The Tragically Hip - Their Music, My Memories

The Hip, circa 1988

  Last night was a singular moment in time that was shared simultaneously by millions of Canadians. The Tragically Hip's concert in Kingston was perhaps the final time we will see them perform and it has been an event I dreaded and anticipated at the same time. Gord Downie's cancer diagnosis left us all in shock that this vital and vibrant Canadian icon has had his time on this planet cut far shorter than anyone could have ever imagined. He is not just a musician, poet and writer of dreams; He is a father, husband, brother, son and friend to the people who know him best. We will mourn the loss of a legend but they will lose something far greater.

  All of this leads to what I have felt bubbling around my head since the announcement that shook all fans of the Hip. I have read so many amazing tributes that talk of what Gord and the Hip mean to Canadians and how their unique way of telling our stories for us makes them so valuable and necessary to the national identity. I cried at many of the brilliant words that friends and strangers put on their Facebook pages or shared on mine. All the things at the macro level about the Hip are true and I was at a loss as to how I could contribute to the voices of others in saying Thank you to the boys in the band for all they mean to me. Then it struck me, my relationship with the band is not really about them at all, it is about what the music they make connects me to when I hear a song in the car or sitting alone here in the Grotto. The very personal connection of so many Tragically Hip songs to the last 30 years of my life is real, raw and continuing.

  At 16, driving around in my Dad's car with Up to Here in the tape deck, dreaming of a future where I would meet the girl of my dreams and have a job that meant something. Wearing sports jackets over t-shirts because Gord did and singing Blow at High Dough at the top of my lungs as I drove around the Hammer with my pals. The young me loved the Hip because they were vibrant, loud and boldly Canadian.

  At 18, wandering through the haze of bad decisions, drugs and alcohol, I found Road Apples and more than anything it was my anchor in a sea of anger and denial. Never will I here Fiddler's Green and Long Time Running and not feel the hopelessness at my running away from the path I thought I was supposed to be on. They consoled me when I was alone and carried me while I struggled to put my life back together.

  At 23, saying good bye to the first woman I ever loved. Watching the Hip late on Saturday night Live perform two songs from Day for Night while we lay on the couch was contrasted by the video to Ahead by a Century from Trouble at the Henhouse playing on a TV in the background a year later as I saw her for the last time and knew it was truly over. We married far too young, too fast and not for the right reasons. Fast forward 20 years and I am proud and happy to call her my friend and read her brilliant words. Always in my heart with the songs of the Hip and the memories now are only of the fun we had.

  At 25, meeting the last woman I will ever love in Kathryn and driving around in that broken down car I owned learning about each other as Bobcaygeon played over the tinny speakers. I will always recall her smile as we learned to love and she helped me right the ship of my life. Phantom Power's Fireworks and Something on take me back to those Tim Horton fuelled days and nights when I found her as the completion of my soul and the only person who can truly understand me.
  At 31, getting married to Kathryn and seeing the future as brighter than I could have imagined in my darkest years. Putting our lives together with In Violet Light and taking her to her first of many Hip Concerts, I often joke about being The Darkest One, but when I hear It's a Good Life if You Don't Weaken, I think of holding her hand that day we said I do and cherish the memories of every day since.
  At 40, losing my business and almost everything I had worked so hard for. Now For Plan A came into my life and I leaned hard on Gord every night. At Transformation played many times as I struggled in my battle with alcohol and felt at a loss as to what to do next. Kathryn was by my side the whole time and it was more often than not I dragged out the Hip and put my head down while I searched for my salvation.
  At 43, today I am mostly whole. No longer hiding behind alcohol and leading a life I am finally proud of. A new job and the letting go of the dreams of being a parent. Heart wrenching at the least, but a realisation that I have so much life to live and all I have to do is go out there and get it. Man Machine Poem comes out, Gord's cancer is announced and the last Hip concert is broadcast worldwide by the CBC. We gathered in the Grotto, sang along, cried and Kat held my hand as the tears rolled down my face.


That night in Kingston. One more time, for Gord.

  My life has so many more moments, big and small, that I can connect to the music of the Tragically Hip. They have been, quite literally, the soundtrack to my life and I think that is what I get out of the band. The real personal connection to my life that each album brought. From the first chord on Small Town Bringdown off of 1987's The Tragically Hip EP, to the final bow last night in Kingston I have always kept them close to my heart and I imagine I always will. The songs mean that I can have my memories close at hand and while many call them Canada's band, I will always think of them as my own. I may have to say goodbye to Gord someday and I will weep when that day arrives, but I will  have the music and that is what keeps my heart from breaking entirely.

  Today is a good day and my yard is filled with my favourite songs from The Hip. My mind is flooded with so many memories and I will sing along and smile, knowing the music will never end.

Beer of the Week - February 7th to February 13th

When your week is filled with amazing beer, it is a good time to be alive. So many great Canadian Craft Beers that I have a hard time choosing just one to be my Beer of The Week (BOW) this Valentine's Day. But choose I must and I would be missing a wonderful opportunity to share one of the oldest and finest brewers in the province with you if I slacked off my duty.

Great Lakes Brewery from Etobicoke celebrated their 29th birthday this past Friday and what an accomplishment that is. To be able to stay nimble, innovative and at the forefront of the craft beer industry for over a quarter of a century is truly amazing. I am constantly buying anything I see with the GLB logo on it and this week I made a quick trip to the brewery to pick up a few beers you can only get at their retail store. I picked up the Blonde Lager, Red Leaf Lager, Long Dong Pilsner (stop laughing), and the most unique offering I've had in a while, Body Dubbel Belgian Ale.

I grabbed two because I wanted one to review and then one just to enjoy and savour. It spoke to me from the crack of the can. I can't say it any better than I did on my Instagram review :

"Pours an amber colour with a fluffy off white head that lingers an laces. Smells a little fruity. On the sip, that's why I drove all damn morning to get one. Dark fruits, cherries, brown sugar and molasses kick off the front end witb a nice malt sweetness and a dry, crisp slightly bitter end."

I was never a fan of any kind of dark beer that contained fruit flavours at all. It was a turn off because my palate was only used to tasteless macro lagers and that over consumption life I used to lead. Growing as a person and a beer drinker, I have really come to appreciate the distinct flavour profiles of Belgian style brews, from here or Belgium itself. I love the warming, sweet molasses that made its way into my belly and gave me a healthy glow. Beer may not be the answer for everyone, but when it's this good, who cares what the question is.

Cheers to Great Lakes Brewery for both their birthday and for winning this week's BOW. May you have many more inspiring decades to bring us all the joy from the land of Hops and Barley.

Cheers!



Beer of the Week - January 31st to February 6th

Sunday morning is usually a slow burn for us here at the Polkaroo manor. I work almost every weekend, but usually close the store on Sundays, so I don't have to be at work until noon. This week is the exception to that rule as it is the busiest day of the year for us in the food service industry, Super Bowl Sunday. So many damn chicken wings to cook. It's a great day for me, to be honest, and I look forward to it all year.
This week, I talked about low ABV (alcohol by volume) beers that will allow you to have a few without getting hammered while watching the big game and having to deal with the hangover the next day at work. I have many of them in my fridge chilling right now for when I get home from work and look forward to enjoying the spectacle. I was not really surprised then when it was a low alcohol beer that caught my eye and taste buds.
It is a recurring theme on my blog that I have really come to enjoy stouts and this week I had two that were just outstanding. First up was my 2014 Amsterdam Brewing Tempest Imperial Stout. I bought two of these last year and was disciplined enough to actually age one for 15 months in my cold cellar. It was an amazing beer that really smoothed out with aging and I noticed some more nuances in the flavour profile had changed since I first tried it. The only disappointment was that they no longer are making this, so I cannot buy the 2015 version to age and compare. Hopefully it will make a comeback in 2016.
My other standout stout is my choice for Beer of the Week (BOW) for a variety of reasons. Hailing from one of my favourite breweries, Beau's All Natural Brewing Company, The Tom Green Stout is a wonderfully put together beer that has found its way into my heart. It is a milk stout, and the organic lactose and oats make for a real creamy mouthfeel. Fantastic dark colour with a thick tan head.  It has a bitter coffee bean smell and flavour that doesn't quit. A chocolate note comes on nicely in the middle, while the finish is dry, hoppy and outstanding. The roasted malt flavours are so damn delectable that I went out the next day and grabbed a couple more to keep on hand for a treat.It is only a 5.0% ABV, so despite its big flavour, it is a sessionable stout. Usually this style is a little bigger in the alcohol department, so it is nice to find one that is so crushable.
It feels like I am constantly praising Beau's for their beers and it is with good cause. they keep coming out with innovative and different approaches to new and old styles. This week I had three different beers from their menu and each one was fantastic. The Bogwater (a Gruit) and Grisette (Belgian Style Ale) were great examples of what a brewery can do if they let their brew master's imaginations take hold and create something out of the ordinary.
 So it is without trepidation that I congratulate Beau's for yet another BOW and hope you can get your hands on The Tom Green Beer so that you can see what a fine brew it really is. I can't wait to see what they come up with next.
Cheers!


Super Bowl Beers

The big day is fast approaching. You've got your nachos, pizza, wings and assorted bowls of snack foods prepared to go. Friends and family will gather round the glow of your big screen and take part in an American ritual older than me. I'm of course talking about the Super Bowl and all that it entails. This year is the 50th version of the NFL Championship and it seems to get bigger every year. It doesn't matter if you are a football fan or not, most people know of the game and many have some sort of party that involves food and of course, beer.

But there is a catch to all this fun. It is on Sunday. That means work the next day for the vast majority of people and if you're like me, you do not want to spend Monday fighting a hangover for 8 plus hours. So it is with that in mind that I bring you some suggestions to help you enjoy the game with some great beer that won't leave you hanging the next day.

I have been evolving on what I bring with me when I go to a party or event. I went way too big and robust on New Year's Eve and even with moderation had a bit of a headache the next day. My subsequent revisions of my travelling beer list has helped to alleviate this problem. I would advise you to avoid anything Imperial or above 7% ABV. When you get to having a good time, sometimes you forget that those big boozy bastards can pack quite a hidden punch.

I'm thinking lower ABV, but not lower taste. You don't need crazy high alcohol to enjoy great flavour and what better way to celebrate the end of the gridiron season than with some fine Canadian Craft beer. I'll give you some different styles so you can mix it up and have something for everyone. All of these should be easily available at your local LCBO, so get shopping now and chill these babies for Sunday. If you'd like to see these and some other great choices, go check out my YouTube channel, for my weekly video post. This week is all about choices in your beer for Super Bowl.

Lagers

What we think of as regular beers. If you have someone who drinks Coors or Canadian, give them one of these. They have all natural ingredients, great flavour and even better, they are lower in ABV.



1. 416 Local Lager - Amsterdam Brewing Company (4.16%) Clean, crisp Lager.
2. Craft Lager - Muskoka Brewing Company (4.8%) - Unfiltered, cloudy. Malty.
3. Anti-Gravity - Flying Monkeys Brewery (4%) - Full bodied.
4. Tennent's - Caledonian Brewery (4%) - Scottish. Malt and floral notes.
5. Dark 266 - Cameron's Brewing (4.5%) -Black Lager

American Pale Ales

These beers have a little more in the hoppy department. Not crazy big, but definitely a change from the everyday.



1. Naughty Neighbour (4.9%) - Nickel Brook Brewing - Classic APA with citrus and malt.
2. Canadian Pale Ale (4.9%) - Old Tomorrow Brewing - Mango and citrus front, ready caramel back.
3. Cruiser Pale Ale (4.9%) - Amsterdam Brewing Company - Pineapple, grapefruit and malt again. Crushable.

English Pale Ales

Getting a little more bready and biscuit flavours. More toasted malts than bitter hops. Smooth.



1. Pompous Ass Ale (4.2%) - Great Lakes Brewing - My go-to brew. Crisp and slightly bitter.
2. Special Pale Ale (4.5%) -Wellington Brewery - A little hoppy, but great malt and accessible.

Amber Ales

Get some red love in your life. Sweeter with almost no bitterness.

1. Grindstone (4.8%) - Broadhead Brewing - A slight bitter to go with the sweet.
2. Amber (4.25%) - Hockley Valley Brewing - Smooth and clean. Easy drinking.

IPA

Get your hops on without getting crazy drunk. Bitter, piney and citrus coming at you.

1. Red Racer ISA (4%) - Central City - Light and fruity with citrus and malt back.
2. Genius of Suburbia (3.8%) - Flying Monkeys Brewery - Piney. Strong citrus up front. Drinks bigger than it is.
3. Detour (4.3%) - Muskoka Brewing - Fruity and hoppy.
4. State of Mind (4.4%) - Collective Arts - Citrus, resin and pine. Dry Finish.

Blonde Ale

Blondes do have more fun if you like a little orange and lemon in your brews.

1. 100 (4.2%) - Hockley Valley Brewing - Hints of lemon. Light and crisp.
2. Cause & Effect (4.7%) - Nickel Brook Brewing - A little hoppy with a clean citrus flavour.
3. Saint of Circumstance (4.7%) - Collective Arts Brewing - Cloudy. lemon and orange with some zing.

Grab Bag of Styles

Three more that are low ABV and give you some different options.

1. Newcastle Brown Ale (4.7%) - John Smiths - English. Nutty, lightly malted
2. French Press Vanilla Stout (4.8%) - Double Trouble Brewing - Chocolate, vanilla, coffee. Tastes bigger than it is.
3. Steamwhistle (5%) - Steamwhistle Brewing - Pilsner. Grassy and floral. Crisp and clean tasting.

There you have it. I think having some different beers for the night makes it a little more fun. I rarely drink two of the same brew when I watch the game because I really like to experience a bunch of flavours and it helps me to slow down a bit so I can actually be coherent and enjoy the spectacle. So plan ahead, get something you haven't had before and try to give your guests something out of the ordinary.

As always, please don't drink and drive and be sure to have options for your friends to stay over or take a cab home. No one wants to be remembered for being a jackass and driving while intoxicated is probably the stupidest thing you can do. Stay safe and enjoy the party.

Cheers!



Cameron's Brewing - A Quick Visit and an Amazing Deal

Mrs. Polkaroo and I had an appointment in Burlington on Thursday and I figured since we were only 15 minutes away, why not drop in to Cameron's Brewing Company and check it out. They only do tours on Saturday, so we were out of luck for that, but I had a beer to drop off for a friend from Instagram and he had one for me, so at least there was some fun to be had.  When we got there, I scoped out all they had in their showroom at the front while I waited for the ladies in front of us to finish their purchases. I had already decided to get a Growler ($6), which is a refillable 64 ounce glass container with the sweet Cameron's logo on it, and have it filled with their Dark 266 lager.

So damn good.

When I saw the deal they had, I got two (the 266 and a Tripel). For $55, you get 6 growler fills. That is a savings of over $25 and who doesn't like a bargain when it comes to beer.  The next time you come in for a fill, just present your card and they'll use the hole punch to mark it off and give you a refill. This is ideal for me, since Kat works nearby and can grab one for me whenever I need it, without having to pay for anything else. Just remember that this is fresh beer and you need to consume it within 4 or 5 days unopened and within 24 hours once you crack it open. Sharing is caring!

Get one today! Great deal.

I also bought a Cameron's pint glass with a logo for $5 and should have bought all of the styles. I am such a sucker for different shapes and sizes in my beer glasses. So that is something I will be getting next time I am in. Plus, they will look great on the shelves.

Great logo.

The service was friendly and quick. Very helpful people who clearly love what they do. This is going to be a recurring theme I imagine. It seems that this industry attracts a certain type of personality and it shows in their dedication to helping people understand their products. Being passionate about Craft Beer has changed my life and as I go forth on my journey around the province and the Year of Beer, I am so happy to meet other people who share my love of a well made brew.
As for the beer, The Dark 266 lager had a roasted malt flavour that combined chocolate and coffee notes with a crisp and refreshing texture. Not heavy and low in ABV (4.5%) this beer is an easy drinking, but flavourful, alternative to your regular choices. I finished my first growler last night and will be getting a refill soon. The Tripel (7.5%) will have to wait until the weekend.
I will find a way to get back for the tour as well. I work most Saturdays, but when I do get one off, my travels will take me where the beer is made. I have only been on one brewery tour (Steamwhistle) and as it was back in my binge drinking days, I don't remember much about it. This time, I plan on being present and learning all I can about the process of making great beer.
I endeavour to drink local and hope to make Cameron's a regular in my fridge. You should too. They have a good selection of different styles and seasonal offerings that will delight and challenge you. Here is a link to their website, check them out. The next time you are driving around and see a sign for a local brewery, do yourself a favour and stop in for a taste. It might change your opinion and as in my case, save your life.
Cheers!

Treat your Beer Right. Put it in a Glass!

That looks delicious!

Do me a favour, won't you? Put your beer in a glass. It's not hard and you will thank me for it. I can do it for you or show you how if you are unfamiliar with the process. It's not that I want to be "that" guy, but you are really missing out. Beer is not just meant to be tasted, it is meant to be smelt, felt and dealt. By that I mean smell the aroma, feel the texture and deal with the flavours as they come. Don't force yourself to decide your love or hatred for a particular beer based on one sip. Relax and enjoy the journey.

One of my first posts was about whether the glass you use to drink beer matters, check it out here. It was a pretty simplistic view of what a proper beer glass means but had one central theme : Don't miss out on the wonderful aromas that the brewers intended you to have as a component of the beer by chugging it straight from the can or bottle.

If your having a Macro lager like Coors or Canadian and all you are after is a little refreshment or that sweet oblivion that only many beers can bring, you should ignore what I am saying and keep tilting them back. Maybe shotgun one and speed up the process. These beers are only "good" if they are served ice cold and flavourless. The less time you spend trying desperately to find some flavour, the better.

However, if you are like me and really want to get into your beer, grab a glass, something clean and big enough to hold your beer. Try to avoid novelty glasses or plastic. They will do in a pinch, but for best results a  glass appropriate to the style is best.  If you can find all six of the glasses below, you have all you need to really drink your beer. They are available at the Bay here in Canada and while they are not cheap, I love them for drinking beer. German glass maker Spiegelau has teamed up with well known brewers to design glasses that are ideal for every style of beer from IPA to Stout. Here's the link to the glasses available online here.

I hope someone got to drink all those beers.

I only have the IPA glass on the far right so far, but am anxiously saving money to get all of them. They'll run you $29.99 for two of each, so you are paying a little more for the quality. The glass feels thin but they are quite sturdy despite that delicateness. I am not gentle by any means and they stand up to a night of citrusy Pale Ales very well. I think it is the fact that they are designed with brew masters that makes them perfect. These guys get what you need when you want a beer, so they really tried to help deliver the whole package in a glass.

If you don't want to spend more than $200 on beer glasses, then any pint glass will cover 90% of your needs. I have several that I love to use on a regular basis and would encourage you to get a couple that you can really hold on to as you drink your beer. If it feels good in your hand, the vessel becomes an extension of you. I am not conscious of the glass when I drink my beer if it feels right and that is fantastic. Nothing should get between you and that delicious lager or ale you have been waiting to try all day.

I have an cabinet built into the wall of my basement and it acts like a cold cellar. This is where I store my glasses until I need one. I always rinse it out before I use it to ensure there is no dust or residue left from washing. A clean glass is imperative for a good pour. Tilting your glass at a 45 degree angle as you start the pour will allow the beer to flow without building up a crazy huge head that, for the most part, you don't want. As you pass the halfway mark, start straightening your glass, this will help create the right amount of head and really release the aromas. Pour at a slow pace to start, there is no hurrying a good brew. Not all beers have a head that lingers. Depending on the style you will see very different results. My Saison last night had a big 2 finger foamy head that lasted the whole time I drank it, but the Barking Squirrel lager I drank after was just a thin off white one that dissipated quickly to the rim. There is nothing better for me than the creamy thick head a stout gives you. It adds to the complexity of the brew and it looks cool too.

Take a moment when you have poured your beer to admire how it looks. Damn that's nice. Give the beer a sniff and a sip. Dig into your senses and use them to really experience the whole beer. Swirl it around (gently, don't spill) and give it another smell. You will get something every time and as your beer warms up, the flavours will change too. Sometimes becoming stronger or weaker depending on what you have. I am always surprised as new notes emerge and combine to create something special.

But do this one small thing.

 Pour your beer into a glass.

 It's worth it every time.

Cheers!

Saisons are still growing on me.
But Dougie will always be my favourite!



Did you Play your Numbers?

Somebody's got to win. Might as well be me.

I don't know about you, but I am a guy who casually plays the lottery. I have no system, just Quick Picks. I am not completely lost if I forget to play my ticket or don't win. I just like to drop a couple of bucks a shot on a piece of paper that represents a dream of freedom.

Our neighbours to the south are in the middle of a billion dollar frenzy with their Powerball lottery hitting the 1.5 billion dollar mark and climbing. That is a lot of coin, even after the tax man takes his cut you're still getting north of 900 million dollars. That is some serious F-you money.

I know the odds against winning are so ridiculous it makes playing a waste of cash and I hate to use my hard earned dollars on anything but stuff that makes my life better. But for us, the jackpots aren't a real goal or an achievable dream. Instead they represent what our true ambitions are made of. It is the notion that we could have more than enough money to do what we want, when we want  and without having to slug it out 40 plus hours a week to get it. Who doesn't want something for nothing? Luckily, we both know that life doesn't work that way and bust our asses every day to try and achieve some financial freedom when we retire. RRSPs, pensions and just plain old saving is the only way this Polkaroo is going to be able to put down his deep fryer basket and enjoy his golden years. It is not sexy, but it is the only way to go.

Still, the dream persists. Sometimes when the Lotto Max jackpot hits a ridiculous 50 million, we will linger after dinner and talk dreamily about all the things we could do and the people we would help if our numbers came up.

We could do this every day.

I don't think it does any harm to talk about travelling all over the world (imagine the beer), or paying off all of our families mortgages and making sure they never had to want for anything in their lives again. It is good to look around and dream of bigger and better things. Wishing for that and doing something about it are two very different things however. So while it is all well and good to buy that lottery ticket, it is quite destructive to spend gobs of cash trying to win something that is just this side of impossible. We spend about $14 a week and that is about all I am comfortable with. It's not a huge sum out of our budget and it's a fair price to pay for some daydreaming. We continue to be aggressive with our saving and are very conscious of where every dollar goes because we want to be able to enjoy our lives. When the bills are paid and you've got some cash in the bank, that is really what winning is to me.

There is no way for guys like me to jump the queue on life. I didn't go to college or university and that has made me work a little harder to make up for the poor decisions of my youth. I am just now getting my head up above the clouds and looking around, its pretty nice up here. I put in my hours at work and endeavour everyday to not only earn my pay, but make sure I feel good about doing it. It's not my dream job, but it pays the bills, allows me time off to pursue the Perfect Beer and gives me a sense of purpose. That is what work is for me, a means to an end. If you are lucky enough to do something you love, consider yourself ahead in the game of life. If not, at least give it your best while you're there and keep reaching for something better.

Playing the lottery or grabbing the occasional Scratch ticket are not a waste if you can do so with the full knowledge that it's more of a dream than a reality. Doing this allows you to enjoy the thoughts of financial freedom while still realising that the alarm clock is going to go off in the morning and work awaits. You rarely get something for nothing and when you earn it, the results are so much sweeter.

Still, what I could do with $1.5 billion.......

Cheers!



I got nothing.

Beer of the Week - December 27th to January 2nd

Back to my favourite subject. Beer! This was a crazy week for us here at the Polkaroo household. Post Christmas border shopping, work and a very fine New Year's Eve party combined to wear a fella down.

First up was our soon to be annual drive down to the Queenston bridge and a visit to our neighbours to the south. I love going over and shopping for beer in the States. The Wegman's has an unreal selection that we can only dream of here in the frozen tundra. I bought 46 new beers, so for me that was a pretty successful search.

One half of the haul

The ease of access and amount of choice available at an American supermarket surpasses that of even my own beloved LCBO. While I always try to support local craft brewers, I find it acceptable to also try beers from anywhere in the world. I wish we had access to more choices from all different countries, but we are limited by what is imported to the local LC.

So many new beers!

Working at a grocery store that is in a mall during the holidays is always a treat and I love the rapid pace and crazy busyness that run rampant through our store as we near the end of another year. A little more than a month until Super Bowl and then maybe I can look forward to a little vacation time.

Finally, New Year's Eve was a blast. Spending time with friends and family was a goal of mine during the Christmas season and I tried my best. We spent NYE with Mrs. Polkaroo's sister and her family. Lovely people and such a good time. I managed to keep my wits about me and did not go crazy as I would have in the past. Although I think next year I wont go with so many big beers. I went a little heavy on the stouts and porters. Lesson learned and when the calendar turns over next year, I will have a few lower ABV beers in the old cooler for refreshment, But I am proud of not cramming macro lagers at a ridiculous pace in pursuit of blackout drunkenness. Tasty beers made for wonderful conversation and a delightful New Year.

All of this leads to my Sunday morning ritual of trying to pick the beer that stood out among the pack this week. It was a unique week with all my new acquisitions and some old favourites making an appearance. That doesn't happen very often as I am pursuing my perfect beer, as I usually try to go for new beers every day. Bit despite all the beauties I tried this week, it is a local brewery that grabbed me by the throat and made my eyes bulge out.
Mill Street is a Toronto brewer that was bought by Labatt's last year but remains a quality beer maker and I hope retains some independence. I struggle with buying their products only in the sense that my love for craft beer means I need to make sure my dollars, for the most part, make their way to support the little guys. But a well made and tasty beer is what it is and I wont turn my back on anyone unless they let their commitment to quality brews lapse.
Having said all that, I saw a gift pack at the liquor store that contained two Tankhouse Ales and something called Bierschnaps. Reading a little on the box, I discovered that the schnaps is distilled from the Tankhouse ale and they compliment each other. Sounds great, different, but that's the spice of life.
It took me a week or so to build up the courage to try this little bottle that is 45 % ABV. But with the encouragement of my partner in crime, we dove in. When you poured it into the tiny mug-like shot glasses, you are smacked in the face with a grain alcohol smell. It is quite overpowering, The flavour is that of a paint thinner with a hint of malt sweetness in the back. But when we sipped on the beer with it, you could feel that punch slide away as it combined with its predecessor to create a warming feeling in your belly. It took the usual bitterness out of the Tankhouse and together made a pretty unique experience. We only did a small portion of a shot, so rest assured I will have some for you to try if you drop by Merle's for a pint in the next little while.
Just bring your sense of adventure and an open mind. But no open flames, this stuff is boom city.
Cheers to Mill Street for trying something new and the innovations we see hopefully mean they are going to stay true to their roots.
A truly different winner of the first BOW of 2016, but that is what I am after. Entice me and lead me to challenge what I think I know about beer and you have a fan. This is going to be an interesting year.

First BOW of 2016 and it packed a punch!

Polka Dot Awards 2015 #1 - Old North Mocha Porter

My Favourite Beer in 2015!

A year ago today my life was rolling along as it always had. One disaster after another followed by binge drinking macro lager and passing out. I wasn't looking to the future nor did I care to. But there was a glimmer of hope as the year progressed. I started to actively live my life. It didn't happen overnight, but in a series of small moments that I couldn't recognize until I put down the Old Milwaukee tall boy. It would be simplistic to say Craft Beer saved my life, but not far from the truth. Well made beer is not just a better consumer product, it is better for you. Good beer made me slow down and take stock of what I really wanted in my life.

I know in my heart I am always going to have to work at being a more present person. But with the help of my family, friends and the occasional beer, I can do it.

All of this leads up to where we are today. New year's Eve 2015. I am very grateful for every one of you who took the time to read the ramblings of the Drunk Polkaroo. It means more to me than I can express and I hope you found something to carry with you. Be it a beer you didn't know about or maybe reconnecting with an old friend, I wish you well.

On with the final review of the year.

 My crazy days of drinking crappy beer are over. The memes and pithy quotes about over consuming and blacking out are still funny, but no longer needed. It is time to grow up and drink beer as the gods intended it to be consumed. With joy and presence. I approach my beer now with an open mind and heart. This how I feel when I popped the top on this years #1 beer on the Polka Dot Awards.



Baysville, Ontario brewery Lake of Bays makes many of my favourite brews, but their Old North Mocha Porter was off the charts good this year.
You always have some expectations of what a beer is from the style or description on the bottle. I usually rely on my own judgement, but their modest depiction of what was in the bottle says it quite well.

 I had the 2014 version last winter and found it pretty decent. 2015 was a step above. It made such an impression that I couldn't get it out of my head. It held its place as the last month of the year advanced and the beers got more complex. Never did I expect this would remain the front runner, but it is a great damn beer.

Christmas at Merle's with a wonderful beer!

It pours a rich black colour with a creamy tan head. Smells incredible roasty. When you finally get done admiring how good it looks, the flavour is incredible. Coffee forward flavour drives the truck here and with the dark chocolate and bittersweet cocoa flourishing in the back, we have an amazing brew. It is a big, robust and mouth watering beer that warms you up in all the right ways. Roasted malts cascade through your senses as you take a deep breath before each sip. So very enjoyable.

This beer is exactly what I was missing before I began to trek up Mount Beer. It could be used to get drunk with, for sure. But it doesn't make me feel that way. It makes me want to lean back, turn off the TV and find out how your day was. It makes me want to read a book and sit in front of the fire. This is a beer that lets you enjoy what it is and contemplate how you ever thought Old Milwaukee was tasty.

I am a man who has missed a lot of life in the last few years, but when I get to taste beer like Old North, I know I wont miss much anymore. One bottle of this beer and you have my attention for the whole night. Okay, maybe two and we'll share.

Polkies are meant to show you what made me better this year and I don't have a doubt that this is one of those. I am constantly seeking the next great beer and finding one is such a joy.

Thanks for coming along for the ride. There were so many amazing beers this year and I am just scraping the tip of the iceberg with these ten. Any of the beers listed below could have been #1, but I had to pick just one.
 I have one ready to go and I think it will be the first beer I open when we arrive at our destination for the festivities tonight. I can't think of a better way to start a party.

It's good to have dreams. Here's one of mine.

Cheers!
Thank You!
Happy New Year!

Congratulations Lake of Bays! The Polka Dot Award for the Drunk Polkaroo's favourite beer in 2015 goes to you and your Wonderful Old North! I cannot wait till next winter and another new Mocha Porter!
Here's a link to their website. Fantastic brewery that never disappoints.

Cheers to the Canadian Beers!

Top Ten of 2015 from the Drunk Polkaroo

1. Old North Mocha Porter - Lake of Bays Brewing (Canada)
2. Pompous Ass EPA - Great Lakes Brewery (Canada)
3. Long Dark Voyage to Uranus - Great Lakes Brewery (Canada)
4. Riptide Rye Pale Ale - Forked River Brewing (Canada)
5. Torpedo Extra IPA - Sierra Nevada (USA)
6. Coast to Coastless - Flying Monkeys Brewing (Canada)
7. Farm Table Marzen - Beau's All Natural Brewing (Canada)
8. Pale Ale - Sierra Nevada (USA)
9. Kentucky Bastard (2015) - Nickel Brook brewing (Canada)
10. Curmudgeon IPA - Grand River Brewing (Canada)

Summer can't come fast enough.
See you all in the Grotto.
Happy New Year!



Polka Dot Awards 2015 #6 - Coast to Coastless

Jinx makes her feelings known about beer. She loves to watch me drink it.
As long as I have treats for her.

There are times in my life when I wish I could go back and smack myself around for stupid things. Dismissing the Flying Monkeys Brewery out of Barrie as a crazy pine tree obsessed beer maker was one of them.
When I turned forty a few years ago, my friends threw me a Roast and it was awesome. One of my cousins brought me Hoptical Illusion from these guys and I couldn't stomach it. Too bitter and piney I cried. So misinformed, so dumb. Oh the beers I've missed.

I no longer make that mistake and have actively sought to correct my mistakes. This brewery makes some really fine beers and is not afraid to push the boundaries in reimagining old styles. This year I bought Chocolate Manifesto and was blown away at how amazing it was. This beer was even better.

Coast to Coastless is a collaboration beer between four Canadian craft Brewers : Flying Monkeys, Trou Du Diable, Phillips Brewing and Garrison Brewing. I am just getting into these colab-beers and finding them fantastic.

Billed as an Imperial Extra Special Bitter, I was already drooling before I popped the top. I love that style of beer and getting a bigger, bolder version sounded awesome.

 Pours a beautiful amber colour with a thick foamy head. The toasted malty, bread, caramel explodes in.the first sip and keeps getting better. At 7.6 % ABV, it is a warming up the body beer for sure, but not boozy at all. It is like a warm fireplace that just makes you feel all cozy and right with the world. 

I really love  when a beer transcends what I expect into something beautiful. This one goes in that category.
 I managed to find another one and have added it to the queue for New Year's Eve. It is sure to remind me that giving someone a second chance is just as important as doing the same with a brewery! Run out to the LCBO and get one before they are gone, you wont be disappointed.
On the subject of the LCBO, do yourself a favour and download their App for your phone. It is great for finding this or any other brew with a keyword search. Easy to use and it helps locate the closest store to you with how much they have in stock and the cost.
Find out all about it here LCBO Phone App.
Cheers to Flying Monkeys and their inclusion in the Polkies. Well earned and this is one brewery I won't pass up again when I see something new from them.
Cups up b'yes!