It's only been a little over five months since I've posted here. I can't blame you if you've lost interest - you've probably moved on, and I get that. But I want to make it up to you. I promise I'll do better. I won't disappear for so long again, at least without an explanation or a note to say I'm okay.
Okay, now that we've gotten that out of the way, truth be told I've been busy. Brewing, tours for BrewDonkey, of course family life takes a lot of my time (and their patience and understanding with me). There are other things happening that I'll one day share here as well.
But enough fore-play.
Two great articles peaked my reading interest on Twitter today. One was called Bud vs. Microbrew: How Beer is made (in GIFs!)
Why should you read it? Because in a very concise and clear way, and without passing judgement, it shows the reader some very big differences between how a macro brewer like Anheuser-Busch and a microbrewer like Perennial Artisan Ales brew beer.
The other article courtesy of The Windsor Star, I found very interesting and timely as well. It talks about The Beer Store - it's history, ownership and control of the beer market, and the struggles Ontario Craft Brewers face trying to get in front of consumers.
As a homebrewer and a part-time tour guide for BrewDonkey, I often get asked about the beer system in Ontario, how and why The Beer Store can have this 'monopoly' in the province. I find this article extremely well written and am more knowledgeable for it. I hope you do to - it's worth the read.
Tuesday, July 08, 2014
Friday, January 31, 2014
The Great Gruit Revival
February 1st (or rather, feBREWary) is International Gruit Day. At least, that is what the good people at Beau's All Natural Brewery have proclaimed. And with more and more microbreweries getting on board, it may one day be a standard calendar entry.
So what is gruit? Quite simply, it is beer without hops. To take it one step further, it is a traditional, some say original, way to brew beer using herbs in lieu of hops. There's a pretty good article in The Globe and Mail about it.
The great thing about beer is that, if you ignore the Reinheitsgebot, or the Bavarian Purity Law (which states that beers must only contain barley, water, hops and yeast), it is really open to interpretation. That's much different than, say, wine, which tends to be more finicky and precise about how it is produced.
International Gruit Day is the brainchild of Steve Beauchesne and the people at Beau's. Started in 2013, it enters it's second year with more breweries on board, more gruits produced, and a lot more hype. Don't believe me? Check out #internationalgruitday on Twitter.
Gruit is not for everyone. But for beer lovers and history buffs alike, it's good to remember your roots, and if you picture Erik the Red enjoying ale after a good pillaging, he quite likely quenched his thirst with this hearty beverage.
I'll be brewing up my first - a Sandkicker Golden Gruit that will have, among other things, corriander seed, rosemary, sweet gale and yarrow in it.
If you get a chance, give this beer a try. You just might be surprised.
Gruit resources
Explains what gruit day is
A website dedicated to all things gruit.
The Bog Father - Beau's signature gruit-style beer.
History lesson. This guy really did his homework
Cheers!
So what is gruit? Quite simply, it is beer without hops. To take it one step further, it is a traditional, some say original, way to brew beer using herbs in lieu of hops. There's a pretty good article in The Globe and Mail about it.
The great thing about beer is that, if you ignore the Reinheitsgebot, or the Bavarian Purity Law (which states that beers must only contain barley, water, hops and yeast), it is really open to interpretation. That's much different than, say, wine, which tends to be more finicky and precise about how it is produced.
Gruit is not for everyone. But for beer lovers and history buffs alike, it's good to remember your roots, and if you picture Erik the Red enjoying ale after a good pillaging, he quite likely quenched his thirst with this hearty beverage.
I'll be brewing up my first - a Sandkicker Golden Gruit that will have, among other things, corriander seed, rosemary, sweet gale and yarrow in it.
If you get a chance, give this beer a try. You just might be surprised.
Gruit resources
Explains what gruit day is
A website dedicated to all things gruit.
The Bog Father - Beau's signature gruit-style beer.
History lesson. This guy really did his homework
Cheers!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
The 30 second update
Well, this is embarrassing. It's been over a month since my last post, and a lot has happened in that time.
I'm tempted to leave it at that, and let the suspense wash over you....
But then you may never return. So allow me to recap:
Christmas open house resulted in great feedback on my beers, and helped me identify up to four 'house' beers, those that I would or should keep on tap.
We hosted Christmas and Boxing Day - lots of pyjama time spent with family. Lisa and Aiden managed to stay relatively healthy, but Marissa and I fought colds/virus stuff off and on throughout the holidays.
Lots of time spent in hockey rinks. Always fun.
Didn't brew over the holidays. Thought about it lots, but never did. However, as part of the homebrew group I am a part of, I gave 12 of my beers (six of the 1808 pale ale, six of the Wrecking Ball blonde ale). In return, I received 12 different types of beers from 12 different homebrewers. A great idea, a lot of different styles, so happy I was a part of this. Also a great opportunity to give and receive feedback, since many homebrewers are always looking for ways to improve.
I did expand my keezer from two to four taps. Here's a picture. The taps have all been bought/given/gifted and in no way reflect the great beer that comes out of the tap.
2014 rolled in. I finally received the best beer in the world - the Westy 12. Taste is always relative, but the story behind this Trappist beer is fascinating. I will give this it's own post that it deserves.
Recently, I brewed a Black IPA. It's currently fermenting, and I am very excited to try this one.
So there it is - le quick update. I will be back soon, as there is so much more to share.
Cheers.
I'm tempted to leave it at that, and let the suspense wash over you....
But then you may never return. So allow me to recap:
Christmas open house resulted in great feedback on my beers, and helped me identify up to four 'house' beers, those that I would or should keep on tap.
We hosted Christmas and Boxing Day - lots of pyjama time spent with family. Lisa and Aiden managed to stay relatively healthy, but Marissa and I fought colds/virus stuff off and on throughout the holidays.
Lots of time spent in hockey rinks. Always fun.
Didn't brew over the holidays. Thought about it lots, but never did. However, as part of the homebrew group I am a part of, I gave 12 of my beers (six of the 1808 pale ale, six of the Wrecking Ball blonde ale). In return, I received 12 different types of beers from 12 different homebrewers. A great idea, a lot of different styles, so happy I was a part of this. Also a great opportunity to give and receive feedback, since many homebrewers are always looking for ways to improve.
I did expand my keezer from two to four taps. Here's a picture. The taps have all been bought/given/gifted and in no way reflect the great beer that comes out of the tap.
2014 rolled in. I finally received the best beer in the world - the Westy 12. Taste is always relative, but the story behind this Trappist beer is fascinating. I will give this it's own post that it deserves.
Recently, I brewed a Black IPA. It's currently fermenting, and I am very excited to try this one.
So there it is - le quick update. I will be back soon, as there is so much more to share.
Cheers.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Hockey and craft beer in Kingston
Nothing screams "Canadian" more than hockey, and in Ontario, Kingston is a great hockey town. Names like Don Cherry, Doug Gilmour, Kirk Muller, and Ken Linseman are synonymous with the city by the lake.
So when I found out my son's hockey team would be attending a tournament down the 401 in March, naturally, I was excited. Not only will be be a part of some great hockey, but it's a chance to get to know the parents and kids a bit better, and be able to share some homebrew. In fact, there are two homebrewering dads that have kids on the team - me and my brewing mentor. Our eyes lit up over the prospect of a weekend trip away.
Kingston is not currently known to house any micro-breweries yet, but something tells me it's coming shortly. Until then, I'll need to find a way to get to this bar and grab a few pints.
So when I found out my son's hockey team would be attending a tournament down the 401 in March, naturally, I was excited. Not only will be be a part of some great hockey, but it's a chance to get to know the parents and kids a bit better, and be able to share some homebrew. In fact, there are two homebrewering dads that have kids on the team - me and my brewing mentor. Our eyes lit up over the prospect of a weekend trip away.
Kingston is not currently known to house any micro-breweries yet, but something tells me it's coming shortly. Until then, I'll need to find a way to get to this bar and grab a few pints.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Hark! A Christmas album to share
As my wife will attest, I do not enjoy Christmas music. I believe it stems from my youth working in retail. Back then, Christmas shopping season began around December 1, not November 1. Still, for 24 days, 8-9 hour shifts, there's only so many versions of Hark! I Hear the Angels Sing before you wish for a good waterboarding as a means of escape.
Don't mistake me for a Scrooge though. I love the Christmas season, and there is some music I do like. I'm a sucker for the Wings classic "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time". It reminds me of my parents' station wagon. We were on our way to stay with our grandparents in Florida and that song would play at least once an hour - and my dad drove for 24 hours straight that year, so you do the math. My sister and I still laugh about that trip.
I also dig anything by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. Those are songs that stand the test of time. Even U2 did an original song for Christmas. And of course, there's this Christmas classic from Bob and Doug Mckenzie. But for years, it seems pop artists are compelled to put out a holiday album - maybe to meet contractual agreements and a Christmas album is the easiest thing to put out. Hell, the song's already done for you. But could you not arrange it to make it sound familiar, yet original? I'm talking to you Beyoncé, Mariah, and Bublé!
Then there are artists who take traditional music and make it beautiful. There's a band out of Texas (a brother and sister duo called The Oh Hello's) that just released a family Christmas album. And I love it. Tyler and Maggie Heath breathe new life into a genre that is sorely needed. Pure, pure joy. Here, stream it yourself, and if you love it as I do, you can download it and pay what you think it's worth.
And I can't leave you without an obligatory beer shout-out, can I? Muskoka Brewery's Winter Beard Double Chocoltate Cranberry Stout. A great stout that will chase away the winter chills. Curl up in front a fire, light the candles, put the kids to bed and enjoy this beer with The Oh Hello's playing in the background. Rejoice!
Don't mistake me for a Scrooge though. I love the Christmas season, and there is some music I do like. I'm a sucker for the Wings classic "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time". It reminds me of my parents' station wagon. We were on our way to stay with our grandparents in Florida and that song would play at least once an hour - and my dad drove for 24 hours straight that year, so you do the math. My sister and I still laugh about that trip.
I also dig anything by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. Those are songs that stand the test of time. Even U2 did an original song for Christmas. And of course, there's this Christmas classic from Bob and Doug Mckenzie. But for years, it seems pop artists are compelled to put out a holiday album - maybe to meet contractual agreements and a Christmas album is the easiest thing to put out. Hell, the song's already done for you. But could you not arrange it to make it sound familiar, yet original? I'm talking to you Beyoncé, Mariah, and Bublé!
Then there are artists who take traditional music and make it beautiful. There's a band out of Texas (a brother and sister duo called The Oh Hello's) that just released a family Christmas album. And I love it. Tyler and Maggie Heath breathe new life into a genre that is sorely needed. Pure, pure joy. Here, stream it yourself, and if you love it as I do, you can download it and pay what you think it's worth.
And I can't leave you without an obligatory beer shout-out, can I? Muskoka Brewery's Winter Beard Double Chocoltate Cranberry Stout. A great stout that will chase away the winter chills. Curl up in front a fire, light the candles, put the kids to bed and enjoy this beer with The Oh Hello's playing in the background. Rejoice!
Friday, November 29, 2013
No Bah-hum-beer here
Despite what my wife thinks, I love this time of year. Friends and family gatherings; everyone's smile gets just a bit wider; fond childhood memories drift back from the haze. I don't share her enthusiasm much before Nov. 11. Usually it takes me a few more weeks and the first significant snowfall generally helps.
I'm a little extra-excited this year. Each year, we hold an open house for family and friends. Selfishly, it's our chance to see many people all at once during this busy time. The carrot (other than our charming selves and pleasant children) that I like to dangle is we supply appetizers, wine and beer.
This year is our ninth annual, and my second as a homebrewer. I spent a good portion of my evening last December entertaining the men-folk as we hovered around my newly built keezer with two beer offerings - one was an extract attempt at a cream ale and the other was a Festa Double Oatmeal Stout. Both were relative successes.
In two weeks, I fully intend on regaling the fellas and some of the ladies with more homebrew stories as we gather by the keezer whilst sampling no less than six beer offerings. This is what has got me excited, for each one was lovingly crafted in my garage this fall.
You see, I love brewing beer. I love sharing what I've made even more. And if what I've made makes you exclaim "wow, you MADE this?", that's the best gift I could ever get (other than, say, a gift card from OBK)
This is a great time of year and a great time in general for beer. If you don't believe me, go to your local LCBO and check out all the cool gift packs available, including seasonal releases from Muskoka and Beau's, to name a few.
Cheers
This year is our ninth annual, and my second as a homebrewer. I spent a good portion of my evening last December entertaining the men-folk as we hovered around my newly built keezer with two beer offerings - one was an extract attempt at a cream ale and the other was a Festa Double Oatmeal Stout. Both were relative successes.
In two weeks, I fully intend on regaling the fellas and some of the ladies with more homebrew stories as we gather by the keezer whilst sampling no less than six beer offerings. This is what has got me excited, for each one was lovingly crafted in my garage this fall.
You see, I love brewing beer. I love sharing what I've made even more. And if what I've made makes you exclaim "wow, you MADE this?", that's the best gift I could ever get (other than, say, a gift card from OBK)
This is a great time of year and a great time in general for beer. If you don't believe me, go to your local LCBO and check out all the cool gift packs available, including seasonal releases from Muskoka and Beau's, to name a few.
Cheers
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Sunday Donkey Rides
It's been a busy week since last we spoke. I didn't brew any beer (surprisingly). In fact, as I look around my subterranean brewing room, I realize that I am going to have some kick-ass varieties for friends and family to sample. I really love to share what I make and, like all home brewers, encourage honest feedback. I'm learning to brew for other palates as well as my own.
The last brew day was with a new member to the home brew 'club' I belong to. Over email, we listed the various ingredients we had and found a style and a recipe that we thought would be fun to brew and consume. So a Friday night was spent telling tales, drinking pints, and making beer. He's a real good guy and we have a lot in common. Yeah, you could say we struck up a real 'brewmance'. Chad Edmunds and I made an Irish red ale that we are very excited to try. First tests prove that this could be a keeper.
Later that week, I finally received the marking sheets from a beer (McFadden's RockdALE) I submitted to the Beau's Oktoberfest Home Brew Competition. While this American-style amber ale didn't win any prizes, for my first comp submission, I was very happy with the marks it received and the noted suggestions will help to improve the next batch. I'm hoping to perfect this one as one of my standard 'house beers'.
Finally, this Sunday I was asked by Brad Campeau to be a part of the Eastern Ontario Tasting Tour for Brew Donkey.
Brad doesn't make his own beer, but he certainly has a love affair with it. Brew Donkey actually offers two services - a craft beer delivery service and beer tasting tours. He's just got the go-ahead to begin taking orders for the delivery service, and the latest beer tour was the third - the next one scheduled for Jan. 18, 2014.
The tour was an absolute blast.
(photo credit: Katy Watts)
On a drizzly Sunday morning, 35 adults mounted the Brew Donkey school bus, making our way towards our first stop, Cassel Brewery. On the way, Brad spoke to the captive audience about his business, the delivery service, and his vision for world domination! He then turned it over to me, where hopefully I didn't bore anyone to death on the basics of beer and beer making.
I certainly wouldn't consider myself an expert, but hopefully my intent on giving my fellow donkey riders the basis of beer knowledge was helpful for our upcoming stops.
We arrived at Cassel where we were enthusiastically met by Ben and Michel. They split us up into two groups (mostly due to the number of people and the size of the brewery) - one sampled the beer first, the other got to tour the back of the house to see where the magic happened, then we switched up.
Cassel Brewery is a great 'small town' success story. Owner and Brewmaster, Mario Bourgeois, started as a home brewer with a passion for more. He's steadily growing the business and with great support from the community and other local brewers, his products will soon be hitting LCBO shelves in the next few months. But on this tour day, our happy-go-lucky donkey riders nearly cleaned out the shelves.
On the way to our next stop, Brad handed out boxed lunches catered by Murray Street Kitchen. The overwhelming response to the food was a resounding 'wow'. A really great touch.
Our next stop was Vankleek Hill Vineyard. This was a bit bizarre; a busload of beer drinkers getting to learn about a local winery. After a few awkward moments and pauses, we all got to tour the clean facility, sample wine, and learn about hearty grapes. The stop did fit nicely with the 'support local' theme. It was an interesting stop to say the least, but Marty (Murray) knows his wine. Still, I think we were all really looking forward to our final destination - Beau's All Natural Brewing Company.
Anyone living in Ottawa knows Beau's. People in Toronto and elsewhere are beginning to know this great (not-so-little-anymore) brewery in the heart of Vankleek Hill, a town that sits squarely in the middle of Ottawa and Montreal.
I can do a whole blog post on Beau's and may save that for another time, so let me just say that they were able to accommodate 35 of us with ease. A new store and sample bar was relocated from it's cramped confines and into the brewery. The move allows ample space to mingle and check out all of their cool swag. At the bar, there are about 10 taps and on this day, they had at least five to try. Beau's wants you to sample all of their beers and they aren't shy about it. You may not like them all, and that's okay. Not all of their beers are home runs, but the ones that are, do very well (i.e. Lugtread).
We spent the good part of two hours in the brewery, and it was a great opportunity to meet the other people on the tour. Of the 35, I believe I spoke to 20. The conversations ranged from home brewing (how-to, recipes), to food, and even found an old high school friend. I even connected with some 'virtual' friends. The Brew Donkey can do it all!
Owner Steve Beauchesne was on hand to greet everyone. He shared a few pints, told a few stories, and held audience with those of us who brew at home and he welcomed the opportunity to speak about the brewery, his favourite beers he's made, and even some of the 'misses' that will never see a beer tap.
But, like all good things, the tour had come to an end. As we all stumbled onto the bus and headed back home, Brad calculated the beer purchases and announced that our little group of 35 bought 118L of beer (and 1L of wine)! That, my friends, is quite impressive.
In all, it was a great way to spend an otherwise dreary Sunday. You don't have to be a beer connoisseur or home brewer to join one of these tours - in fact, it's a great way to be entertained for a few hours, learn something new, meet some awesome people, and get to see a side of Ottawa that is on the verge of exploding.
Ride the donkey. Hee Haw!
The last brew day was with a new member to the home brew 'club' I belong to. Over email, we listed the various ingredients we had and found a style and a recipe that we thought would be fun to brew and consume. So a Friday night was spent telling tales, drinking pints, and making beer. He's a real good guy and we have a lot in common. Yeah, you could say we struck up a real 'brewmance'. Chad Edmunds and I made an Irish red ale that we are very excited to try. First tests prove that this could be a keeper.
Later that week, I finally received the marking sheets from a beer (McFadden's RockdALE) I submitted to the Beau's Oktoberfest Home Brew Competition. While this American-style amber ale didn't win any prizes, for my first comp submission, I was very happy with the marks it received and the noted suggestions will help to improve the next batch. I'm hoping to perfect this one as one of my standard 'house beers'.
Finally, this Sunday I was asked by Brad Campeau to be a part of the Eastern Ontario Tasting Tour for Brew Donkey.
Brad doesn't make his own beer, but he certainly has a love affair with it. Brew Donkey actually offers two services - a craft beer delivery service and beer tasting tours. He's just got the go-ahead to begin taking orders for the delivery service, and the latest beer tour was the third - the next one scheduled for Jan. 18, 2014.
The tour was an absolute blast.
On a drizzly Sunday morning, 35 adults mounted the Brew Donkey school bus, making our way towards our first stop, Cassel Brewery. On the way, Brad spoke to the captive audience about his business, the delivery service, and his vision for world domination! He then turned it over to me, where hopefully I didn't bore anyone to death on the basics of beer and beer making.
I certainly wouldn't consider myself an expert, but hopefully my intent on giving my fellow donkey riders the basis of beer knowledge was helpful for our upcoming stops.
We arrived at Cassel where we were enthusiastically met by Ben and Michel. They split us up into two groups (mostly due to the number of people and the size of the brewery) - one sampled the beer first, the other got to tour the back of the house to see where the magic happened, then we switched up.
Cassel Brewery is a great 'small town' success story. Owner and Brewmaster, Mario Bourgeois, started as a home brewer with a passion for more. He's steadily growing the business and with great support from the community and other local brewers, his products will soon be hitting LCBO shelves in the next few months. But on this tour day, our happy-go-lucky donkey riders nearly cleaned out the shelves.
On the way to our next stop, Brad handed out boxed lunches catered by Murray Street Kitchen. The overwhelming response to the food was a resounding 'wow'. A really great touch.
Our next stop was Vankleek Hill Vineyard. This was a bit bizarre; a busload of beer drinkers getting to learn about a local winery. After a few awkward moments and pauses, we all got to tour the clean facility, sample wine, and learn about hearty grapes. The stop did fit nicely with the 'support local' theme. It was an interesting stop to say the least, but Marty (Murray) knows his wine. Still, I think we were all really looking forward to our final destination - Beau's All Natural Brewing Company.
Anyone living in Ottawa knows Beau's. People in Toronto and elsewhere are beginning to know this great (not-so-little-anymore) brewery in the heart of Vankleek Hill, a town that sits squarely in the middle of Ottawa and Montreal.
I can do a whole blog post on Beau's and may save that for another time, so let me just say that they were able to accommodate 35 of us with ease. A new store and sample bar was relocated from it's cramped confines and into the brewery. The move allows ample space to mingle and check out all of their cool swag. At the bar, there are about 10 taps and on this day, they had at least five to try. Beau's wants you to sample all of their beers and they aren't shy about it. You may not like them all, and that's okay. Not all of their beers are home runs, but the ones that are, do very well (i.e. Lugtread).
We spent the good part of two hours in the brewery, and it was a great opportunity to meet the other people on the tour. Of the 35, I believe I spoke to 20. The conversations ranged from home brewing (how-to, recipes), to food, and even found an old high school friend. I even connected with some 'virtual' friends. The Brew Donkey can do it all!
Owner Steve Beauchesne was on hand to greet everyone. He shared a few pints, told a few stories, and held audience with those of us who brew at home and he welcomed the opportunity to speak about the brewery, his favourite beers he's made, and even some of the 'misses' that will never see a beer tap.
But, like all good things, the tour had come to an end. As we all stumbled onto the bus and headed back home, Brad calculated the beer purchases and announced that our little group of 35 bought 118L of beer (and 1L of wine)! That, my friends, is quite impressive.
In all, it was a great way to spend an otherwise dreary Sunday. You don't have to be a beer connoisseur or home brewer to join one of these tours - in fact, it's a great way to be entertained for a few hours, learn something new, meet some awesome people, and get to see a side of Ottawa that is on the verge of exploding.
Ride the donkey. Hee Haw!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
How important is good customer service?
Having worked in the hospitality/service industry in one capacity or another for over 14 years, I gained a lot of appreciation, patience, and tolerance when dealing with people in general.
When I worked for CP Hotels and Resorts (now Fairmont), that old saying "the customer is always right" stuck with me, even when it was apparent that they weren't.
People in the service industry work their asses off just to make sure we leave happy, come back, and leave a decent tip to help top-off their minimum wage.
Truth be told, in all my years I've never encountered an employee/fellow co-worker come into work with the sole purpose of pissing off a customer by intentionally serving a flat beer or an overcooked steak.
Yesterday was Remembrance Day. Lisa and I had the day off. After a morning of putting things away for the winter and purging kids' toys and books, we decided to go out for lunch. The Corner Bar & Grill just opened up in Orléans and we had had a positive first experience on one of our date nights. They have a great selection of craft beer, so it seems fitting that it would be my new 'go-to' place.
Because it is a relatively new location, one can expect some growing pains in the first few months. Yesterday was proof that there are some lessons to be learned, and quickly.
Lunch was busy, but not waiting-line busy. We took a table at the bar and, after about 10 minutes, ordered drinks. My wife's Flying Monkey's Amber Ale and my Cascadian Dark arrived with little delay - my pint was very good, but the glass they brought Lisa smelled of soap. Clearly from the glass washer. If this happens to you, send the glass back and ask them to rinse it out.
We talked about vacation plans, Christmas, and the kids for what seemed like hours. In fact, it was about 20 minutes before our server came and took our food order.
Chicken wings take anywhere from 5 minutes (if they've been pre-cooked) to 15 minutes from deep-fryer to plate. In our case, it was over an hour before they arrived.
Now, at no point did we panic, freak out, or get angry. Our server apologized several times during the wait, and since we were enjoying our time out, were not in too much of rush to leave. That is, until we remembered that we had to pick up the kids from school!
So at 1:50 p.m., we finally got our wings - 3 lbs of cajun dusted and Franks Hot. Big, meaty wings that were worth the wait.
So where's the good customer service, and how do you recognize it?
Well, we could have been pissed off - surly, grumpy, and rude. I'm sure others were that day, but what does that accomplish? Besides, it was Remembrance Day. There are bigger problems in the world that don't involve waiting for food.
Our server - Julie - informed us when she delivered our order, that they never realized how busy it would be for lunch on Remembrance Day in Orléans. She is clearly not from the area. As my wife and I had speculated, the Corner Bar & Grill thought people in the east end would naturally go downtown, not realizing that many of the residents are public servants. Hence, a lot of people had the day off.
Without any prompting, she said she would 'make adjustments' to our bill.
Previous experiences at other, larger chains, have offered a free desert, or 10% off the bill, usually after some prompting or a talk with the manager. But Julie (who I believe now was one of the managers) and the Corner Bar & Grill earned not only our business, but our loyalty. What we didn't realize was that she comped our wings, leaving us only to pay for our drinks. What seems like a small gesture (some of you are thinking "it's the least they could do!") to some, meant a lot to both of us.
It means a lot for a business to admit when they screwed up and actually take initiative to fix it.
So, go to the Corner Bar & Grill. They have multiple locations throughout Ottawa, but we believe the best one with tons of potential is in Orléans. They want to do well, they sincerely want to be part of the community, and don't take people for granted.
Follow them on Twitter to get the inside track on great food and drink specials, and while you're in there, ask for Julie and say hi.
Karma - you get what you give. Cheers!
When I worked for CP Hotels and Resorts (now Fairmont), that old saying "the customer is always right" stuck with me, even when it was apparent that they weren't.
People in the service industry work their asses off just to make sure we leave happy, come back, and leave a decent tip to help top-off their minimum wage.
Truth be told, in all my years I've never encountered an employee/fellow co-worker come into work with the sole purpose of pissing off a customer by intentionally serving a flat beer or an overcooked steak.
Yesterday was Remembrance Day. Lisa and I had the day off. After a morning of putting things away for the winter and purging kids' toys and books, we decided to go out for lunch. The Corner Bar & Grill just opened up in Orléans and we had had a positive first experience on one of our date nights. They have a great selection of craft beer, so it seems fitting that it would be my new 'go-to' place.
Because it is a relatively new location, one can expect some growing pains in the first few months. Yesterday was proof that there are some lessons to be learned, and quickly.
Lunch was busy, but not waiting-line busy. We took a table at the bar and, after about 10 minutes, ordered drinks. My wife's Flying Monkey's Amber Ale and my Cascadian Dark arrived with little delay - my pint was very good, but the glass they brought Lisa smelled of soap. Clearly from the glass washer. If this happens to you, send the glass back and ask them to rinse it out.
We talked about vacation plans, Christmas, and the kids for what seemed like hours. In fact, it was about 20 minutes before our server came and took our food order.
Chicken wings take anywhere from 5 minutes (if they've been pre-cooked) to 15 minutes from deep-fryer to plate. In our case, it was over an hour before they arrived.
Now, at no point did we panic, freak out, or get angry. Our server apologized several times during the wait, and since we were enjoying our time out, were not in too much of rush to leave. That is, until we remembered that we had to pick up the kids from school!
So at 1:50 p.m., we finally got our wings - 3 lbs of cajun dusted and Franks Hot. Big, meaty wings that were worth the wait.
So where's the good customer service, and how do you recognize it?
Well, we could have been pissed off - surly, grumpy, and rude. I'm sure others were that day, but what does that accomplish? Besides, it was Remembrance Day. There are bigger problems in the world that don't involve waiting for food.
Our server - Julie - informed us when she delivered our order, that they never realized how busy it would be for lunch on Remembrance Day in Orléans. She is clearly not from the area. As my wife and I had speculated, the Corner Bar & Grill thought people in the east end would naturally go downtown, not realizing that many of the residents are public servants. Hence, a lot of people had the day off.
Without any prompting, she said she would 'make adjustments' to our bill.
Previous experiences at other, larger chains, have offered a free desert, or 10% off the bill, usually after some prompting or a talk with the manager. But Julie (who I believe now was one of the managers) and the Corner Bar & Grill earned not only our business, but our loyalty. What we didn't realize was that she comped our wings, leaving us only to pay for our drinks. What seems like a small gesture (some of you are thinking "it's the least they could do!") to some, meant a lot to both of us.
It means a lot for a business to admit when they screwed up and actually take initiative to fix it.
So, go to the Corner Bar & Grill. They have multiple locations throughout Ottawa, but we believe the best one with tons of potential is in Orléans. They want to do well, they sincerely want to be part of the community, and don't take people for granted.
Follow them on Twitter to get the inside track on great food and drink specials, and while you're in there, ask for Julie and say hi.
Karma - you get what you give. Cheers!
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
Tom Green, cows, and the business of beer in Canada
A few interesting and timely pieces in the news lately.
First up, make sure to tune in to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonight. Guest Tom Green will be talking, amongst other things, about his Tom Green Beer, a milk stout collaboration between Tom and the good people at Beau's.
Read here to learn more about this unique beverage. You may want to sling back a few while harkening back to early Green antics -
This may not shock many, but beer is a main driver in this country's economy. In fact, one out of every 100 jobs in this country can be attributed to beer. But what I found most shocking was that Canada's brewing industry was bigger than our own dairy industry! I can drive almost any road in Ottawa and in 20 minutes be within cow-tipping distance. Here's the source.
Totally unintentional at the time, but I just realized I was able to link a story about Tom Green to cows. How cool is that?
Prost!
First up, make sure to tune in to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonight. Guest Tom Green will be talking, amongst other things, about his Tom Green Beer, a milk stout collaboration between Tom and the good people at Beau's.
Read here to learn more about this unique beverage. You may want to sling back a few while harkening back to early Green antics -
This may not shock many, but beer is a main driver in this country's economy. In fact, one out of every 100 jobs in this country can be attributed to beer. But what I found most shocking was that Canada's brewing industry was bigger than our own dairy industry! I can drive almost any road in Ottawa and in 20 minutes be within cow-tipping distance. Here's the source.
Totally unintentional at the time, but I just realized I was able to link a story about Tom Green to cows. How cool is that?
Prost!
Monday, November 04, 2013
Good beer in Ottawa? C'est pas possible!
Recently, I was asked by a fellow home brewer (who is new to Ottawa) where he could find good craft beer. I'm so glad he asked, because I think the Ottawa region is the new craft beer 'hot spot' in Canada. Yes, places like Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal have had established microbreweries for some time, but I think there is a thirst (pun completely intended) in Ottawa for beers that go against the big commercial grain (see what I just did there? grain? beer making? C'mon, try to keep up).
Apologies for any that I have missed. These are the ones to my knowledge and that I have actually drank/purchased/visited. Any comments made by me are my own and should only serve as a guide. I certainly encourage you to try them for yourself and make your own judgements. Feel free to comment on any you've been to.
BTW, if anyone has any money and wants to invest in the Orleans area....
Beau's - Vankleek Hill - you can get most of their products in the LCBO. They are a great story of a little guy doing big things - the class of all area micros, in my opinion.
Cassel Brewery - Casselmen - Train/railroad themed beers. If you're going to go to Beau's, you really have to stop at Cassel Brewery on the way.
Clocktower Pub - Several locations, but the one on Bank St is where they make the beer. Love their pumpkin ale and am a big fan of their Kolsch.
Beyond The Pale - on Hamilton Ave in Hintonburg (near Tunney's). Fan-friggin-tastic brews. They make very very good beers! Truth, not all are home runs, but many are. They are not afraid to try different things, always have good variety, collaborate often with other brewers. Overall great dudes. They have a big social media presence, which allows you to know what they are stocking and what they are out of. They brew Mondays to Wed, so not open to the public. Open Thurs-Sun, and can often run out of popular beers.
Broadhead Brewing Company - 81 Auriga Dr #14 off West Hunt Club. I've only been there once, but really enjoyed talking to them and sampling their beer. Again, home brewers going nano. The place is hard to find, but worth the trip out.
Mill St. Brew Pub - the first one was in Toronto, and the Ottawa location is downtown near the war museum. Always lots on tap, most of it pretty good. You can get a good selection at the LCBO, but you get a better selection at the brew pub. They have a retail store there.
Kichesippi Beer Co - 866 Campbell Ave near Carling. You can find their Natural Blonde at the LCBO, and 1855 on tap. Both are very good. They also make cream soda and gingerale under the name Harvey and Vern.
Turtle Island Brewing Co - JP Fournier is also behind the National Capital Craft Beer Week and Winterbrewed here in Ottawa. He brews under contract at Broadhead until he gets his own place. Beer is pretty good. Only available on tap at select bars.
Ashton Brewing Co - Ashton Station (45 mins or so in the far west of Ottawa). Never been to the place, but the beer is quite good. Had it at Murray Street eatery and really enjoyed the amber. They sell their beers in growlers, but again, it's a hike for us eastern folk.
Big Rig Kitchen and Brewery - right behind IKEA off of Pinecrest/Greenbank. Big Rig Gold can be bought at the LCBO, but they offer many more at the brewpub. Kind of a neat place, and the beer is okay. Only went there once, wasn't overwhelmed. One of the owners is Sens d-man Chris Phillips. You can buy growlers of beer on premises.
The 3 Brewers restaurant. Bank and Sparks. Never been, can't really comment. All I can tell you is that it's there.
Les Brasseurs du Temp (BDT) - 170 rue Montcalm Gatineau. If you can get to Mill St. you can get to BDT (about 5 mins on the Quebec side). They have about 12 - 15 different beers on tap, they make it on premises; a really cool set-up. Get someone to drive or only have one or two, because many of their beers are BIG. The food is good as well.
Perth Brewing Co. - Perth, ON - A very nice town west of Ottawa, it's worth the drive since you can only get their products at their shop.
Whitewater Brewing Company - Foresters Falls, ON - these guys are pretty cool. Way out past Cobden (between Renfrew and Pembroke), they are rafting guides who like beer. You can buy it at their brewery, they are more than willing to give you a tour, and even let you sit in on a brew day if you have the time. They have four different beers, all good but nothing spectacular. Making a name for themselves in the Ottawa Valley (which is hard to do in the land of Bud and Canadian die-hards).
To come - Square Timber Brewing - Marc Bru is currently building his nano in the back of his place out in Rankin ON (near Pembroke). When he gets it up and running, he'll have some really interesting beers.
Covered Bridge Brewing - another home brewer guy who is ready to go but is being held up by red tape.
I know that's a lot of info, but it should get you started. I don't think I missed anything. Anyway, there's a service that just started in Ottawa. BrewDonkey is owned and operated by Brad Campeau - good guy. His business offers two things - tasting tours (I'm actually mc'ing the Nov. 17 one) and a craft beer growler delivery service. So if you don't want to drive to each of these places, put in an order and have them delivered right to your door.
Apologies for any that I have missed. These are the ones to my knowledge and that I have actually drank/purchased/visited. Any comments made by me are my own and should only serve as a guide. I certainly encourage you to try them for yourself and make your own judgements. Feel free to comment on any you've been to.
BTW, if anyone has any money and wants to invest in the Orleans area....
Beau's - Vankleek Hill - you can get most of their products in the LCBO. They are a great story of a little guy doing big things - the class of all area micros, in my opinion.
Cassel Brewery - Casselmen - Train/railroad themed beers. If you're going to go to Beau's, you really have to stop at Cassel Brewery on the way.
Clocktower Pub - Several locations, but the one on Bank St is where they make the beer. Love their pumpkin ale and am a big fan of their Kolsch.
Beyond The Pale - on Hamilton Ave in Hintonburg (near Tunney's). Fan-friggin-tastic brews. They make very very good beers! Truth, not all are home runs, but many are. They are not afraid to try different things, always have good variety, collaborate often with other brewers. Overall great dudes. They have a big social media presence, which allows you to know what they are stocking and what they are out of. They brew Mondays to Wed, so not open to the public. Open Thurs-Sun, and can often run out of popular beers.
Broadhead Brewing Company - 81 Auriga Dr #14 off West Hunt Club. I've only been there once, but really enjoyed talking to them and sampling their beer. Again, home brewers going nano. The place is hard to find, but worth the trip out.
Mill St. Brew Pub - the first one was in Toronto, and the Ottawa location is downtown near the war museum. Always lots on tap, most of it pretty good. You can get a good selection at the LCBO, but you get a better selection at the brew pub. They have a retail store there.
Kichesippi Beer Co - 866 Campbell Ave near Carling. You can find their Natural Blonde at the LCBO, and 1855 on tap. Both are very good. They also make cream soda and gingerale under the name Harvey and Vern.
Turtle Island Brewing Co - JP Fournier is also behind the National Capital Craft Beer Week and Winterbrewed here in Ottawa. He brews under contract at Broadhead until he gets his own place. Beer is pretty good. Only available on tap at select bars.
Ashton Brewing Co - Ashton Station (45 mins or so in the far west of Ottawa). Never been to the place, but the beer is quite good. Had it at Murray Street eatery and really enjoyed the amber. They sell their beers in growlers, but again, it's a hike for us eastern folk.
Big Rig Kitchen and Brewery - right behind IKEA off of Pinecrest/Greenbank. Big Rig Gold can be bought at the LCBO, but they offer many more at the brewpub. Kind of a neat place, and the beer is okay. Only went there once, wasn't overwhelmed. One of the owners is Sens d-man Chris Phillips. You can buy growlers of beer on premises.
The 3 Brewers restaurant. Bank and Sparks. Never been, can't really comment. All I can tell you is that it's there.
Les Brasseurs du Temp (BDT) - 170 rue Montcalm Gatineau. If you can get to Mill St. you can get to BDT (about 5 mins on the Quebec side). They have about 12 - 15 different beers on tap, they make it on premises; a really cool set-up. Get someone to drive or only have one or two, because many of their beers are BIG. The food is good as well.
Perth Brewing Co. - Perth, ON - A very nice town west of Ottawa, it's worth the drive since you can only get their products at their shop.
Whitewater Brewing Company - Foresters Falls, ON - these guys are pretty cool. Way out past Cobden (between Renfrew and Pembroke), they are rafting guides who like beer. You can buy it at their brewery, they are more than willing to give you a tour, and even let you sit in on a brew day if you have the time. They have four different beers, all good but nothing spectacular. Making a name for themselves in the Ottawa Valley (which is hard to do in the land of Bud and Canadian die-hards).
To come - Square Timber Brewing - Marc Bru is currently building his nano in the back of his place out in Rankin ON (near Pembroke). When he gets it up and running, he'll have some really interesting beers.
Covered Bridge Brewing - another home brewer guy who is ready to go but is being held up by red tape.
I know that's a lot of info, but it should get you started. I don't think I missed anything. Anyway, there's a service that just started in Ottawa. BrewDonkey is owned and operated by Brad Campeau - good guy. His business offers two things - tasting tours (I'm actually mc'ing the Nov. 17 one) and a craft beer growler delivery service. So if you don't want to drive to each of these places, put in an order and have them delivered right to your door.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Interview with a home brewer and suburban swingers?
Here's that article that Katy Watts published today on her site. I hope that my passion for this little hobby of mine inspires people. I'm always open to anyone wanting to come by and sit in on a brew day. I also want to make it clear that I am no expert - there's a LOT of guys and girls I know that make exceptional beer - and I'm still a relative noob. But I'm always willing to share.
Speaking of sharing...
I've been hearing a lot from some reliable sources (police friends) about a practice that occurs in the suburbs. It involves leaving your garage door partially open as an invitation to swinging activities. The DJs on the radio I listen to in the morning also mentioned this. I'm sure it happens in all neighbourhoods, but in Ottawa, the rumour is it's more prevalent in areas to the South and West of downtown Ottawa.
What does this have to do with beer making?
When I brew in my garage, I use propane to heat my water and my boil and so I don't die from carbon monoxide and I leave my garage door partially open. My neighbour, two doors down, uses his garage as his smoking room, and he does the same thing.
If you are passing by and want to learn to brew, or just stop in and have a pint and chat, that's cool. But if you're looking for a little ménage-a-redhead, sorry, but my wife barely tolerates the smell of hops in the garage, let alone some stranger looking for a little action.
Speaking of sharing...
I've been hearing a lot from some reliable sources (police friends) about a practice that occurs in the suburbs. It involves leaving your garage door partially open as an invitation to swinging activities. The DJs on the radio I listen to in the morning also mentioned this. I'm sure it happens in all neighbourhoods, but in Ottawa, the rumour is it's more prevalent in areas to the South and West of downtown Ottawa.
What does this have to do with beer making?
When I brew in my garage, I use propane to heat my water and my boil and so I don't die from carbon monoxide and I leave my garage door partially open. My neighbour, two doors down, uses his garage as his smoking room, and he does the same thing.
If you are passing by and want to learn to brew, or just stop in and have a pint and chat, that's cool. But if you're looking for a little ménage-a-redhead, sorry, but my wife barely tolerates the smell of hops in the garage, let alone some stranger looking for a little action.
Monday, October 28, 2013
What would Jesus brew? Sunday beer blasphemy
This is a question that remains unanswered. But since Sunday capped off an excellent weekend of brewing, hockey and poker, I think He'd be pleased with my accomplishments.
Friday was a cold one. I mean down-to-the-bone cold. I love this time of year. No bugs, no humidity. Brewing in the garage becomes more pleasurable when you don't have Mother Nature's distractions trying to kamikaze dive bomb into your mash. Of course, you shouldn't just rely on residual propane heat to keep you warm, especially when you are donning the suburban-dad footwear of black cotton tube socks and some knock-off Crocs. You have to be prepared.
That goes for setting up your brew day/night. Many times I don't really pre-prep anything. The day of, I'll decide what to make, go home, plan on hitting the ground running, only to get distracted by kids/food/wife/television. When I finally get my act together, it could be 6 or 7 p.m., and with a five+ hour brew ahead of me, you best be all in. Good preparation practices make for a good brewing session.
Like many things, I get an idea of what I want to make and then adjust the recipe to what I have on hand. That is what I did last week. I took Kal's recipe for his Electric Pale Ale (check out Kal's site here - it truly is amazing), subbed in what I had, and made my own 'unplugged' version. Friday night's brew was a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale clone. SNPA is widely known as one of the great American craft beer classics.
The pump problems I had before were resolved, and despite the wort coming out a little warmer than I would have liked, overall things turned out well.
The intent was to brew again on Saturday. Woke up to a pretty rainy and miserable day outside. Kids spent time with family, so Lisa and I spent a good portion of the day gettin' all romantic and watched Stephen King's "It" on television, followed by a kick-ass BBQ and a fun night playing poker. Brew plans moved to Sunday.
Hockey practice came early (7:30 a.m.) which meant a quick start to the brew day. Sunday was sunny and getting warmer. The brew gods were resting comfortably on my shoulder. I had decided to make an easy drinking blonde ale, in anticipation of the multitude of guests we end up hosting over the holiday season.
In exactly 5 hours, I had made, fermented, and cleaned with the rest of the day to spare. Everything that could go right in a brew day, did. It's the feeling that makes you wanting more. The question remains, how will it turn out?
There is exactly 25 gallons of beer currently sitting in various stages of fermentation in my basement (not including a stout and a pumpkin ale in the keezer) and I still have two new recipes I'd like to try.
The count now sits at:
Keezer - Toy Soldier Stout and Pumpkin Face Ale
Primary - Sierra Nevada Pale Ale clone, Electric Pale Ale Unplugged, Southern Tier Pumking clone, Easy Blonde Ale
Secondary - Marctober Harvest Ale
Fellow MoBster Katy Watts of Ottawa Beer Events and Sheltered Girl Meets World will be profiling me as part of the upcoming Learn to Brew Day on Nov. 2 in Cornwall. She's profiling Ottawa home brewers of various experience. You should check it out.
Friday was a cold one. I mean down-to-the-bone cold. I love this time of year. No bugs, no humidity. Brewing in the garage becomes more pleasurable when you don't have Mother Nature's distractions trying to kamikaze dive bomb into your mash. Of course, you shouldn't just rely on residual propane heat to keep you warm, especially when you are donning the suburban-dad footwear of black cotton tube socks and some knock-off Crocs. You have to be prepared.
That goes for setting up your brew day/night. Many times I don't really pre-prep anything. The day of, I'll decide what to make, go home, plan on hitting the ground running, only to get distracted by kids/food/wife/television. When I finally get my act together, it could be 6 or 7 p.m., and with a five+ hour brew ahead of me, you best be all in. Good preparation practices make for a good brewing session.
Like many things, I get an idea of what I want to make and then adjust the recipe to what I have on hand. That is what I did last week. I took Kal's recipe for his Electric Pale Ale (check out Kal's site here - it truly is amazing), subbed in what I had, and made my own 'unplugged' version. Friday night's brew was a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale clone. SNPA is widely known as one of the great American craft beer classics.
The pump problems I had before were resolved, and despite the wort coming out a little warmer than I would have liked, overall things turned out well.
The intent was to brew again on Saturday. Woke up to a pretty rainy and miserable day outside. Kids spent time with family, so Lisa and I spent a good portion of the day gettin' all romantic and watched Stephen King's "It" on television, followed by a kick-ass BBQ and a fun night playing poker. Brew plans moved to Sunday.
Hockey practice came early (7:30 a.m.) which meant a quick start to the brew day. Sunday was sunny and getting warmer. The brew gods were resting comfortably on my shoulder. I had decided to make an easy drinking blonde ale, in anticipation of the multitude of guests we end up hosting over the holiday season.
There is exactly 25 gallons of beer currently sitting in various stages of fermentation in my basement (not including a stout and a pumpkin ale in the keezer) and I still have two new recipes I'd like to try.
The count now sits at:
Keezer - Toy Soldier Stout and Pumpkin Face Ale
Primary - Sierra Nevada Pale Ale clone, Electric Pale Ale Unplugged, Southern Tier Pumking clone, Easy Blonde Ale
Secondary - Marctober Harvest Ale
Fellow MoBster Katy Watts of Ottawa Beer Events and Sheltered Girl Meets World will be profiling me as part of the upcoming Learn to Brew Day on Nov. 2 in Cornwall. She's profiling Ottawa home brewers of various experience. You should check it out.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Not everything goes as planned...
The beer pipeline is not as robust as it once was. A weekend spent with friends/family and a hearty supply of good beer can quickly deplete your supply.
So the other night I decided it was time to brew again. I had put it off for too long. I decided to try a recipe from Kal's Electric Brewery called Electric Pale Ale. However - and this is where things began to go off the rails - I didn't have all the necessary ingredients to make an exact clone. So like any good homebrewer, I improvised.
And because it's really nothing like Kal's intended recipe, it's tentatively "Electric Pale Ale - Unplugged". I know, doesn't sound like something thirst-quenching, does it?
The first step was to mill my grain. The belt on the motor that drives the mill was too loose, so instead of stopping everything and trying to tighten, I was determined to get through it as best I could. That entailed doing some milling by hand, in small amounts, adjusting some settings....
Fiddling around took as much or more time than it would have taken had I tried to fix it proper. Still, a process which should have taken 5 minutes ended up going on for over 20 minutes.
The heating of my water and mashing process went as it should. Hell, I was making pretty good time and was getting excited about the finished product.
Then it was time to use my pump. Without getting into details about why this makes the brewing process so much easier, my pump didn't work. Refused to work. I checked the power - nothing. Re-adjusted it several times, moved it higher, tilted it to the left, took it apart and cleaned it, tried different power sources - nothing.
It meant I had to rely on good ole' gravity, a process which is common for many brewers but foreign to me.
So before I could do this, I would have to move my already heavy brew kettles (converted kegs called keggles) to various heights to ensure I would get good flow.
At this point one would perhaps think about packing it all in and call it a failed attempt, but I decided that I would chalk this up to a learning experience, and heck, I'm making beer and therefore could not possibly screw up a finished product if I don't at least see this thing through.
So that's what I did. And it is fermenting. And that is a good thing. Some of the best brew stories (and best tasting beer) have come from mistakes and missteps that generally don't get repeated unless you log everything. We'll see if this has a happy ending or not.
Thanks for reading. Now, here's something for viewing. It's quite funny.
So the other night I decided it was time to brew again. I had put it off for too long. I decided to try a recipe from Kal's Electric Brewery called Electric Pale Ale. However - and this is where things began to go off the rails - I didn't have all the necessary ingredients to make an exact clone. So like any good homebrewer, I improvised.
And because it's really nothing like Kal's intended recipe, it's tentatively "Electric Pale Ale - Unplugged". I know, doesn't sound like something thirst-quenching, does it?
The first step was to mill my grain. The belt on the motor that drives the mill was too loose, so instead of stopping everything and trying to tighten, I was determined to get through it as best I could. That entailed doing some milling by hand, in small amounts, adjusting some settings....
Fiddling around took as much or more time than it would have taken had I tried to fix it proper. Still, a process which should have taken 5 minutes ended up going on for over 20 minutes.
The heating of my water and mashing process went as it should. Hell, I was making pretty good time and was getting excited about the finished product.
Then it was time to use my pump. Without getting into details about why this makes the brewing process so much easier, my pump didn't work. Refused to work. I checked the power - nothing. Re-adjusted it several times, moved it higher, tilted it to the left, took it apart and cleaned it, tried different power sources - nothing.
It meant I had to rely on good ole' gravity, a process which is common for many brewers but foreign to me.
So before I could do this, I would have to move my already heavy brew kettles (converted kegs called keggles) to various heights to ensure I would get good flow.
At this point one would perhaps think about packing it all in and call it a failed attempt, but I decided that I would chalk this up to a learning experience, and heck, I'm making beer and therefore could not possibly screw up a finished product if I don't at least see this thing through.
So that's what I did. And it is fermenting. And that is a good thing. Some of the best brew stories (and best tasting beer) have come from mistakes and missteps that generally don't get repeated unless you log everything. We'll see if this has a happy ending or not.
Thanks for reading. Now, here's something for viewing. It's quite funny.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Click click click...is this thing on?
Testing. Testing. It's been almost three years and no one has thought about shutting off the lights? Shit.
Well then, looks like now is about a good of a time as any to resurrect this thing.
A different direction.
As much as things have changed over the last several years, some things have stayed the same. My love of family, beer, music and all things skiing have remained intact. So that is my focus.
Beer.
That truly will be my focus as we look forward to new posts. But I will certainly intermingle them with any new and cool music news and artists, as well as great epic ski lines I may draw over the course of winters coming. But really, you're hear because of beer. I mean, let's face it. The shit I make is at least twice as good as the crap you're drinking right now. I'm going to share with you the process of what I make, whether it's good or not, what inspires me, what should inspire you, and ultimately what should be in your glass from week to week.
Be patient with me and you shall be rewarded with GREATNESS!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 40...the end...or just the beginning.
Beer: Beau's Lug-Tread
Type: Lagered Ale
Region: Vankleek Hill, Ontario
Rating: Novice/Intermediate
So here we are, the last day. What does that mean exactly? Will I stop drinking now? Heading off to detox? No. This little project of mine was no different than what I do almost everyday when I get home from work, and that's change, get dinner ready, and crack open a cold one. The difference is that I like many types of beer and REALLY enjoy trying the different types and brands that are out there. Like wine, there are many varieties, flavours, big players and small outfits. Beer has many uses - you can cook with it, pair it with food to enhance flavour, relax, it brings people together, it's a social lubricant,you can get plowed, the list goes on. So will my habits change after today? Maybe a little. I mean, I'll still go to the local LCBO and grab a different brew now and again, but now that summer's here (heat-wise, not calendar-wise), I may stick to a few of my favs more often.
But what I've done the past 40 days is give you a sampling of the vastness of beers that exist in the world. Not all of them are accessible where you live, but then again, you may have access to ones I've never seen before. If that's the case and you have a favourite or two, send the names over my way. I've tried to give you a laymans take on what certain brews taste like, what to expect, how to enjoy it. I've tried to expand your beerological knowledge and show you a world beyond Molson, Labatts, Anheuser, etc. But if that's your comfort zone, then I respect that choice. Otherwise, like food and drink, there's a world of discovery that just has to be enjoyed.
So today I bring you a fine micro/craft beer that's 45 minutes from my house in nearby Vankleek Hill, Beau's Beer. It's a great beer and an even greater story.
The first time I saw this was several years ago when they first introduced their flagship beer, Lug Tread. It came in a very attractive ceramic bottle with the swivel cap. In terms of marketing and interest, the hardest part was done as it easily stood out from the rest.
The beer is a combination of two styles – it is top fermented like an ale (it uses malted barley which conducts a fast fermentation and typically results in a sweet and full-bodied taste) and then cold-aged like a lager. Hence the name Lagered Ale.
The beer is a golden colour and crisp to drink. If you`ve not had a crisp beer before and are struggling to imagine what I mean by that, think of club soda. Club soda is way crisper than any beer I`ve drank but if you`ve had club soda then you know the direction we`re pointing at.
In terms of Ontario Craft Beers, this one has won numerous awards, and with good reason. But if you're looking for the big white ceramic bottle at your favourite alcohol vender, you'll be sadly disappointed. Well placed sources tell me that many people were so enamoured by the bottles, they decided to keep them, and thus the brewery was not getting enough numbers back to clean and rebottle their stock. So the decision was made to go with a 500 ml brown bottle 4-pack in a distinctive carrybox. Not quite the same impact, and it could be hard to find if you didn't know about the change, but it's always nice to have 4 Beau's than just one.
Two things you need to check out are Beau's website and Beau's Blog. It is a family business that is primarily helmed by a father and son team and their friends. In a world where so many companies are trying to make themselves look bigger than they are to try to compete with giants, Beau's is proud to be small and family based. Part of their corporate philosophy insists that they will always have time for their friends. Hell, Steve Beauchesne and I have so much in common, we could be brothers - good beer, wife, kids, and indie music. No wonder I like his brewery:)
Bottom line is, try this one. You will either love it or hate it, much like many of the beers I've recommended over the course of my project. If all you ever tried was Bud or Blue you aren't likely to enjoy this, but if you have sampled a range of beers you are likely to really enjoy this one.
So thank you for joining and indulging me in this, my celebratory look through beer at 40 awesome years. Here's to another 40, and you're all invited along for the ride.
“Alright Brain, you don't like me, and I don't like you. But lets just do this, and I can get back to killing you with beer.” - Homer Simpson
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 39.5 --- okay, it's cheating a bit, but let me explain...
Beer: Blanche De Chambly
Type: Weisse Beer (white, wheat, Witbier)
Region: Chambly, Quebec
Rating: Intermediate
My day 40 beer is all sold out and doesn't come in until tomorrow. And really...who ends such an epic journey on a Thursday?
So, a bonus beer. Today we are drinking one of my favourites, Blanche De Chambly, from the great Unibroue micro brewery.
Wheat beers are basically what the name implies, beer made from wheat. The wheat makes for a lighter colour and flavour. The most common spices are coriander and orange peel which work really well together. Hoegaarden is a popular wheat beer and if you like Hoegaarden, you will also like Blanche de Chambly. Blanche de Chambly isn’t a true wheat beer because light barley malt is added, presumably for body and some flavour.
Blanche de Chambly is also only partially filtered, common for this style of beer, which is the reason the beer has a hazy appearance. The yeast (lees) stays in the bottle and contribute to this beers unique flavour.
The appearance is a hazy straw colour. Nice white head, but disappears quickly. When you bring it up to your nose, you can smell the coriander and orange with a tinge of yeast.
It's got a nice crisp taste with a light hoppiness and flavours of citrus and spice. Very nice carbonation, which makes for a very smooth, almost buttery, beer.
Blanche de Chambly is a light summer beer best served well chilled. And the bigger the bottle (mine is corked), the better and more to enjoy!
Type: Weisse Beer (white, wheat, Witbier)
Region: Chambly, Quebec
Rating: Intermediate
My day 40 beer is all sold out and doesn't come in until tomorrow. And really...who ends such an epic journey on a Thursday?
So, a bonus beer. Today we are drinking one of my favourites, Blanche De Chambly, from the great Unibroue micro brewery.
Wheat beers are basically what the name implies, beer made from wheat. The wheat makes for a lighter colour and flavour. The most common spices are coriander and orange peel which work really well together. Hoegaarden is a popular wheat beer and if you like Hoegaarden, you will also like Blanche de Chambly. Blanche de Chambly isn’t a true wheat beer because light barley malt is added, presumably for body and some flavour.
Blanche de Chambly is also only partially filtered, common for this style of beer, which is the reason the beer has a hazy appearance. The yeast (lees) stays in the bottle and contribute to this beers unique flavour.
The appearance is a hazy straw colour. Nice white head, but disappears quickly. When you bring it up to your nose, you can smell the coriander and orange with a tinge of yeast.
It's got a nice crisp taste with a light hoppiness and flavours of citrus and spice. Very nice carbonation, which makes for a very smooth, almost buttery, beer.
Blanche de Chambly is a light summer beer best served well chilled. And the bigger the bottle (mine is corked), the better and more to enjoy!
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 39
Beer: Hacker-Pschorr's Münchener Gold
Type: Lager
Region: Germany
Rating: Novice
Germans are efficient, and they do things well. One of those things is beer. Many of their breweries have been around for hundreds of years. Hacker-Pschorr has been around since the mid 1400's, based in Munich. I'm really digging Munich brewed beers!
Hacker-Pschorr Münchener Gold is a golden-straw coloured lager. The light frothy head sits a good two inches and then quickly dissipates. There's a nice light sweet malt note with a hint of hops. The body is light, crisp and refreshing and is balanced quite well.
Finish is slightly hoppy with a touch of sweet pale malt, and is very thirst-quenching. This is an ideal session beer to drink all afternoon on its own, or with your favourite food. It's easy drinking, pleasant and "a good social lubricant!"
Day 39 gives this fine German lager two glasses up!
Type: Lager
Region: Germany
Rating: Novice
Germans are efficient, and they do things well. One of those things is beer. Many of their breweries have been around for hundreds of years. Hacker-Pschorr has been around since the mid 1400's, based in Munich. I'm really digging Munich brewed beers!
Hacker-Pschorr Münchener Gold is a golden-straw coloured lager. The light frothy head sits a good two inches and then quickly dissipates. There's a nice light sweet malt note with a hint of hops. The body is light, crisp and refreshing and is balanced quite well.
Finish is slightly hoppy with a touch of sweet pale malt, and is very thirst-quenching. This is an ideal session beer to drink all afternoon on its own, or with your favourite food. It's easy drinking, pleasant and "a good social lubricant!"
Day 39 gives this fine German lager two glasses up!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 38
Beer: Lowenbrau Original
Type: Lager
Region: Munich, Germany
Rating: Novice
We're down to the final two days, and I'm feeling a bit melancholic. It's been a fun journey and I can't believe how quickly the time goes by. So today, I'm going old school - to a beer I hadn't enjoyed since I was an underage teen going to buy beer in the Depanneur's of Quebec. The goal of course was to get a tall boy or King Can of whatever was on sale or stood out in a fridge at a house party. Lowenbrau was one of those beers that take me back to those days.
Now, the stuff I drank, and was this way from the 70's to 2002, was Americanized, brewed by the Miller Brewing Company, and was much different from the beer that was and is still only one of six allowed to be served during Germany's Oktoberfest. The American version was horse piss, but the German one is noted by it's Original label, distancing itself from the former crap.
It's a very hot day here in Ottawa, and this beer is perfectly refreshing on a day like today. Light, earthy, humble, with a nice golden colour. The medium head disappears VERY quickly. The smell is light malt, with faint spicy, grassy hops. Finishes dry and clean. This is one easy drinking beer that is uncomplicated and does the trick to quench the thirst.
Two days to go...any suggestions?
Type: Lager
Region: Munich, Germany
Rating: Novice
We're down to the final two days, and I'm feeling a bit melancholic. It's been a fun journey and I can't believe how quickly the time goes by. So today, I'm going old school - to a beer I hadn't enjoyed since I was an underage teen going to buy beer in the Depanneur's of Quebec. The goal of course was to get a tall boy or King Can of whatever was on sale or stood out in a fridge at a house party. Lowenbrau was one of those beers that take me back to those days.
Now, the stuff I drank, and was this way from the 70's to 2002, was Americanized, brewed by the Miller Brewing Company, and was much different from the beer that was and is still only one of six allowed to be served during Germany's Oktoberfest. The American version was horse piss, but the German one is noted by it's Original label, distancing itself from the former crap.
It's a very hot day here in Ottawa, and this beer is perfectly refreshing on a day like today. Light, earthy, humble, with a nice golden colour. The medium head disappears VERY quickly. The smell is light malt, with faint spicy, grassy hops. Finishes dry and clean. This is one easy drinking beer that is uncomplicated and does the trick to quench the thirst.
Two days to go...any suggestions?
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 37
Beer: Georg Schneider's Weisen Edel-Weisse
Type: Wheat beer
Region: Germany
Rating:Novice/Intermediate
Holy crap, what a beautiful beer this is. At first open, a quick sniff told me it had the familiar trappings of a wheat beer - floral, grassy, tinge of hoppiness.
This beer is deemed 'organic', which I guess means it's good for you, but what beer isn't? Again, another 500 ml bottle at 6.2% alc makes me wonder what are the other brewers doing putting their creations in small bottles?
In any case, I poured this into a much taller pilsner glass, and noticed the head was very light, slight tan colour, and lasted awhile (but not throughout the consumption period). The taste is familiar to other wheat beers but the differences are subtle and yet extremely memorable and likeable - incredibly smooth finish, slight sweet and bitter when as it makes it way down the throat. There is really nothing not to like about this beer, except the fact that if you only buy one, you'll be wishing there was more in the fridge.
Type: Wheat beer
Region: Germany
Rating:Novice/Intermediate
Holy crap, what a beautiful beer this is. At first open, a quick sniff told me it had the familiar trappings of a wheat beer - floral, grassy, tinge of hoppiness.
This beer is deemed 'organic', which I guess means it's good for you, but what beer isn't? Again, another 500 ml bottle at 6.2% alc makes me wonder what are the other brewers doing putting their creations in small bottles?
In any case, I poured this into a much taller pilsner glass, and noticed the head was very light, slight tan colour, and lasted awhile (but not throughout the consumption period). The taste is familiar to other wheat beers but the differences are subtle and yet extremely memorable and likeable - incredibly smooth finish, slight sweet and bitter when as it makes it way down the throat. There is really nothing not to like about this beer, except the fact that if you only buy one, you'll be wishing there was more in the fridge.
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