The Vancouver Thread

[kcherney]

I'm in Victoria until the 27th and then in Vancouver for a few days after that. Lurkaholic already knows and we are going to hopefully meet up for some beers, if anyone is in either location and would like to get together for beer hit me up.

Check out the University Heights location of Metro Liquor. Lots of good stuff on the shelf there at the moment.

 

[kcherney]

I would love to meet up but I won't be in Victoria until the 30th, and won't be back in Vancouver until the 3rd.

 

[JulianB1]

I would love to meet up but I won't be in Victoria until the 30th, and won't be back in Vancouver until the 3rd.

Yeah think our schedules are going to miss each other by a couple of days on each side, maybe next time! Which might not be for a while, had my fill of my family for the time being.

 

[skrip]

i'll be in Vancouver 14th/15th and then at Whistler till the 22nd!!! if anyone wants any east coast brews let me know

 

[JonnyBeers]

Heeeeeere's Jonny! (couldn't let you guys have all the fun)

box_social you prolly found out, but bottle shares at a bar/pub/shop are illegal, that said they still happen but you generally need to know someone pretty well. Some guys from Chicago whipped out a Zombie Dust at Portland Craft once and the staff had no issues. One bottle likely much easier than a full on share, especially if it's corked and fancy looking (wine corkage is allowed, beer is not)

 

[walterfredo]

cross post from the dark side...

Gonna be in Vancouver for 2 days/1 night in mid/late March. Will not have a car. Leaning toward staying at the Hotel Georgia, but open to suggestions (Loden Hotel looks cool too). We like the young, energetic, fun crowd, so if this hotel leans toward the stuffy side, I'm all ears. Looking to stay somewhere awesome though, since only in town for one night and have never been. Definitely want to hit a couple of beer spots. And I'm liking the bike rental thing, although mid March is probably not biking season (am I wrong?). Any advice on hotels, beer bars, areas to stay or see, activities for this time of year, etc., all appreciated. I have read a bit so I'm aware of the recommended beer spots. Would love some current opinions on best breweries to check out and restaurants. And of course the obligatory...."where can I land some loons, even if just on tap?" Thanks in advance!

 

[RyanG1]

cross post from the dark side...

Gonna be in Vancouver for 2 days/1 night in mid/late March. Will not have a car. Leaning toward staying at the Hotel Georgia, but open to suggestions (Loden Hotel looks cool too). We like the young, energetic, fun crowd, so if this hotel leans toward the stuffy side, I'm all ears. Looking to stay somewhere awesome though, since only in town for one night and have never been. Definitely want to hit a couple of beer spots. And I'm liking the bike rental thing, although mid March is probably not biking season (am I wrong?). Any advice on hotels, beer bars, areas to stay or see, activities for this time of year, etc., all appreciated. I have read a bit so I'm aware of the recommended beer spots. Would love some current opinions on best breweries to check out and restaurants. And of course the obligatory...."where can I land some loons, even if just on tap?" Thanks in advance!

We stayed in the Downtown Eastside/Gastown area. More so on the DTES, which has a reputation, as being a bit rough, but we very much enjoyed it. Never had an issues walking around at night. Easily could walk to the touristy part of Gastown and along the water front to other parts of the City. Rented bikes and rode in Stanley Park.

Our AirBnB was close to two awesome food/beer spots:

Chambar

http://www.chambar.com/

Alibi Room

http://www.alibi.ca/

Highlight of the trip was hiking the Chief in Squamish. Think a smaller version of Yosemite. Insanely beautiful trails, and your typical north shore technicality

 

[walterfredo]

Thanks Ryan! That hike looks amazing, and normally we're all about it, just imagine it may be covered in snow in March. Definitely plan to check out Gastown area.

 

[Lurkaholic]

I'd second Ryan's advice - airbnb apartment for a night or two in gastown with a Loden / Georgia budget you can really take take advantage of the exchange rate and live like a king. Plenty of good eating and drinking nearby too.

Brewery wise, this thread needs another update. Sit tight

 

[JonnyBeers]

I've never stayed at Georgia but have worked there a few times, it's a pretty damn nice hotel. The Loden is also cool, but much smaller, so I guess it's also quieter. The bar at Georgia Hotel is a bit of a "things you must do in Vancouver before you die" kinda place. Both locations would be similar in terms of things to do.

I find myself in East Van/Main Street/Mt Pleasant area when looking for good beer. Doubt you'll find any Loons anywhere unless a new shipment comes in. Plenty of other good sours around from Belgium, shops can be hit and miss.

You can bike year round here for the most part. March is 50/50 for rain. It will be cold to you if coming from Cali. A decent lightweight windbreaker is ideal to layer under. Especially if doing the sea wall at all.

I always like to point out Car2Go and Zipcar are here, even if you own a car where you live, it's great if you travel North America a lot as you can now use both in both countries. Might even work in Europe now for Car2Go not sure.

 

[walterfredo]

Great info. Thanks. Looked at Airbnb in Gastown last night, lots of great options.

 

[wethorseblanket]

Before I post an actual thread, I wanted to gauge the interest of anyone in Vancouver who would be down for an in-person trade either on 1/27 or 1/30. I'll be passing through on my way to Whistler and then coming back and staying in the city 1/29.

I'd be interested in your loons... or 3F. I have some de Garde, Sante Adairus, other stuff. I'm not sure what the current US to Canada conversion rate is for lambics and American wilds. But last time i was at Brewery Creek dude told me to "bring some de Garde next time to trade."

 

[Digita7693]

Just an fyi for all you beautiful people from Vancouver that came to Brews for New Avenues last year, and those thinking of coming again or for the first time:
http://www.talkbeer.com/community/threads/brews-for-new-avenues-2016-save-the-date.30847/

 

[user 306349]

I will be back in three weeks to see Iron Maiden and spend the week in the city. anything going on? anyone else going to the show and want to meet up for beers?

 

[kump]

Not sure there's anything specific going on around then, other than the likely dull for you Portland takeover at Alibi on Apr 11th.

 

[Lurkaholic]

box_social if you're up for swinging by for a few beers I'd love to organize something. I owe you a beer or two for that raffle I won back in the day!

And about time this thread got updated too... will look at it on the weekend.

 

[user 306349]

box_social if you're up for swinging by for a few beers I'd love to organize something. I owe you a beer or two for that raffle I won back in the day!

And about time this thread got updated too... will look at it on the weekend.

sounds good, I'll shoot you a message when I'm getting all my plans finalized!

 

[user 306349]

would anyone be interested in an IP trade for De Garde for some Four Winds stuff? not sure on the price but hoping for two bottles of Nectarous or so if they're readily available in the area since I won't be making to their location. I have a bottle each of Saison Melange, Grand Blanc, Grand Rouge, and Petit Desay available.

 

[Lurkaholic]

would anyone be interested in an IP trade for De Garde for some Four Winds stuff? not sure on the price but hoping for two bottles of Nectarous or so if they're readily available in the area since I won't be making to their location. I have a bottle each of Saison Melange, Grand Blanc, Grand Rouge, and Petit Desay available.

Yep, PMing you!

 

[DougOLis]

Did they make Nectarous again? Cause that was delicious last year

 

[Lurkaholic]

Yessir. I think we're up to the 4th batch now (or is it third?) and still going strong. Very happy about that indeed!

 

[kcherney]

Did they make Nectarous again? Cause that was delicious last year

Nectarous will now be year round. They abandoned the bottle conditioned cork/cage 750ml release in favour of bombers. Haven't done a side-by-side yet but the initial reviews are quite good.

 

[kzeon]

Nectarous will now be year round. They abandoned the bottle conditioned cork/cage 750ml release in favour of bombers. Haven't done a side-by-side yet but the initial reviews are quite good.

Curious to see if this will help getting rid of the bottle variation that some bottles encountered. Some of the last bottles I had were sooooo far away from the best ones I had that I'm sure there was bottle variation. Such a good brew.

 

[user 306349]

my trip to Vancouver was awesome! thanks again to Lurkaholic and kcherney for the trades and all the info and recs around town. I'm sure I'll be back sometime next year.

 

[ClCardinal84]

This thread doesn't appear to get much action, but coming to Vancouver in two weeks to run the Seawheeze Half and looking for some good recommendations for breweries/brewpubs/bottle shops while I'm in town. Get in Friday morning and leave Tuesday afternoon!

Cheers,
Christopher

 

[lazerviking]

looking for some good recommendations

Trade with Lurkaholic

 

[FoudreGuy]

This thread doesn't appear to get much action, but coming to Vancouver in two weeks to run the Seawheeze Half and looking for some good recommendations for breweries/brewpubs/bottle shops while I'm in town. Get in Friday morning and leave Tuesday afternoon!

Cheers,
Christopher

Alibi Room
Brassneck Brewing
33 Acres Brewing
Strangefellows Brewing
Brewery Creek (bottle shop)

If you have time, a drive down to Four Winds in Delta is worth it. Not too far but I don't know if you have a car.

 

[JRock1]

Nectarous will now be year round. They abandoned the bottle conditioned cork/cage 750ml release in favour of bombers. Haven't done a side-by-side yet but the initial reviews are quite good.

Have they been releasing it regularly? How hard is it to find with the new release format? Will be visiting from Winnipeg in the fall and thought I was out of luck for a few bottles.

 

[kzeon]

Have they been releasing it regularly? How hard is it to find with the new release format? Will be visiting from Winnipeg in the fall and thought I was out of luck for a few bottles.

2 friends of mine who were in BC recently and know quite well the local scene (they used to live in VAN City) told me that they were disapearing quickly. It'll probably settle down in the next few months, but for now, they vanish quite fast. It's possible that it'll be easier to find during the fall, so you should be ok.

 

[RyanG1]

Alibi Room
Brassneck Brewing
33 Acres Brewing
Strangefellows Brewing
Brewery Creek (bottle shop)

If you have time, a drive down to Four Winds in Delta is worth it. Not too far but I don't know if you have a car.

Alibi Room is a fun stop. We stayed in that neighborhood and it was always interesting haha.