On Tap

Stanley Park Brewing Big Jan Wears Pink Boots

Their Words

“Big Jan Wears Pink Boots is a delicious, sessionable Hazy IPA in tribute to Assistant Brewer, Rachel Young’s mother Jan. Coming in at 6.3 percent alc./vol. and 29 IBU, it showcases the 2021 Pink Boots hop blend, featuring notes of citrus, tropical fruit, and a hint of pine.”

Taste Test

Been avoiding IPAs because you still have PTSD from that time you followed up three Green Flash Brewing Palate Wreckers with two growlers of Harpoon Leviathan? Rest easy as the pleasantly nuanced Big Jan isn’t gunning for a place on the frontlines of the international hop wars. Instead, get ready for a beer that brings to mind freshly cut Hawaiian pineapple and juicy white grapefruit, which is to say is as refreshing as it is punchy thanks to the 6.3 percent ABV. As far as the appearance goes, as promised, hazy pretty well sums things up beautifully. The long dark winter has finally come to a close. While Big Jan Wears Pink Boots will have you dreaming of sunsets on the lake this summer, it’s a pretty great way to ring in the spring.

Deep Thoughts

Now that we’ve dealt with what’s in the can, let’s talk a bit about the backstory. Arriving for International Women’s Day, Big Jan Wears Pink Boots is the fourth and latest in an ongoing series of collaboration brews brought to you by the folks at Stanley Park. As with previous offerings, proceeds will be earmarked for the Pink Boots Society, which was founded to support women and nonbinary individuals working in the fermented and alcoholic beverage industry.

Rachel Young made use of Pink Boots’ resources when she was starting out in the East Van chapter of the B.C. craft beer industry. In a Big Jan video for the release, she notes “Traditional and economically, it’s been a very male dominated industry and women have always been a little overshadowed in that. Getting more women means more variety because they have a different point of view and they’ll bring different things to the table every single time.”

As for the woman on the label, Young’s mom spent 50 years working in nursing, where she was known to those around as Big Jan. This year’s collaboration tribute starts with a photo-inspired illustrated rendition of her mom, kicking back in a lawnchair with a cold one, a fishing pole, and her dog Norman the Spoodle by her side.

In the video, Young states,” I feel really honoured that I can contribute to something that actually helps inspire and encourage other women; and my family is tickled that this is something that other people get to enjoy and they get to learn about who she was as a woman, because she was pretty damn amazing.”
And, because you want to know, her boots on the label are pink.