There are a few beers on tap that are so deep with flavor and so memorable, that when I see them, I simply can’t think about ordering anything else. Back Hand of God Stout is one of them. Crannóg Ales is Canada’s first Certified Organic farmhouse microbrewery—one of only a handful of such breweries in the world. Located on a 10 acre farm in Sorrento, BC, they brew only unfiltered, unpasteurized ales using exclusively organic ingredients and no rice, corn or sugars. I first tasted their full-flavored ales at Victoria’s annual Great Canadian Beer Festival a number of years ago. They were new to me then even though they’ve been around for more than a decade because their beers are only available on draft. Since freshness and locality is a major quality concern, they prefer to drive the kegs to their lucky final destination themselves, through they do have a couple of trusted distributors to transport beer slightly further afield (like Vancouver, for example).
Back Hand of God Stout is thick in hue and flavor, dark and absorbent, like a black hole. Dry and silken smooth, with flowing espresso, dark malt and bitter darker chocolate, fresh and cleansing enough to easily down a pint or two, and potent enough to lose yourself in. Outstanding, and possibly life-changing—like facing down the back hand of God, I presume.
