Music, Beer and Where's Waldo (Perfectly Poured Pints - 3 of 22)

This post is long overdue, but I couldn't not post it, so we're going to do a bit of time travelling back to the beginning of July when I had a fabulous evening at the City and Colour concert with some of the greatest ladies I know.  Not only did I learn new things (City and Colour is called City and Colour because of Dallas Green...think about it...glad I'm not the only one that took a while to get that one), but the concert was fabulous (literally felt like Dallas Green invited you into his backyard for a private show...he's so talented and so real), I fulfilled a childhood dream and found Where's Waldo, and we topped the evening off at Biercraft...my inaugural visit!! 

I know, I know, how can a beer lover live in Vancouver and have never been to Biercraft?  I haven't been able to figure that one out myself, but I'm very glad to have finally made it there.  Fun, relaxed but classy atmosphere, amazing beer list, great looking menu...definitely a recipe for a very fun night!  I'd definitely recommend meandering down there sooner than later and checking it out.

Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale on tap??  You had me at Deschutes for crying out loud!

Biercraft!

 

The Baked Brie: filo wrapped, baked double cream brie, crostini & honey-balsamic reduction.  ($12)

The greatest dessert that could ever be had: a Fruli beer.  Amazing!

 

And just when I thought the night couldn't get any better...look who I found?!!!

http://www.biercraft.com/

Twitter: @biercraft

You want to put what in my caesar???!!! (Perfectly Poured Pints 2 of 22)

I recently had a long-awaited reunion with one of my favourite Friday after work drinks ladies.  Since neither of us had been to Rogue in Gastown, we decided to see if all the fabulousness we'd heard was true.  It was!  I was expecting a classic pub, but it was a really nice cross between a fun restaurant and a modern pub...and they had one of the best craft beer lists that I've seen in the city...they even have Deschutes Mirrorpond Pale Ale on tap!  Yes, folks, you heard right.  Not in a bottle, but on tap!  To top it off, their food was really good.  We both actually commented on how the food was much better than we were expected.  Well done Rogue...you'll be sure to be seeing plenty more of us in the future!

 

Things to note: (1) They do take reservations, but only in their restaurant section.  The bar section is first come, first served.  (2) They have a patio.  (3) If a beer on the list is stamped in red, it means it's out.  If it's stamped in green, it means they have it on tap.  If it's stamped in red and green, it means it's out.

 

Despite the fact that I wanted to take full advantage of Rogue's beer list, I couldn't start my Friday after work drinks with anything but a caesar!  However, when I read the description of their signature caesar (smirnoff red label vodka infused with cilantro & cumin, tabasco, worcestershire, clamato, pepperoni stick), I wasn't exactly sure how I felt.  Cilantro in my caesar?  Come on now.  I decided to put on my brave face and order one...man was it good!  The cilantro made it so light and refreshing.  I'd definitely order it again.  ($7.99)

The view from our table.

Round 2: Deschutes Mirrorpond Pale Ale ($5.75) and the R&B Sun God Wheat Ale ($5.50).  Yummy in our tummies. 

Round 3: Red Rooster Pinot Gris ($13.25) and Deschutes Mirrorpond Pale Ale ($5.75).  I still can't believe they had this beer on tap!

Food intermission: my partner in crime's Crispy Chicken Sandwich (smoked bacon, aged cheddar, ranch, tomato, sesame brioche bun).  ($13.99).  This looked scrumptious!

My "The" Reuben: smoked meat stacked high on marble rye,
red sauerkraut, melted gruyere, dijon mayo  ($14.99).  This was amazing!  Hands-down the best reuben I've had in years.  The bread was fresh and flavourful, there was the perfect amount of smoked meat, the flavour of the cheese popped in your mouth and the sauerkraut was out of control!  I would give pretty much anything to learn how to make that sandwich. 

 

I forgot to take a picture of Round 4, but I wanted to mention it because I made a massive mistake.  I had ordered the Mirrorpond Pale Ale knowing that I was going to want another beer afterwards.  The Mirrorpond Pale Ale should always be consumed as your dessert beer, as nothing will compare to it after you've had it.  However, I found one that survived and did not disappoint.  So, in case you make a rookie mistake like me, order the Mount Begbie Cream Ale to follow up your Mirropond Pale Ale.  ($5.50)

 

2 of 22 officially checked off!

 

http://www.roguewetbar.com/

Twitter: @roguewetbar

Perfectly Poured Pints - Tap & Barrel (1 of 22)

After our fabulous time at the Granville Island Brewery, we weren't ready for the fun to end, so my sister, her boyfriend and I continued our walk along the seawall and made our way to Tap & Barrel.  I know, I know, I've already done a post on Tap & Barrel...however, this is different.  This is the first instalment of Perfectly Poured Pints!

What is Perfectly Poured Pints, you ask?  My summer challenge!  I recently discovered a map (included below for your viewing pleasure) of 22 different establishments in Vancouver that are leading the way in the Perfectly Poured Pints department.  Some I've been to before, some I haven't...but I figured it would be a lot of fun to try and check all of them out this summer...so, challenge accepted!  That, and the fact that I had such a fabulous afternoon with my sister and her boyfriend that I couldn't not include it on my blog. 

On to the fun!

Starter caesars and yam fries...yum!  (Caesars - $unsure...but it was reasonable, yam fries - $5)

 

And the sampling continues!  I opted for the R&B Brewing Company Sun God Wheat Ale (very yummy!), the Whistler Grapefruit Ale (one of my all-time favourites!) and the Parallel 49 Watermelon Wit (unreal!).  The great thing about having so many beer on tap, you literally have over 20 beer and ciders to choose from for your sampler.  It was awesome!  (approximately $8) 

 

 The weather was still a little bit iffy and chilly when we got to Tap & Barrel, so we sat in their enclosed downstairs patio so we could feel like we were on a patio but still be warm.  We got lucky, though, and the sun broke out while we were there, so they simply rolled up the "walls" and we were on an open air patio.  It was awesome!  My sister and her boyfriend, with the gorgeous view of False Creek and BC Place in the background.

After a couple of hours, we felt like it was time to move on to a different patio, but we were having so much fun that we decided that a move to the upstairs patio was move enough!  Deschutes Brewery Mirror Pond Pale Ale...one of the best beer every brewed.  If you haven't tried it, do yourself a favour and order it next time.  ($6.75)

Sisters being sisters!  Word to the wise, if you ask nicely, you can get any beer poured into the absolutely spectacular beer mugs...so much more fun to drink out of!  Parallel 49 Watermelon Wit and Orchard Hill Estate Red Roof Cider ($7.50 each).

 

The holy grail of perfectly poured points.  #17 officially checked off!  Only 21 more to go.

http://www.tapandbarrel.com/
Twitter: @tapandbarrel