Beer Of The Month: May 2019

/in , , , /by Daniel Lee

Situated in the heart of the East Vancouver Brewery district known as ‘Yeast Van’, is a quaint but vibrant craft brewery known as Andina Brewing Company. The South American inspired lounge space offers a variety of artisanal beers, local craft cider, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, as well as Chilean or Argentine wine.  The tasting lounge also offers an extensive selection of traditional Andean dishes prepared in-house, with the freshest South American and British Columbian ingredients.

 

Beer of the Month

It just so happens, the brewing team released a fresh batch of their ‘Pálida’ pale ale on tap during my latest visit.  Don’t let the hazy appearance fool you, it is approachable as it is flavorful.  Notes of citrus, stone fruit, and melon, along with a light-medium mouth feel, makes it the ideal beverage to pair with their fresh and tangy ‘De La Casa’ ceviche (cooked shrimp, avocado, cilantro, peppers, red onion, and mango in a light mayo/lemon sauce).

 

 

 

Next on the docket, is the year round staple ‘Monita’ Blonde IPA.  Although hop forward, this balanced brew has a sturdy malt presence, and restrained bitterness.

Rest assured, there are options for casual beer seekers also, as the clean and refreshing ‘Cerveza’ Pilsner pairs wonderfully with their flavorful and satisfying empanadas.

 

 

For the self-proclaimed craft beer enthusiasts, Andina offers a rotating ‘Conchita’ coffee beer series to satisfy your thirst for the experimental.  Their latest release is a Kölsch, an approachable German blonde ale, infused with Colombian Coffee.  This one is balanced but complex, due to the interplay of the subtle coffee and beer flavor profiles.

 

Be on the lookout for their ‘Agria’ rotating sour beer series as well.  Rumor has it, the upcoming release will either be jam packed with a certain type of berry, and/or a popular citrus fruit!

Beer Of The Month: April 2019

/in , /by Daniel Lee

As the month of April comes to a close, I felt compelled to pay the Twin Sails Brewing tasting room in Port Moody a visit, and see what they have lined up for the late spring/early summer season.

Beer Of The Month

The beer that screams ‘crowd favorite’ was their soon to be core brand, ‘Would Crush’ raspberry wheat ale.  Since making its debut last March, this clean and approachable brew is packed with raspberry flavor and aroma.  The assertive additions of malted and flaked wheat also gives it a light-medium body, and slight creamy mouth feel, just to remind you are drinking a nicely balanced beer. Would Crush, is either on draught at your local craft beer-friendly bar or restaurant, or in liquor retail stores as four pack 473mL cans.  You can also visit their online shop to order your four pack, just to be on the safe side!

Additional beers on tap:

The Twin Sails Brewing tasting room also offers clean and approachable beers like their ‘low life’ lager.

European farmhouse style-inspired brews like their ‘brass section’ dry hopped saison

As well as bright and fruit-forward tart ales such as the ‘shine’ strawberry and rhubarb sour

Check back again for our Beer of the Month feature, and follow @dangerdan_yvr for more great craft beer photos and updates!

Want to try out the Beer of the Month? Be sure to head over to our Instagram page and look for this post, we’re giving away a $50 Gift Card to Twin Sails Brewing, contest ends on Monday May 6th 2019! Good luck!

 

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🚨Give-away Alert🚨 We’re a little late on the Beer of the Month this month, but better late than never! We hit up @TwinSailsBeer last week with our friend @DangerDan_YVR to try out their Would Crush Raspberry Wheat Ale. It was sooo tasty! In Dan’s own words “The beer that screams ‘crowd favorite’ was their soon to be core brand, ‘Would Crush’ raspberry wheat ale. Since making its debut last March, this clean and approachable brew is packed with raspberry flavor and aroma. The assertive additions of malted and flaked wheat also gives it a light-medium body, and slight creamy mouth feel, just to remind you are drinking a nicely balanced beer.” Check out his full post on our website, just click the link on our Bio. More importably, we have a give-away! Enter to win a $50 Gift card to @TwinSailsBeer here’s how to enter: TAG your buddy in the comment section. (you can make multiple entries by tagging a different buddy each time you comment) 2. Make sure you FOLLOW BOTH @vancitydrinks and @twinsailsbeer . 3. Entry cut off is May 6th @12pm PST, and the winner will be announced over Instagram. Must be local British Columbia Resident to enter. 🚨Important Note, winner must be following BOTH accounts to win🚨 GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! . . . 🏢: @twinsailsbeer . 📍: PORT MODDY, BC CANADA . . . . #GiveAway #CraftBeer #Beer #BCCraftBeer #Beer #BeersOfInstagram #Vancouver #InstaBeer #VanCity #TwinSailsBrewing #BrewersRow #VanCityDrinjs

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For more information:

TWIN SAILS BREWING
2821 MURRAY STREET
ORT MOODY, BC
V3H 1X3

604.492.4234

TwinSailsBrewing.com

Beer Of The Month: March 2019

/in , , , /by Daniel Lee

I really enjoyed my latest visit to the Steamworks Taproom in North Burnaby, because the tap list had a mix of winter seasonals that were on their last legs, some year-round crushable brews, and a limited release beer that is available in select stores throughout spring.

Beer of the Month

The limited release ‘battleship’ double IPA definitely caught my attention. There was a light burst of tropical notes on the nose, from the generous helping of aromatic hops. In terms of taste, hints of citrus fruits, mango, pineapple, and papaya, with a dash of astringent character coated my palate, as it cleverly disguised the 8.9% alcohol by volume. The 65 bittering units (IBU) provided a faint bitterness to balance out the full mouth feel, which also prevented it from being cloyingly sweet.

If big and bold flavors aren’t what you’re looking for, then their mainstay premium craft lager would be the perfect match for any pub grub or comfort food craving. Clean, crisp, with a gentle addition of hops for that zippy character, makes it easy for you to have another when accompanied with friends.

Those who have an affinity for dark and deep flavors won’t be disappointed either, as they still have their seasonal nitrogenated session stout available in limited quantities. Gentle notes of coffee, dark chocolate, and vanilla, coupled with a velvety mouth feel from the nitrogen, makes this the ideal beer to pair with caramelized meats, and hardy stews for those chilly spring evenings.

Lastly, for those who are feeling adventurous, the taproom offers an experimental small batch every Wednesday called the ‘weekly one-off’. Luckily, they still had a bit of their latest one-off, the peach and pomegranate sour ale. A light-medium bodied beer, intentionally and thoughtfully soured to impart natural lemon character, which was then dosed with a generous helping of pomegranates to create a fruity, and refreshing brew.

Although the taproom doesn’t have a kitchen, they have a selection of locally sourced light snacks and treats if you’re feeling peckish. Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood meat market and deli, Cioffi’s, also delivers a limited number of freshly prepared gourmet sandwiches daily, so grab one before they’re gone!

Give-away

We also have a Give-away to announce, hit up our Instagram page for how to enter:

🍻Beer Of The Month🍻 & 🚨Give-away Announcement🚨 The Beer Of The Month for March is The Limited Release Battleship Double IPA. @dangerdan_yvr wrote up a snazzy post for us on our website, here is an excerpt from it: “The limited release ‘battleship’ double IPA definitely caught my attention. There was a light burst of tropical notes on the nose, from the generous helping of aromatic hops. In terms of taste, hints of citrus fruits, mango, pineapple, and papaya, with a dash of astringent character coated my palate, as it cleverly disguised the 8.9% alcohol by volume. The 65 bittering units (IBU) provided a faint bitterness to balance out the full mouth feel, which also prevented it from being cloyingly sweet.” Be sure to give @dangerdan_yvr a follow, he gives great recommendations on local beers! Also be sure to hit up the link in our blog to read his full post! The pics and the Beers Featured are: Battleship Double IPA Nitro Stout The weekly one off it was a peach and pomegranate sour While there @Steamworksbeer was nice enough to give us a Tour for 4 and a Free Growler fill-up to our followers! Here’s how to enter: TAG your buddy in the comment section. (you can make multiple entries by tagging a different buddy each time you comment) 2. Make sure both of you FOLLOW @vancitydrinks and @steamworksbeer. 3. entry cut off is Wednesday March 27th @12pm PST, and the winner will be announced over Instagram. Good Luck everyone! . . . 🏢: @steamworksbeer . 📍: Burnaby, BC Canada . . . . #BeerOfTheMonth #CraftBeer #BrewPub #SteamworksBrewery #Burnaby #NorthBurnaby

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Check back again for our Beer of the Month feature, and follow @dangerdan_yvr for more great craft beer photos and updates!

For more information:

Steamworks Brewing Co.
3845 William St
Burnaby, BC
V5C 3J1

(604) 620-7250

Steamworks.com

Tiny Umbrella Double IPA / Beer of the Month – June 2018

/in , , /by Daniel Lee

#SOURALE

Vancouver weather can be temperamental in the month of June, so finding a beer that is light and refreshing during the balmy days, but also hardy enough for the cool evenings, can be a challenge.  Enter @coalharbourbrewing’s pineapple and passion fruit Tiny Umbrella Double IPA.  When gently chilled, the generous tropical fruit and hop variety additions will satisfy the fruit smoothie lover in you.  As the beer warms, the 8.2% ABV and 60 hop bittering units provides a subtle kick on your taste buds.  Pair this juicy but hoppy beer with light greens, spicy dishes, or something greasy, and enjoy!

June 2018 – Coal Harbour Brewing Tiny Umbrella Double IPA.

Check back again for our Beer of the Month feature, and follow @dangerdan_yvr for more great craft beer photos and updates!

For more information:

COAL HARBOUR BREWING
1967 TRIUMPH ST.
VANCOUVER, BC
V5L 4C3

(604) 215-7471

coalharbourbrewing.com

 

Timber

/in /by Ben McRae

Located on the corner of Robson and Jervis, Timber boasts a beautiful space with floor to ceiling windows, an excellent craft beer list, and savoury Canadian comfort food. In paying tribute to B.C.’s rich timber history and the beauties who built our ‘True North Strong & Free!’, this is a can’t miss spot in Vancouver’s West End.

photo by Elle O’Brien

Timber’s dedication to using locally sourced products as well as making mostly everything in house is a testament to the passion of head Chef Chris Wittaker. A beacon of new-age thinking and local responsibility, the menu is very reasonably priced for the quality and offers food & drink specials every day!

photo by Elle O’Brien

Happy Hour runs every day of the week from 3-6pm where you can toss back an ice cold can of Central City beer for only $4! – Or munch on the 1/2 price snack menu while sipping on a $7 glass of wine. They also keep the party going by offering Happy Hour on Saturday & Sunday and weekend Happy Hours are harder to come by so take advantage!

photo by Elle O’Brien

Bring on more drink specials! Who doesn’t love 1/2 price bottles of wine? Timber knows that by mid-week everyone could use a little pick me up, which is why they offer 1/2 off their entire wine list every Wednesday! Looking to wet your whistle with some local craft beer? Head to Timber for their Kill the Keg Thursdays, featuring $5 sleeves of craft beer until the keg is gone!

photo by Elle O’Brien

If you came for Timber’s glorious craft beer list you’ll soon fall to the temptation of their down right delicious food menu! Head Chef Chris Whittaker’s philosophy sums up what makes this Robson Street restaurant a stand out in Vancouver’s diverse culinary scene. “Respect our land and water. Use local suppliers: small farms and wild food. Nose-to-tail cooking. On premises baking and preserving. Use all resources wisely and – in the end – waste nothing”. A beautiful philosophy that serves as the foundation for a beautiful establishment. Put Timber on your list of spots to check out and you’ll see what we’re talking about! Until next time…

Timber’s Official Patio Launch Party on Saturday May 12th, from 3-9pm. Featuring Bomber Brewing $15 Pitchers of Park Life Passion Fruit Ale & Skyline Lager!

For more information:

TIMBER
1300 ROBSON ST.
VANCOUVER, BC
V6E 1C5

(604) 661-2166

timbervancouver.com

 

Yagger’s Downtown

/in /by Ben McRae

Yagger’s Downtown has rolled out their ridiculous Happy Hour menu! $3.50 cans of Pilsner, $3.50 Highballs, and $5 Appetizers… like I said, ridiculous!

Yagger’s Happy Hour menu is proof that establishments that are passionate about providing Vancouverites the opportunity to go out drinking and not break the bank still exist. What a concept!
Last week I visited Yagger’s and got to indulge in the Happy Hour goodness. I grew up drinking Old Style Pilsner and was stoked to find out they’re only $3.50. The perfect time to call up the bros and get down to some serious drinking. Not a beer drinker? Not a problem, Yagger’s is offering $4.13 glasses of wine as well as $3.50 highballs! Imagine, you can pay for the entire bill, look like a boss, and you’ll still have money to waste at an over priced night club!
Do yourself a favour and check out Yagger’s downtown restaurant & sports bar. The drink prices are definitely some the best in the city and I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious the food is. Yagger’s is proud of making all of their items fresh and in house. Soups, sauces, burger patties, and wing sauces are all originals and made from scratch! I love a great deal so hit Yagger’s Happy Hour from 3-6pm Monday to Friday and 4-6pm Saturday and Sunday.
Thanks for reading and following along as we drink our way through Vancity!

For more information:

YAGGER’S DOWNTOWN
433 W PENDER ST.
VANCOUVER, BC
V6B 1V2

(604) 602-7030

yaggers.com/yaggers-downtown

 

Monkey 9 Brewing Company

/in /by Ben McRae

Craft beer, big screen tv’s, wood fired pizzas, and a bowling alley?!? Monkey 9 Brewing Co has all the ingredients for an awesome night! Located on Richmond’s Entertainment Boulevard, Monkey 9 Brewing takes advantage of the vast amount of land our suburbs provide and utilizes every square foot! Ever found yourself roaming the streets of Vancouver with a group of friends only to find every bar is at capacity? You’ll never have that problem at Monkey 9 Brewing. It boast a spacious layout with ample seating and viewing areas. But what about all this craft beer I’ve been hearing about? Tucked in the background are giant vats of delicious craft beer brewed on site by local Brew Master Travis Lang.

Travis rolled out the red carpet with a behind the scenes tour and even let me try some of his pet projects like the Belgian Waffle Ale and the Banana Hef! After two minutes with Travis you understand how passionate he is about locally sourcing high quality ingredients to make the best beer he can. I love his grass roots approach to brewing craft beer and I’m satisfied to know that Vancouver has gained another passionate brewer! Monkey 9 Brewing Co. is a brew-pub with an excellent menu featuring wood fired pizza’s and a craft beer list with 6 beers brewed right on location! If you thought the fun stopped their you’ll be pleasantly surprised that the brew-pub is attached to a massive bowling alley where you can sip on a beer and go for the coveted Turkey XXX!

I had such a blast at Monkey 9 Brewing I’m seriously considering having my birthday party there. They can accommodate large groups and I like the idea of having an activity to enjoy besides guzzling craft beer! You have to check this place out and if you’re looking for a sweet deal hit it for happy hour 2-5pm daily and indulge in $3.50 craft beers!

I’m always stoked when bars push the boundaries and provide a unique and lasting experience. Monkey 9 Brewing Co. is a great addition to Vancouver’s growing craft beer scene! Born from opportunity, in the year of the monkey, Monkey 9 Brewing is a passionate group people who love good beer and a good time. The number nine represents positivity, gratification, togetherness, magic and wisdom. After sipping on a flight of locally sourced craft beer and soaking in the atmosphere you’ll see why the name is so appropriate. Until next time my fellow beer enthusiasts.

For more information:

MONKEY 9 BREWING CO.
14200 ENTERTAINMENT BLVD.
RICHMOND, BC
V6W 1H8

(604) 370-7363

monkey9.ca

 

Nomad Restaurant

/in /by Logan Brown

You and your bestie are lounging in your apartment, both approaching dangerous hangry levels and craving a drink after a long week at work. “Why don’t we hit up Main Street?” your pal pipes up. While it’s a great suggestion, it barely narrows anything down. With such a diverse food & drink scene, Main Street can be an overwhelming destination. But fear not friends, your dining dilemma can be solved with a trip to Nomad Restaurant. Located directly on Main, tucked between 23rd and 24th Ave., Nomad boasts delicious Pacific Northwest inspired cuisine with a focus on local house-made ingredients, for both kitchen and bar.

photo by Logan Brown

We were lucky enough to come in on a Tuesday, when Nomad has a $15 Burger & Beer deal, with the burger changing each week. They also had all day Happy Hour, and yes, you read that correctly. $5 Imperial Pints, $6 Negronis and $6 Femme Fatales, a Nomad signature cocktail with lavender vodka, ginger, lemon and topped with a little bubbly.

photo by Logan Brown

We sat at the bar and were greeted by Phil, the bartender. He and the rest of the staff were friendly and engaging, and really made the experience one to remember. We started with a Femme Fatale & a Rachel’s Fantasy, two of Nomad’s signature cocktails, and after that we let Phil take the wheel with the Dealer’s Choice option. However vague or specific, simply tell the bartender what you feel like drinking and they will create a cocktail tailored to your tastes. He hit the nail on the head every time, creating offerings that ranged from a Mezcal Tobacco Vanilla Sour to a Lavender Raspberry Citrus Punch. We would definitely recommend putting your faith in the skilled bartenders and have a unique cocktail created just for you.

photo by Logan Brown

The kitchen also managed to blow us away with their creative takes on seemingly ordinary dishes. The house-made sourdough changes every few days and is served with herb butter and addictive smoked chilli salt. We followed up with Sticky Berkshire Pork Belly, with cauliflower florets and puree and topped with a crispy chicharron. And of course, we couldn’t resist trying the Tuesday burger special- this week’s being a 100% grass-fed beef patty, apple fennel mustard, pear barbeque sauce and bourbon onion aioli. The quality of the ingredients really shined through and made for some mouth-watering dishes.

photo by Logan Brown

photo by Logan Brown

The space is warm, casual and inviting, and is the perfect backdrop for that perfect Instagram post. High ceilings, minimalistic artwork, lots of wood and a tiny succulent placed on each table manage to create a trendy vibe without trying too hard. The restaurant is on the smaller side, giving it an intimate feel and allowing you to actually be able to hold a conversation with your guests.

photo by Logan Brown

Nomad offers up a fine dining experience with no fuss and lots of personality. So next time you and your buddy are mindlessly scrolling through Yelp and can’t decide between Mexican or Vietnamese, save yourself the headache and stop into Nomad, your taste buds will thank you.

photo by Logan Brown

 

For more information:

Eight 1/2 Restaurant Lounge

/in /by Leah Bens

What better way to break the Monday blues than a few drinks and a good laugh? With its live stand up comedy night paired with $4 drink specials, Eight 1/2 Restaurant Lounge is definitely the place to be on a Monday night. Just tucked in behind the crossroads of 8th and Broadway, this quaint little lounge provides a super convenient spot for an after work pick me up.

photo by Leah Bens

Eight and a Half provides casual dining that focuses on simple, local ingredients in order to create a uniquely ‘Vanouverite’ ambiance. And its this laid back vibe that really outlines Eight and a Half as a place to unwind. On Mondays they offer $4 select draught beers paired with $10 perogies, which I’m sure we can all agree is the perfect way to start off a casual night out!

photo by Leah Bens

In addition to its daily features, we were surprised to see the variety of different twists on classic cocktails. We started off the night with cucumber mojitos-a refreshing change from the classic recipe. The White Peach and Wild Berry Moscow Mules were another example of a delicious alternative that really supplemented the unique taste of this lounge.

photo by Leah Bens

Whether it be the casual aesthetic of cocktails served in mason jars, or the unique martini names that outline the flavours of Vancouver; something about Eight 1/2 Restaurant Lounge really makes you feel at home. However, the highlight of this lounge is definitely its Monday night special, which features live stand up comedy starting at 9pm.

The comedians were hilarious-obviously- and it makes you feel good to support local talent. Hope to see you there this Monday!

photo by Leah Bens

photo by Leah Bens

For more information:

EIGHT 1/2 RESTAURANT LOUNGE
153 E 8th AVE
VANCOUVER, BC
V5T

(604) 568-2703

eightandahalf.ca

Where to go in Vancouver for a Special Occasion – Seasons in the Park

/in /by Ben McRae

We all have a friend, partner, or spouse that needs to feel extra special from time to time. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or you’re really in the dog house, a dinner at Seasons in the Park will solve all your problems! I recently had the pleasure of experiencing Seasons in the Park’s top-level service, hand crafted cocktails, and mouth watering dishes. These three components added with the amazing view inspired me to pay homage to this Vancouver gem.

seasons in the park

photo by Ben McRae

As a married man, I’m fully aware of important dates throughout the year and the significance they mean to my wife. In my experience, an amazing dinner in a beautiful setting always does the trick! Seasons in the Park is perched on top of Vancouver’s highest point situated in Queen Elizabeth Park. The view is spectacular as you take in the entire city with the mountains painted in the background.

seasons in the park

photo by Ben McRae

The service I experienced at Seasons was high level. Which is key when your celebrating a special occasion and you want everything to go smoothly. Our server guided us through the menus as we picked the Piquante Prawns and White Wine Mussels to start followed by the Veal T-bone and Red Wine Truffle Rack of Lamb!

seasons in the park

photo by Ben McRae

seasons in the park

photo by Ben McRae

I always take advantage of the house cocktail list and suggest sipping on their signature “The Vancouver”. Seasons in the Park has an impressive wine list and I loved how much they support BC wines. I sipped on Burrowing Owl’s Cabernet Franc pairing beautifully with the Veal T-bone and was taken to a place of euphoria. Add the world class view and you have the setting for the perfect night!

Next time you need to impress that special somebody, reserve a table at Seasons in the Park and let them do the rest!

seasons in the park

photo by Ben McRae

For more information: