Beer to Beer: Two Beers, One Review.

Bevees’ Beer to Beer cracks open the latest and greatest non-alcoholic brews from around B.C., Canada, and the world to help you decide how to spend your hard-earned dough.

Every year around this time, beer drinkers rejoice: it's September, and that means it's hop season. The beguiling little green nuggets bursting forth on bines across the Pacific Northwest are responsible for beer's aroma and bitterness, and also act as a preservative. Which is why every hophead's favorite style — the India pale ale — was invented. In short: British brewers, wanting to ship their products to distant India, generously hopped their beers to preserve them for the long journey. The sun has since set on the British empire, but here are two non-alcoholic IPAs from B.C. brewers that still put hops front and centre.

Strange Fellows NEVERtheLESS Non-Alcoholic I.P.A.

While the East Van craft brewing mainstay bills their latest offering as “a classic hazy IPA,” there’d be a case for arguing this is West Coast through and through. Either way, it’s a worthy successor to their non-alcoholic pale ale. It pours a rich amber with only a hint of haze. The head is quick to settle and dissipate. The aromas are distinct to the Pacific Northwest: citrus and pine. Disputes over style aside, there is no question that this is a hop bomb. The flavour practically explodes with juicy, hoppy goodness ⏤ including, yes, some tropical notes. They’ve added lactose to beef up the body, making this as robust as non-alcoholic beer can be. While it won’t take you to India, this one certainly transports you. Remember to keep it refrigerated and consume it within three months to get the most out of those precious hops.

You’ll find Strange Fellows’ NEVERtheLESS Non-Alcoholic I.P.A. alongside their Pale Ale at Bevees.

Dry Goods West Coast IPA

A collaboration between East Van’s Powell Brewery and Downlow Brands, Dry Goods promises ⏤ and delivers ⏤ a classic take on the classic West Coast style. From the simple, iconic can, to the can’s indisputably tasty contents, this IPA will not disappoint anybody looking to satisfy their hop cravings while avoiding alcohol. The can opens with a distinct whiff of West Coast hops. The aromas of pine forest and citrus grove tempt the taste buds while the vibrant golden amber liquid fills the glass. A thin layer of head doesn’t last long, but neither does the delicious elixir. It’s punchy and slightly sweet and goes down smooth. Perfect for those chilly evenings when the sun’s setting just a little sooner than it seems it should. Again, hops are delicate (yet formidable), so be sure to stash your Dry Goods somewhere cool ⏤ and drink them down before the season’s over.

Stock up on Dry Goods West Coast IPA and Classic Pilsner (see review here) at Bevees.

Strange Fellows NEVERtheLESS Non-Alcoholic I.P.A. and Dry Goods West Coast IPA are available now at Bevees in Port Coquitlam, home to Greater Vancouver's largest selection of booze-free beverages. Shop today at https://boozefreebevees.ca.