Pub Chat: Episode 40 - Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

Beer, books, and beer books!

In this episode Adrian and I talk about beer, books, and beer books.  We convinced an expert and author of a beer book, Maine Beer: Brewing in Vacationland , Josh Christie .  We drank Sierra Nevada's barleywine - Bigfoot.

Download here . Or subscribe in iTunes here .

No show notes this week, sorry!

Pub Chat: Episode 39 - 1554 & Springboard

Where the guest provides us with delicious beer!

In this episode we are joined by Erika Miller of Pod Things , who also brought us beer, to talk about New Belgium Brewing.  We talk about summer and all the lovely stuff that goes along with the gorgeous, and sunburny, weather.

Download here . Or subscribe in iTunes here .

Show Notes

00:00 – Introduction
01:20 – Beer pouring time
03:50 – New Belgium bio
08:00 – Summary: New Belgium is awesome and very socially conscious
10:10 – New Belgium employs carnies… I’m as confused as you are.
19:10 – Rant: I hate straws
22:10 – We’re finally done talking about how groovy New Belgium is. Now we’re talking about summer!
23:55 – Food trucks are finally invading Winnipeg
37:10 – This is where we start solving Winnipegs transit problems
44:50 – Erika spills the deets on how women get into bars faster
50:20 – Beer number two: Springboard. Interrupted by a cat
57:05 – Wrap up
58:15 – Find Erika on twitter , her blog and on PodThings
59:59 – Thanks for listening!

The Great Burger Hunt - V.J.'s Drive Inn

A Winnipeg classic

V.J.’s Drive Inn has a bit of a history in Winnipeg.  Located at 170 Main Street it was initially a “Juniors” when it opened in 1958.  It changed the name to VJ’s in 1980.  Unlike most of the burger joints I’ve reviewed this one does not have indoor seating.  So to eat “at” VJ’s in Winnipeg winters you have to be dressed really, really warm.

The menu is small, as the restaurant itself is small.  It is a true burger joint – only selling a few types of burger and hot dogs, fries of course too.  As it was a warm day James and I both got milkshakes. I tried the recommended blueberry and was not disappointed.

Both of us ordered the VJ’s special ($5.30) and some fries ($3.25).  VJ’s special is a fatboy, which is a burger with cheese, mustard, chilli, onions, pickles, mayo, lettuce, and tomato.

It took them as long as the burger took to cook to have our food in hands.  It was delicious, messy, but delicious.  Once I picked up the burger I knew if I put it down I would only have one more opportunity to pick the burger up without it falling to pieces.  The burger was nice and juicy.

The fries, they were crispy and soft.  They were cooked nice but did not have much taste and were a bit on the bland side.  A bit more seasoning would have made them stellar.

If you haven’t gone to VJ’s and you live in Winnipeg I say shame on you.  It is a staple in this city and I hope it never goes anywhere.

What I got: VJ’s special and fries - $8.45 (before taxes)

Fries Taste : 4/5

Burger Taste : 5/5

Menu Selection : 3/5

Price Value : 5/5
Overall : 4.25/5

V.J.'s Drive Inn
170 Main St
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3P1
204-943-2655

Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout

Probably great with breakfast

Beer : Oatmeal Stout

Brewery : Breckenridge BBQ & Brew Pub

Brewed In : Colorado, USA

Style : Oatmeal Stout

ABV : 4.95%

Price : not a clue as I bought this in my frenzy of purchases in Grand Forks last month

Notes : Year-round availability

Story : I also picked up their Vanilla Porter.  Both were from Happy Harry's in Grand Forks in the make you're own six-pack selection.

Appearance : This oatmeal stout pours pure darkness.  I can't see through it at all.  The head is a very thick tan foamy head.

Smell : Mostly I get coffee and molasses but there is a bit of chocolate in here too.

Taste : Tons of coffee and chocolate up front but it disappears rather quickly.  Very surprising.  Bit cloying in the finish.

Mouthfeel : I would say medium in the front but light in the back end.  The amount of cloying pretty much makes this a medium bodied beer though.

Drinkability : It is not bad.  Not the best oatmeal stout I have had but it is definitely a good beer.