Are you tired of boring plans for the last weekend of April? Are you looking for something fun? Well then, if you're like me, you'll be headed to Edmonton's International Beerfest! But wait, that's not all! Why stop there when you can add in two brewery tours to really kick things up a notch?
Act now, and you can be taking advantage of this exciting offer for three amazing experiences! But you're under no obligation, folks. That's right! No obligation!
You can mix and match as you wish! Attend both evenings of the beer festival, and both brewery tours; one brewery and both festival nights; both breweries and one festival night; whatever you want, it's really up to you!
Infomercial aside, here's the real scoop:
Edmonton's International Beerfest
Friday, April 29; 4 PM - 10:30 PM
Saturday, April 30; 3 PM - 10:30 PM
at the Shaw Conference Centre
9797 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
Admission is $20-30 per evening, depending on your ticket choice.
Over 200 beers are promised this year.
Beer stamps are $0.50 each; I've heard some samples at previous Edmonton beerfests have cost as many as eight stamps. That's pretty steep, I admit. At a beer festival in Victoria a couple of years ago, I paid $1.50 - $3 for samples, and my beer costs for the weekend were around $150. I'm expecting my Edmonton weekend to be around the same. You can sample as many or as few as you want, so the hit to your wallet may differ.
Some food will be available at the festival.
www.internationalbeerfest.com for tickets and more info
Alley Kat Brewery tour
Friday, April 29; 12 PM
Tour is $12.50, tickets available at the door.
9929-60th Ave
Edmonton, Alberta
www.alleykatbeer.com
Alley Kat is releasing another beer for their 650mL Big Bottle Series. The first in the series, Three Bears Oatmeal Stout, happens to be sitting beside me as I write this. It is phenomenal. Delicious malt flavors, full-bodied; went into the glass black as night with a thick tan head. A little biscuity, with a slight bitter aftertaste. Did I mention it's phenomenal?
The next beer in the series is a Maibock, presently unnamed. Alley Kat's having a contest to give title to their new brew; you can enter your idea on their Facebook page. Their launch party for the maibock is April 28th; I died a little inside as they announced that today. I just committed to working some overtime that day. All hope is not lost, however, as I'm sure we can sample their new beer after our tour of the Alley Kat brewery the next day!
Amber's Brewing tour
Saturday, April 30; 12 PM
Tour is $12.50, tickets online!
9926-78 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
www.ambersbrewing.com
I would recommend eating something before each brewery tour. The breweries may offer pretzels or the like, but we all know the story about those.
Transportation is something to keep in mind. Nobody wants anyone drinking and driving. A party bus is crazy expensive, so I'm suggesting everyone take a cab between destinations.
I've been plugging this beer weekend on Empire Avenue for over a week now. Almost to the point of spam. Trust me, if I didn't hold myself in check a few times, I would have crossed that line already. Anyways, though I have drummed up some interest, I don't have any solid numbers of people attending yet. I hope you'll be the first to commit. Well, second, because I'll be going regardless. More beer for me, right?
Anyone attending will be responsible for their own tickets. No minors at any event, of course.
Let me know you're interested by sending me a message on Empire Avenue. My ticker is (e)BEER1
Cheers,
Brent
(e)BEER1
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Friday, 18 March 2011
Having spent this past week with my head in a vise, being force-fed a crash course in drafting and turbine calculations, I consider myself lucky to still have the ability to put more than two words together. At the very least, I think I now have a valid excuse for my incoherent ramblings.
I saw "The Adjustment Bureau" at the West Ed Scotiabank Cineplex - I thought it was a great movie, but found it a tad convenient that Matt Damon's character jumped to a conclusion about the Adjustment Bureau's background, with only a little bit of prodding. There could have been many other explanations, as such, but they were never explored.
Dinner was with my oldest brother at Moxie's the next night, before catching another movie. I had one of Moxie's house beers, their Big Life Euro lager, which is brewed by Big Rock. The beer pours a golden straw, with little head. It's grassy but I also found a touch of floral notes at the back of the sip. I didn't find it to be anything special.
We saw Battlefield: Los Angeles at the North Edmonton Cineplex, in the UltraAVX theater. It was my first kick at the AVX can, and while the picture was crisp and clear, the sound was great and the seats slightly more comfortable than those in older theaters, I don't know if I would dish out the extra bucks to see every movie like that.
At first, I thought the reserved seating was a great idea. We bought our tickets before going for a bite to eat, so we nearly had the pick of the place. Come showtime, however, everyone had crammed into a sardine can leaving the front and side seating virtually empty. With traditional theater seating, I've found movies that have been out for a little while before I see them generally have a little more elbow room between myself and the mouth-breather next to me. Perhaps this was a fluke? I'll put it to the test at the next big action flick I see in the AVX.
The movie itself was great, I thought. Aliens invade Earth, kicking ass and...they didn't care about names. The humans eventually figure out some of their weaknesses, and push back. Lots of action - there were some lulls that could have been approached differently. It's an action movie. How much back-story do you need?
During my travels between my course in Spruce Grove and my two evening outings in Edmonton, I stumbled across a place called "The Beer Hunter". Three thoughts crossed my mind: Is it a specialty beer store!? followed by Is it a specialty beer pub? and then How quickly can I cross three lanes to get there?
Pulling into the parking lot, I realize it's not a liquor store, but a bar & grill. I open the outer door, to be greeted by the grin of a half-naked UFC fighter. Recovering from my horror, I walk past the bronze castings of bull elk flanking the stone-surround entrance. Trophy deer mounts adorn the walls, amid more posters for the upcoming UFC pay-per-view.
I'm pointed to the beer list on my table, a sleek black padded book about half an inch thick, and handed a menu. I ask for a few minutes to decide on a beer, as I'm dreaming about what I might find within. From where I'm sitting, I can see roughly half the bar and eight taps.
Flipping through more advertisements for upcoming pay-per-view events, their St. Patrick's Day specials, appetizers, cocktails, shooters, more shooters, wine and scotch, I panic. Where's the beer list? I check once more, and my heart sinks. One page, with eighteen beers.
Molson Canadian, 67 and Dry; Coors Light; Budweiser; Kokanee; Pilsner; Corona; MGD; Sleeman's Honey Brown; Moosehead; Kilkenny; Heineken; Rickard's Red, White and Dark; Guinness; and Miller Chill.
I ask for a Kilkenny, and as I wait, I continue to look around. Multiple big screen tv's hang from the ceiling and walls, with a projection screen on one end of the establishment. They alternate between sports highlights and sledding videos. In one corner, the pool table sits beside Big Buck World and Golden Tee.
So my assumption that the name of the establishment has something to do with specialty beers has completely blown up in my face. Looking at the menu, food names like the 5x5 team platter, the 30-06oz steak sandwich and a slogan on one page reading "Best BANG for your BUCK" really highlight the multiple plays on hunting with a very healthy dose of redneckism. Their menu even has a reference to their Beer Hunter Babes calendar. Silly me for not knowing "The Beer Hunter" actually has three locations in the Edmonton area.
I order the salt & pepper steak bites and a buffalo burger. Keeping with the motif, the steak bites look like moose droppings. Although greasy, they taste much better, I must say. The burger's a little dry, but has a nice taste.
I leave, doubting I'll return, and head to the Sherbrooke Liquor store where I drop $100 on beer. Now that's something to write about!
I saw "The Adjustment Bureau" at the West Ed Scotiabank Cineplex - I thought it was a great movie, but found it a tad convenient that Matt Damon's character jumped to a conclusion about the Adjustment Bureau's background, with only a little bit of prodding. There could have been many other explanations, as such, but they were never explored.
Dinner was with my oldest brother at Moxie's the next night, before catching another movie. I had one of Moxie's house beers, their Big Life Euro lager, which is brewed by Big Rock. The beer pours a golden straw, with little head. It's grassy but I also found a touch of floral notes at the back of the sip. I didn't find it to be anything special.
We saw Battlefield: Los Angeles at the North Edmonton Cineplex, in the UltraAVX theater. It was my first kick at the AVX can, and while the picture was crisp and clear, the sound was great and the seats slightly more comfortable than those in older theaters, I don't know if I would dish out the extra bucks to see every movie like that.
At first, I thought the reserved seating was a great idea. We bought our tickets before going for a bite to eat, so we nearly had the pick of the place. Come showtime, however, everyone had crammed into a sardine can leaving the front and side seating virtually empty. With traditional theater seating, I've found movies that have been out for a little while before I see them generally have a little more elbow room between myself and the mouth-breather next to me. Perhaps this was a fluke? I'll put it to the test at the next big action flick I see in the AVX.
The movie itself was great, I thought. Aliens invade Earth, kicking ass and...they didn't care about names. The humans eventually figure out some of their weaknesses, and push back. Lots of action - there were some lulls that could have been approached differently. It's an action movie. How much back-story do you need?
During my travels between my course in Spruce Grove and my two evening outings in Edmonton, I stumbled across a place called "The Beer Hunter". Three thoughts crossed my mind: Is it a specialty beer store!? followed by Is it a specialty beer pub? and then How quickly can I cross three lanes to get there?
Pulling into the parking lot, I realize it's not a liquor store, but a bar & grill. I open the outer door, to be greeted by the grin of a half-naked UFC fighter. Recovering from my horror, I walk past the bronze castings of bull elk flanking the stone-surround entrance. Trophy deer mounts adorn the walls, amid more posters for the upcoming UFC pay-per-view.
I'm pointed to the beer list on my table, a sleek black padded book about half an inch thick, and handed a menu. I ask for a few minutes to decide on a beer, as I'm dreaming about what I might find within. From where I'm sitting, I can see roughly half the bar and eight taps.
Flipping through more advertisements for upcoming pay-per-view events, their St. Patrick's Day specials, appetizers, cocktails, shooters, more shooters, wine and scotch, I panic. Where's the beer list? I check once more, and my heart sinks. One page, with eighteen beers.
Molson Canadian, 67 and Dry; Coors Light; Budweiser; Kokanee; Pilsner; Corona; MGD; Sleeman's Honey Brown; Moosehead; Kilkenny; Heineken; Rickard's Red, White and Dark; Guinness; and Miller Chill.
I ask for a Kilkenny, and as I wait, I continue to look around. Multiple big screen tv's hang from the ceiling and walls, with a projection screen on one end of the establishment. They alternate between sports highlights and sledding videos. In one corner, the pool table sits beside Big Buck World and Golden Tee.
So my assumption that the name of the establishment has something to do with specialty beers has completely blown up in my face. Looking at the menu, food names like the 5x5 team platter, the 30-06oz steak sandwich and a slogan on one page reading "Best BANG for your BUCK" really highlight the multiple plays on hunting with a very healthy dose of redneckism. Their menu even has a reference to their Beer Hunter Babes calendar. Silly me for not knowing "The Beer Hunter" actually has three locations in the Edmonton area.
I order the salt & pepper steak bites and a buffalo burger. Keeping with the motif, the steak bites look like moose droppings. Although greasy, they taste much better, I must say. The burger's a little dry, but has a nice taste.
I leave, doubting I'll return, and head to the Sherbrooke Liquor store where I drop $100 on beer. Now that's something to write about!
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Fun (?) times ahead.
I'm off to Edmonton tomorrow night. Officially, the purpose of my trip is a 4-day training course in preparation for a government exam the following week. Turbines, pumps, nozzle calculations, drafting and some other thoroughly enjoyable stuff. I'm both nervous and excited for the exam. I want to crush it. I wish to never look at this material again.
Unofficially, I know I'll be seeing a movie or two during the course of my trip. I'm planning on catching Battle: Los Angeles with my brother at the North Edmonton Cineplex in the AVX theater. I have yet to experience the new evolution in movie-going, as it's claimed. Asking my brother his thoughts on it, he said he would only see the occasional flick on the AVX, due to the cost.
My wife picked up some sushi last night, which is something she got me hooked on a handful of years ago. There's still a lot of things on the menu that I ignore - I gave several varieties of squid and eel a try, but they've burned their bridges with me. Anyways, last night was some simple california rolls, nothing adventurous. More to that effect, I detest wasabi. Always have, always will. I'm usually pretty cautious about ensuring any roll I eat hasn't touched the wasabi that inevitably winds up on the plate. Last night, not so much. I pick up the last piece, and bam! That shit's in my mouth, nearly ruining my entire dinner experience. Of course, I'm eating this sushi at home, at the computer...so I think, my beer fridge again holds my salvation!
Let me tell you about the effect of wasabi on my usual Okanagan Springs Brewmaster's Black Lager. It's not a good mix! Damn me if I didn't wreck half a bottle of the dark glory before the beer finally tasted right.
At some point next week, I'll be stopping at the Sherbrooke Liquor store in Edmonton and laying down some coin. I figure a couple of six-packs of my favorites, and a dozen or so singles to try after my exam...oh yeah! Give me a couple of weeks, and I'll let you know how everything went.
Unofficially, I know I'll be seeing a movie or two during the course of my trip. I'm planning on catching Battle: Los Angeles with my brother at the North Edmonton Cineplex in the AVX theater. I have yet to experience the new evolution in movie-going, as it's claimed. Asking my brother his thoughts on it, he said he would only see the occasional flick on the AVX, due to the cost.
My wife picked up some sushi last night, which is something she got me hooked on a handful of years ago. There's still a lot of things on the menu that I ignore - I gave several varieties of squid and eel a try, but they've burned their bridges with me. Anyways, last night was some simple california rolls, nothing adventurous. More to that effect, I detest wasabi. Always have, always will. I'm usually pretty cautious about ensuring any roll I eat hasn't touched the wasabi that inevitably winds up on the plate. Last night, not so much. I pick up the last piece, and bam! That shit's in my mouth, nearly ruining my entire dinner experience. Of course, I'm eating this sushi at home, at the computer...so I think, my beer fridge again holds my salvation!
Let me tell you about the effect of wasabi on my usual Okanagan Springs Brewmaster's Black Lager. It's not a good mix! Damn me if I didn't wreck half a bottle of the dark glory before the beer finally tasted right.
At some point next week, I'll be stopping at the Sherbrooke Liquor store in Edmonton and laying down some coin. I figure a couple of six-packs of my favorites, and a dozen or so singles to try after my exam...oh yeah! Give me a couple of weeks, and I'll let you know how everything went.
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Getting Your Ass Kicked by a Beer
Anytime you set out to try some different beers, it's inevitable. You will find a brew that smacks you upside the head as if to say, "Fool, whatcha thinking trying me?" Last night, I squared up against two of them.
I've known for some time now to be careful around the imperial stouts and barleywines. However, I received a couple in a hand-picked 12 pack I received as a birthday present a while back. And considering the brewer's locations, I was certainly interested in trying them.
Luckily, we had some company for dinner last night, and I had help in tasting these beers and a few others. Breaking out the paddles, I poured each of us four samples.
Paddock Wood Brewing, from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has a Czech Mate Pilsner which pours a clean, golden straw; it's crisp with just a little tart aftertaste, I found. Definitely one to get for a summer BBQ.
Hoegaarden, the classic Belgian White, has great silty color and a nice head. It has a great balance between citrus and spice.
Half Pints, out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, makes Burlywine. With 10.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) and 75 on the IBU (international bitterness unit scale), this isn't your fishing trip beer. While the bitter hops are somewhat tempered by the malts, this extra strong ale still packs a solid punch backed up by in-your-face raisins.
Ölvisholt Brugghús, a brewery in Iceland, is responsible for Lava, a Smoked Imperial Stout. 9.4% ABV combined with an intense coffee and licorice flavor prompted me to nurse my little 3 oz sample I had poured. I actually had this with a serving of my wife's homemade chocolate souffle, with some vanilla ice cream. The beer went great with the chocolate cake and ice cream, but it was very potent, and not something I would have often.
Overall, though I may not have acquired a taste for the barleywines and imperial stouts just yet, I have not completely given up hope; I'll continue to occasionally wet my feet.
I've known for some time now to be careful around the imperial stouts and barleywines. However, I received a couple in a hand-picked 12 pack I received as a birthday present a while back. And considering the brewer's locations, I was certainly interested in trying them.
Luckily, we had some company for dinner last night, and I had help in tasting these beers and a few others. Breaking out the paddles, I poured each of us four samples.
Paddock Wood Brewing, from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has a Czech Mate Pilsner which pours a clean, golden straw; it's crisp with just a little tart aftertaste, I found. Definitely one to get for a summer BBQ.
Hoegaarden, the classic Belgian White, has great silty color and a nice head. It has a great balance between citrus and spice.
Half Pints, out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, makes Burlywine. With 10.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) and 75 on the IBU (international bitterness unit scale), this isn't your fishing trip beer. While the bitter hops are somewhat tempered by the malts, this extra strong ale still packs a solid punch backed up by in-your-face raisins.
Ölvisholt Brugghús, a brewery in Iceland, is responsible for Lava, a Smoked Imperial Stout. 9.4% ABV combined with an intense coffee and licorice flavor prompted me to nurse my little 3 oz sample I had poured. I actually had this with a serving of my wife's homemade chocolate souffle, with some vanilla ice cream. The beer went great with the chocolate cake and ice cream, but it was very potent, and not something I would have often.
Overall, though I may not have acquired a taste for the barleywines and imperial stouts just yet, I have not completely given up hope; I'll continue to occasionally wet my feet.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
The Tug at My Wallet and a Frustrating Wait
I've been on a zombie kick lately; since they're the new vampires and werewolves, it seems. The mindless undead are everywhere right now...comics, books, television, movies, my company's boardroom.
I started reading The Walking Dead graphic novels a couple months ago. I'm hooked on the story, but I'm considering shovelling driveways or getting a paper route to pay for the issues. I guess that's one of the consequences of latching on to the series eight years after its start.
The first season of The Walking Dead tv series was pretty impressive and I'm definitely looking forward to the second season in July.
'Rise Again' by Ben Tripp was a scary take on the advancement of zombies. Rumors are that a sequel is in the works. I'm still me, and I'm hoping this is the case.
Aside from zombies, depending on your take on what's beyond the Wall, George RR Martin is still working on the next book in his A Song of Ice and Fire series. It's been several years (six!) since 'A Feast for Crows' was released. I can only hope my annual re-reads of the series is not in vain.
Brent Knowles introduced me to www.anthologybuilder.com, a fantastic site for building your own collection of short stories. The first anthology I compiled, including a couple of Brent's stories, only took a couple weeks to arrive, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was quite surprised when Brent pointed out 'The Magic Hat' was mentioned
http://community.livejournal.com/anthobuilder/45281.html
For less than the cost of one The Walking Dead graphic novel, I'll be building a second anthology very soon.
And possibly preparing the sacrifice of a chicken in the hopes that GRRM finishes his long-awaited installment soon.
I started reading The Walking Dead graphic novels a couple months ago. I'm hooked on the story, but I'm considering shovelling driveways or getting a paper route to pay for the issues. I guess that's one of the consequences of latching on to the series eight years after its start.
The first season of The Walking Dead tv series was pretty impressive and I'm definitely looking forward to the second season in July.
'Rise Again' by Ben Tripp was a scary take on the advancement of zombies. Rumors are that a sequel is in the works. I'm still me, and I'm hoping this is the case.
Aside from zombies, depending on your take on what's beyond the Wall, George RR Martin is still working on the next book in his A Song of Ice and Fire series. It's been several years (six!) since 'A Feast for Crows' was released. I can only hope my annual re-reads of the series is not in vain.
Brent Knowles introduced me to www.anthologybuilder.com, a fantastic site for building your own collection of short stories. The first anthology I compiled, including a couple of Brent's stories, only took a couple weeks to arrive, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was quite surprised when Brent pointed out 'The Magic Hat' was mentioned
http://community.livejournal.com/anthobuilder/45281.html
For less than the cost of one The Walking Dead graphic novel, I'll be building a second anthology very soon.
And possibly preparing the sacrifice of a chicken in the hopes that GRRM finishes his long-awaited installment soon.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Calgary Trip
So I tagged along with my wife to Calgary for a few nights last week. She had some training...I had some time off!
I went for lunch at the 8th Ave Original Joe's with a friend of mine from the city - the burger I had was easily the worst I've received from any Original Joe's location, but the service was probably the best. Lloydminster's location is not known for its service, that's for sure, so it was something I wasn't expecting.
I had a couple of pints, since I wasn't driving. Wild Rose's Brown Ale is always great, with its coffee tones and easy finish. Never overpowering, just a friendly hello of hops and body.
Of course, I had an old stand-by of mine, Brewmaster's Black Lager from Okanagan Springs. Coffee, chocolate and toffee have a party in my mouth, but it never gets out of hand. This has been one of my favorite beers for a few years now.
Since we were staying downtown, and because I was hoofing it, I caught the C-train to the Cineplex at the Chinook mall the first day. I watched 'The Eagle', adapted from the book about a Roman centurion determined to regain his family's honor, lost when the legion's beloved battle standard fell 20 years earlier in northern Britain. It wasn't spectacular, by any means, but I've seen far worse movies at the theatre.
Meeting up with my wife in the evening, we went for dinner with some more friends. I reminded myself of how sweet, crisp and cloying Granville Island's Cypress Honey Lager is - I powered through it, then gratefully moved on to Granville Island's English Bay Pale Ale. Its mild caramel notes were a godsend, and I enjoyed every drop of it. By this time, my friend had a pint of Guinness in front of him, and its creamy head, dark mysteries and memories of roasted malts were calling my name. Fantastic stuff, always.
The second day, I saw 'I Am Number Four' on the IMAX screen, again at Chinook. I didn't know it had the head cheerleader from Glee in it - not that it made a difference, really. Another book adaptation, from another book I hadn't read, I left the theatre looking forward to the sequel. I found the movie a good lead-in to a interesting story arc.
I grabbed a late afternoon snack of bread pudding and a pint of Harp, followed by a flight of Guinness, Kilkenny, Harp and Smithwick's at the James Joyce pub downtown. A great pub, quite busy at lunch and weekday evenings.
We went for supper with a friend from my hometown that was also in the city for the week. Dinner at the Saltlik has never disappointed me, because they make some great steaks. Y'know, I'm shocked, but I can't recall which beer I had. A pale ale, copper color, minimal head, a tad watery, I know, but beyond that...I can't think of the brewery. I apologize, this has never happened before...
I went to another movie after supper, with my friend. Again, at the Chinook! I don't have anything against the other theatres in Calgary, per se, but so far as access from downtown when I don't have wheels, Chinook's good by me.
We watched 'Unknown', and truly, this movie was unknown to me apart from the poster at the theatre. Which worked out great, because I wonder what hints the trailer would give, thereby wrecking the movie. Alright, so it was somewhat predictable, but still lots of action to offset the plot.
Our last day in the city found my ass parked at the James Joyce pub again, minutes after its doors opened. Being the first customer in there, I saddled up to the bar (again), had some shepherd's pie, a pint of Guinness, some more bread pudding and a pint of Kilkenny. Because I was there at opening, I was actually able to read a book for a bit, before the lunch crowd sauntered in and packed the place.
Reading...my reading selections are as vast and varied as my likes in beer. This week in Calgary, though, I wasn't able to read much due to recent laser eye surgery. But as that straightens out, I'll be sure to get back to reading a ton, so expect some words on what books I'm buried in.
I went for lunch at the 8th Ave Original Joe's with a friend of mine from the city - the burger I had was easily the worst I've received from any Original Joe's location, but the service was probably the best. Lloydminster's location is not known for its service, that's for sure, so it was something I wasn't expecting.
I had a couple of pints, since I wasn't driving. Wild Rose's Brown Ale is always great, with its coffee tones and easy finish. Never overpowering, just a friendly hello of hops and body.
Of course, I had an old stand-by of mine, Brewmaster's Black Lager from Okanagan Springs. Coffee, chocolate and toffee have a party in my mouth, but it never gets out of hand. This has been one of my favorite beers for a few years now.
Since we were staying downtown, and because I was hoofing it, I caught the C-train to the Cineplex at the Chinook mall the first day. I watched 'The Eagle', adapted from the book about a Roman centurion determined to regain his family's honor, lost when the legion's beloved battle standard fell 20 years earlier in northern Britain. It wasn't spectacular, by any means, but I've seen far worse movies at the theatre.
Meeting up with my wife in the evening, we went for dinner with some more friends. I reminded myself of how sweet, crisp and cloying Granville Island's Cypress Honey Lager is - I powered through it, then gratefully moved on to Granville Island's English Bay Pale Ale. Its mild caramel notes were a godsend, and I enjoyed every drop of it. By this time, my friend had a pint of Guinness in front of him, and its creamy head, dark mysteries and memories of roasted malts were calling my name. Fantastic stuff, always.
The second day, I saw 'I Am Number Four' on the IMAX screen, again at Chinook. I didn't know it had the head cheerleader from Glee in it - not that it made a difference, really. Another book adaptation, from another book I hadn't read, I left the theatre looking forward to the sequel. I found the movie a good lead-in to a interesting story arc.
I grabbed a late afternoon snack of bread pudding and a pint of Harp, followed by a flight of Guinness, Kilkenny, Harp and Smithwick's at the James Joyce pub downtown. A great pub, quite busy at lunch and weekday evenings.
We went for supper with a friend from my hometown that was also in the city for the week. Dinner at the Saltlik has never disappointed me, because they make some great steaks. Y'know, I'm shocked, but I can't recall which beer I had. A pale ale, copper color, minimal head, a tad watery, I know, but beyond that...I can't think of the brewery. I apologize, this has never happened before...
I went to another movie after supper, with my friend. Again, at the Chinook! I don't have anything against the other theatres in Calgary, per se, but so far as access from downtown when I don't have wheels, Chinook's good by me.
We watched 'Unknown', and truly, this movie was unknown to me apart from the poster at the theatre. Which worked out great, because I wonder what hints the trailer would give, thereby wrecking the movie. Alright, so it was somewhat predictable, but still lots of action to offset the plot.
Our last day in the city found my ass parked at the James Joyce pub again, minutes after its doors opened. Being the first customer in there, I saddled up to the bar (again), had some shepherd's pie, a pint of Guinness, some more bread pudding and a pint of Kilkenny. Because I was there at opening, I was actually able to read a book for a bit, before the lunch crowd sauntered in and packed the place.
Reading...my reading selections are as vast and varied as my likes in beer. This week in Calgary, though, I wasn't able to read much due to recent laser eye surgery. But as that straightens out, I'll be sure to get back to reading a ton, so expect some words on what books I'm buried in.
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