dennis s. hurddennis s. hurd

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

#NationalDrinkBeerDay

It was one of those September days where the weather made people happy to be alive. Is this really the same month that I discovered the size and variety of the local craft beer scene?

Commercial Drive

I realized, for example, that it might be hard to have enough empty growlers. (Actually, I suppose I learned that it's harder when one doesn't have enough full growlers.)

I told Tim earlier in the week my goal was to pick up another 64 fl oz. with an interesting logo. Off the RailWe settled on today, and we certainly chose the right day for a tour of a few breweries near Vancouver's Commercial Drive. We met at the SkyTrain station at 1:00 PM.

We started at St. Augustine's primarily so Tim could get something to eat. By the time we finally got back out to the Drive, we figured that our 90 minutes transit tickets had probably expired. It was such a beautiful day, we walked to our first brewery, Off the Rail. It is down by the Adanac Street bike lanes. It was also where we first learned that it happened to be National Drink Beer Day. What luck, eh?

Nearly across the street, at Bomber Brewery, I had my very first official beer flight. (Actually, two.) I'd recommend the set up of their tasting room, variety of beers of tap, and their reasonable, growler-fill prices.

My First Flight Ever

However, I was not ready to commit to the purchase of my needed brown glass. So we continued to walk down, past East Hastings. The guys at Storm Brewing are hardcore beer brewers. No fancy tasting room here! Just all sorts of interesting beverages to try. The ambiance is a bit like an auto shop, but even more fun! One can try up to six 200 ml of any brew offered in a disposable, plastic cup. Each was free although we threw lots of tips into the container. I think we only did five with names like Apple Pie Ale, Black Plague Stout, Pineapple Paradise Pilsner, and Imperial Flanders Sour Ale (with 11% ABV). I don't think I managed any of the beer labeled Spicy Mango Salsa.

Storm

I do remember I walked out with a new Growler full of 100% James. It is freshly hopped. As that happens only once a year, I couldn't really pass it up. By the time, we got to the corner of East Hastings and Commercial, it was almost 6:00 PM. Wow, where did THAT afternoon go?


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