Dank

My friend gave me this Dank Energy Drink (Surrey, BC) to try. The flavour is called Purple Kush. It's new to the market and I've seen it in a few stores on Commercial Drive. Never thought anything of it, as I am not a fan of energy drinks. I guess the selling point is what's stated on their can "Hemp Infused Energy Drink." There are not that many other types of energy drinks out there like this one, that I've seen in Vancouver. I cracked open the can, took a sniff and a sip. My first impression was the scent and taste was almost identical to Red Bull. Not only does it contain Hemp Seed Powder, it's got more Taurine and Caffeine than Red Bull. Is there really a need to have an energy drink that contains Hemp Seed Powder? It definitely gave me a caffeine rush. I know they are trying to aim towards the Cannabis theme, but the name is not so appealing. Imagine walking into a store and asking the store attendant "can I see what your Dank looks like?"

Shiver Me Timbers!

I looked out the window this morning and thought to myself, what a great day for a bike ride. Boy, was I wrong. It was sunny but really windy. Leaves flying everywhere and sand blowing in my face. The sun fooled me and it wasn't smart to wear a t-shirt on a windy day like today. Danny and I decided that we would take a ride to the Pirate Pub on Beach Ave. It was my first time there. I was in the mood for a cocktail, so I looked through the drink menu and came across a cocktail called Dark & Stormy (Gosling's Rum, ginger beer, lime and grated ginger root). It is known as Bermuda's National Drink. I really like ginger beer and I was in the mood to give this one a try. The Dark & Stormy was not what I expected. Maybe it's the type of ginger beer that they use. It did not have any sweet or spicy ginger beer flavour. It tasted more like rum mixed with soda water and grated ginger root. Although all of their Signature Rum Cocktails are 2oz. shots of rum, at $8.49, that's a little pricey for me.

I think the pirates robbed me for my money.

Peachy Keen

If you are ever looking for a one stop shop, Walmart is the place to go. They got everything. They are open late and I love their "Rollback" pricing. I picked up a 960ml Oasis FruitZoo Peach Clementine juice for $1.00. Nothing to interesting, just like any other kind of juice... just peachy. Not only is this fruit juice enriched with vitamins and minerals, it has a free kids movie pass for any participating movie theatre across Canada when you purchase 4 Oasis FruitZoo products. All you have to do is mail in 4 coupons that are affixed to the cartons. I am going to get a case of this juice. Anyone need some kids movie passes?

ah-sigh-ee

I love Acai and would try any drink that contains it. I tried the O.N.E. Acai Acerola Drink today. I've tried other O.N.E. drinks and this one is by far my favorite. It tasted delicious. It's sweetness level was perfect and has a strong Acai aftertaste which I loved. Acai is rich in antioxidants and Acerola supposedly has more vitamin C than an orange. It's a heathy natural beverage that is perfect on a hot day like today in Vancouver.

It's the O.N.E. for me.

Apricots and Berries

Last night I went over to a friends house for a BBQ. It's Labour Day long weekend and it's been raining in Vancouver for the last couple of days. We had an excellent summer and it's sad to say that yesterday night may have been the last BBQ of the summer.

Rachael and I picked up 2 different B.C. summertime drinking beer. Cannery Brewing Apricot Wheat Ale and Swans Buckerfields Brewery Berry Ale.

The Cannery Brewing Apricot Wheat Ale (5% ABV) from Penticton, B.C. is a crisp, refreshing wheat ale with an apricot taste. They brewed their first batch of beer in the Old Aylmer Fruit and Vegetable Cannery in Penticton on April Fool’s Day 2001. Seriously...no joke. It's very similar to the St-Ambroise Apricot Wheat Ale. I like the St. Ambroise one better, as it seems to be more smooth tasting.

The Swans Buckerfields Brewery Berry Ale (7% ABV) is a light red coloured ale from Victoria B.C. that is brewed on site at the Swans Buckerfields Brewery. It's a very smooth ale, with an excellent complementary taste of raspberry. It had a light scent of vanilla. I recommend it if you like a fruity beer.

Here is some information that I gathered from their website - No syrups, sugars or "adjunct" are used in their 100% grain mashes, only barley and malts. This ale is naturally carbonated and left to settle or "fine" at cold temperatures rather than being filtered - filtration can remove much of the goodness from beer along with the haze. They also avoid pasteurization, which can mute flavour as well.

It looks like it may be my last BBQ of the summer which means it's probably my last taste of these types of fruity beer, since I usually pair the two together. Though they are calling for sunny skies this Friday...anyone up for a BBQ?

Dinner with the Good Beer Folks!

I pulled up to a parking spot on Powell Street. I looked at my watch, it's 6:05PM. I walked down the street and turned onto Carrall Street where I met my beautiful girl. A door swung open and we were greeted at The Irish Heather. We walked into a private courtyard (Shebeen Whisky House) behind The Irish Heather and experienced a large selection of whiskies lined up on the wall. If you love whisky, you have to check this place out. Just enough time to grab a drink before dinner.

We were called into the Salty Tongue Cafe around 6:40PM to find a seat. We sat with 38 other individuals at a 40ft communal table and were introduced to the dinner menu for the evening along with the beer that was paired with it. We had Veal Schnitzel with Mashed Potatoes, Carrots and Anchovy Butter and a bottle of Steam Whistle Pilsner for $12. Wow...what a deal! I would highly recommend it if you can make it out to one of the Long Table Series. Reserve early, as it sells out quick.

The dinner was amazing and was paired really nicely with an ice cold Steam Whistle Pilsner (5.0% ABV). This golden coloured Pilsner is bottled in a distinctive green bottle from Steam Whistle Brewing (Toronto, ON). I love the look of this bottle - vintage looking without any paper labels on it. I am not a Pilsner fan, but this one was really good. It had a crisp/clean malt flavour - very smooth and refreshing. The taste was nicely balanced - it didn't taste watered down nor did it have any overpowering aftertaste. They use traditional brewing techniques and with only 4 natural ingredients (spring water, malted barley, hops and yeast - all GMO-free).

I respect how Steam Whistle Brewing has focused on creating just one type of beer and do it really well. Whistle - woo...woo!