Bin 4 Burger Lounge – Langford BC

52 words seems so inadequate.

I come in mid afternoon and am greeted by friendly smiling faces. I’m seated right away and served water and a bowl of what looks like homemade potato chips. I order a red truck IPA. It has a nice sweet floral and fruity aroma. The bitterness hits early and fades into a sweeter, balanced aftertaste. Hints of apple and rose. Red onion rings are thick and fat. Cooked to perfection. A little bit of crunch in the onion, and a crispy breading. Not too greasy. Finally, I ate a blackened chicken salad, their April feature.   It’s a pile of fresh greens, juicy chicken, cheese and avocado. The flavours mingle well with a honey-balsamic vinaigrette. Delicious! 8/10

Screaming Banshee – Irish Cream Stout

Old Yale Brewing Co. – Screaming Banshee– Irish Cream Stout 7.5% ABV

Topped by a caramel chocolate head, this beer is dark as night.  A strong smell of coffee greets the nose.  The first sip tastes of intense chocolate and coffee, with light hints of vanilla.  Dark chocolate bitterness rounds out the aftertaste, which mellows slowly.  A definite hit on a chilly winters night.  7/10

Wildrose Brewery Double Header

Wildrose Brewery – White Shadow – White IPA 6% ABV

Damn, that’s good. A citrus & spice white meets a bold and bitter IPA. It’s a match made in heaven. Orange, coriander and spices hit the tongue and mellows into a mildy hoppy bitter aftertaste. Well worth drinking…again. 8/10

Wildrose Brewery – IPA – North American India Pale Ale 6% ABV

This is a fantastically balanced IPA.  There’s enough bitterness at 69IBU to satisfy any hop-head.  Pairs well with a steak sandwich, which you can get on Thursdays with a pint for $10 at the Bear and Kilt Freehouse.  This beer is a frequent grab at Alberta liquor stores.  7/10

Hendrick’s Gin & Fentiman’s Tonic

Hendrick’s Gin & Fentiman’s Tonic – Cocktail – 2oz

Have you had a gin and tonic?  Good, it’s a classic.  Try it with Hendrick’s Gin and Fentiman’s Tonic.  The flavours meld together wonderfully to create a truly satisfying cocktail.  The bitterness of the tonic balances well with the sweet smoothness of Hendrick’s.  7/10

Divinity – Canadian Tech Death/Thrash

Divinity – Manhunt – The Immortalist: Part Two, Momentum

Divinity is a legendary metal band from Calgary, AB.  They’ve held onto their signature style despite recent lineup changes.  Disharmonic guitar harmonies assault your senses while twin vocals create a rich and complex soundscape.  Drumming is tight and heavy, layered with fantastic bass work.  I can’t wait for more. 8/10

Cathedral Bloom – Canadian Trip Hop

Cathedral Bloom – cAthedrAls EP – Victoria Future Hip Hop

Cathedral Bloom’s EP, cAthedrAls, is an immersive soundscape of trippy beats, ethereal vocals and slow chill rap.  Hailing from Victoria, BC, this trio puts on some nice music to smoke a bit, sit back, and relax.  20 minutes leaves you wanting.  You can snag some high-quality FLAC (or MP3) files from their bandcamp. 8/10

Phillips Brewing Co – Apteryx

 

Phillips Brewing Co – Apteryx IPA – 6.5% ABV

Victoria BC brewery Phillips has proven their ability to brew.  This IPA uses Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand.  The nose is a wonderful fruity bouquet, with sweet grapes and an underlying hint of bitterness.  First sip is akin to the smell, fruity to start but leads into a wonderful bitter taste. 7/10

Comedy – Bo Burnham

Bo Burnham – Repeat Stuff – Comic

A comedic genius in his own right.  Burnham comedically insults the pop40 music industry through intelligent and witty observations. His works are an inspiration to those who are tired of the corporate overhaul of modern society.  All to a catchy tune where you repeat stuff, repeat stuff, repeat stuff, repeat stuff, yeah. 10/10

 

Local Eats – Red’s Diner

Red’s Diner (On 4th) – All Day Breakfast – 1415 – 4th St S.W. Calgary, AB

Real homemade everything.  Eggs are rich with very orange yolks. Delicious poutine with amazing gravy.  Cozy diner atmosphere is great for meeting friends for brunch.  The staff is very friendly and attentive.  Great for breakfast, brunch and brinner.  Quality food worth waiting for, and spending a little extra on.  7/10

Beervent – December 24

BONUS! I must have forgotten a day, because there’s two left in the case… so today you get two entries… along with the last three that I haven’t posted yet, so it’s a big’un.  Enjoy!  Merry Holidays and Happy Christmas!

December 21

DuClaw Brewing – Sweet Baby Jesus! – 6.2% ABV

Chocolate, peanut butter, and beer are three of my favourite things.  This brew is sure to please any porter fan.  A strong peanut butter smell hits the nose.  First sip is like biting into a dark chocolate peanut butter cup.  Mmmmmm.  8/10

December 22

West six brewing – Christmas Ale – 9% ABV

Muddy reddish in colour, topped with a thick off white head. Christmas spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice dominate the nose.  Dark, sweet malty flavour. Balances the spices well leaving a nice well rounded flavour. 7/10

December 23

Sound Brewery – Old Yonder Ale – 7.3%ABV

Coloured brown, with light reddish tints. Mild nutty flavour. Good tasting, but no remarkable flavours. 5/10

December 24

Black Market Brewing Co – Cherry Sour – 3.8% ABV

It’s red, like Cranberry juice, topped with a light head of pink.  Sour smell on the nose.  First taste is very sour, but it fades quickly into a lightly sweet, cherry aftertaste.  A little bit like a sour-patch kid.  Great crossover beer, or those looking for something a little different.  4/10

Yukon Brewing – Longest Night – 6% ABV

A dark amber ale, coloured like strongly brewed tea.  Dark and nutty on the nose, with hints of vanilla.  Strong hops powered bitterness hits the tongue with floral notes rounding out the flavour.  A satisfying brew.  7/10