• Dix is closed.  I wrote about how Dix was going to close, but now it actually is closed.  I will miss Caskival and pre-sporting event eating and drinking.  It still bothers me that I still can’t comprehend why MJG would do this to me.
• Big Ridge is reopening. Big Ridge moved across the street to a new location because of parking disputes with the YMCA (really YMCA?).  My former local brewpub closed down last winter and is now opening in their new location with a revamped beer menu (an IPA replaces the Clover ale).  I can’t wait to check it out when I get back.
• BC Beer Awards Awarded.  The first annual BC Beer Awards were doled out during VCBW (a rousing success from what I’ve heard).  The winners were selected via a blind tasting panel at the Alibi Room.  I can’t say they are who I would have picked, but then I’m biased by things like seeing.  Canadian Beer News has the list of winners here.
• Dead Frog Pepper Lime Lager.  Dead Frog is from small town Langley, where I grew up, and so I’ve long been fond of them.  My pride has been replaced with disappointment with Dead Frog’s launch of their bandwagon Pepper Lime Lager.  I haven’t tasted it yet, but I can’t imagine it’s any good, although BC Beer gives it a decent review.  It is my opinion that lime and beer should only be involved when dropping a fresh wedge of lime into a bad beer like Corona.  All other marriages are abominations.
• Phillips is rad. Phillips is brewing CAMRA BC homebrew competition winner Gary Giesbrecht’s Oatmeal Stout and including it in their Showcase mix pack.  How’s that for audience participation?
• Berlin. I’m going to Berlin tomorrow morning to meet Erik and drink German beer, woooo!

Cheers,

Chris