Nerdy Beer Adventures

Canadian nerd chronicling his adventures in craft beer. @rynocdn

[extrafabulouscomics]

[quasi-normalcy]

Canadians!

Especially all of you millennials and such!

There is every reason to believe that Stephen Harper is going to make an election call this Sunday; after that, the entire country will be in an election campaign for the next two and half months.

Stephen Harper is going to try everything he can to stay in power in spite of being awful, but literally his entire reelection strategy depends on millennials staying home on election day.

I therefore urge every last one of you over the age of 18 to go to the Elections Canada website (here) and register yourself to vote.

Please spread this around! Even if you are not Canadian, please signal boost! 

The country is turning into shit right now, and if you don’t vote in this election, you may never have another chance! Vote! 

[landofwind]

#this is the fucking realest just. please please#reg to vote#please don’t be apathetic this year#if your parents are like mine and apathetic because they hate the government: explain this shit to them too!!!#get on the case of everyone you know to vote in this election#it’s going to need to be literally game-changing but that’ll only happen if we MAKE it#so vote!!!!! (x)

[nerdybeeradventures]

June 2015, Fresh Brewdog in Alberta!!! It's like my Birthday and Christmas combined!!!

[nerdybeeradventures]

Brewdog Punk IPA with Punk IPA pancakes, February 2015. Punk IPA Pancakes and caramelized bacon for Shrove Tuesday Brinner! That's right, pancakes made with punk ipa. Verdict = amazing! The citrus hop gives a distinct flavour. Had sans and non-sans syrup. Non-sans wins. Even Ma says they are delicious.

[nerdybeeradventures]

Maui Brewing CoCoNut Porter, 6.0%, December 2014

Story time. Since moving to Calgary, J Webb Wines has been my store of choice for finding new craft products. They have a very small, but heavenly selection of craft. The last two adventures there have amounted to discovering products that make me recall past adventures. My experience with Maui Brewing goes back to one of my last London nights in May this year at the Exmouth Arms.

The Exmouth Arms was found originally on a lark when trying to find poutine before Canada Day 2013. The next, and last, time I was there was a memorable night with someone special. It was my suggestion after encountering a room full of arrogant city workers down at a overpriced new pub down in Farringdon that left the both of us in a unhappy mood.

The Exmouth Arms was a different story altogether. We shared an amazing order of deep fried gherkins, luck was on our side as we found a table right away even with the place being packed, Lagunitas IPA was on draft, and the playlist had a good mix of punk, britpop, indie, and electronic. When I got my rounds, it took 3 attempts with most of the menu being out of stock. The Sobrehumano Palena'ole was a surprisingly sweet fruit beer that hinted at many tropical fruits otherwise not typical in beer. It was one of the first canned craft beers to win me over having only experienced macro produced 'giga' lagers (see anything that you'd find at a frat). We left in a good mood and continued with nostalgia, a dare, unexpected twists, dancing, and a bittersweet farewell.

Seeing the canned goodness of Maui Brewing in J Webb brought warmth to my heart in what outside was a certified snow storm (I think we got 20 cm in 5 hours that day/night). The CoCoNut Porter was at first deceiving as it tasted like a typical porter. Halfway through came a subtle kick of coconut that made me go "I Want MORE!". I am not a fan of Coconut, but this tasted all sorts of right. It wasn't too heavy. Originally, I didn't want to buy the 4-pak it came in but am glad I now have two cans to enjoy and recall the good memories. Word is that the canned Bikini Blonde is also in the Alberta market as well.

Cheers folks.

[brewtographer]

Enjoyed this bad boy the other night by @brewdogofficial the other night whichever is a Hoppy Red ale called 5am Saint. #brewdogbrewingco #5amsaint #craftbeer

[drunksincerity]

So good.

[nerdybeeradventures]

Brewdog/Mikkeller I Hardcore You DIPA, 9.5%, November 2014

My Brewdog fanboy flag is on again.

Went to J Webb Wine Merchants on 17th Ave thanks to a recommendation from my aunt cause they have beer tastings on Fridays. Was ecstatic to find this this in their fridge (amongst other great finds). At first thought it was an old batch they hadn’t been able to sell. When I asked, the chap working said that it had just returned. Checking the bottle, I confirmed that seeing that the best by date was not till next year. Having only seen very off date Brewdog products in Alberta since moving back, this sight made me act like a giddy school girl. The chap, Kyle, informed me that this came in through the Mikkeller rep. I know that Brewdog is going through a transition from Christopher Stewart to Premium Brands and there is potential to see more Brewdog in the coming months.

I’ve had this many times before. It was available here in Alberta last year when I was home for Christmas. Mind you, I had enjoyed it many times at Brewdog Shepherds Bush before that as it was my usual standby. I still haven’t had a chance to try the Mikkelller part of the blend, I Beat You, on its own. Hopefully it’ll show up here eventually.

Creamy dry-hop, copper coloured, not too strong on the alcohol flavour.

This is definitely going on the Brewdog shelf. Yes...I have a Brewdog shelf.

[nerdybeeradventures]

Gigantic Intensify Belgian Style IPA, 8.1% Have loved Gigantic since the start of the year. But this brought back weird, but happy emotions/memories, and I can't pick off where they are coming from. This reminds me of some random night in London enjoying a pint in some darkly lit pub enjoying a Belgian IPA. And I can't remember where this specific memory comes from though. The taste is citrusy, hoppy, strong alcohol, and all amazing.

[untappd]

We’ve got an early holiday surprise that we think you’ll really enjoy. Today we’re introducing 5 new badges for you to unlock as well as updating our current Spain badge. These new badges include 3 style-based badges, 1 country-based badge and 1 location-based badge.

In addition, we’re upping the...

[nerdybeeradventures]

Borg Brugghús Ga Rún Icelandic Stout Nr.19, November 2014, 11.5%

I originally had this in Reykjavik back in the spring. It involved a story of befriending the manager of microbar, somehow having him selling a rare mead out of the boot of his car, and realizing that the Icelanders produce some amazing stouts.

I was excited to have this brought back by a mate who went on his own Icelandic adventure a few weeks ago. Just after I left his place, I found in the store I worked at that it is now available in Alberta. Knowing that he brought back something that is now available here was saddening. Knowing that there is more than just the Pilsner from Borg is now available in Alberta is exciting.

Flavour wise, it’s starts with a dark fruit flavour and leaves with a slightly roasted taste. This comes amongst a major stout kick thanks to the change of cold weather. I’ve been drinking a lot of the Oskar Blues Ten Fidy lately with a much richer roasted flavour.

[nerdybeeradventures]

November 2014, post-move to enemy territory. DOA IPA - Hop on or die, Cerveceria Mexicana, 6.8% Mikkeller Mosaic DIPA, 8.9% Oskar Blues Ten Fidy American DIPA, 10.5% That's right, I've moved once again. This time to the 'enemy' territory of Calgary. Haven't had much time to check out the local craft scene much yet (report hopefully soon). Mostly been working or getting set up. Mind you, I've taken the time to enjoy a few offerings since securing my place. The DOA was good, but it felt conflicting knowing it as produced by Molson Coors. Took a little research online to find this fact. I've got another blonde ale to try. Do love the punk inspired artwork. As for the Mikkeller, a few of my customers and coworkers suggested trying the mosaic hopped offerings that are trending as of late. Really enjoyed this. Slightly bitter but very aromatic. Slightly candied flavour. Tempted to try Parallel 49 Hopnotist next. The Ten Fidy is new and old for me. In the final weeks in London, me and a mate undertook a pilgrimage to the then three brewdog locations in one day for the Oskar Blues takeovers. Still remember seeing brewdog den in the ugliest pink bandana I've ever seen at two of the locations throughout the day. Each had a different lineup. Each was sensational. Somehow I missed the Ten Fidy. It just arrived up in Alberta a few weeks ago. Finally caved and shelled out the $22 for a 4-pak. Worth it. This is one of the reasons I am back on thick stouts.

[nerdybeeradventures]

Brewdog Tactical Nuclear Penguin, 32.5%, September 27 2014.

I made a few decisions soon after returning home from London. One was to buy one of the few remaining bottles of the penguin for myself once I got a job. A job finally came, albeit part time meaning cash flow was tight. I then decide that I would buy it on my birthday as a gift to myself. Today is that day.

[microbrewery-is-easy]

4 Tips on Branding Your Brewery..

all about microbrewery: Follow Microbrewery is easy on Tumblr!

[nerdybeeradventures]

Quick update post, September 2014. Since starting at keg n cork, I've let posts slide. And it feels weird as I have so many more beers that I could talk about and reminisce about. Lately I keep drinking products that the customers recommend. Here are photos of recent mmmmmmmms...(good beers in other words) To Øl Dangerously Close To Stupid, DIPA. 9.3%. Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale, 5.9%. First pumpkin of the season. All the taste feels.

[nerdybeeradventures]

Philosophical beer question. Why can I only find 4pks of @EvilTwinBrewing yin & only single bottles of @EvilTwinBrewing yang. #beerproblems

[doesthatcomeinastout]

In previous posts I have touched on how historically brewing was a considered a women’s job. This is something that was seen the world over, including in the ancient Inca Empire. In the Inca religion chosen women, or Aclla, would be bestowed various tasks. One of these was brewing the beer for the...

[microbrewery-is-easy]

The great thing about being craft beer geek

Get Drunk All Night: Follow Microbrewery on Tumblr!