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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Apps Apps and More Apps

So most of us are tied to a smart phone of some ilk, my poison is an Iphone and I have to admit it makes life a little easier from time to time. There are some Apps that I use a lot that you should probably have if you are serious about all things booze. The first and most important to me is the BCLDB app as it lets me know if it is available in the province who has it and how much it costs. 
The next would be the Mixology App as you can find any drink recipe you might want as well as the glass you should serve it in
If you are a beer guru then you will want BJCP judging styles App for measuring if the beer you are drinking conforms to style. and Untapped to track all those great brews you try.
There are many more worthwhile Apps for every format and interest you might have, pick some try them and use what works.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Big Changes in B.C.

Well here we sit in 2013 and barely a month into the year we get some big news from the liquor licensing branch. manufacturers can own pubs and restaurants and pubs and restaurants can own breweries wineries or distilleries. Here's the but, you can only produce a certain amount of each product when you apply and you can only associate with up to 3 establishments. It is going to be fun to watch how this new boondoggle gets sorted out! Good for breweries however is the new provision to have lounges, patios and function areas. Again with the but, you can only serve the products made on site so you still can't get a beer at a winery or a wine at a brewery. This seems to be destined to change what if you own a brewery and a winery on the same property? Maybe I am just a bit cynical of governments ability to draft policy in a single step it usually takes a few tries before they get it right

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Casks Of Dreams And Dream Vacations

Just got back from my annual vacation where I was able to try some Incredible brews from Maui brewing. they have 2 outlets on the Island 1 up near Kapalua and the main production facility in Lahaina I visited both, the restaurant brewery has a wide selection of seasonal and collaboration brews as well as the main line up of year rounders, food was great,  staff was knowledgeable and beer experience is cool. My favorite was the Liquid Breadfruit which is a collaboration brew with Dogfish Head featuring some crazy yeast from Delaware peaches, breadfruit and toasted papaya seeds.                
I got back to work just in time for our whisky club's annual Robbie Burns Night where we tried a number of good whisky's including the Cask of Dreams Canadian edition 17yr Glenfiddich. For me this was by far the treat of the night this limited production special was deep and layered deserving of a long slow contemplative consumption at a later date.
          
I fired up the beer engine last night for another cask of dreams of sort, a cask conditioned amber ale with Jack Daniels and Oak added smooth, silky and gone. sold out in 1 night. Special thanks to Cannery Brewing here in Penticton for that.
Oh well there is always another one to try coming up. 

Next on the horizon is a beer cellar I have ordered some big malty and funky brews that should change and develop over time. The plan is to stock up a bit and cellar them for a minimum 6 months and release them with some food pairing suggestions and tasting notes. I think this endeavor will really start to shine in a year or so when the cellar gains a little depth. Can you imagine even thinking of this 5 years ago? It truly amazes me how far we are going and how fast we are getting there.
If any of you out there have a beer cellar let me know if there is some brew that should be included. I need some help with this project. Cheers