Beerfest and Brunch

Another year, another Great Canadian Beer Festival.

This year I did things a little differently.  I opted to cancel my volunteer shift at the last minute and bought a ticket to attend Friday’s festivities instead of Saturday’s.  After a short survey of my friends on Facebook I came to the unsettling conclusion that 99% of my Beerfesting friends were going on Friday…and drinking somewhat alone on Saturday didn’t seem like much fun.

Laura and I spent the day sipping our way through pretty much all of the fruity beers in the park, and taste tested our favourite stouts and porters. 

This year’s highlight for me again came from Salt Spring Island Ales…they brought along a Gruit (say it with me…Scottish accent and all…GRRRRROOT!) that was delicious, herbacious and hop-free!  Almost as good as my favourite of theirs…the Heatherdale Ale….also hop-free. 

There were a few crazy letdowns this year too.  I think some of the brewers are trying too hard to create something ‘different’.  ‘Smoky’ seemed a theme amongst the dark beers and we didn’t enjoy any of them.  A beer that starts our smelling like a horse barn probably should go back to the drawing board.

I enjoyed attending on a Friday this time and may have to consider this the new way to do it.  :)

The next morning was the perfect opportunity for a carb-heavy brunch.  A few of us shook off our Beerfest headaches and headed to The Superior Cafe for good eats and chit-chat.

It was a toss up for me between the Chorizo Hash or the Breakfast Poutine, but Michael opted for the poutine so I went with the hash.

Both dishes were so flavourful, hearty, and a little something different.  In the end I was glad I got the hash because I loved the little kick from the chorizo and the over easy eggs broken over the fresh hash browns were just what my tummy wanted.

But I’d go back tomorrow for pulled pork poutine with poached eggs and hollandaise.  I see a #Pouteam mission in the making!

The best part about doing Beerfest on the Friday? 

Having the rest of Saturday and all of Sunday free! 

Do you Beerfest?

Drink, Eat and Be Sunny

This past weekend was totally hectic and totally fun.  I worked, I drank, I ate, and I chillaxed.  Pretty much in that order.

On Friday afternoon I headed on down to the first day of The Great Canadian Beer Festival to work my volunteer shift.  I volunteer because a) it’s super fun …and… b) you get into the festival for free.  :)

For the second year in a row I was a Booth Steward…which is a fancy term for ‘token taker’.  I spent my afternoon and early evening hanging out with the super nice folks in the Saltspring Island Ales booth.  We went full tilt with a busy line up of thirsty beer lovers for just over 5 hours in the hot, hot sun. 

My body was aching and my tummy was rumbling but I had a total blast.

Saturday morning I made my way back to the park.  This time to meet friends and stuff my pockets full of my own tokens to be cashing in for beers from around the country and beyond.  After multiple samples I walked away with two favourites of the day:

1) Heatherdale Ale from SaltSpring:  (slight advantage because I already know I quite adore this beer!)  It’s a light tasting, golden beer with hints of honey…made with Heather flowers instead of hops.  Love.

2) Talking Dog Wit from Shuswap Brewing:  (I originally went here because they had a short line but ended up going back again, then went back and bought their totally cute t-shirt too.)  This beer was really refreshing and light, with a really lovely hit of orange and coriander.  Yum.

The weather was totally amazing and sooooo hot.  Who says Victoria doesn’t get Summer?  I’m here to tell you ours has been pretty phenomenal this year….it’s just later around here!

After escaping the glorious sun and heat of the park and spending a few hours just chatting and relaxing with friends, a few of us made our way to Siam for a much needed delicious Thai food dinner.

Mee Krob to start, and Red Chicken Curry with rice for my meal.  I took half home (nothing like strolling the streets with curry in your purse) and anticipated the leftovers for two days.

Come Sunday I could barely move after being on my feet for two days straight.  All I wanted to do was absorb more sunscreen, sit out on the deck, and have someone serve me.  So that’s pretty much what I did.

After running a few errands and letting the dogs burn off some energy, Michael and I hung out with his brother and sisters enjoying our Sunday and eating some easy barbeque.  Ribs, chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, squishy garlic loaf, and fresh tomatoes mixed with sweet onion and bocconcini cheese.

And nothing beats the heat more than vanilla frozen yogurt with a Twix stuffed in it.  Even when SOMEONE steals your Twix when you are busy smooching your boyfriend.  Clearly the siblings have accepted me since the pranks are aimed in my direction now.  I’m not sure how I feel about this.  ;)

Overall a lovely weekend.  Of course, probably not as lovely as next weekend…since next weekend Tiffaney and I shall be in GREECE!!!

V.I.C. Fest 2011

Get comfy.  This is hands down my most photo-heavy post of all time.  Usually I break things like this into multiple posts, but it’s Sunday so I know you have time to read.  :)  Enjoy!

With 8 or so hours of outdoor fun in our futures my festival companions and I decided to meet for hot coffee prior to entering the gates for the day.  Cafe Fantastico latte art…

“V.I.C. Fest is a one day outdoor festival located in the heart of Downtown Victoria. The festival location, St Ann's Academy, will provide a stunning, unique and true Island experience for both festival attendees and the participating artists and vendors. The day will be filled with culture, entertainment and samplings of select breweries and wineries from Vancouver Island. As the sun goes down, a full service beer garden will open and the main stage will explode with the absolute best live music the Island has to offer.”

A fully fun and relaxing day…we really enjoyed ourselves.  Thanks to Laura, Hugh, Polly and Ibby for coming along on the adventure. (If only the weather was warmer!!)

I’ve tried breaking things down into sections for you to make this a little easier to get through.  Shockingly I’m starting with the food…as the sign suggests. :)

FINALLY my first (um, and second) WannaWafel.  Addition acquired.

It was a serious toss up at lunchtime…I opted for the pulled chicken with green chillies from Fort Cafe.  Moist and deeeelish.  This reminds me I read a review of the cafe recently and it’s on my list of places to visit.

Another first…Puerto Vallarta Amigo Taco Truck!!  Lots of options, but of course I had to choose the taco plate.  Here we have 2 beef, 2 potato & spinach, and 2 bean & cheese.  The beef wins but it’s all super yummy…especially with the avocado salsa.

Before settling into the grass to eat all of that food and enjoy the live entertainment we made our way into the wine garden for a few samples.

Group consensus was that we’re kind of in love with Coastal Black’s fruit wine.  Blackberry Sparkling!

[Laura – wine model]

Another favourite…Sea Cider Rumrunner.  OK, fine…it’s not wine but it was part of the tasting area. :)

[Ibby the wine connoisseur]

After lunch we dug into our beer tickets and wandered through a few line-ups trying our favourite Island breweries.

I have encountered Salt Spring Island Ales Heather Ale at multiple events recently.  It’s definitely a favourite.

[c’est moi!]

[Polly and an apparently shocked Hugh]

After dinner a full beer garden opened up.  We took it easy after sampling all day…the beer garden wasn’t included with our ticket price and we were more interested in copping a squat in the grassy area to watch the entertainment. 

The school grounds are gorgeous.  Sprawling lawns and pathways are actually quite perfect for the different food, drink, artist, vendor and performer areas.

[Pretty Polly]

Ibby and I were immediately side tracked by a really fun and talented artist…Stephanie Kuhn was so friendly and sent us on our way with samples of her beautiful and vibrant photography.

[good music helps Laura crochet]

Music rang out through the grounds all day.  We enjoyed much of it from the wine garden and food area but ventured over to the actual stage to listen to Georgia Murray.

Local celebrities chatting it up on air.  The Zone.

Quoia entertained while we sipped in the beer garden.

The thing I most wanted to make sure to see…Cheesecake Burlesque Revue.  I have so many friends that know so many of these ladies but I had yet to see them in action.

Sassy.  Cute.  Such a tease!

[why must I make funny faces?]

See…Ibby knows the girls.  Poor guy.  ;)

It was also great to catch Maurice live but the cool day was turning into a pretty chilly evening sitting out on the lawn.  We had thought to bring blankets but no one really wanted to carry them around so never actually brought any with us.

a little smidge of musical fun

We decided to head out just as the final act was taking stage.  Over eight hours is pretty good for a day in the cool Victoria air!  Delicious food, tasty bevvies, good company and all day entertainment…what better way to spend a Saturday?

V.I.C.Fest certainly scored for their first year.  Nice.