Alibi Room - "400" Celebration

It's On! First Cask Is Poured

The turn of every hundredth tap list at Alibi Room spawns a multi-day festival of beer that sends us Lower Mainlanders into a rapturous state.  This past week, Vancouver's premier beer drinking establishment published their 400th beer/tap list and kicked off four glorious days of celebration.  As usual Nigel and his team gathered a set of excellent beers from local BC brewers, the United States, and even three different releases from Cantillion.  As an added bonus, all beers were CAD$4 for a 10oz. pour and the excellent value of the "Frat Bats" (Four 6oz. pours) were offered at CAD$11.25.  Needless to say, it was a highly popular event and well attended.

I managed to make it down for opening night (Monday) and closing night (Thursday) to partake in the festivities and was able to sample some really special beers with fellow beer enthusiasts.  Speaking of enthusiasts, I showed up about 20 minutes early on the first day and found 5 other geeks beer nerds guys with beards people (including fellow blogger Barley Mowat) already queueing in the lobby area.  By the time the doors officially opened at 4pm, there were a good 50 people in line outside.  Now when confronted with this many amazing beers and a high volume of competitors (uh, I mean other beer drinkers), it is necessary to develop a drinking strategy.  On this day, I went after the casks first, followed by the three Cantillions and then a break before taking round two.

400 Festival in Full Swing. All Hail Alibi Room!

Partial Drink List from Day 1 (some notes are illegible later in the night):

Tofino Brewing - Spruce Tip Aged Hop Cretin' IPA (on cask). Very solid, but not spectacular.  Strong spruce presence was a plus but when I had this beer last year, I thought it was better.
Phillips - Hop Therapy (on cask) . Slight disappointed on cask, bottled version definitely superior.
Cantillion -  Kriek.You cannot go wrong with this tart, cherry wonderful Kriek
Cantillion- Gueze.  A classic
Cantillion -  Gilloise. A blend of 1,2, and 3 year old lambics.  Slight, funk, very enjoyable.
Parallel 49 - Hay Fever Saison . Wheaty, yeasty, good not great.
Logsdon Brewing - Seizon Bretta Don't take my word for it, Beer Magazine named this beer of the year.
Central City - Citra-Hopped Imperial IPA .  Solid, enjoyable IIPA.
Central City - Amarillo and Symcoe Imperial IPA.  Definite winner here.  A great beer.
Deschutes - The Abyss Prefer it in the bottle and slightly aged but who can possibly say no to this on draft.

Drink List for Day 4 (Thursday):

Allies Win the War

Ninkasi and 21st Amendment - Allies Win the War. The beer I came here on Thursday seeking and was not disappointed.  Malts really balancing the hops, an excellent American IPA.
Brooklyn Brewing - Brooklyn Blast. Solid but unremarkable, balanced IPA
Parallel 49 - Lord of the Hops.  Same as above, balanced, standard.
Tofino Brewing - Dawn Patrol Coffee Porter - Smoky, burned coffee taste, a really, really good porter.
Ninkasi - Imperiale Imperial Stout - Light to medium bodied, and not overly complex. Straightforward.
Central City - Bourbon Aged Thor's Hammer Barleywine.  Strong bourbon as expected but very smooth, a deadly, deadly beverage.

Just a few more words here in closing about Alibi Room.  When I moved up here to the frozen north from sunny San Diego, Alibi Room was a saving grace.  It was one of the few beer bars in the city of Vancouver and certainly the best.  Now, a few years later the craft beer scene has exploded and there are many fine beer bars in the city but the Alibi Room is still the best.  The food here is always excellent, the atmosphere without TVs or overdone music, and communal seating coerces its patrons to strike up a conversation with their neighbour.  A beer and a conversation is a great way to spend a couple of hours.  Additionally, the entire staff of Alibi Room are quite remarkable.  Even in the midst of chaos on Saturday nights (or 400 festivals), the servers are the epitome of polite and friendly and the bartenders will stop and give beer profiles and information to enquiring customers with earnest enthusiasm.  So, if you are traveling up (or over, or even down) to Vancouver, Alibi Room gets the rare "Run Do Not Walk" rating.  You will not be disappointed.  Alibi Room is located on the outer fringes of Gastown at 157 Alexander Street, Vancouver, BC.

Just One Pages of Goodies From "400"

How To Guide: Russian River Brewing Company

As someone pointed out to me last night, the log needs more travel tips to keep on the theme of beer traveling.  This is a valid insight, the purpose of the blog was not to just review things but to offer some type of guidance on how to get there and what to do.  This, coupled with a some beer enthusiasts enquiring about logistics in getting over to Russian River, has led to this blog, which will give some pointers on visiting Russian River Brewing Company's Brew Pub in Santa Rosa, California.

Step #1 - Enjoy the Golden Gate

Santa Rosa airport now has some direct flights from San Diego and other locations, but the majority of us will probably use San Francisco or Oakland as a port of entry, so I am covering arrival into SFO here.  Upon arrival into SFO, pick up your rental car and head north on the 101 over the Golden Gate, there is no toll going northward, and if you do not get to San Francisco often, this should not be missed.  Your total driving time is normally 80-90 minutes but totally dependent on possible hellish city traffic in Frisco.  North of the Golden Gate, traffic should open up and it is a straight shot on the 101 to Santa Rosa to exit 489 (3rd Street). Your first stop should be securing a location to park the car at your hotel.  Since I know you, and you are just here to enjoy libations at Russian River - I would recommend the Travelodge for accommodations.  It is basic, cheap, saves you cab ride (it is within stumbling distance about .4 miles or 750m) and you are probably going to be very drunk at the end of the evening and will not be worried about any amenities that may be missing.

From here you can proceed down the street, hang a left on 4th, and you have reached your nirvana point at 725 4th Street. I would be remiss if I did not warn that Russian River's legendary status in the craft beer world has created a crush of humanity trying to get into its doors.  The best bet "Pro Tip" (for lack of better verbiage) is to go during the week or early on a Sunday.  This will save you waiting for a table, or having to wait like a vulture for someone to surrender their bar seat.  The below pic is taken on a Sunday afternoon, I do have one from a Friday night but it is just the back of people's shirts (not very exciting).

Barrel Aging Goodness and Deliciousness from the Taps

Lots of strategies here depending on your fancy, you can go for variety with a taster selection offering, including the rather incredible everything sampler.  If you are here for the classics, I would recommend the Blind Pig IPA followed by Pliny the Elder followed by a break and then moving onto the Damnation and/or sour offerings.  However you tackle it, you will not be disappointed.  If you have come for bottles to take home to amaze friends and loved ones, check the chalkboard for what is available, not everything is always available.

For food options in the brew pub, I would go with the pizzas, which are a solid option.  If you are just here for a nibble, stick to the charcuterie plate or the caprese.  The brew pub is situated right in downtown Santa Rosa, so there are many options for a meal beforehand or afterwards..

So Much Goodness, So Little Time

Even The Ladies Love Russian River

But let's get back to those beers.  While everyone knows about Blind Pig and Pliny the Elder, Russian River also delivers a really delicious Belgian styled Golden Ale called Damnation.  This would rank up there with the classic true Belgian golden ales, banana, yeast, and spice. The barrel aged quartet of Consecration, Supplication, Beatification, and Temptation will satisfy "brett" junkies and pucker lips.  Consecration which is a dark ale aged in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels remains one of my favorite beers in the world.  Spice, currants, the wine, chocolate and more swirl in amazing complexity in this beer, and at 10% ABV, it packs a wallop.  There are also milder session beers available on tap here, like the Aud Blonde, O.V.L. Stout, and Saison Blonde.

Cheers to You If You Have Made It This Far

After you had your fill, retreat to your hotel room, hydrate and sleep it off. In the morning, get in your car and head over to Colibri (no website, just google it) for a solid breakfast and then plot you next move.  Bear Republic, North Coast, or retreating to the stellar bar options in San Francisco are all valid options.  It is good to have options, isn't it?

PS. If you are looking for the Younger, show up in early February and be prepared to wait in a very, very, very long line.

Hidden Gem - Elizabeth Station in Bellingham, Washington

Rejoice beer loving Vancouverites.  Does the humdrum beer offerings of Vancouver have you down?  Nothing against some of the fine local beverages available on this side of the border, but we all crave that American style place with hundreds and hundreds of bottles readily available.  A place free from the draconian and antiquated BC liquor laws, where beers flow in from across the US and Canada.  How far would you travel for such a place?

Well, it turns out that you do not have to travel very far at all.  Just over the border into Bellingham, Washington, this little hidden gem of a beer and wine bottle shop has what you seek.  And as an added bonus to the best local bottled beer selection, they have five taps available with super local, fresh offerings from small Pac-Northwest breweries.

Some Shopping and Some Sampling, My Day is Complete

Boasting northwards of 600 bottles, no-one will be disappointed with the selection of beer available.  But  what really makes it special is the wide geographic area their beer selection covers (particularly in the US). I cannot think of many places that I can pick up a Stillwater Ales special release, some offerings from Boulevard in Kansas City. as well San Diego offerings like Alesmith and Ballast Point as well as a fine selections of Belgians.  This particular day, I picked up a Great Divide Yeti Espresso Oak Aged Stout, an obscure herb infused beer from Stillwater named after their gastropub ("Of Love and Regret") and a Double IPA from Shipyard out of Maine, as well as a Speedway Stout from Alesmith, and a Chocolat Imperial Stout from Souther Tier.  Look it was deep into the winter months, so I needed those stouts, OK - normally I am much more varied.

In addition to the bottles, Elizabeth Station has long social tables (and even a kids table) available, free wi-fi, snacks on offer, and best off all 5 taps.  Taps right there in a liquor store - someone catch me, I am f**king swooning.  I chose the sampler package with four offerings a Chocolate Russian Imperial Stout from Widmer, an excellent Born & Raised from No-Li, a local Gose from Skagit River, and a Brown Ale from Island Hoppin'.  The beers were solid and the price was highly economical. The beers rotate often, and the super friendly staff always have an iPad giving a description of the beers on offer on ready display.

Elizabeth Station gets the rare "Run Don't Walk" rating.  If you are in Vancouver, it is a short hop over to Bellingham and the Station is with stumbling distance of the Chuckanut Bewery and Kitchen, so it is real easy to have a fabulous afternoon.  Elizabeth Station is located on 1400 Holly St. Bellingham, Washington in the downtown area of the city.  Vancouverites, go there and pick up for 8.75 liters of beer if you have stayed over stateside for 48 hours!!!

Central City Brewing Co.'s Winter Cask Festival

Beer Geeks Queueing

On the 26th of January, Central City held their Winter Cask Festival.  Upon arrival it was quite clear that the popularity of these events in the Vancouver area continue to grow exponentially.  I attended the Summer Cask Festival, which was very good and well attended but free of any waiting lines.  On this day, we arrived at roughly the opening time and immediately saw a queue of about 60 people lined up at the entrance.  At least we were inside though, and this is Canada so the line was polite and easy going.  On a side note, the craft beer scene has grown so much that I am always half-amused and half-appalled by the faux-beer experts.  They are indeed proof that a little knowledge is often (a) fatal or (b) at least dangerous.  Quick to voice their "expert analysis" drag down many great beers and always praise the obscure or hard to find for the area. The story is the same everywhere.  I always end up laughing to myself and rolling my eyes, when I really just want to lean over and tell them that a freaking idiots. End of rant.

OK, once in, your $30 gets you in, a souvenir glass, and 3 tasters. Kind of pricey but additional tasters are a paltry $1 a piece which is a steal. It is truly a festival meant for consumption, which is right up my alley.

This year's list of casks:

Photographic Proof I Was There

• Central City Brewpub – Oaked Imperial Porter
• Tofino Brewing – Dawn Patrol Coffee Porter
• R & B Brewing – Latte Stout
• Storm Brewing – Black Forest Cake Stout
• Driftwood Brewing – Singularity
• Phillips Brewing – Hammer Imperial Stout
• Big Ridge Brewpub – Whalley Winter Ale
• Spinnakers Brewpub – Biere De Noel
• Salt Spring Brewing – Spiced Fireside Winter Ale
• Moon Brewpub – Weizenbock
• Longwood Brewpub – Doppelbock
• Lighthouse Brewing – Smoked Hop Bock
• Howe Sound Brewpub – Super Duper Grapefruit IPA
• Dead Frog Brewing – Fearless IPA
• Old Yale Brewing – Centennial Dry Hopped IPA
• Coal Harbour Brewing – Powell St. English IPA
• R & B Brewing – Dry Hopped Red Devil Pale Ale
• Red Truck Brewing – Fresh Hopped Red Truck Ale
• Elysian Brewing – Perseus Porter
• Swans Brewpub – Legacy Ale
• Granville Island Brewing – Barrel Aged Barleywine
• Cannery Brewing – Cracken Nut Brown Ale
• Gigantic Brewing – Black Friday Imperial CDA
• Whistler Brewhouse – Grand Cru w/ Orange Peel
• Canoe Brewpub – Lager with Lemon Rind
• Steamworks Brewpub – Conrad’s Golden Ale
• Storm Brewing – Daniel Knibb’s Sour Fig Saison
• Boundary Bay Brewpub- Cabin Fever Scotch Ale
• Parallel 49 Brewing – Braggot
• Russell Brewing – Dry Hopped Wheat Wine
• Yaletown Brewpub – Oud Bruin
• Mystery Cask

A few minor bitches here is that a few of the casks were just your standard easy to find brews, readily available in bottle or draft.  With cask festivals, I am always hoping for the one off or some bourbon barrel aged monstrosity.  or something daring that was made in a small batch.  This is no offence meant to Oud Bruin, Black Friday Imperial CDA, Fearless IPA, Singularity, etc. which are all fine beers but I could walk to any number of bottle shops or bars and have these beers.  I was hoping for the winter beer festival we would have some more stouts, barrel aged stuff, dubbels,  and winter spiced beer.  I am not sure standard ales, lagers with lemon rind, sours, and saisons say winter.  Additionally, I appreciate the loyalty to BC breweries but it would be nice if they could include some smashing US breweries like Two Beers or North Coast Brewing that featured in 2012.

Cheers to You Central City

Winners for me including Storm Brewing's Black Forest Cake Stout and Central City's Oak Aged Porter.  Behind that, the standards were always good (aforementioned) but there were a lot of forgettable beers and not a lot of standouts.  The festival fell short of expectations, but it was still a good day out. As a big added plus, Central City (the standout brewery on the Lower Mainland) has their regular pours available, food, and always put a special few kegs of their own which makes it a good day out.