german fan fest
One more weekend of Vancouver 2010, check out Gastown House
Friday, February 26th, 2010 | Beer | No Comments
I finally got into German Fan Fest earlier this week. It was a rainy Tuesday night, the hockey game had just ended, and there was no line at all. I still had to pay the $10 cover charge, but I made it in! It was satisfying to accomplish a goal, but the German Fan Fest did not live up to expectations. I’m glad I didn’t wait in line for the 2-4 hours quoted to me the past two weekends. The Köstritzer Schwarzbier was tasty, but not worth the $9 I paid for a plastic cup full. The band was loud and the atmosphere was as good as you could expect for a tent covering plastic tables and chairs in a parking lot. If I’d had a few (too many) and the party was in full swing, I could see myself having a lot of fun there. I could also see myself having a lot of fun dancing with a street light. Anyway, I won’t be trying to get in again this weekend.
This weekend I’m going to check out Gastown House, again. Turns out I’ve been there a few times already and didn’t know it. Gastown hasn’t seen the crowds or lines that have plagued the rest of the downtown core. It’s true, I haven’t had much trouble getting into Cobre, Alibi Room, Irish Heather, or anywhere else in Gastown. To get some attention on the quality food and drink available at reasonable prices, Gastown House was started. It’s a clever ploy to get you into Gastown, but what do you have to lose by not waiting in huge lines?
An aside, I watched the Canada vs Russia game at Schanks Sports Grill in New Westminster. It was packed out and the atmosphere was amazing, but guess where you sit when you don’t show up soon enough?
In a mini golf hole, that's where.
And here’s a few pictures of the inside of German Fan Fest:
Inside of German Fan Fest
More Inside German Fan Fest
Rachel still had fun
Cheers,
Chris
Where to drink beer in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics?
Friday, February 19th, 2010 | Beer | 6 Comments
Question: Where are the best places to drink beer in Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics?
Answer: The same places as always! Dix, Steamworks, Yaletown Brewing, and the Alibi Room.
Since the Olympics started last weekend I’ve been downtown quite a bit and I’ve had a lot of fun waiting in lines and not getting into stuff. I never thought Vancouver could get this crazy and I didn’t think the Olympics would be this exciting. I also never thought I’d feel as proud to be Canadian as I do right now; turns out we throw a good party. I’m going to have a huge Olympic hangover come March for more reasons than one.
German Fan Fest
I’ve tried to get into both the Irish House and the German Fan Fest, two of the most popular temporary pavilions setup for the Olympics. I opted not to wait in line for hours and hours for $10 beer night and I don’t regret my decision. The atmosphere downtown is crazy enough (just walk Granville or Robson streets) and there are plenty of other reasonably priced places to visit. While I may try German Fan Fest one more time for their Köstritzer Schwarzbier, I’ve had much better luck at my usual haunts. Both Dix and Steamworks have provided me with the Olympic atmosphere, TV’s to watch the events, tasty beer at reasonable prices, and, most importantly, a seat. I’ve also heard that the Alibi Room has abandoned their no TV policy, bringing in some tubes to watch the events on downstairs. I walked by Yaletown Brewing and it was packed out with a line forming outside. If you are looking for a beer downtown in the next week or so, try the regular places for quality beer.
Good times at Quebec House
Other Olympic venues I’ve visited include LiveCity Yaletown and Downtown, neither of which serve beer, not even $10 cans of Canadian! I found them a bit boring and, unless you are really into the musical performance going on, not really worth waiting in line for. Quebec House was pretty cool. I was excited to hear they had Quebec microbrews, but then disappointed to find it was Archibald Microbrasserie. I hadn’t actually heard of them (neither had my French Canadian coworker), it was that the beer didn’t taste very good, especially not for $10. What made Quebec House worth visiting was the 7 Fingers, who were like a little Cirque du Soleil. I also got a kick out of Saskatchewan Pavillion, which appeared to me to be a big tent full of bored/drunk looking people dressed in Rider green. The $8 Pilsner didn’t float my boat either. Once place I’d really like to check out is Atlantic Canada House, who I hear have brought in top notch maritime brews by Propeller and Garrison. I hear it’s a good time there too.
Skunky Pilsner and Rider Pride at Saskatchewan Pavillion
I hope to be able to provide further insight after another weekend of engaging in Olympicosity. Go Canada go!
Cheers,
Chris
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