I like beer. There, I said it.
I go to the Great Canadian Beer Festival pretty much every year. I have graduated to the level of “connoisseur” in that I’m more than willing to throw away a sample of beer I’m not fond of, even if it has cost me a couple of bucks. I generally don’t drink anything from the major breweries in Canada, or from the U.S. for that matter. I like my local micro-brews, as well as the ones that aren’t so local. I’ll go out of my way to have a good beer, even if it takes me off of my beaten path. All because I really like a good beer.
Do I have beers of choice? Sure do…
1. Pilsner Urquell
This beer has been a staple in my house since I went to Prague back in the mid-90s. And since you can’t get Staropramen or Gambrinus here, it’s my best option. Plus, a couple of the local cocktail lounges serve it on tap.1
2. Driftwood White Bark Ale
A local favourite. Driftwood makes great beer…and they are one of the newest micro-breweries in my city. Wheaty, white and delish.
3. Driftwood Singularity Russian Imperial Stout
Pure awesomeness. I can’t even describe it other than to quote the man who first served me one. He calls it the “Darth Vader of beers.”2
4. Beck’s Non-Alcoholic
When I want to have beer, but not have the “impact” of beer. This is the option that I go to when I know I’m going to be driving but want to have the same sort of experience as my beer-drinking friends. Bonus: the bottle looks exactly like a regular Beck’s bottle.
5. Sasquatch Stout
My favourite beer (crafted by the Old Yale Brewing Company) that was at this past year’s beer festival, but haven’t been able to find it since. I’m hoping someone in my city has it or will carry it soon; otherwise, I’m going to be drinking a lot more Singularity to cover my stout fix.3
1 I thank my lucky stars that Clive’s Classic Lounge and Veneto exist in my fair city. Not only do they have my favourite beer, but they make some great cocktails.
2 Simon Ogden, from the aforementioned Veneto.
3 I’m looking at you, Liquor Plus.
