A View from the Cellar
A Crash Course in Cellarmanship: Part II In what I plan to be an ongoing series, I hope to further broader knowledge about real ale, it’s history, practice and relevance. Part one was about the history and anatomy of casks.…
Out and About
Scottie and his Senior Moments
People think of seniors in many ways; characteristically, not as founders of the craft beer movement.Love it.
In truth, we pioneered this Movement, with other beer lovers, none of whom knew each other existed ‘till Spinnakers opened with John Mitchell as landlord behind the bar. The best beer stories of my life come suddenly with good beer. Immediately, all the real Victoria aficionados, we all found each other.
Beer League Part II: Paul Sabourin-Hertzog on supporting soccer and craft beer
What’s Brewing caught up with Paul Sabourin-Hertzog, Director of Internal Communications with the Vancouver Southsiders supporter group.
Ullage and Spillage: Head Hopping for Hop-Heads on Vacation
Travel south for work or vacation and you will find reasonably-hoppy locally-brewed beer anywhere in the USA, even Hawaii. Agreed, pickings are slim in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, but there is usually something imported from a nearby state. Travel south…
Backyard Hop Growing
Entering my fourth year of growing backyard hops, I don’t consider myself an expert but I have produced healthy and happy mature hops (2015 yield: 8lbs of Cascade from one plant).
Profiles: Women in Beer
Claire Wilson of Dogwood Brewing
I honestly can’t remember when or where I first met Claire. But I do know that anytime I was looking for a woman to help me out with a Women and Beer event, Claire was always the first to offer her time, her services or her beer! If someone is looking for a mentor or a role model for women in the beer industry: she is it.
Beer League Part II: Interview with Armin Sodhi of 12 Kings Pub
Armin Sodhi took over what is now the 12 Kings Pub (12th & Kingsway, Vancouver) in Fall 2014, and introduced 12 taps of craft beer into a Kingsway sports bar. What’s Brewing caught up with him to find out how the concept is working out.
Craft Beer Road Trip
Craft beer and camping are two of my favourite things about living in British Columbia. Last year for my 30th birthday I wanted to combine the two in an epic brewery road trip. Living in the small town of Summerland,…
Beer League Part II: the new wave of craft-centric sports bars
In Part I of Beer League, we discussed how Vancouver’s Alibi Room famously rejected sports bar culture by refusing to bring (working) televisions into the bar. They weren’t alone; try walking the Yeast Van circuit (OK, yes, you can use your bicycle) and look hard for a flat panel TV. Sorry, no Nascar for you.
Beer in Paradise
Maui! Sun, Surf, Palm Trees, Endless beaches, Craft Beer… Wait! What? Yes!! Craft Beer. On a recent trip to Maui I was delighted to discover not one but two craft breweries in full production. Maui Brewing Co. is well established…
Beer League Part I: pro sports marketing meets craft beer culture
Everybody knows that beer is married to sports. The historic correlation between the two is obvious; sponsorship of about every pro sports team in the Western world by giant beer companies is a given. Depending on your age, you’ve seen decades of marketing featuring ex-jocks who will gladly tell you the right beer Tastes Great and/or is Less Filling.
Beer League Part II: Interview with Kate Bobroske of Doolin’s and the Belmont Bar
Formerly known as The Cellar, the room underneath Doolin's Irish Pub was re-introduced in 2014 as the craft-forward Belmont Bar.
Coastal Currents
For many craft beer lovers in urban areas, having an almost-overwhelming selection of great BC beers to choose from is a given. When I lived on Commercial Drive in Vancouver, I had both St Augustine’s, with their (at that time) 40-plus taps, and Tangent Café, with their 14 taps, within 300 metres of my front door. Not to mention that I had two amazing, craft beer-oriented private liquor stores within five minutes’ walk stocking hundreds of great craft beer selections.
On Collabofest 2016
First off, let’s take a look at two Oxford definitions for collaboration: 1) Something produced in collaboration to reach a common goal or, the more sinister: 2) Traitorous cooperation with an enemy Oregon Craft Beer website states, “This celebration of…
Moody Brews
I asked my 3-year-old niece recently if she liked broccoli. With a disgusted look, she said, “broccoli is for monkeys and piggies.” OK, no kid likes broccoli; I was no exception. But there then comes a time when mom melts…
Beers, Beaches and Breweries
As we march into spring, the sound of craft beer bottle caps popping off can be heard as locals and visitors alike celebrate the mighty craft beer in the Okanagan. Things really start hopping here in the spring as Okanagan…
Be Like Mike
For over 20 years, since Grade 2, the guys have known each other; as little boys growing up in Surrey, they melted plastic army men on the back porch together. Now they have a grown-up hobby. Mike Garson and Steve…
On Aging Beer
Vintage Beer, by Patrick Dawson, came along at the perfect time for me, with a half dozen or so of my cellared beers getting close to the year-old stage.
Homebrew Happenin’s: Keep it Simple, Homebrewers
While contemplating what I wanted to write about for this issue I started thinking about my first brews back when I was a first-time homeowner on a budget. Then I started thinking about other home-brewers I know and what they made for their first several brews. Then it came to me. Way too many people make the same move and I believe they are doing themselves a disservice. (Note-for purposes of this column I will assume that you have moved on from kits and are diving into all-grain).
Give Craft a Sporting Chance
I love craft beer. I love Vancouver. I love sports. I want my loves to come together more often, and not make me choose between them.
Tony Dewald: Scholar, Drummer, Brewmaster
Listening to Tony Dewald speak about beer makes you think that he’s been brewing his whole life. While 26 years in the wild and wooly world of craft certainly qualifies one as a veteran, it turns out he’s had an equally interesting past life as well.