http://www.northcoastbrewing.com/beer-Pranqster.htm
Tasty! Chris brought me on of these, and it was good!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Winter Ale, Lighthouse Brewing, BC
Decent, simple ale, with faint hints of spices, nutmeg according to Emma.
Advertised as "strong", but I don't think I'd call 6.5% strong, unless you are particularly weak-kneed.
Don't think I'll buy it again. They avoided making anything horrid in their winter ale, but didn't create anything distinctive, either.
Advertised as "strong", but I don't think I'd call 6.5% strong, unless you are particularly weak-kneed.
Don't think I'll buy it again. They avoided making anything horrid in their winter ale, but didn't create anything distinctive, either.
Raison d'Etre, Dogfish Head, DE
A reasonable beer, from an unreasonable brewery.
First time I had it we bought a flat of 24. For some reason the liquor stores in that part of Ohio only sell in bulk... god knows why, but I suspect they don't want people who can't afford large amounts of beer drinking.
Anyhow, we needed beer before driving into West Virginia, the further you drive south, the better the chance you'll be in a dry county, or just one where Michelob is considered a preimium ale.
First time I had it we bought a flat of 24. For some reason the liquor stores in that part of Ohio only sell in bulk... god knows why, but I suspect they don't want people who can't afford large amounts of beer drinking.
Anyhow, we needed beer before driving into West Virginia, the further you drive south, the better the chance you'll be in a dry county, or just one where Michelob is considered a preimium ale.
Acme IPA, North Coast Brewing, CA
Another fine beer from North Coast. It's an IPA, but it also has some of the sweet smoky taste I like in their other beers. I'm not sure exactly what they are doing here, but in my opinion, there is a shared flavour across the 4 of their beers that I taste. Luckily, I quite like that flavour!
http://www.northcoastbrewing.com/beer-AcmeIPA.htm
http://www.northcoastbrewing.com/beer-AcmeIPA.htm
Monday, November 30, 2009
Old No. 38 Stout, North Coast Brewing, CA
A great stout, thoroughly delicious, and the third really great beer I've had from this brewery
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Is bacon _always_ a good thing?
A deep philosophical question... to be contemplated over breakfast.
I have to say, I think there are some foods that are not so good to eat. Even with bacon on top.
I have to say, I think there are some foods that are not so good to eat. Even with bacon on top.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Restaurants I keep meaning to check out...
Chambar do nice muscles and a large selection of beer. They also do other food but I haven't tasted it.
Medina, which is right next door and owned by the same people do a FANTASTIC breakfast. They are famous for their waffles which come with things like pistachio white chocolate sauce. You have to be there when they open though to avoid the lineup. They do very strong coffee too.
Both places have a great atmosphere, both are expensive and popular.
I've also heard good things about Bonita down in gastown. I think it is along the lines of the Raincity Grill, in that they favour local organic food.
- I really like the Indian place on Davie - India Bistro. It's cheap and really good.
- Sandbar at Granville island for seafood
There's that place on Main, right before the viaduct, on the east side..
http://www.vanmag.com/restaurant/The_Flying_Tiger
http://www.theflyingtiger.ca/information.html
Across town in the Shangri-La hotel, Vongerichten’s Market has quickly established itself as the place to see and be seen, thanks primarily to its downtown location and slick, intimate bar. A supergroup of Vancouver hospitality was gathered from well-known restaurants around the city, bringing a built-in clientele. Vongerichten’s menu is basically a compendium of his most famous dishes: rice-cracker-crusted tuna, warm asparagus salad with truffle vinaigrette and Hollandaise, grilled rack of lamb with smoked chili glaze and oyster mushrooms. The best dishes—an ethereal sea urchin and yuzu toast with jalapeno, the richest butternut squash soup imaginable, rich and sticky soy-glazed short ribs with apple-jalapeno purée and rosemary crumbs—are thrilling. Such triumphs make the duds—an amateurish red snapper with black beans, avocado, sake and ginger, a flabby foie gras brûlée—seem even more disappointing. Still, with nearly all of the entrees coming in under $30, the restaurant is priced comparably with the rash of “upscale casual” restaurants that have broken out all over B.C. Market outshines the best of them.
Medina, which is right next door and owned by the same people do a FANTASTIC breakfast. They are famous for their waffles which come with things like pistachio white chocolate sauce. You have to be there when they open though to avoid the lineup. They do very strong coffee too.
Both places have a great atmosphere, both are expensive and popular.
I've also heard good things about Bonita down in gastown. I think it is along the lines of the Raincity Grill, in that they favour local organic food.
- I really like the Indian place on Davie - India Bistro. It's cheap and really good.
- Sandbar at Granville island for seafood
There's that place on Main, right before the viaduct, on the east side..
http://www.vanmag.com/restaurant/The_Flying_Tiger
http://www.theflyingtiger.ca/information.html
Across town in the Shangri-La hotel, Vongerichten’s Market has quickly established itself as the place to see and be seen, thanks primarily to its downtown location and slick, intimate bar. A supergroup of Vancouver hospitality was gathered from well-known restaurants around the city, bringing a built-in clientele. Vongerichten’s menu is basically a compendium of his most famous dishes: rice-cracker-crusted tuna, warm asparagus salad with truffle vinaigrette and Hollandaise, grilled rack of lamb with smoked chili glaze and oyster mushrooms. The best dishes—an ethereal sea urchin and yuzu toast with jalapeno, the richest butternut squash soup imaginable, rich and sticky soy-glazed short ribs with apple-jalapeno purée and rosemary crumbs—are thrilling. Such triumphs make the duds—an amateurish red snapper with black beans, avocado, sake and ginger, a flabby foie gras brûlée—seem even more disappointing. Still, with nearly all of the entrees coming in under $30, the restaurant is priced comparably with the rash of “upscale casual” restaurants that have broken out all over B.C. Market outshines the best of them.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Advice on belaying, Lynn Hill
From Gripped, volume nine, issue five, good advice from Lynn Hill:
Taking the time to learn technique to keep you and your partner safe is a responsibility that every climber needs to address. Pay attention while belaying, and pay out just enough slack so that your partner isn't fighting against you to get the slack they need. When a fall happens, you're going to pull in as much slack as you can and jump as the rope catches your partner. Unless you weigh less than your partner, jumping will soften the fall on their end by providing a dynamic belay. Keep yourself safe while belaying. Watch your stance, and where you're going to get pulled to when when a fall happens. Belaying is a serious responsibility, and if done incorrectly, someone could get hurt, and it is often the belayer.
Blanc, Kronenbourg, FR
A surprise, an incredibly lemony (from the yeast) and delicious wheat ale from Kronenbourg. I really like this!
Blanche de Chambly, Unibroue, QC
Been really liking the wheat ales this summer, this is a good one from Unibroue, fairly frothy, but not very lemony.
Black Amber Ale, Big Rock Brewery, AB
I thought I used to like this beer... it was the only interesting thing in the Canmore beer stores, a pretty sad showing.
Anyhow, I poured the last few out. Not tasty.
Anyhow, I poured the last few out. Not tasty.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sea Cider in a Bourbon Cask, Sea Cider, BC
I can't find mention of it on the website, but it was very tasty, and very strong.
There was a cask down at the Alibi. It was 10%ABV, which became obvious after the first glass...
It had a nice bourbon smell at first, but after about half a glass that faded, and it was mostly just oaky.
It was strong and a bit sour, but I quite liked it. Julie, not so much. We traded glasses and she finished my ESB.
There was a cask down at the Alibi. It was 10%ABV, which became obvious after the first glass...
It had a nice bourbon smell at first, but after about half a glass that faded, and it was mostly just oaky.
It was strong and a bit sour, but I quite liked it. Julie, not so much. We traded glasses and she finished my ESB.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Blackstone Porter, Driftwood, BC
Not great. Julie doesn't like it at all (0-star, she just gave me her glass).
Label calls it "bitter sweet", and I'd agree, but not in a good way.
But I'm finishing it.
--
Addendum, I wonder if the quality is variable? I've had it a few times since and quite liked it
Label calls it "bitter sweet", and I'd agree, but not in a good way.
But I'm finishing it.
--
Addendum, I wonder if the quality is variable? I've had it a few times since and quite liked it
Chocolate Cherry Porter, Tin Whistle, BC
Oops. Julie saw this down at Brewery Creek, and was curious. I thought, how bad could it be?
Well, I just poured it down the sink, putting it in a very select group of beers, indeed.
I managed to be both sweet and sour, all at the same time. Not good. Neither Julie or I could do it.
After all, if you're drinking, but not liking the beer, maybe you have a problem?
The first 0-star on the blog, a category reserved for beers I won't finish.
Well, I just poured it down the sink, putting it in a very select group of beers, indeed.
I managed to be both sweet and sour, all at the same time. Not good. Neither Julie or I could do it.
After all, if you're drinking, but not liking the beer, maybe you have a problem?
The first 0-star on the blog, a category reserved for beers I won't finish.
Pliny the Elder, Russian River Brewing, CA
Chris requested a few of these be brought back from out trip to California.
It looks pretty uninviting, what can I say, strangely simply label, clear color, what could Chris see in this?
Then I tasted it. Yum! Very hoppy, an 8%ABV kick, apparently its been winning prizes in the double IPA categories, and I can see why!
It looks pretty uninviting, what can I say, strangely simply label, clear color, what could Chris see in this?
Then I tasted it. Yum! Very hoppy, an 8%ABV kick, apparently its been winning prizes in the double IPA categories, and I can see why!
Beer Town Brown, Bridgeport Brewing, OR
I avoided having another after the first, luckily Julie didn't mind them.
Just not very good.
Just not very good.
Double Barrel Ale, Firestone Walker Brewing, CA
Unremarkable, but quite drinkable. Sorry, it was a few weeks ago.
Indian Brown Ale, Dogfish Head, DE
The best Dogfish beer I've ever had, and one of only two I'd buy again (the Raison d'Etre is the other).
A mild ale, with a sweet finish. Simple, enjoyable, and an accident. The grocery story in Bishop we were going to always seemed to have it's boxes of beer mixed up... there was a single Brown in the 4-pack of Pumkin, thank heavens for small blessings!
A mild ale, with a sweet finish. Simple, enjoyable, and an accident. The grocery story in Bishop we were going to always seemed to have it's boxes of beer mixed up... there was a single Brown in the 4-pack of Pumkin, thank heavens for small blessings!
Punkin Ale, Dogfish Head, DE
It's not easy to make a good pumpkin pie flavored beer... and Dogfish made the worst I've tried.
Shipyard's Pumpkinhead Ale is the only I've tasted that was good, and it was so good I'd bring flats of 24 back to Toronto with me after fall climbing trips to Rumney.
Anyhow, I keep searching for another good one, and this one was mildly unpleasant.
Shipyard's Pumpkinhead Ale is the only I've tasted that was good, and it was so good I'd bring flats of 24 back to Toronto with me after fall climbing trips to Rumney.
Anyhow, I keep searching for another good one, and this one was mildly unpleasant.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Toronado Beer Dinner, Toronto, ON
Sometimes you're in the wrong place at the wrong time, like when I wasn't at this dinner.... :-(
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Yellow Snow IPA, Rogue, OR
It's ok. Definitely hoppy, simple, drinkable, but a bit expense up here (except that its at the local liquor store).
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Went climbing yesterday, in Squamish!
It was over 10 degrees, and beautifully warm in the sun. It hadn't rained all week, and felt like a warm day in autumn. So nice to feel the rock under hand again.
I went with Thomas, Ilse, and David to the Malamute. The ocean was crystal clear, and no wind to speak of. We did some easy slab to warm up on 3 Stooges, and then Dave and I took a shot at Science Friction.
Its a crazy balancy and technical 11d corner. Lots of secret hold around the corner, laybacking a rounded arrete with feet smearing on tiny crystals... very fun! It was pretty slow the first time, but I got to the top in less than a half-dozen falls second time around, that's progress. The first time doesn't bear thinking about, but lets say Dave is a patient belayer.
Andy Cairns was out doing some circuits on the route left of us, and taking pictures, and sent me a few. Very nice of him, and its great to have climbing pictures that aren't taken from the ground!
I went with Thomas, Ilse, and David to the Malamute. The ocean was crystal clear, and no wind to speak of. We did some easy slab to warm up on 3 Stooges, and then Dave and I took a shot at Science Friction.
Its a crazy balancy and technical 11d corner. Lots of secret hold around the corner, laybacking a rounded arrete with feet smearing on tiny crystals... very fun! It was pretty slow the first time, but I got to the top in less than a half-dozen falls second time around, that's progress. The first time doesn't bear thinking about, but lets say Dave is a patient belayer.
Andy Cairns was out doing some circuits on the route left of us, and taking pictures, and sent me a few. Very nice of him, and its great to have climbing pictures that aren't taken from the ground!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Chilliwack Blonde, Old Yale Brewing Co, BC
OK, but another of the ones from behind the desk... bit sweet, bit mild, not so hoppy.
High Country Kolsch, Mt. Begbie Brewing Co., BC
OK, but maybe shouldn't have been left behind a desk for a year...
And only 4.5%! Would like to try it again.
And only 4.5%! Would like to try it again.
Hop Head India Pale Ale, Tree Brewing, BC
I needed a hoppy beer to go with Marie's Birthday Indian food Feast, and this is all that was available.
It was tasty enough, but I don't think I'll be buying more of it, I don't like Tree's lawyers (see here for more info).
It was tasty enough, but I don't think I'll be buying more of it, I don't like Tree's lawyers (see here for more info).
Old Yale Pale Ale, Old Yale Brewing Co., BC
A little sweet, a little hoppy. Quite nice.
From a set of beers Julie bought for the Maillardville Cinq-a-Sept, but then left behind Jim's desk for a year... none of them have preservatives, but they seem to have made it pretty well.
From a set of beers Julie bought for the Maillardville Cinq-a-Sept, but then left behind Jim's desk for a year... none of them have preservatives, but they seem to have made it pretty well.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Slipstream Cream Ale, Phillips, BC
Ok, I tried this before, and thought it had gone bad. It had, but its still a terrible beer.
Mike's had it before, and claims it was OK, but none of us had anything good to say about this latest try.
It tasted distinctly watered down, literally, like beer mixed with water, and ending with a strange and unpleasant flavour. The batch that was bad had a similar flavour, but much more intense. What are they thinking?
Mike's had it before, and claims it was OK, but none of us had anything good to say about this latest try.
It tasted distinctly watered down, literally, like beer mixed with water, and ending with a strange and unpleasant flavour. The batch that was bad had a similar flavour, but much more intense. What are they thinking?
Agate Pass Amber Ale, Hood Canal Brewery, WA
Glenn brought this up from Washington. I guess there's no rules about these things, I would expect an Amber ale to be a bit sweet and bland, but not this one. It was amber, but was also pretty distinctly hoppy. Good, not great.
The brewery.
The brewery.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Maple Stout, Cannery, BC
Cannery Brewing - Maple stout, tried at the Alibi room - but only a shot glass. Way too mapley, not so good.
Dances for a Small Stage 20, BC
Saw the program B, most of it, of Dances for a Small Stage.
Not great. In fairness, showing up after 3 hours at the Alibi room sampling the taps was ill-planned, its hard to focus, and the darkness puts me to sleep.
Still, the pieces, not so great.
Mostly, I don't ask "why", because the answer should be "why not?". Not everything needs a purpose. But once I'm bored, I start to. Its not clear why some people are on stage. Dancers are a pleasure to see, they move well, they've years of training, incredibly fit... but thats not enough reason to show up on stage. Or maybe it is, but not enough reason for me to watch.
Not great. In fairness, showing up after 3 hours at the Alibi room sampling the taps was ill-planned, its hard to focus, and the darkness puts me to sleep.
Still, the pieces, not so great.
- Cori Caulfield - not sure what the point was, it seemed to be "I'm really hot, and I have a tiny top", which is true, but not such great dance, mostly a prolonged wiggle.
- A piece not on the online program, choreographed by Crystal Pite?, also not too sure what the point was, maybe "pink wigs with four foot hair are cool, and I'm beautiful", which is true, but the movement was only a bit more interesting than the first.
- Tedd Robinson - he's weird! Budha statues in suit cases! Fans, blowing blue feathers, strange oriental kimonos, and done by the time he walked to the center of the stage. WTF? But who cares, not boring, not pretentious, then its over!
- Wen Wei Wang- "I've got a rose sticking out of my pants like a hardon, and I'm rubbing little pink shoes up and down my crotch - are you wondering what's going on?". Uh, yeah, I am.
- Chengxin Wei - "I can dance". Ok. Why?
Mostly, I don't ask "why", because the answer should be "why not?". Not everything needs a purpose. But once I'm bored, I start to. Its not clear why some people are on stage. Dancers are a pleasure to see, they move well, they've years of training, incredibly fit... but thats not enough reason to show up on stage. Or maybe it is, but not enough reason for me to watch.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Extreme Carting!
The NFB is starting to go online! Extreme carting... how fast can you coast a shopping cart?
Lets find out...
Lets find out...
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Red Racer Winter Ale, Central City, BC
It's a limited edition, so you can't find it on Central City's web site.
I like it. Its warm and tasty, a bit spicy on the finish, which clears out the sweet start. Got a 6-pack of cans. Be better on tap. I have to make a field trip out to Central City, try some of their beer.
I like it. Its warm and tasty, a bit spicy on the finish, which clears out the sweet start. Got a 6-pack of cans. Be better on tap. I have to make a field trip out to Central City, try some of their beer.
Bah Humbug, Wychwood, UK
Can barely taste the cinammon (i.e., after being told its there, I can imagine I can taste it).
Basically, a bit sweet, but only 5.0%ABV. Its OK.
Basically, a bit sweet, but only 5.0%ABV. Its OK.
Augustijn Grand Cru, Van Steenberge, BE
The grand cru of the Augustijn that I've tried before.
What can I say, sweeter and higher alcohol content.
Lots of flavour, I'd have to confess, but whatever its called, this particular style of beer is not my favorite. Maybe with the right food? At the right time? Just before bed, by a warm fire, with the intention of getting drunk, eating sharp cheese, and a gentle back massage by my sweetie?
What can I say, sweeter and higher alcohol content.
Lots of flavour, I'd have to confess, but whatever its called, this particular style of beer is not my favorite. Maybe with the right food? At the right time? Just before bed, by a warm fire, with the intention of getting drunk, eating sharp cheese, and a gentle back massage by my sweetie?
Biere des Ours, La Binchoise, BE
"Bear Beer", made with honey. I got a few bottles for Christmas.
Sweet, heavy, and high alcohol (8.4%ABV). Its OK, but not a favorite style of mine.
Sweet, heavy, and high alcohol (8.4%ABV). Its OK, but not a favorite style of mine.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Camping in Manning Park, BC
Nous sommes allés faire du camping d'hiver à Manning park vendredi denier. Nous avons eu beaucoup de plaisir. Nous avons commencé par faire du "tubing" avec remontée mécanique! Des vrais pachas... On the photo you can see me, then Alex, Thomas and the 5th one is Mike. Sam is ahead taking the picture! Plus tard, nous avons loué des patins et j'ai joué au hockey pour la première fois de ma vie. Yes, for the very first time. You might think that it is weird, knowing that I am from Québec but I just have bad memories of people playing hockey on the ice and being or too good for me to join, or just too passionate to include a beginner. A group of people asked if we wanted to join. They just waned to play and we did a friendly game with special rules : "shoot near the net only" so you have to do more passes and more collaboration. That was good. After a bit, even if it was -20 degrees, we where very warm! Après, retour au campement pour la fondue au fromage. C'était très bon! Mais il fesait de plus en plus froid. Nous avons terminé la soirée dans le "hot tub" du complexe hotelier de Manning... Après tout les campeurs aussi sont des invités non? Once we where warm enough we jumped in our triple sleeping bags and did not move for the night. There was frost at the top of my sleeping bag, in the small opening where air was coming in! In the morning, we had a high calories meal: bacon, sausages and veggies and we left to go for a 3 hour cross country tour. Alex et Thomas sont partis faire du ski alpin. We left for Vancouver around 4 pm and it was snowing, on the way back, all the way to Vancouver. Yep! Still snowing here!
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