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Hot Dining: Perfect Pints at Gastown’s Bitter Tasting Room

Bitter Tasting Room. Photo by KK Law

It’s all about the beer at Bitter Tasting Room. This beautifully restored 1909 Gastown ale emporium offers only the best craft brews on tap and by the bottle, from BC and beyond. Purists hoist freshly poured pints of Driftwood Fat Tug IPA, R&B Milk Stout and Unibroue’s heavy Maudite, while a suitably matched gastropub menu tempts with cassoulet, Scotch eggs and artisan links by master sausage maker Drews Driessen. BC wines are also offered for the less hop-headed.—Tim Pawsey

Meet Greg Clow of Canadian Beer News

Dedicated to all things beer and brewing, Canadian beer expert Greg Clow edits and publishes Canadian Beer News, a one-stop-shop for beer news and happenings (festivals, awards, events, brewery openings, etc.) across the country. (more…)

Hot Dining: Beer Spots in Vancouver

Ensemble Tap photo by KK Law

Good brews abound but you have to know where to look to quaff them. Top Chef Canada winner Dale MacKay wasted little time in opening Ensemble Tap (pictured), a casual spot and the ultimate sports haunt, with an eclectic global menu including tastes such as a house-made sausage trio with grainy mustard, and decent draught to go along. Alibi Room serves arguably the city’s best selection of BC brews, in a cozy heritage room on Gastown’s eastern edge. CAMRA-awarded The Whip Restaurant Gallery pours some of the best real ale in the west and taps a local cask every Sunday. St. Augustine’s on Commercial Drive sports a live feed of what’s still left to drink of some 40 beers on tap from here and a few from abroad—should you be homesick.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Limited Edition Beer

The Deviator Doppelbock by Cameron's Brewing in Oakville.

Sick of ordering the same beverage time and time again? Looking for something to really make you “buzzed” with excitement? Look no further than Cameron’s Deviator Doppelbock, a seasonal beer available until early spring. Right now you can only get it on tap in Ottawa at Restaurant E18hteen and the Wellington Gastropub, but there are more locations to come – and for good reason. This dark beer boasts a 7.1% alcohol content as well as a warm, full-bodied taste and colour with subtle undertones of toffee, caramel, and coffee. Its richness will fill you up (and also warm you up during a cold Ottawa winter). Don’t miss your chance to try this distinctive-tasting beer before the Deviator Doppelbock disappears with the snow. — Erin Morawetz

Hot Dining: Where to See Skaters on the Rideau Canal

We round up the best spots to grab a bite with the added enjoyment of watching skaters on the Rideau Canal.

Skaters take a snack break at the BeaverTails counter.

BeaverTail Shacks
Located on the Rideau Canal Skateway, you can skate up to the window, order one of these delicious Canadian treats, and grab a spot on a picnic bench without ever leaving the ice. Be honest: isn’t one of the main reasons you go skating here to have a BeaverTail and a hot chocolate after?
Several locations along the Rideau Canal. www.beavertailsinc.com

Canal Ritz
This Italian restaurant boasts one of the most scenic views of the canal and is located right near one of the entrances to the skateway, so after you’re done your meal it’s easy to lace up your skates and join in on the fun. Rather watch? Snag a seat by the big windows and curl up with a specialty coffee.
375 Queen Elizabeth Dr. (at Fifth Avenue), 613-238-8998. www.canalritz.com

Canal Oak
Part of the Royal Oak Pubs chain, this unique two-storey location is situated near the Pretoria Bridge, which crosses over the canal. Order a pint, relax by the fire, and enjoy some colourful people watching. It’s also a top spot to head after you’ve traversed the ice and need to refuel.
221 Echo Dr., 613- 234-3700. www.royaloakpubs.com

Hot Dining: 4 Tasty Taphouses

Dockside tempts with pan-fried chilli squid (front) and sauteed tiger prawns (back). Photo by KK Law

The burgeoning beer scene here yields no shortage of hop-friendly dining.
1 Dockside (pictured) Discover Granville Island’s “other” brewery and dine in vista-kissed surroundings.
2 Howe Sound Brewing Take a 45-minute trip to Squamish to sample Howe Sound Lager with seafood chowder or ale-braised pork sliders.
3 Steamworks Enjoy freshly brewed quaffs, such as Lions Gate Lager, in a brass-trimmed, wood-panelled Gastown pub overlooking the harbour.
4 Yaletown Brewing Grab a glass of Downtown Brown along with a steaming bowl of sliced beef tenderloin tip stroganoff in this red-bricked Yaletown haunt.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dates: A Taste of Germany at the Vancouver Christmas Market

The busy and festive Vancouver Christmas Market

November 24 to December 24

The holidays are just around the corner, and to help kick off the season the Vancouver Christmas Market sets up shop in bustling downtown. Peruse the Bavarian-style wooden booths for everything from hand-knit sweaters to German tinker toys to elaborate glass ornaments. Afterwards chow down on a bratwurst or schnitzel, then warm up with a cup of glühwein—warm, spiced wine—or imported beer.—Jennifer Patterson

More information:

VANCOUVER CHRISTMAS MARKET (Nov 24-Dec 24). 11 am-9 pm. $5, 7-12 $2, under 7 free. Early-bird admission $2, 11 am-4 pm M-F. Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, 600 Hamilton St. 604-924-4506. www.vancouverchristmas
market.com

Hot Dining: Heritage Tastes at Boneta

Boneta's new digs. Photo by KK Law

Heritage Tastes

Gastown’s popular Boneta has moved—almost right next door. The edgy new spot, tucked in behind Gassy Jack’s statue, sports a French-inspired, locally grounded menu and a convenient back door off Blood Alley. Those seeking more traditional continental fare head to Water Street Cafe, while seafood lovers pack into Cork & Fin and hop hounds find the city’s best craft brew selection at cozy and casual Alibi Room.—Tim Pawsey

More information:

BONETA Bartender of the Year, Vancouver magazine 2011. This modern bistro serves artfully presented dishes on a constantly changing menu. Reservations advised. $$. D (M-Sa). 12 Water St. 604-684-1844. www.boneta.ca

WATER STREET Cafe Overlooks Gastown’s cobbled streets and trademark steam clock. Fresh seafood, veal, lamb and daily specials. Private dining rooms. Reservations recommended. $$. L/D (daily). 300 Water St. 604-689-2832.

CORK & FIN Casual seafood and wine bistro. Decadent seafood dishes, oyster bar and vegetarian items. $$-$$$. D (Tu-Su). 221 Carrall St. 604-569-2215. www.corkandfin.ca

THE ALIBI ROOM Trendy spot serves dishes inspired by the modern English tavern. Menu changes seasonally. DJs (F-Sa). $$. D (Tu-Sa), brunch (Sa-Su). 157 Alexander St. 604-623-3383. www.alibi.ca

9 of the Best Organic Canadian Brews from Coast to Coast

Draught menu at La Barberie. Photo by Stan Hieronymus.

By Merle Rosenstein

At tailgate parties, at barbecues and in pubs across Canada, six packs are paired with pizza, burgers and poutine. But these days beer has outgrown snack food and sports and has gone artisanal. Craft brewers are combining top-quality ingredients and producing unusual, signature brews, while beer lovers flock to festivals to learn the art of food pairing with lager, ale and stout. (more…)

Hot Dining: Pints & Paperbacks

The New Oxford Public House. Photo by KK Law

Yaletown’s The New Oxford serves up beer with pub-style food, all under the watchful eye of Oscar Wilde. His portrait is just one of many nods to the famous university, with vintage touring bikes and shelves of classic novels adding to the ambience.—Jennifer Patterson

More information:

The New Oxford Public House, $-$$. L/D (daily). 1144 Homer St. 604-609-0901.