Mashing Wort

Took the opportunity to head off to Seattle for the weekend. Great City, beautiful to look at, (skyline is incredible), fun place with lots to do. Friendly people everywhere. Many have compared it to Vancouver BC of the 80’s (Vancouver’s best time in my opinion). Did something unusual, leaving almost all of my electronics at home, as well as my DLSR. Travelling light, only my Galaxy S3, Nikon Point and shoot and a half-filled backpack. Went down somewhat prepared for what I wanted to do/see (Museum of Flight being the top of the list!) , although it was going to be a little restrictive time-wise as the World Cup is ongoing and I need to watch. Yes NEED…. We stayed in a bit of a dive – I refer you to the Hotels.com TV ad with Captain Obvious , only thing missing was the finger (yes I looked).

On the plus side there was a pub was less than a quarter of a block away. The Bull Pen Pub A spanish looking place with some questionable neighbours, but seemed like a working man’s pub, great service, good food, cold beer (and a good selection), reasonable prices and for those interested A daily steak special. We spent our two evenings watching both Stanley Cup and World Cup there.

Then we spent the afternoon at Pikes Market, pretty busy place but very interesting. Of course being there we made sure that we popped in for a quick taste at Pikes Brewery. Had myself a Space Needle Golden IPA and My wife had the Kiltlifter. Picked up a bottle of Pike Monks Uncle Tripel Ale, for later this week. Always quality brews, just wish we had stayed closer to Pikes so we could partake in a few more…

Lastly, if you take a trip to Seattle make a point of dropping in on St Andrew’s Pub on North Aurora, Not only is it an incredible British style pub with a great selection of food and drink, (check here for their Scotch Menu), it is also one of the friendliest neighbourhood pubs around, with TV screens everywhere broadcasting sporting events and even has a family room. Worth the trip there.

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Newest release Phillip’s Brewing Co, Located in Victoria British Columbia. Black Jackal – Imperial Coffee Stout coming in at 8%. Incredible coffee smell as soon as it opened, subtle flavour but not that cheap bitter coffee, but some high-end dark-roasted depth of flavour expected out of the best beans and roasting houses, oh wait supposed to be talking about the beer, I digress. OK let’s start at Imperial Stout, I only drink Stout and Porter through the winter months, something very traditional about it, and I do like going traditional routes, spending time learning about the history that led them to become “Traditional”, like time travelling. So starting with a comparison between Stouts.. number 1 – very nice stout, bitter finished edge as it should be. Colour is incredible almost as nice as the Russian Imperial Stout from The Log House Brewery in Nanaimo, so dark you could put a 100 W bulb behind it and see nothing. I know this is a limited release so grab as much as you can, money well invested. Truely a well made Flavoured stout, without covering up the most important parts. Great brew for sitting around the fire on a cool winters eve, Enjoy

Phillips Brewing Victoria BC CA. Imperial Coffee Stout

Our first master class has finished and while I have had both single malt and fusion, I was surprised with the additional five selections. Including an amazing sherry casna and a married five times whisky (started in bourbon casks then sherry, rum,Brandy, Port) called Kadhambam.
Some food then onto the main event