Showing posts with label Beer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beer. Show all posts

Friday, June 13, 2014

Report from ... Austria: Vie Vinum 2014, Day 1 - June 12, 2014

We arrive in Austria tired and worn from a long flight, an hour delay and a piece of luggage that was seemingly lost ... we had the first day to rest and relax.  Many took the opportunity to catch up on some sleep, on the other hand some just napped for a portion of the afternoon and then headed out to experience some Austrian culture ...

Visiting our first cafe, the famous Black Camel
which has been around since 1618
Imagine the people throughout history who have walked thru these doors ... on second though don't

My first Austrian beer: Reininghaus
Jamie Drummond's 4th and 5th Austrian beer ... there were plenty more to come
plus snacks (part 1) - mushroom and mayo?

snack (part 2): salami with eggplant tapenade?
Evan Saviolidis tweets about the experience
The Group of 5 (from left): Ben Macphee-Sigurdson (Winnipeg), Lisa Stephenson (Seattle),
Evan Saviolidis (Niagara Falls) and Jamie Drummond (Toronto) - I'm taking the picture
Other snacks available, but not tried
My second Austrian beer: have to try the ones available; I swear it's research.
This little fella joined us on the patio
(he was very friendly and seemed to be fascinated by beer)
Arrival at the Welcome Get Together

At this floating restaurant - and yes it is called "Holy Moly"
Looking at the Holy Moly Restaurant from afar
Plenty of Austrian whites being poured:  very welcome on this hot 26C day
The crowd gather up top
Food seemed a little scarce at first and this BBQ joint across the way
seemed the answer to our hunger pangs (many had not eaten since the flight in the AM):
instead we waited it out and the food did show.

Night Time Sights on the Way Back to the Hotel ...

Lit Bridge
Street Meat

And Pizza
with pop, water, juice and ... beer - very civilized country
Evan finds a Gyro stand very much to his liking.


Sunday, October 4, 2009

Report from ... Savour Stratford – September 27, 2009

Savour Stratford is one of those events you have to experience to believe. No amount of description can truly tell you about the extraordinary food and delicious drink that you can find there. Sure I can tell you about Distinctly Tea’s carbon filter cup lid – an ingenious invention (unfortunately not of their own invention) that filters out, not only the loose leaf tea leaves they us to brew their tea, but the harsh tannins and bitter flavours from over-steeped tea … I tried to prove it wrong, I couldn’t.

I could tell you about the Swedish Mini Burgers sauced in Merlot-Ketchup and topped with Radish Sprouts, but you’ll scratch your head with a “really?” When I asked the guy behind the table about the sauce he said, “It’s really difficult,” he then smiled, “believe it or not it’s red wine and ketchup, that’s it.” “Shut up and get out,” was my response, but he showed me the recipe, it was actually Merlot and Ketchup; and it was delicious.

How can I describe a Rheo Thompson’s milk chocolate smoothie to you, or Duck Confit Ravioli? Elk skewers swerved with four different sauces, or the delicious breads of Rundles restaurant? There was such a multitude of exquisite foodstuffs that it is making my mouth re-water just thinking back on it. The answer is I can’t describe them. What I can tell you is that 9 breweries, 7 wineries and 29 food booths equal up to one amazing event. And if pictures are really worth a thousand words, then here are 8000 words to describe the event.



Thursday, May 15, 2008

Weinhenstephan “The World’s Oldest Brewery” comes to Toronto – May 8, 2008

Launching 6 beers from this thousand year old Bavarian brewery proved to be quite an event at the Beer Market on the Esplanade. When all was said and done I was told that only the Heff Weissbier is available in Ontario at the moment (pity) and will be served (in bottle) at the restaurant, with others (hopefully) coming in soon, pending our liquor board’s approval.

Of the 6 beers being sampled this evening – three thrilled my palate:

Heff Weissbier (5.4%) – light and refreshing, quite fruity, with a pseudo-sweet mid-palate; there’s also a hint of orange nuance on the finish. Great for summer.

Kristall Weissbier (5.4%) – lighter and fruitier than the Weissbier, though almost champagne like in the bubble department … quite delicate and tasty.

Vitus (7.7%) – really liked this one’s heavier action in the mouth; seemed thicker on the palate with caramel-like nuances and a spiciness on the finish – powerful and delicious.