Places to Drink

Over the past year, during my endless quest for craft brews, I came across a few great places either to drink or to buy beer which I though I'd share, in case anyone was feeling especially parched.

Places to DRINK

Beer Revolution, Calgary, CA

This is a brand new bar in Calgary attached to Brewster's (Microbrewery/Restaurant). Much like Brewsters (which actually split in half to birth Beer Revolution), it sells it's own brew, but it is also much more focused on selling a wide range of craft beers (almost all on tap). They have TV screens showing everything available and the selection changes every day. I wouldn't even be surprised if on a busy night, it changed every few hours!

Grizzly Paw, Canmore CA

This is a nice little brew pub conveniently located along the drive from Calgary to Banff, Radium, and (everything else located west of Calgary). The serve only their own beers on tap, but with between 9 and 13 at any time, you are spoiled for choices Additionally, the serve a wide range of palletes in beer drinkers, so even if you are pretty particular, they can probably sort you out.

The Flying Saucer, Houston, TX

Quite possibly the best thing about Houston, TX. With over 200 beers and a literal wall of taps, this place is a craft brew enthusiasts mecca in the South (they also have 14 other locations in six states so I'd check your area if you're interested.

Delerium Cafe, Brussels, BE

The place with the largest selection of commerically available beers IN THE WORLD (over 2000 at any time). Need I say more?

Places to BUY

-- DnQ Mini Mart, Houston, TX

806 Richmond

Houston, Texas, 77006

United States

phone: (713) 526-4451

No website and frankly it looks like a crappy convenience store from the outside, but walk in and you'll see one of Houston's real gems. A huge selection of brews for the size of the store (especially given stupid texas craft brew importing laws) and at decent prices too. Also, the best selection of beer glassware for sale I've ever seen in one place.

The New Beer Distributor's, New York, NY

167 Chrystie Street

New York NY . 10002

phone: 212-473-8757

Hands down my place to buy craft brews in New York City. A phenomenal selection of domestic and international beers, with quantity discounted cases and kegs available for parties. A bit difficult to find initially, but as soon as you go once, you won't be able to stay away!

Brooklyn Brown Ale

Over the summer, while living in one of (if not my favourite cities: New York) I had to take a trip down to my favourite brewery, the eponymous* Brooklyn Brewery, in Williamsburg. While there I had went on their free tour, which while not really taking you through the brewery is still pretty awesome and I definitely recommend it. The history of the brewery is incredibly fascinating but that is for another post, and another time.

The reason why I bring all this up though, is because while I was there I took it upon myself to sample one their beers (even though it was just after 10:00am). Though they had a huge variety of taps available, including limited release brews only ever sold in the brewery itself such as the brewmaster's reserves, but I decided to go with the relatively conventional Brown Ale. Not much else to say actually, like all of their beers that I've sampled, it's a great brew, and if your a fan of more medium bodied beers, I definitely check it out.

*just go with me, yeah?

Year: 2011

ABV: 5.6%

From: On Draft, and poured into plastic cup

DRINKING NOTES:

FOAM: very small, light tan bubbles, creamy

COLOUR: warm medium brown, translucent

SMELL: light hoppy taste, hints of fruitness

TASTE:

(initial) hoppy, slightly fruity

(body) medium body

(aftertaste) sweet taste

Pumpkin Ale

I picked up this beer in the late summer at my friend Hammer's 21st birthday party. I had ever had a pumpkin beer before but had seen them around during the fall so I thought I'd give it a try.

The Pumpkin Ale is from Saranac Breweries, in upstate NY, a brewery I unfortunately do not know that much about but like most craft brewers, that seem pretty awesome. A quick glance over their website and I noticed that sponsor a ton of different events every year and even have a blog. Reppin' the web!

Year: 2011

ABV: 5.4%

From: 12oz bottle (chilled), and poured

DRINKING NOTES:

FOAM: very thick white foam, small bubbles

COLOUR: matte brown (close to a dark amber)

SMELL: slight hint of roasted hops

TASTE:

(initial) slightly hoppy

(body) lighter bodied beer

(aftertaste) slight taste of cloves