Comments for RemyScalza.com: Independent Journalism

Comment on Escaping Molson Monotony at Vancouver’s Microbreweries by Todd

Todd — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:34:12 +0000

Too bad that Granville Island is now owned by the Molson monotonists! The deal was finalized a few weeks ago.

Also, the reason that the brewery on Granville Island seemed so quaint is that hardly any beer is produced there. All of Granville Island’s products in standard bottles, cans and kegs have been produced in a “gleaming, modern operation” for years. The “real” brewery is in Kelowna, several hours away from English Bay and Cypress Mountain. They moved the operations away around the same time they started naming the beers after local neighbourhoods and landmarks. (an amazing feat of marketing!) That’s also when they gutted the original brewery and turned it into a taproom and gift shop. Granville Island plays up the illusion that they are a local Vancouver business but it simply has not been true for years. Only their large-bottle seasonal beers are made on the original site. A very, very tiny fraction of their output. (and by far, the best stuff they make) They keep the Island brewery open for tourists and to keep up the illusion that the beer is made there. Their former owners were a part of Ontario’s Peller wines and have been making the beer in one of their Okanagan winery plants. Of course now that Molson has taken over, it’s quite possible that GI will move to a Vancouver facility once again — the Molson plant in Kitsilano.

Comment on A Dry Olympics? Canadian Booze Prices Could Sober Festivities by Nat Nasci

Nat Nasci — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:04:31 +0000

One thing to keep in mind is that the Canadian Beer you buy in the states is made separately for that marker, ie lower alcohol content than the Canadain beer you buy in Canada. Also the U.S. beer brands you buy in Canada are made in Canada to Canadian standards, again higher alcohol content. As for the prices being the highest in the world…no. Try Scandanavia. True in parts of Europe wine etc is cheaper in the shops, try buying a drink in a Paris nightclub and it will be triple the price of what you can buy in a Vancouver nightclub.
One thing the gov’t liquor stores do very well is variety of product. Check out the one at 41st and Cambie ( Canada Line, a subway goes there) Thousands of bottles of wines from everywhere. So although everyone enjoys cheap booze try to focus on the variety of new beers etc. There are many private shops that sell wine etc. Taylorwood wines in Yaletown has their whole shop dedicated to just B.C. wines. Marquis Wines on Davie St. are know for having wines hand picked worldwide by the owner. So come enjoy and remember those taxes on liquor help to pay for many social services we in Canada enjoy.

Comment on A Dry Olympics? Canadian Booze Prices Could Sober Festivities by Craft Beer

Craft Beer — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:04:27 +0000

Life is too short for bad beer.

Comment on Escaping Molson Monotony at Vancouver’s Microbreweries by Remy

Remy — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:28:02 +0000

Thanks, Emily. There are a lot of great microbrews available in Vancouver, not just Granville Island Brewing. Whistler Brewing Company and Okanagan Spring Brewery are two others that I like and that are available pretty much everywhere.

Comment on Escaping Molson Monotony at Vancouver’s Microbreweries by emily

emily — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:37:39 +0000

Im from vancouver bc, and yes the olympics are going to be one of the best in the world, it could be that i am bias here,lol... The drinks are great, canadian beer is known to be both strong and taste very great... This is a great report for people to see and understand for travellers... Vancouver is great, Emily B: boot camp vancouver

Comment on Whistler’s Wild Side: The backcountry behind Canada’s alpine mecca by admin

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:01:48 +0000

I think you’d like Whistler. Not the village part (though they do have a nice McDonalds). But the mountains are definitely big enough to get lost in, if needed.

Comment on Whistler’s Wild Side: The backcountry behind Canada’s alpine mecca by craig

craig — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:40:39 +0000

I’ve never ventured up to Whistler but I’ve always heard it’s a gem just a ways north of here. One day, bear bell in hand, I shall attempt such an adventure.