Brief notes

Mobul Madness, Rogue Ales, OR

2012-01-14T14:56:00.000-08:00

6.5% ABV, a winter ale. Kind of belgiumy, little bit dark, tasty, Quite liked it.

Brockton IPA, Granville Island Brewing, BC

2011-12-31T11:38:00.000-08:00

GI is trying to brew a beer that tastes different from their others, but they didn't try very hard. Its boring. Hoppy, but not very, won't satisfy people who like over-hopped beers. And its not very balanced, won't make people who like more traditional IPAs happy either. Oh, well.

Nasty Habit IPA, Mt. Begbie, BC

2011-12-31T11:35:00.000-08:00

Another hoppy, american-style IPA. OK, but not standout. Don't think I'd buy it again, though it was only $4.95, I think, for a 650ml bottle, so its cheap if you like hoppy!

Also called a "strong beer", but at 6%ABV... that seems a weak claim.

Total Domination IPA, Ninkasi, OR

2011-12-31T11:33:00.000-08:00

American style IPA, i.e., totally hoppy. First time I tasted it I was a bit, "oh, one of these over the top ones". Next time it tasted more balanced. Anyhow, they know their market and are hopping to it. 6.7%ABV.

Bam Noire, Jolly Pumpkin, FL

2011-12-31T11:25:00.000-08:00

Like they say, its a Dark Farmhouse Ale. A bit sour, complex, lots of different flavours. I liked it a bunch. Also, one of those expensive, need-an-excuse to buy beers. Too bad.

Nostradamus, Brasserie Caracole, BE

2011-12-31T11:22:00.000-08:00

9%ABV, super tasty, dark, rich, very expensive... Julie and I shared it on Christmas Eve.

Abbey Ale, Abita, LA

2011-12-31T11:21:00.000-08:00

This was a belgian style. It was OK. Julie quite liked it, I found it a bit sweet.

Christmas Ale, Abita, LA

2011-12-31T11:17:00.000-08:00

Never had a beer from Louisiana before... my mother brought these back from New Orleans.

The Christmas ale was spiced, but not overpowering, quite enjoyed it.

Whiskey Jack, Whistler Brewing Company, BC

2011-07-14T08:34:00.001-07:00

Used to be a good brewery, I don't think they are anymore, but I'm running out of new beer to taste at the local BC liquor store. Tried this. Tasted fine, but not so interesting.

Pale Ale, Okanagan Springs, BC

2011-07-14T08:33:00.001-07:00

Its a decent pale ale, some flavour, cold, but not something I'd look for.

Deckhand Belgian Saison, Lighthouse, BC

2011-07-14T08:31:00.001-07:00

Wasn't the best saison I've had, but enjoyable. Might try it again.

Belle Royale, Driftwood, BC

2011-07-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

"Strong Belgian Cherry Ale"

Sure, its cherry flavored, but sour instead of sweet. I liked it! I'd really like to have a glass on draft.

Bob's Your Dunkel, Mt. Begbie, BC

2011-07-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

Its a dunkel. Tasty.

The Immortal IPA, Elysian, WA

2011-07-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

I remember liking it...

Ginger Beer, Phillips, BC

2011-07-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I bought this. I like cooked ginger, but not raw ginger tasting things.

Julie said she didn't hate it, but I notice she never finished a glass.

I poured it out. Seems to be a trend, I noticed another at the store, but I won't be trying that one.

Imperial IPA, Granville Island Brewing, BC

2011-04-29T19:53:00.000-07:00

Hoppy, 8.2%ABV. A limited release. Tasty, but I think I'm going off IPAs. I started drinking hoppier beers a year or two ago with Chris, who really liked them a the time. I think I'm saturating!

Rockfish Red Ale, Howe Sound, BC

2011-04-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

5.3%ABV

Cuvee D'Hiver, Driftwood, BC

2011-04-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

Despite the name, I think it'd make a better summer time beer. A bit of Belgian complexity, but light, bit hoppy, and clean. Perfect for sitting around a picnic table in the afternoon sun.

Don de Dieu, Unibroue, QC

2011-04-12T19:23:00.001-07:00

9%. My favourite, tasted head to head against the Fin du Monde and Maudite. Doesn't taste as strong, more balanced.

Hoperation Tripel Cross Belgian IPA, Phillips, BC

2011-04-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

Hoppy, complex, tasty, 8%.

ESB, Swans, BC

2011-04-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

Can't remember...

Blackheart Oatmeal Stout, Nelson Brewing Company, BC

2011-04-12T19:09:00.000-07:00

Not very stout, but a decent dark beer. Bit of bitterness from the roast.

Amnesiac Double IPA, Phillips, BC

2011-04-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

8.5%, tasty, hoppy. Nice!

Big Bear Black Stout, Bear Republic, CA

2011-02-12T15:21:00.000-08:00

Rich, 8.1%ABV, tasty, good.

Red Label?, Chimay, BE

2011-02-06T16:31:00.000-08:00

Chimay strong ale... no name? They just have colors? Hm. Strong ale, 7%ABV. Tasty!

Chocolate Mint Brown Ale, Dead Frog, BC

2011-01-30T21:25:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you know it will be bad... and you just want to know _how_ bad.

Well, we drank most of the bottle. A small glass with desert is OK.

Tastes like beer flavored with after-8 mints. Hm.

Pommeau de Bretagne, Manoir dur Kinkiz, FR

2011-01-28T10:05:00.000-08:00

I loved this! Its a mistelle, a mixture of juice and distilled alcohol, in this case apple juice and eau-de-vie of apple. It was rich, complex, sweet but not too, 17% alcohol, and I wish I could buy it here! Thomas brought a bottle from France.

Taunt yourself by viewing it on the web

Surly Blonde Big Belgian Triple, Phillips, BC

2011-01-28T10:02:00.002-08:00

A nice winter beer, warming!

Scottish Ale, Granville Island, BC

2011-01-28T10:02:00.001-08:00

Their seasonal. Its OK.

Hoppelganger, R&B, BC

2011-01-28T10:01:00.001-08:00

Tasty, hoppy, as advertised.

Crooked Coast Amber Ale, Driftwood, BC

2011-01-18T22:12:00.001-08:00

Slightly sweet and reddish. Tasty.

The Hammer Imperial Stout, Phillips, BC

2011-01-18T22:10:00.001-08:00

Nice rich 8.3% imperial stout.

Red Racer Pale Ale, Central City Brewing, BC

2011-01-09T10:03:00.000-08:00

Simple, tasty, drinkable, economical. A well-crafted ale.

Blackberry Porter, Cannery Brewing, BC

2011-01-09T09:32:00.000-08:00

As I remembered, not so great, tastes like flavoured beer... which of course is what you expect when you drink a flavoured beer, but still.

Red Racer Pumpkin Ale, Central City Brewing, BC

2011-01-08T21:35:00.000-08:00

Enjoyable seasonal, I bought a few six packs of it, but its gone now.

Avatar Jasmine IPA, Elysian, CO

2011-01-08T21:31:00.000-08:00

I bought this out of curiosity, it seemed a long shot, but Julie likes jasmine.

What a pleasant surprise! Its not really an IPA, if the hops were strong Julie wouldn't like it, it seems to me they "dry-hopped" it with jasmine flowers, and it works really, really well! A few weeks after drinking a few in the bottle, I found it on tap at the Whip, but only a temporary thing.

Night Owl Pumpkin Ale, Elysian, CO

2011-01-08T21:26:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I can't remember, but I think it was good...

Saison de Dottignies, Br. De Ranke, BE

2011-01-08T21:24:00.000-08:00

I've been really enjoying Saisons in the last year. Its my new discovery, so imagine my surprise in getting one from Belgium, the source, and it wasn't good. Kindof sour, in a bad way.

Double Chocolate Stout, Young's, UK

2011-01-08T21:22:00.000-08:00

On sale at the liquor store, I now know why!

Yuck, degulas, it tastes like an OK stout that had chocolate flavoring added, slightly medicinal, and cheap.

Old Ruby Ale, Waitrose?, UK

2011-01-08T21:19:00.000-08:00

Slightly sweet, organic, tasty. Also, reasonably cheap, despite being imported. I like the cents/ml price they have on the shelf at the BC liquor stores!

Porter, Eel River Brewing Company, CA

2011-01-08T21:18:00.000-08:00

Think it was OK, but can't rightly recall...

Redecorate your home!

2010-10-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

I had a coffee with a friend of mine, Wanda, a few months ago (I think, paternity is a blur), to talk about how to do an easy website for her new business. I ran into her on Broadway today, while Julie was getting a haircut, and she's gone and started La Claire Interiors, check it out!

Recidive, Brasseurs et Freres, QC

2010-09-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

An irish style stout, dry, low alcohol (4.8% ABV), and tasty.

Weizen Imperiale - Grande Cuvee, Les Trois Mousquetaires Microbrasseurs, QC

2010-09-02T10:50:00.000-07:00

Really nice, little bit sweet and hazy, 8%ABV. I'll try some more of their beers.

Jack d'Or, Pretty Things, MA

2010-08-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

prettythingsbeertoday.com make a nice "American Saison". Interestingly, despite its complicated spicy flavour, it doesn't have any spices in it. They are very emphatic on the web page about that! I guess that's different from Driftwood's Farmhand Ale, which does have some black pepper in it.

I think I like Saisons, this one is a bit expensive for regular drinking, despite its beautiful bottle, but I want to try more!

Orange Blossom Cream Ale, Buffalo Bill's Brewery, CA

2010-08-05T20:12:00.000-07:00

"Ale brewed with honey; orange peel, natural flavor and orange extract added."

It was OK, but tasted faintly like orange crush, to me.

Julie on the other hand, really liked it.

Old Rasputin XI Imperial Stout, North Coast Brewery, CA

2010-08-05T20:08:00.000-07:00

Wow, delicious! Like the Rasputin, but thicker, deeper, richer, with a hint of the bourbon! Yum. And a bit expensive...

Chicory Stout, Dogfish Head, DE

2010-06-16T22:40:00.002-07:00

Chris brought some of this by this evening, and its now one of my favourite of Dogfish Head's beers.

Advertises itself as having chicory and coffee in it... This could have gone terribly wrong, I'm hard-pressed to recall and beer with coffee in it that I liked, despite really liking coffee. Its just a rich, complex, slightly dry, stout. Not nearly the weirdness I would've expected from Dogfish, which is a good thing!

Driftwood Ale, Driftwood Brewing, BC

2010-06-16T22:40:00.001-07:00

Tasty, but not as good as the Farmhand.

Farmhand Ale, Driftwood Brewing, BC

2010-06-16T22:37:00.000-07:00

Despite not liking a stout they made (and that I can't find on their site anymore), I really like their beer. Their "Farmhand Saison" is a regular at the Dix Caskivals (I suppose we won't see these again?), and I always grab a glass. Anyhow, I like this a lot. Interesting, but not weird, and very tasty.

Pompous Pompadour Porter, Fat Cat, BC

2010-04-26T18:06:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I can't remember, its been a busy month. I drank and enjoyed it, and the memory is gone...

London Porter, Paddock Wood, SK

2010-04-26T18:02:00.000-07:00

We got this on a trip to Skaha, it's brewed in Saskatoon, and a solid dry porter. Tasty.

Searching for an Oyster Stout...

2010-04-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

I want to taste one, but haven't been able to find one.

The Porterhouse makes one, but doesn't bottle it, so Emma couldn't bring me one back. If anyone sees one... direct me, please!

Hop Head Beyond the Pale, The Porterhouse, Ireland

2010-04-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

A fine hoppy IPA-style beer, again, one of the three brought back from Ireland by Emma. This one was 5% ABV.

An Brainbla'sta, The Porterhouse, Ireland

2010-04-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

The name is some kind of Gaelic pun... At 7%ABV, its strong by their standards. Not so much here, but a tasty ale, slightly hoppy. Good.

Plain Porter, The Porterhouse, Ireland

2010-04-26T17:51:00.000-07:00

Emma brought some of the porterhouses beer from dublin.

This was a really nice dry porter. Too bad they are so far away...

Interstingly, it was only 4.7%ABV.

Midnight Sun Espresso Stout, Yukon Brewing Company, YK

2010-02-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

It was cheap, only $13.95 for 6, and I've never had a beer from the Yukon. It's horrid. I couldn't finish my first bottle, and gave the other's away. Maybe somebody else likes coffee flavoured beer, but not me. It doesn't taste so much like coffee, but more like coffee grounds. Yuck.

The Ladies of Grace Adieu, Susanna Clark

2010-02-01T22:56:00.002-08:00

And other stories.

Dune, Frank Herbert

2010-02-01T22:56:00.001-08:00

Again.

Nation, Terry Pratchett

2010-02-01T22:55:00.000-08:00

Marzen, Russel Brewing, BC

2010-02-01T22:52:00.001-08:00

Thomas gave me this one, I think he's trying to convert me to german style beers.

He's doing OK. Their lagers seem sweeter and more flavourful than the style you get here.

Deadhead Barley Wine 09, Phillips, BC

2010-02-01T22:50:00.000-08:00

At 10%, mildly alcoholic. It was ok.

Acme California Pale Ale, North Coast Brewing, CA

2010-02-01T16:11:00.001-08:00

Good, slightly malty, not as good as the Stouts, or the Pranqster.

Old Rasputin XII Russian Imperial Stout, North Coast Brewing, CA

2010-02-01T16:09:00.000-08:00

Wow. Fabulous.

Like the Rasputin, but better.

Marzen, Russel Brewing, BC

2010-01-26T19:43:00.001-08:00

The City & the City, China Mieville

2010-01-23T14:22:00.002-08:00

The Dragons of Babel, Michael Swanwick

2010-01-23T14:22:00.001-08:00

Interesting Times, Terry Pratchett

2010-01-23T14:21:00.001-08:00

PranQster, North Coast Brewing, CA

2009-12-20T22:44:00.000-08:00

http://www.northcoastbrewing.com/beer-Pranqster.htm

Tasty! Chris brought me on of these, and it was good!

Winter Ale, Lighthouse Brewing, BC

2009-12-20T16:46:00.000-08:00

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.

Raison d'Etre, Dogfish Head, DE

2009-12-20T16:41:00.000-08:00

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.

Acme IPA, North Coast Brewing, CA

2009-12-20T16:37:00.000-08:00

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

Old No. 38 Stout, North Coast Brewing, CA

2009-11-30T23:07:00.000-08:00

A great stout, thoroughly delicious, and the third really great beer I've had from this brewery

Is bacon _always_ a good thing?

2009-09-23T23:11:00.000-07:00

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.

Restaurants I keep meaning to check out...

2009-09-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

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.

Advice on belaying, Lynn Hill

2009-09-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

A surprise, an incredibly lemony (from the yeast) and delicious wheat ale from Kronenbourg. I really like this!

Blanche de Chambly, Unibroue, QC

2009-09-05T18:06:00.000-07:00

Been really liking the wheat ales this summer, this is a good one from Unibroue, fairly frothy, but not very lemony.

Green Lakes Organic Ale, Deschutes Brewery, OR

2009-09-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

La Fin du Monde, Unibroue, QC

2009-09-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

9%ABV

Race Rocks Amber, Lighthouse Brewing, BC

2009-09-05T18:02:00.000-07:00

Westmalle Dubbel Trappist Ale

2009-09-05T18:01:00.000-07:00

7%ABV

Westmalle Tripel Trappist Ale

2009-09-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

9.5% ABV

Trappistes Rochefort 6, BE

2009-09-05T17:59:00.000-07:00

7.5% ABV

Trappistes Rochefort 8, BE

2009-09-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

9.2% ABV

Storm King Imperial Stout, Victory, PA

2009-09-05T17:54:00.000-07:00

A tasty rich stout.

Red Thistle Ale, Golden Valley Brewery, OR

2009-09-05T17:53:00.001-07:00

Organic Amber Ale, Pacific Western Brewing, BC

2009-09-05T17:47:00.000-07:00

Black Amber Ale, Big Rock Brewery, AB

2009-09-05T17:46:00.000-07:00

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.

Maudite, Unibroue, QC

2009-09-05T17:45:00.001-07:00

8% ABV, tasty, biere forte sur lie

The White Tiger, Aravind Adiga

2009-09-05T17:42:00.001-07:00

Polaris, Jack McDevitt

2009-09-05T17:41:00.001-07:00

The Atrocity Archives, Charles Stross

2009-09-05T17:40:00.002-07:00

A Hat Full of Sky, Terry Pratchett

2009-09-05T17:40:00.001-07:00

Truckers, Terry Pratchett

2009-09-05T17:39:00.000-07:00

Wintersmith, Terry Pratchett

2009-09-05T17:38:00.002-07:00

Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson

2009-09-05T17:38:00.001-07:00

The Family Trade, Charles Stross

2009-09-05T17:37:00.001-07:00

Sea Cider in a Bourbon Cask, Sea Cider, BC

2009-07-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

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.

Black Bear XX Stout, Alameda, OR

2009-06-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

Almost an imperial stout, 7%, big and tasty.