquor stores. Better known beers such as the Killer Bee Dark Honey Ale, Centennial Blonde and Black Widow Dark Ale are surprisingly easy to find on liquor store shelves in BC. If you have not noticed these BC beer staples it is time you paid closer attention on your next shopping expedition.
Like any craft brewery that can endure the test of time there needs to be something unique, sustainable and of course demanded to keep the wheels turning. Tin Whistle has set themselves apart by playing true to their location and the Okanagan lifestyle. Seasonal ales such as the Peach Cream, Strawberry Blonde and the recent Canadian Brewing Award winning Apple Scotch Ale play tribute to the fruits of the region and the flavours of summer. You may now be thinking that Tin Whistle is the Cidery of BC breweries but that would simply say that you have not tried the beer. Each craft creation plays tribute to the highlight without losing sight of the main goal – quality beer. Take the Peach Cream Ale for instance; a blonde ale base supports a light and floral peach notes without the overall sweetness or intensity that you may expect. The Stag Apple Scotch ale pulls from the same deck with a light caramel-apple flavour drawing out complexity and augmenting an already delicious scotch ale.
The Tin Whistle Brewing Company is The Little Engine That Could among the BC Craft Beer Scene. They may not have the fanciest equipment, custom bottles or a multi-million dollar facility but they do have consistent, quality beer that plays tribute to the Okanagan Valley. Next time you are passing through Penticton BC be sure to stop and pick up some seasonal fruit then visit Tin Whistle and pick up some locally-inspired craft beer.
I was just there on Monday and checked them out. Great little brewery with friendly people.