Days That End in Y

Stop #2 today was Dockside Brewing Company. This is tucked away inside the Granville Island Hotel, which just moved onto my unofficial list of cool hotels.

Dockside offers eight different brews. The one that really stood out was the Jamaican lager, which is a fruit beer that also has hibiscus concentrate. This was just perfect for a summer day. It was very well-balanced with a touch of sweetness and a subtle bit of hibiscus. It actually reminded me of a Trinidadian rum punch.

The good news is Dockside offers a beer sampler, which comes in a nifty wooden basket. Unfortunately, it only has six of the beers. However, fortunately, the bartender will likely offer you samples of the remaining two as long as you sit at the bar, so here’s a tip: sit at the bar and not at a table! Also, while you’re at it, get yourself some of the ridiculously tasty chili squid, which my friendly bartender Sean recommended.

After lunch, I kicked off the afternoon by visiting Granville Island Brewing, which I’d first heard of in Whistler. I hied myself there in time for the 2:00 PM tour and tasting to discover that both the 2:00 and 4:00 tours were full! Argh! In fact, the taproom itself was packed, and there was nowhere to sit. The brewery itself isn’t that large, so if you plan on going, I suggest getting that early or going on a less busy day. (This is a three-day weekend here due to BC Day.) A half hour or so later, though, the tap room had emptied out a bit, and I managed to sit down at the bar with my four samples.

Yours truly is now in Vancouver, Canada to attend a wedding this weekend. Of course, I’m taking a few extra days to explore and definitely plan to hit up some local breweries and to drink plenty of British Columbia wine.

Interestingly, the very first beer I had today was at IHOP. Seriously, IHOP. I had no idea that the pancake chain offered beer in Canada. It wasn’t the most exciting meal, but a pale ale sure made it better! I simply didn’t have the energy to venture far from the hotel after a long day of travel and drinking Scotch and wine on various planes. (US Airways currently serves 12-year-old Glenlivet in case you’re wondering and some Chenin Blanc as its white.)

Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my Finger Lakes wine tasting notes, pictures, etc., so that post will have to wait until the end of next week.

By the way, any suggestions as to what to drink while here?

According to a survey sponsored by Coors Light, more than 44% of men say having a cold drink is their favorite way to cool off, and 38% would prefer to be immersed in a pool filled with ice-cold beer instead of a pool filled with ice.

Then, the Canadians take it too far. A survey sponsored by Moosehead reveals that only 72% of Canadians would prefer sex to beer if given a choice between the two. In particular, don’t expect to get any from Atlantic Canadians where 40% of them would prefer beer to sex!

(Also, major props go to The Winnipeg Sun for using the word “nookie” in their article!)