As we hit a couple breweries the other day we wondered how one place taste so differently, and maybe even better, than another? Kind of a silly question, but when drinking two different company's same beers, say two brown ales, why is one so much better than the other?
There are a couple of obvious reasons and they boil down to one does it better. Or in other words they use the correct amount of the right flavours, time, and love. It's like why you can eat one chocolate cake and another chocolate cake and although they are identical, you like one better.
Maybe one person added an ingredient the other did not.
Or maybe it was you.
How much does your own personal likes and dislikes come into play? Let's use black liquorice as an example, some love it some do not so if it's my beer or cake, I'm not liking it, but someone will. I personally do not like winter porters with vanilla but they seem pretty popular. Anyway, there's that ingredient aspect of why one brown ale may taste better than another. The style may match, but that flavour they enhanced, I may not like.
Could timing come into it?
What if I was simply in the right mood for this brown versus the other? What if the ambience was set right that I was already predisposed to liking that one? How does that translate to other things I like?
What if my having a beer already primed my palate and mental space to like the second. Maybe that first one was never going to go well becasue I ate a samosa in the car right before and that ruined my taste for a brown ale. Maybe it was my fault and now I'm taking it out on the brewery.
What a tough business. You have a one shot deal to make me love that beer.
How do you set me up for success?
Should you have me rinse out my mouth somehow?
Should tell me what to look for, smell for and taste so it's already in my head before I even get it to my lips? Is that cheating?
At the very least should you ask what style I gravitate to so the one I pick is generally not off-putting?
Is all that my responsibility before I give you a try?
Monday, December 31, 2018
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Loving shopping again
It's so fun going into local liquor stores now. So many are supporting AB breweries with shelf space.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, January 1, 2018
Albeerta
Well 2017 was one for the beer books and it looks like 2018 will continue. With another 5 or so breweries coming there is talk now around saturation points.
Recent interviews and pieces say there's still market for these new beers and people to buy but when will we hit saturation? I think SK has room and MB, though we're only talking Winnipeg but AB has many breweries now. Hitting about 80 breweries this coming year
seems like 3 million people can drink more but where does it go? Check the map - Canadian craft map
I feel the saturation is in shelf space and pub taps. A bar with 10 taps welcomes local craft - we're seeing it, 10 taps is still only 10. The fight for tap space is here. Shelving, too. Tough to give all your space to only craft, only local. AB interprovincial tax has helped local beers here as we don't see much of SK, MB ON beers as we once did. BC still arrives.
What will happen?
I think we'll see two things.
We'll see some crafts not survive. That's sad to say as we love to see them come, but likely.
We'll see super local now form, too. We'll see brewpubs stay neighbourhood craft pubs. Like a lot Quebec brasseries they'll make their beer and sell in house. Hopefully the local sustains. This will see those in small AB towns do alright and make local Calgary/Edmonton strive for area business. There's got to be a Bowness brewery coming. Anyway there's the prediction.
We'll keep supporting local craft coast to coast and we hope you do, too.
Recent interviews and pieces say there's still market for these new beers and people to buy but when will we hit saturation? I think SK has room and MB, though we're only talking Winnipeg but AB has many breweries now. Hitting about 80 breweries this coming year
seems like 3 million people can drink more but where does it go? Check the map - Canadian craft map
I feel the saturation is in shelf space and pub taps. A bar with 10 taps welcomes local craft - we're seeing it, 10 taps is still only 10. The fight for tap space is here. Shelving, too. Tough to give all your space to only craft, only local. AB interprovincial tax has helped local beers here as we don't see much of SK, MB ON beers as we once did. BC still arrives.
What will happen?
I think we'll see two things.
We'll see some crafts not survive. That's sad to say as we love to see them come, but likely.
We'll see super local now form, too. We'll see brewpubs stay neighbourhood craft pubs. Like a lot Quebec brasseries they'll make their beer and sell in house. Hopefully the local sustains. This will see those in small AB towns do alright and make local Calgary/Edmonton strive for area business. There's got to be a Bowness brewery coming. Anyway there's the prediction.
We'll keep supporting local craft coast to coast and we hope you do, too.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Beer Pairing Dinner
We recently hosted a pot luck where invitees were instructed to bring a dish as well as a beer they would pair with it. If you have the chance to, I totally recommend this undertaking. It doesn't take too much planning as you can find beer score ideas on the net as well as pairing hints. We ranked aroma, mouthfeel, taste and overall impression as well as pairing. Depending on your guests you can take all or some scoring from the bjcp program.
We paired Fernie's grapefruit IPA with samosas and it worked well. The grapefruit worked well with the spice. We also paired pulled pork with Longboat chocolate stout and, well, it won.
We paired Fernie's grapefruit IPA with samosas and it worked well. The grapefruit worked well with the spice. We also paired pulled pork with Longboat chocolate stout and, well, it won.
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Best Canadian 2, 4? An exercise in coaching
I was asked recently to offer suggestions of craft beer to buy for Thanksgiving guests. I get excited about these questions.
When answering, one should be wary of immediately advising and giving suggestions. You should remember to ask questions first.
Who are they buying for and what do they normally drink? You can then start offering craft related alternatives.
What is the goal? Trying new and adventurous? Impressing guests with table beer?
You don't want to turn people off of craft when they're looking to explore. Don't tell them to buy a double west coast ipa because you like it when they drink bud light. You lost them on their first sip.
Offer a comparable.
It seems logical, but I hear people do it all the time.
Lends me to think what my personal 2-4 would look like. And how it would differ from others.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
When answering, one should be wary of immediately advising and giving suggestions. You should remember to ask questions first.
Who are they buying for and what do they normally drink? You can then start offering craft related alternatives.
What is the goal? Trying new and adventurous? Impressing guests with table beer?
You don't want to turn people off of craft when they're looking to explore. Don't tell them to buy a double west coast ipa because you like it when they drink bud light. You lost them on their first sip.
Offer a comparable.
It seems logical, but I hear people do it all the time.
Lends me to think what my personal 2-4 would look like. And how it would differ from others.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, July 31, 2017
Crossing Canada
The quintessential Canadian road trip. A right of passage of sorts for all Canadians.
I like themes and what if beer was the theme? We did it 10 yrs ago now and thought we could but 7 kids later, 5 within the last 2 years says we need to wait.
It'd be a lot harder now. The growth in craft brewing these 10 yrs has been exponential! Hitting ON alone would be difficult. But what if?
Been working on a find beer app and mapped Canadian craft. It's here:
Canadian Craft Beer Map
That would be an endeavour
Then started thinking... what about those other great crafts? Spirits, ciders, meads and wine - the original. Also great trip reasons.
Even if you're not going coast to coast, maybe just finding local drinks when you are traveling in Canada is wanted. Really it's part of being elsewhere.
Drink local!
Maps of others follow:
Ciders: Canadian Craft Ciders
Spirits: Canadian Craft Distillers
Wine: Canadian Craft Wineries
Meads: Canadian Craft Meaderies
Enjoy local
I like themes and what if beer was the theme? We did it 10 yrs ago now and thought we could but 7 kids later, 5 within the last 2 years says we need to wait.
It'd be a lot harder now. The growth in craft brewing these 10 yrs has been exponential! Hitting ON alone would be difficult. But what if?
Been working on a find beer app and mapped Canadian craft. It's here:
Canadian Craft Beer Map
That would be an endeavour
Then started thinking... what about those other great crafts? Spirits, ciders, meads and wine - the original. Also great trip reasons.
Even if you're not going coast to coast, maybe just finding local drinks when you are traveling in Canada is wanted. Really it's part of being elsewhere.
Drink local!
Maps of others follow:
Ciders: Canadian Craft Ciders
Spirits: Canadian Craft Distillers
Wine: Canadian Craft Wineries
Meads: Canadian Craft Meaderies
Enjoy local
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Canada 150
I suppose I should have started this post a hundred plus days ago and posted a Canadian favourite a day, but as usual, didn't have the idea till too late
But my plea for now is to think through your beer of choice this Canada day weekend. If not beer then a Caesar or caribou. Prairie it up, too. If it's a vodka Caesar than use Last Mountain dill pickle vodka - great in the drink and very local. If a gin Caesar than maybe Park gin from Banff. If you're making caribou there are a lot of good Canadian ryes but use a Canadian wine please
Anyway, see the answer to what drink takes care and consideration to answer.
The Canadian beer you drink will depend on the availability in your area. For us it used to be that we'd buy a couple of favourites from all the AB breweries but that's become a large endeavour. Heck I remember one year way back 10 years where we had On, MB, SK and BC represented too.
If you try this, and are fortunate to live in Alberta, you can still do well
I haven't seen Quiddi Vidi in AB in a long time so Nfld may be tough and you used to find Propeller from NS and Gahan from PEI at Sobeys, but again, been a bit. You can still find Pumphouse and Moosehead from NB so that's a start.
Quebec's Unibroue has a great presence (I'll let you determine their fit based on parent company) but my go to is McAuslan's St Ambroise stout. Delicious!
ON comes and goes like those others with AB out of province tax, but I see Flying Monkey, Steamwhistle around still and Collective Arts from Hamilton a lot and they're good. Mill Street's got nice beers too but similar parental patterns as Unibroue
Manitoba has become tough. Half Pints would be nice to see a lot of again. Good luck it's worth the search
SK's most prevalent may be Great Western's Brewhouse but I see Black Bridge still around from speedy creek, too.
Alberta's rep in your cooler will be the toughest choice. I'll leave it in your capable hands. I'm leaning toward a Wild Rose / Big Rock staple cooler, but if I was bringing a bbq host gift I like Banded Peak or Hell's Basement. Dandy for that beery friend. All good as are the ones not listed.
BC still brings a lot here and if you haven't had a Fuggles and Warlock get one, otherwise Nelson, Tin Whistle, Howe Sound, Red Truck and more are all great picks
You can't loose
As long as you read the label and keep it Canadian this weekend (and the weekends to come)
But my plea for now is to think through your beer of choice this Canada day weekend. If not beer then a Caesar or caribou. Prairie it up, too. If it's a vodka Caesar than use Last Mountain dill pickle vodka - great in the drink and very local. If a gin Caesar than maybe Park gin from Banff. If you're making caribou there are a lot of good Canadian ryes but use a Canadian wine please
Anyway, see the answer to what drink takes care and consideration to answer.
The Canadian beer you drink will depend on the availability in your area. For us it used to be that we'd buy a couple of favourites from all the AB breweries but that's become a large endeavour. Heck I remember one year way back 10 years where we had On, MB, SK and BC represented too.
If you try this, and are fortunate to live in Alberta, you can still do well
I haven't seen Quiddi Vidi in AB in a long time so Nfld may be tough and you used to find Propeller from NS and Gahan from PEI at Sobeys, but again, been a bit. You can still find Pumphouse and Moosehead from NB so that's a start.
Quebec's Unibroue has a great presence (I'll let you determine their fit based on parent company) but my go to is McAuslan's St Ambroise stout. Delicious!
ON comes and goes like those others with AB out of province tax, but I see Flying Monkey, Steamwhistle around still and Collective Arts from Hamilton a lot and they're good. Mill Street's got nice beers too but similar parental patterns as Unibroue
Manitoba has become tough. Half Pints would be nice to see a lot of again. Good luck it's worth the search
SK's most prevalent may be Great Western's Brewhouse but I see Black Bridge still around from speedy creek, too.
Alberta's rep in your cooler will be the toughest choice. I'll leave it in your capable hands. I'm leaning toward a Wild Rose / Big Rock staple cooler, but if I was bringing a bbq host gift I like Banded Peak or Hell's Basement. Dandy for that beery friend. All good as are the ones not listed.
BC still brings a lot here and if you haven't had a Fuggles and Warlock get one, otherwise Nelson, Tin Whistle, Howe Sound, Red Truck and more are all great picks
You can't loose
As long as you read the label and keep it Canadian this weekend (and the weekends to come)
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Finding beer in Canada
Been looking at a lot of 'what ifs' lately.
With the onset of so many craft beers in Canada, trying them all is becoming a challenge. Before it was finding them, now it seems to be finding the different ones.
Maybe beer will become come completely regional; sort of like Quebec's brasseries, but with money needing to be made, I doubt it.
I think traveling in Canada and drinking local will become more and more popular, but how do you find a local craft while traveling?
I feel a giant data base coming on.
With the onset of so many craft beers in Canada, trying them all is becoming a challenge. Before it was finding them, now it seems to be finding the different ones.
Maybe beer will become come completely regional; sort of like Quebec's brasseries, but with money needing to be made, I doubt it.
I think traveling in Canada and drinking local will become more and more popular, but how do you find a local craft while traveling?
I feel a giant data base coming on.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Beer travels - If you brew it, we will come
This fascination with Canadian craft beer started 9 years ago with our cross Canada trip searching out and tasting Canada's new dawning
I don't know how we knew it, but we could feel the upswing of peoples' need for different beer
Becoming three of the first 10 members of Calgary's yeast wranglers beer enthusiast club contributed. No doubt. The enthusiasm of homebrewing and craft beer was infectious and it was great to know we weren't alone.
That year we visited most of Canada's craft breweries, but it has been difficult keeping up ever since.
Over the almost decade, we've maintained, but honestly, these last two or three really have seen the scene explode. Our Calgary hometown is the perfect example with near 20 spots set to be open by winter holidays. Thank goodness we live there and it allows us to keep up.
Regular vacations to family in BC and Nova Scotia help, too, as these are two other hotbeds.
Having missed the east coast last year it seems there 5 new breweries open and 11 in total with a craft spot now dotting each location around. There's some work to do in the coming weeks.
Thankfully it's still a labour of love. The craft community is still a small one in the nation comparably speaking and each conversation we have is still met with passion, pleasantries and well samples even though we've ultimately restricted ourselves to a twitter site, writing a little less all the time due to our other jobs.
We'll keep at it. Recent trips to Firkin Stein, Saltbox, Tatabrew and Spindrift have renewed our love of the craft and it's community so watch out Unfiltered, Schoolhouse and Meander River, and the rest of the nation because we're coming and we believe everyone else is too.
If you brew it, they will come
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I don't know how we knew it, but we could feel the upswing of peoples' need for different beer
Becoming three of the first 10 members of Calgary's yeast wranglers beer enthusiast club contributed. No doubt. The enthusiasm of homebrewing and craft beer was infectious and it was great to know we weren't alone.
That year we visited most of Canada's craft breweries, but it has been difficult keeping up ever since.
Over the almost decade, we've maintained, but honestly, these last two or three really have seen the scene explode. Our Calgary hometown is the perfect example with near 20 spots set to be open by winter holidays. Thank goodness we live there and it allows us to keep up.
Regular vacations to family in BC and Nova Scotia help, too, as these are two other hotbeds.
Having missed the east coast last year it seems there 5 new breweries open and 11 in total with a craft spot now dotting each location around. There's some work to do in the coming weeks.
Thankfully it's still a labour of love. The craft community is still a small one in the nation comparably speaking and each conversation we have is still met with passion, pleasantries and well samples even though we've ultimately restricted ourselves to a twitter site, writing a little less all the time due to our other jobs.
We'll keep at it. Recent trips to Firkin Stein, Saltbox, Tatabrew and Spindrift have renewed our love of the craft and it's community so watch out Unfiltered, Schoolhouse and Meander River, and the rest of the nation because we're coming and we believe everyone else is too.
If you brew it, they will come
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Bring a Local Beer this Holiday Season
Ok, ok I know we start each blog with 'sorry we don't blog anymore' but here we go.
So this holiday, living in the prairies affords you all sorts of wonderful local brews to enjoy
There's a lot of visiting and I say, instead of bringing that bottle of wine you'd normally bring, bring a couple big beers.
The obvious standards of Big Rock (great new recipes lately), Wildrose (cherry's out again), Alley Kat (dragon anyone?), Paddock Wood, Fort Garry, Half Pints, Grizzly Paw Norsemann, Bushwakkers and Brewsters (as if that's not enough) there's a few newer ones some guests may not have tried
Tool Shed
Village
Last Best
and all Bearhill national park beers (Banff Ave, Jasper, Wood Buffalo)
Dandy
Ribstone Creek
Benchcreek
Blindman
Yellowhead
Boiling Oar
Something Brewing
Drummond
Minhas
Troubled Monk
Two Sergeants
Olds College
Rebellion
Black Bridge
Nine Mile
Nokomis
Saskatoon Brewery
Farmery
There's lots to choose from so keep it local this holiday
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Canada's Best Beer
Well this question is addressed each year at the Canadian Brewing Awards but today was asked by a local radio station
I think the growth of craft beer had made this much harder to answer these days.
Is it 'best' by most sold in a year? 'Best' regionally? 'Best' by style? I think it's this last one that you have to go by as so many beers are so different from one another. If you are pilsner drinker than you probably wouldn't vote for a Russian imperial or a barley wine but it doesn't mean they're not great - or even the best.
Try beers out of your comfort zones. Your world will vastly expand.
Oh what are our thoughts?
Tough but:
ESB - Propellar
Stout - Wildrose Alberta Crude
IPA - mad Tom from Muskoka
Lager - liking Big Surf right now
This may take some time
Friday, January 2, 2015
Still Here - Just with less to say
Yes, we know we're the worst bloggers ever.
There's constant excuses with time and our real jobs, but as we discuss this blog, the true realization is that perhaps there's less for us to discuss.
We started this idea years ago in hopes to be a part of the future craft beer revolution in Canada by promoting the great beers many were undertaking. I feel we were a part - maybe a small one, but in the beginning, maybe not.
Anyway. we're still promoting the great beer that comes to the west and more importantly, produced in the west but it's not in this post.
Keep drinking good, local beer. Seek new ones out. Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta - you all have newer breweries - find a beer they make that fits your taste and drink local. If not truly local, than western, at least.
If you happen to not be a beer drinker, there are so many cider houses, distilleries and wineries in Canada and in the west, you can still drink local.
If you happen to not be a beer drinker, there are so many cider houses, distilleries and wineries in Canada and in the west, you can still drink local.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Oh Canada
As it's Canada Day, our favourite thing to do is host a Canadian Craft beer BBQ. In the prairies you can get a sampling of beer from each province! A dream we had years ago when we did our first cross country beer run. We've done regional tastings each year afterward but the availability of Canadian craft in the prairies is very impressive
We realize that Alberta rules this more than the others, but Saskatchewan is close - you just have to dig a bit. Manitoba, though, you're less likely to find all provinces but it doesn't mean you shouldn't try Quebec and BC beers.
We've been, and will continue, tweeting this week on the various beers available in the prairies to try. Follow and go out and try something new from Canada. Your province or from another
@prairiebeer
List includes:
Nfld - Quidi vidi
NS - Garrison and Propellor
NB - Pumphouse, Moosehead
PEI - Gahan
PQ - St Ambroise, Charlevoix, Trou du Diable, Biere Brisset, Glutenburg, La Nouvelle France, Le Bibloquet, Trois Mousquetaires, Dieu Du Ciel
ON - Flying Monkey, Lakes of Bay, Steam Whistle, Cameron's, King, Muskoka, Mill Street, Waterloo, Amsterdam
MB - Half Pints and Fort Garry - Farmery locally
SK - Paddockwood, Great Western - Bushwakker, District, Bin, Prairie Sun locally
AB - Wildrose, Big Rock, Alley Kat - Village, Toolshed, Grizzly Paw, Hogshead, locally
BC. - Phillips, Howe Sound, Dead Frog, Tree, Big Surf, Parallel 49, Whistler, Fernie, Stanley Park
YK - Yukon brewery
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
We realize that Alberta rules this more than the others, but Saskatchewan is close - you just have to dig a bit. Manitoba, though, you're less likely to find all provinces but it doesn't mean you shouldn't try Quebec and BC beers.
We've been, and will continue, tweeting this week on the various beers available in the prairies to try. Follow and go out and try something new from Canada. Your province or from another
@prairiebeer
List includes:
Nfld - Quidi vidi
NS - Garrison and Propellor
NB - Pumphouse, Moosehead
PEI - Gahan
PQ - St Ambroise, Charlevoix, Trou du Diable, Biere Brisset, Glutenburg, La Nouvelle France, Le Bibloquet, Trois Mousquetaires, Dieu Du Ciel
ON - Flying Monkey, Lakes of Bay, Steam Whistle, Cameron's, King, Muskoka, Mill Street, Waterloo, Amsterdam
MB - Half Pints and Fort Garry - Farmery locally
SK - Paddockwood, Great Western - Bushwakker, District, Bin, Prairie Sun locally
AB - Wildrose, Big Rock, Alley Kat - Village, Toolshed, Grizzly Paw, Hogshead, locally
BC. - Phillips, Howe Sound, Dead Frog, Tree, Big Surf, Parallel 49, Whistler, Fernie, Stanley Park
YK - Yukon brewery
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Ontario craft week
So it's Ontario craft beer week (@OntCraftBrewers) and being from that province originally, I always take notice. I've never got to partake, but usually end up there sometime in the summer.
My first thoughts are how there should be prairie beer week to celebrate and promote prairie craft beer - good idea- I know. Maybe we should organize it
My second is to talk about the great ON craft we can get in the prairies. Alberta for sure anyway. So that is what follows
Cameron's - found recently in 4 pack tasters. They're known for their cream ale, but my fave is the auburn ale.
http://www.cameronsbrewing.com/ @cameronsbrewing
Muskoka - we visited this (and Cameron's) on our first cross country beer tasting trip some 7 years ago and LOVED their Weiss beer and dreamed of the day we'd taste it again. Well you can find it out here now along with their cream ale and very popular Mad Tom ipa - arguably Jason's favourite ipa. Their Harvest and Winter seasonals are often around as well
http://www.muskokabrewery.com/beers.php @Muskokabrewery
SteamWhistle - a staple pilsner in many pubs now and I am happy about that. Their concept of doing one thing well rings true.
http://www.steamwhistle.ca/
@SteamWhistle
Mill Street - if you're ever in an ON city with a Mill Street pub go visit - great beers. Organic - good. Wit - good. Tankhouse - good. Coffee porter - so good. Jeez I want a Mill Street right now
http://m.millstreetbrewery.com/bottles.html
@MillStreetBrew
Waterloo - found as a taster pack you should pick one up if for only the Waterloo dark. Anyone who reads our infrequent blog posts or more common tweets knows this is one of our absolute favourite beers
http://waterloobrewing.com/ @BrickBrewery
We've had a few lakes of bay in our day but just recently have I seen the NHL alumni Top Shelf out here. Give it a try
http://lakeofbaysbrewing.ca/our-beer/
@LB_Brewing
Flying Monkey - we visited here back when it was Robert Simpson and we left it in Barrie Whatever the name the best thing is we can now drink Hoptical Illusion and Smashbomb Atomic ipa in the prairies. Go on hop heads
http://www.theflyingmonkeys.ca/
@FlyingMonkeys
King - now I found their Vienna lager around a year ago, but struggle to find it consistently. If you do see it - grab it. One of my favourite beers!
http://www.kingbrewery.ca/
@KingBrewery
Amsterdam can be found as well. Either missed or relatively new, we haven't bought any here. We have visited the T O brewery and the beer is great. Actually funny event when we were there they were hosting a wrestling event upstairs. Full on squared circle but that's another post
There you go. That should introduce you to Ontario beers. Maybe you should have an ON craft beer party? Be sure to invite us!
@prairiebeer
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
My first thoughts are how there should be prairie beer week to celebrate and promote prairie craft beer - good idea- I know. Maybe we should organize it
My second is to talk about the great ON craft we can get in the prairies. Alberta for sure anyway. So that is what follows
Cameron's - found recently in 4 pack tasters. They're known for their cream ale, but my fave is the auburn ale.
http://www.cameronsbrewing.com/ @cameronsbrewing
Muskoka - we visited this (and Cameron's) on our first cross country beer tasting trip some 7 years ago and LOVED their Weiss beer and dreamed of the day we'd taste it again. Well you can find it out here now along with their cream ale and very popular Mad Tom ipa - arguably Jason's favourite ipa. Their Harvest and Winter seasonals are often around as well
http://www.muskokabrewery.com/beers.php @Muskokabrewery
SteamWhistle - a staple pilsner in many pubs now and I am happy about that. Their concept of doing one thing well rings true.
http://www.steamwhistle.ca/
@SteamWhistle
Mill Street - if you're ever in an ON city with a Mill Street pub go visit - great beers. Organic - good. Wit - good. Tankhouse - good. Coffee porter - so good. Jeez I want a Mill Street right now
http://m.millstreetbrewery.com/bottles.html
@MillStreetBrew
Waterloo - found as a taster pack you should pick one up if for only the Waterloo dark. Anyone who reads our infrequent blog posts or more common tweets knows this is one of our absolute favourite beers
http://waterloobrewing.com/ @BrickBrewery
We've had a few lakes of bay in our day but just recently have I seen the NHL alumni Top Shelf out here. Give it a try
http://lakeofbaysbrewing.ca/our-beer/
@LB_Brewing
Flying Monkey - we visited here back when it was Robert Simpson and we left it in Barrie Whatever the name the best thing is we can now drink Hoptical Illusion and Smashbomb Atomic ipa in the prairies. Go on hop heads
http://www.theflyingmonkeys.ca/
@FlyingMonkeys
King - now I found their Vienna lager around a year ago, but struggle to find it consistently. If you do see it - grab it. One of my favourite beers!
http://www.kingbrewery.ca/
@KingBrewery
Amsterdam can be found as well. Either missed or relatively new, we haven't bought any here. We have visited the T O brewery and the beer is great. Actually funny event when we were there they were hosting a wrestling event upstairs. Full on squared circle but that's another post
There you go. That should introduce you to Ontario beers. Maybe you should have an ON craft beer party? Be sure to invite us!
@prairiebeer
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Back up and in MB!
We know, we know - promises promises. We start re-blogging in January just to disappear again in February. Well this time it wasn't our laziness - some of you know our blog was high jacked by a Japanese soap company. Really - I couldn't make that up
Anyway we figured it out and those soap orders should be in soon
But beer-wise we left off in Manitoba and what beers from there continue through the prairies?
Half Pints is a favourite across the flatland with the likes of their Bull Dog amber and Little Scrapper IPA (a fave amongst friends) but our vote's for the St James Pale Ale. Love this ale
The other widespread beer is Fort Garry. Now I grew up in Northern ON and have fond memories of trips to the 'peg', lunching at The Forks with a Fort Garry Dark and it's still a favourite! The beers are found mostly in variety packs and that's ok - get one. Good beer
Farmery Estates has started and found throughout MB but not too available elsewhere. The estate idea is a great one and finally there's a reason to go to Nepawa. You know, like estate wines? Oh yeah and we've had it - it's good
Finally Kilter brewing is in Winnipeg, but alas it's on our 'to try' list and brews for fun. A reason to go to my farm though!
Hope that helps. Manitoba is a great place and has great craft beer. Some you can find throughout the prairies so go find some.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Anyway we figured it out and those soap orders should be in soon
But beer-wise we left off in Manitoba and what beers from there continue through the prairies?
Half Pints is a favourite across the flatland with the likes of their Bull Dog amber and Little Scrapper IPA (a fave amongst friends) but our vote's for the St James Pale Ale. Love this ale
The other widespread beer is Fort Garry. Now I grew up in Northern ON and have fond memories of trips to the 'peg', lunching at The Forks with a Fort Garry Dark and it's still a favourite! The beers are found mostly in variety packs and that's ok - get one. Good beer
Farmery Estates has started and found throughout MB but not too available elsewhere. The estate idea is a great one and finally there's a reason to go to Nepawa. You know, like estate wines? Oh yeah and we've had it - it's good
Finally Kilter brewing is in Winnipeg, but alas it's on our 'to try' list and brews for fun. A reason to go to my farm though!
Hope that helps. Manitoba is a great place and has great craft beer. Some you can find throughout the prairies so go find some.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, January 24, 2014
Saskatchewan beer
So in continuing with the beer we like that you can get in the prairies we'll shift our thoughts to the rectangle next door - the big SK
Great Western had a great story of saving a brewery and a bunch of jobs and you know what - good beer. The line up won't baffle hop heads but based on the prairie market they have good beer
Really like the premium lager, but it's not an active part of their line up. We have turned many 'pil' drinkers onto award winning brew house. Great beer to drink with a Rider game.
Real favourite is Paddockwood bête noire. A great stout and found across the prairies. Their line up is great but that is a fave
Otherwise great beers are truly local. Bushwakker in Regina can only be bought on site but when there You MUST GO - so very good and you get off sales. We like Dungarven Irish red
New to Regina is District's Musknuckle and new to Swift Current is Bin Brewing and Black Bridge soon but again gotta be in Speedy Creek. Also in Saskatoon is Prairie Sun, but it's also on our 'to try' list
There you go. Maybe book a staycation in SK. Looks like we need to
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Great Western had a great story of saving a brewery and a bunch of jobs and you know what - good beer. The line up won't baffle hop heads but based on the prairie market they have good beer
Really like the premium lager, but it's not an active part of their line up. We have turned many 'pil' drinkers onto award winning brew house. Great beer to drink with a Rider game.
Real favourite is Paddockwood bête noire. A great stout and found across the prairies. Their line up is great but that is a fave
Otherwise great beers are truly local. Bushwakker in Regina can only be bought on site but when there You MUST GO - so very good and you get off sales. We like Dungarven Irish red
New to Regina is District's Musknuckle and new to Swift Current is Bin Brewing and Black Bridge soon but again gotta be in Speedy Creek. Also in Saskatoon is Prairie Sun, but it's also on our 'to try' list
There you go. Maybe book a staycation in SK. Looks like we need to
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Monday, December 30, 2013
Alberta bound
OK so people always ask us what we recommend but we don't like that question because our tastes are not yours. What we try to do is direct people to a Canadian craft alternative
But what do we like here in AB?
In Calgary we spend a lot of time at Wild Rose and it's mostly for the crude stout. An absolute favourite
Alley Kat's Charlie Flint is a go to beer and is always in the fridge
Brew Brothers Ambush Pale Ale is enjoyable but harder to find
Village's wit is thankfully in many pubs and our 'in pub' go to. Delicious
In Canmore we like Grizzly Paw's rutting elk red
If you ever get a chance to try Brewster's coconut porter do it
Ambers' Chocolate stout is nice, though we love stouts
This is getting long but we've turned lager drinkers onto Yellowhead and Drummond and if you're ever in the mountains when Banff Ave has a Saskatoon beer on try it.
All fairness we have not made it up to Hogshead or Norseman but will soon
There you go - get out and try them
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But what do we like here in AB?
In Calgary we spend a lot of time at Wild Rose and it's mostly for the crude stout. An absolute favourite
Alley Kat's Charlie Flint is a go to beer and is always in the fridge
Brew Brothers Ambush Pale Ale is enjoyable but harder to find
Village's wit is thankfully in many pubs and our 'in pub' go to. Delicious
In Canmore we like Grizzly Paw's rutting elk red
If you ever get a chance to try Brewster's coconut porter do it
Ambers' Chocolate stout is nice, though we love stouts
This is getting long but we've turned lager drinkers onto Yellowhead and Drummond and if you're ever in the mountains when Banff Ave has a Saskatoon beer on try it.
All fairness we have not made it up to Hogshead or Norseman but will soon
There you go - get out and try them
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Our national picks - AB
We were recently at a gathering and a friend's father asked if we were still writing about Canadian craft beer. A few lame excuses ensued and a realization that some serious time has indeed passed since even an appearance by us in TAPS - Canada's beer magazine
Well here's an attempt at resurrection.
A look at our Canadian beers that you can readily find in the prairies.
Our mission has always been in promotion and appreciation of Canadian craft so we won't rate the beer - everyone does that and beers' many flavours exist because someone liked it.
OK. It'd be dumb to start outside of Alberta so the posts will start in AB
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Well here's an attempt at resurrection.
A look at our Canadian beers that you can readily find in the prairies.
Our mission has always been in promotion and appreciation of Canadian craft so we won't rate the beer - everyone does that and beers' many flavours exist because someone liked it.
OK. It'd be dumb to start outside of Alberta so the posts will start in AB
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Breweries in SK's big cities
Saskatchewan is going through a craft beer boom if late and it's two bigger cities are leading the way. Already with the likes of Paddock Wood, Bushwakker and Great Western, the cities can add two more to the list
Saskatoon's Prairie Sun brewery has begun in a quaint shop and serves local baked goods too. With 306 Urban Wheat, Prairie Lily Lager and Crazy Farm Ale leading its line up, this prairie proud brewery will please the prairie palate
In capitol city you'll now find Mus Knuckle lager at The District. Focusing on one lager Regina now has another great local beer option
Make the trip the rectangle province and enjoy some good new beer!
Follow them on twitter @prairiesunbeer and @districtbrewing
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saskatoon's Prairie Sun brewery has begun in a quaint shop and serves local baked goods too. With 306 Urban Wheat, Prairie Lily Lager and Crazy Farm Ale leading its line up, this prairie proud brewery will please the prairie palate
In capitol city you'll now find Mus Knuckle lager at The District. Focusing on one lager Regina now has another great local beer option
Make the trip the rectangle province and enjoy some good new beer!
Follow them on twitter @prairiesunbeer and @districtbrewing
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Swift Current - craft beer hotbed?
It was bound to happen and it's begun. Micro and nano breweries are filling in the smaller areas of the country and Swift Current is the next example.
With two breweries opening the Saskatchewan town is a craft beer destination spot.
Bin brewery with Canadian manufacturing and ingredients is the ultimate in Prairie pride. Check out their beer in support of Rider Nation
http://bit.ly/1aydSTA
Secondly we have Black Bridge set to open in 'Speedy Creek' this spring. Production is well underway and with a passion for quality beer, Black Bridge will most importantly produce some great prairie recipes
http://on.fb.me/199VuQw
Follow them on twitter @BLckBrgBrew
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
With two breweries opening the Saskatchewan town is a craft beer destination spot.
Bin brewery with Canadian manufacturing and ingredients is the ultimate in Prairie pride. Check out their beer in support of Rider Nation
http://bit.ly/1aydSTA
Secondly we have Black Bridge set to open in 'Speedy Creek' this spring. Production is well underway and with a passion for quality beer, Black Bridge will most importantly produce some great prairie recipes
http://on.fb.me/199VuQw
Follow them on twitter @BLckBrgBrew
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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