Have a HOPPY summer

Ach... this heat! Its a crazy summer so far, with lots of rain on the East coast and agressive sunshine here in the West. It is so hot in my apartment that my poor cat has to pant like a lion to cool down. Anyways, at least there is beer to keep us cool and sane! We are lucky in BC for there are tons of wonderful little craft breweries around that make delicious thirst quenchers. Beer is a perfect complement to cheese, so here are some suggestions to beat the heat and the hunger...

From Central City Brewery in Surrey: RED RACER I.P.A.

Available in most liquor stores or, if you fancy a trip, at the brewery (it is easily accessible by skytrain -- only 50 metres from the Surrey Central station). Sold in 6-packs in most liquor stores. Just look for the green cans!
A hoppy beer that is bitter in all the right places, it has a beautiful aroma of grapefruit that is sure to refresh. Pair it with a meaty and salty cheese, like Gort's X-Aged Gouda or a strong washed-rind cheese like the Mont-Jacob.

From Driftwood Brewery in Victoria: WHITE BARK WHEAT ALE

Many big breweries have their own 'white beer' now: Alexander Keith's, Rickard's, Big Rock... but you haven't tasted wheat beer until you've tried this one. This is a traditional Belgian-style beer that is best served nice and cold, especially in this weather. The brewmaster added curaçao orange peel and coriander to the recipe, resulting in an aromatic brew that is cloudy, lightly carbonated and offers big floral notes. It is perfect paired with spicy food and with pungent cheeses. Try it with 1608 or Tomme de Grosse-Île.

From Swan's Buckerfield Brewing in Victoria: SWAN'S BERRY ALE

If you are a fan of fruity beers but not of the fake-fruit taste, this one is your new best friend. Dark and with good carbonation, it tastes like fresh crushed raspberries with a twist. I would dive into this one with a triple-cream brie like Riopelle or Marquis de Témiscouata.

CHEESE CHAMPIONS!!!

The Dairy Farmers of Canada came up with the concept of a cheese championship in 1998 in order to promote the hard work of the talented canadian cheesemakers.
Last February in Montreal, the juy weighed in on 172 cheeses (tough job) that were entered in the competition.

The Grand Prize went to the aromatic KÉNOGAMI from Fromagerie Lehmann in the Saguenay region. This cheese is not yet allowed to be sold outside of Québec, so if you are lucky enough to go to la belle province soon, don't forget to buy a piece! Its washed rind has a wonderful aroma of grass and herbs and its flavour is all nut and butter. The KÉNOGAMI is made exclusively with milk from herds on the farm where it is produced.

Also winners in their respective categories:

LE MARQUIS DE TÉMISCOUATA in the 'soft cheese with bloomy rind' category
Mount Pleasant Cheese loves this creamy number from Fromagerie Le Détour in Québec. It is the perfect accompaniement to sparkling wine or summer berries.

LE CIEL DE CHARLEVOIX in the 'blue cheese' category
We have been singing this gem's praises since MPC opened its doors. By far one of the most flavourful and complex blue cheeses we carry. Let it melt in your mouth and you will fall in love with the Charlevoix region without even leaving town. Perfect at the end of a meal with dark chocolate, dried fruits and a glass of Port.

COWS EXTRA-OLD CHEDDAR in the 'Old, Extra Old Cheddar' category
This raw milk Cheddar comes all the way from PEI to blow your mind! Its firm and smooth paste has a beautiful lactic aroma and a tangy flavour that makes it great in recipes as well as paired with a glass of robust red wine.

LE BALUCHON in the 'organic cheese' category
One of my favourite washed-rind cheeses, this one has the bonus of being made from whole organic milk. Nutty, supple and simply delicious with a glass of off-dry white wine.