Hello Jones

I just found out that Jones just released a new ginger beer flavour soda. I haven't gotten a chance to try it yet. As soon as I get my hands on a bottle, I'll let you all know. I need to find another ginger beer favorite since Stewart's discontinued theirs.

Long Table Series - Round 3

Last Wednesday was my 3rd visit to the Long Table Series. The menu item on that day was Roast Suckling Pig with Apple-Rosemary Sauce, Braised Cabbage and Mashed Potatoes. Pint of Orchard Hill Cider - all for $15.00. I've blogged about the Long Table Series a couple of times in my previous posts, so I'm just going to get right down to business and run down the beverages that I had that night.

As I waited for the crew to arrive, I started off with a Pike Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale (Seattle, WA) (6.5% ABV). It was my first time having a scotch ale. It's a ruby coloured ale that had a malty, mild smokiness and sweet caramel taste followed with a touch of bitterness. Considering it is a scotch ale, it didn't have an overpowering smoky scotch flavour as I would have expected. Overall, I enjoyed this one. Great sipping beer.

Next, I had the Kronenbourg 1664 (France) (5% ABV) on tap. It's France's #1 selling beer and the UK's second biggest premium selling lager. It's a very light, fruity beer with lots of bubbles. It had a hint of white grape flavour and a dry finish. Very refreshing.

It was time to sit at the table for dinner and we were served the Orchard Hill Cider (Oliver, BC) (7% ABV). Made from real apples, not from concentrate. Sweet with a crisp apple flavour. I am not a fan of ciders and it would not be my drink of choice, but this one was good to sip on with my dinner.

This was my last Long Table Series of the year. I'll be waiting for the next announcement dates. I am going to book more of these the next time around.

Living Large In Small Spaces

Tonight, Rachael and I had tea and dessert at Sweet Revenge Patisserie. It's a dessert spot located on 4160 Main Street. The interior is furnished with antique style furniture, chandeliers, oil lamps and red wallpaper. The servers were all wearing red aprons that almost camouflaged them to the wallpaper. It's a small place that is always packed. Be aware, you may be sitting at a table with strangers. There is a divider though, that is placed on the table. It almost felt like I was in a different world, had to remind myself a few times of where I was.

I ordered the White Chocolate Cheesecake($6.75) and a small Belgium Chocolate Tea ($2.35). I've tried several different types of teas from Sweet Revenge and I've never been disappointed. Always full of great flavour. The Belgium Chocolate Tea was excellent. It's a loose leaf rooibos tea with the scent and flavour of mint chocolate. Very smooth with a mint chocolate finish. It's served in an individual teapot and an antique style cup and saucer set.

Whenever you're ready to experience the lilliputian room, go down and check it out. Some say the place is cheesy, some say it's cute, but an interesting date spot.

Just to let you know, there is a minimum order per person of $6.00.

Long Table Series - Round 2

Tonight was my second visit to the Long Table Series. I started off with a drink at the Shebeen Whiskey House. They have over 200 different whiskeys to choose from and their collection continues to build. It's like a kid in a candy store for whiskey lovers. I was in the mood to try out a beer that I've never had before. I ordered the Mill St. Brewery Tankhouse Ale (5.2% alc./vol.) based out of Toronto, Ontario. It's a deep copper red colour ale that is brewed with 5 different malts and an abundance of Cascade hops. It had a malty texture with a dark chocolate taste and a hint of bitterness. Not only did I enjoy the taste, I really liked the embossed bottle and the non paper label. It was an excellent sipping beer before dinner.

Tonight's dinner was Braised Lamb Shank, Roasted Eggplant, Raisins, Pine Nuts and Mint Gastrique with a pint of Guinness. The dinner was amazing as usual... right now, I am still thinking about the Mint Gastrique. I am not a huge Guinness fan, but the bittersweetness of the Guinness was paired really nicely with the flavour of the Lamb Shank.

Check out my Guinness moustache.

Absolutely Fabulous

A huge Absolut Vodka bottle landed today on Nelson Street and Seymour. It looked very interesting. Inside the bottle there was a monitor and a small camera. There was also some kind of step pad in which you would stand on. On the monitor screen it says - Step Into An Absolut World. I didn't try it out, as I was worried that I may not return from the Absolut world. If anyone gets a chance to try this thing, please let me know what it is.

Tea for 2

Rachael and I spent the afternoon on Main Street. We were window shopping and checked out what was new in stores for fall. What was new to both of us, was we walked by Shaktea several times before and have been meaning to try this place. It's a nice little tea space on Main St. and E.21st Ave. On the menu there is close to 100 teas to choose from - so many that I wanted to try. We chose the Pumpkin Spice Cream for two ($6.95) which is only available during fall and winter. It contains Rooibos, bended with Nettle Leaves, Apple Pieces and Sunflower Petals. Rooibos is from the Cape in South Africa, which is found to be rich in antioxidants and is caffeine free. It came served in a pot that stood on a tea light stand which kept the tea warm. The tea had a nice scent of spices, not too overpowering and a taste of Rooibos with a vanilla aftertaste. It was also served with little cookies that complimented the tea perfectly. The service was excellent and the staff was very knowledgeable. The experience at Shaktea was a relaxing change from a coffee shop. People actually having a conversation (not filled with students and laptops).

It was a nice way to end a Saturday afternoon.

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!

UFC101 with the Buds

With the extreme heat wave 2 weeks ago in Vancouver, everywhere was sold out on fans and air conditioners.  As I went for a walk last week I saw a few stores advertising "fans/air conditioners sold here."  What really caught my eye is a liquor store advertising "Bud Light Lime sold here."  I really wanted to try the Bud Light Lime.  Facebook fans petitioned for the release in Canada and made it happen.

I was over at Rich's house last Saturday watching UFC101 and some of the fights were disappointing.  What really made my evening is that I got a chance to try the Bud Light Lime (4.0 ABV) that Vince brought over.  There was something appealing about the taste.  It had an overpowering taste of natural lime flavor that really disguised the taste of the beer, making it very smooth and refreshing.  It's an excellent summer time beer.  I recommend it for someone looking for an easy drinking, light tasting beer.  Kind of like a Corona with a whole lot of limes.  

If I had to choose between a fan or a Bud Light Lime on a hot day, I think I would choose to cool off with a Bud Light Lime.

Grape Drink

Glaceau Vitamin Water Formula 50 (grape) just released in Vancouver.  The grape is one of my favorite flavours of Vitamin Water.  I recommend you go try it for yourself.

Hey Dave Chappelle - sugar, water and of course Purple.  

Happy Canada Day

When it comes down to a Canada Day get together with good friends, there is usually a BBQ and a few beers involved.  Rachael and I went over to Praj/Eva's place today to celebrate Canada Day.  I bought over one of my favorite summer time beers - St-Ambroise Apricot Wheat Ale (5%alc./vol).  This apricot wheat ale from McAuslan Brewery in Montreal has a light clean taste with an apricot aftertaste that is just so smooth.

If you ever decide to bring this over to a get together, be sure to bring a few cases.  Your beer will be gone fast.  Just ask Eva.

M13

Vince hooked me up with a M13 Wellbeing juice.  I'm not the type of person that would go out and drop a chunk of change on a 225 ml functional juice.  On the M13 website they retail a 3 pack for $15.99 and a 12 pack for $52.99. When I think of a functional juice, I kind of expected it to have a medicine taste.  I was wrong, It tasted like tart raspberry juice with a hint of black currant.  I like things that are tart and sour, so this was good for me.  It was really easy to go down and it didn't taste how I thought it would.  

Dr. Sunny Lee, a Vancouver physician of traditional Chinese medicine is the creator of M13.  Dr. Lee practices acupuncture and herbology in Vancouver and he received Traditional Chinese Medicine training at the renowned Institute of Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong.  

Here is some information from the M13 website.  

The M13 Wellbeing is formulated for balanced health, daily.  It delivers sustained, caffeine-free energy support and works to harmonize internal body systems.  As the equalizer of the Functional Juice family, Wellbeing focuses on daily health maintenance, mental clarity and defense against illness.

There are 2 other all natural functional juices from M13 (Assistance and Calm/Detox) that I would like to try one day.

A M13 a day keeps the doctor away.

There's a new G in town

I really like what Gatorade has got going on.  I think the new packaging and identity of the "G" logo is very appealing.  It's simple and eye catching, while still keeping the signature lightning bolt.  When it's side by side in a store cooler with a selection of different Gatorade flavours, it really stands out.    

the only question I have is...What's G? 

The cans are back in town

Check out my earlier post about San Pellegrino sodas.  

It was only a matter of time in which the San Pellegrino sodas return to Canada in cans.  Looking very sharp with the top of the cans all wrapped in foil.   

Just in time for the summer...welcome back.

1992 - 2009

I've written about Stewart's Ginger Beer in one of my earlier posts.  Today I was told that Stewart's will be discontinuing their Ginger Beer flavour.  I've tried several different ginger beers in the past and I've got to say that Stewart's was one of my favorites - smooth, with a spicy ginger taste that was just so perfect.  I can't believe it's discontinued.  

I should get some tips from this boy and create my own ginger beer.

You know my Steaz

I went with Rachael to the Vancouver Art Gallery today to listen to Anthony Hernandez narrate his exhibition.  After the interesting artist talk, I grabbed a Steaz Green Tea Lemon Dew Soda ($2.50) at the Gallery Cafe.  We sat out on the patio and enjoyed the sunshine.

Steaz Lemon Dew (Fair Trade Certified and USDA Organic Certified) is a great tasting sparkling organic Ceylon green tea from Newtown, Pennsylvania (The Healthy Beverage Company).  They are passionate in ensuring that their farmers and farm workers on their tea estate receive fair prices for their products, allowing them a better living.  It has natural ingredients that are free of artificial preservatives and chemicals.  I think the Steaz Lemon Dew tastes like a lemon/lime soda.  In fact, I think it has a similar taste to a Mountain Dew, except it is not as sweet and not as carbonated as a Mountain Dew.  It did not have a tart lemon flavour that I would have expected.  It was light and refreshing for the beautiful sunny day.