When I was a kid, I enjoyed wandering. The neighbourhood I grew up in was nestled between two small but vibrant forests filled with maple trees, valleys, a rail line and a variety of ponds. I would spend hours venturing through the thickest parts of the forest searching for new treasures. At the age of ten while traveling with my family, I took a slight detour when trying to catch up to my them on the beach. I made a wrong turn. 3 hours later I found my way back to my family, frantically looking for me. I earned the nick name Gilligan, for my three hour tour/misadventure. My mother told me that she wasn't very concerned because I had a habit of wandering but never seemed lost. 23 years later my wandering and misadventures have taken me to some of the world's most wonderful places, hidden gems and breweries of all varieties. This adventure to British Columbia was no exception. It doesn't matter how much pre planning you do. I've earned that rolling with as many misadventures is truly the best way to experience the most of all travels. I landed in Vancouver with a grocery list of breweries and adventures I wanted to embark of this trip. Although I didn't get to check every mark on my list, the experience as my friend Jon said "in it's truest form. An Epic!" I was travelling to the coast to fulfill my best man duties, for my best friend Geoff. His fiance Michelle, met me at the airport glowing with excitement. She however had her own to-do list of before her big day. She asked me if there was anything I wanted to do before meeting up with the both of them later for dinner. My immediate response "Take me to the Storm and let me wander" In East Vancouver, around Commercial and Powell Street. Has been a hot spot for crafting some of Canada's most creative brews. One of my top 10 favourite crafter's in, not only British Columbia but the world. Is Storm Brewing Co. Now, I have heard alot of people talk passionately in both positive and negative reviews about Storms methods and creations. Considering for the last 20 years their mad scientist has been making boring beer exciting again. Science aside, what they do is unlike anything anyone else even trying to brew. Now their facility might not be the cleanest, their brew master might be a little odd, and their mascot might be a big black rat but their wide variety of odd flavours and combinations, makes this a necessary stop for any beer lover. I've sampled nearly 20 different mainstays and Brainstorms in my travels. Some of my favourite brews are the Beets by J IPA, Gin & Tonic Pilsner, Pineapple Paradise and Hot Lips Ale. This visits brainstorm brews where a Lime Pilsner, Cherry Whiskey Sour Pilsner, and a Wild Cucumber Dill Pilsner. Obviously by the names of the beer you might wonder. Does a cucumber and dill Pilsner "Really" taste like cucumber and dill? The answer is incredibly yes. Their Gin & Tonic Pilsner tastes more like a Gin & Tonic. Their Hot Lips Ale tastes like the candy. The likeness of their flavours are just so incredibly remarkable. In my opinion, Storm stands alone in their kind of wild adventures into craft beer. Crafting beer requires the ability to learn and grow. One brewery in Vancouver is sharing their facility with not one, or two but three other brewers. Calister brewery co. On Franklin Street shares their vats, their roof, their pub and their brewing knowledge with Boombox brewing, Real Cask brewing and Lightheart brewing. The result is a wonderful collaboration and variety of styles to explore. Personally I have a soft spot for casked beers and Real Cask definitely had a special mentionable in their pirate's booty rum barrel cask. This low ABV. Brew hit the spot perfectly between Boombox's North East Payola IPA and Calister's Co-pilot pale ale. It was refreshing to be able to talk about crafting beer with front of house staff, while finishing a Brain Candy American Pale Ale by Lightheart brewing. Every staff member I spoke with, radiated with their deep passion of crafting premium brews. Other highlights and honourable mentions from wandering through eastern Vancouver's melting pot of beer included a brand new Andina Brewing co, Bomber Brewing Co and Doan's Craft Brewing co. As for Powell Street, Postmark and Strange Fellows. I'll be writing more about them soon. Last year when I discovered most of these fantastic places for the first time, I was over doing my consumption. It's really easy to do. It was making my wandering adventures difficult to complete. I have learned to really appreciate when breweries offer flights for sampling their craft. Not only is it lighter in the pocket but it allows you to explore a variety of brews. I usually find one amongst the flight and order a glass, but only if just right at that moment. Next time; I travel north to Whistler. Followed by a ferry ride to Vancouver Island, from Naniamo to Tofino. Thanks for reading and until next time. You'll never know what that beer taste like, until you try it. #blog #blogpost #blogger #craftbeer #adventuresinbeer #drinkgoodbeer #eastvan #wanderer #beercation2017 #gozno #bestcoast #beerblog #bcbrews #vancouver #BC @stormbrewingvan @calisterbeer @realcask @boomboxbrewing @lightheartbeer
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