About Daniel Wilson

I love making drinks for my friends and family, and, of course, sampling my concoctions myself! Finding and playing around with recipes is a favourite past time of mine and I hope to share that passion with all my readers.

February 21 – China White

Posted on February 21, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Lunar Love

With millions, around the world, recently celebrating Chinese New Year, I thought it would be a great time to look at all the wonderful things the culture has brought to our lives. While they also invented coffins, gunpowder, and puppet theatre (all of which did not make this list), the following items should bring national pride to those that call China home:

#5: Fortune Cookies

I don’t love fortune cookies for their taste, which is far too often stale, but rather their inspirational messages inside. If I receive one, in particular, that speaks to me, I will often keep it in my wallet, hoping the good vibes will actually reward me. Yes, there are much better desserts out there, but fortune cookies are like getting a McDonald’s Happy Meal, giving you both a treat and a little toy, in a well-balanced, all-encompassing meal.

#4: Fireworks

Who doesn’t love fireworks? Seriously, if you’re not down with big blasts of colour lighting up the sky, you should seek some psychiatric help. Fireworks have highlighted some very momentous occasions in my life. For one, I first asked out Mrs. Sip on a date, while positioned in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland, as their nightly firework show provided our soundtrack. To this day, Mrs. Sip jokes that she had to give me at least a date, based on my romantic timing!

#3: Toilet Paper

Alright, this is a pretty damn important invention in the annals (yes, I had to use that word) of human history. As a bit of a germophobe, I can only imagine what hell my life would be if us civilized folks had to use other methods to clean up after a trip to the bathroom. The Chinese also developed the first paper for writing and although I’m a self-described scribe, my nod would go to toilet paper as the more important development of the two items.

#2: Chow Mein

I am a chow mein fiend. I also love stir fry, almond chicken, fried rice, honey garlic chicken, egg rolls, and most other typical items. While they may be the westernized version of Chinese food, it’s so delicious, so I really don’t care if I catch any flak for this entry. I’m greatly looking forward to a Chinese food feast, with Ma and Pa Sip tonight, to celebrate the Lunar New Year. As a little bonus, did you know the Chinese invented the restaurant menu? I wonder if early versions also had numbered items for simplicity!?

#1: Alcoholic Beverages

What goes better with food, than drink and seriously, where would the Sip Advisor be without the advent of booze. I’m sure someone, somewhere would have eventually stumbled upon elixirs that made you feel all warm and fuzzy, but the fact exists that China beat them all to the punch. Dating back to 7000 BC, scientists have discovered that the Chinese made fermented drinks, using fruit, rice, and honey. That doesn’t sound so palatable, but if it’ll get ya drunk, I’m game!

Super Saturday Shot Day: China White

0.75 oz Crème de Cacao
0.25 oz Irish Crème
Dash of Cinnamon
Garnish with Cinnamon Stick

Well, after all this loving, I have to give the Chinese a wag of the finger for inventing chopsticks… I mean, come on, who would ever choose these twigs over a fork and a knife. And yet, I’m shamed when I ask for the tools I’m most accustomed to in Asian eateries. Kung Hei Fat Choy, everyone!

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (4.5 Sips out of 5):
You can’t say anything bad about this shot. It’s totally delicious. You’re combining all good tasting ingredients and it’s quite obvious why this is a classic recipe. I thought the addition of the Cinnamon Stick as a garnish kind of looked like chopsticks. Had I been able to track down a Fortune Cookie, I would have used that, as well.

Sip Trips #7 – Lover’s Lane

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Well, Valentine’s Day has come and gone and it was a great day for Mrs. Sip and me. We were quick to snap up tickets for Vancouver Brewery Tours “For the Love of the Craft,” which combined breweries, with a distillery and a chocolatier.

One of the drawing features of the tour was that it visited a number of places Mrs. Sip and I had yet to haunt, although we had been meaning to for some time. This included Strange Fellows Brewing and Odd Society Spirits. Other stops included Storm Brewing and Schokolade Café.

With a cost of $83 per person, we were curious to see if the tour value matched the investment. With all transport, two beer flights, numerous chocolate samples, a cocktail, and a free drink voucher include, I’d say it was quite fair. I wish we had been able to taste more of the spirits at Odd Society, rather than receive a Gin & Tonic, but other than that, I was quite satisfied with the itinerary and perks. Ryan, the owner and operator of the company and tour was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful during the trip.

I have no doubt that Strange Fellows (only opened in late 2014) will be one of the city’s biggest craft breweries in due time, as there is much they can do with their expansive property. Storm Brewing, on the other hand, has been around for a long time and is one of the funkiest businesses we’ve ever been in. A combination of rubber rats as mascots and an cornucopia of experimental beer flavours, including the spicy Hot Night in Thailand IPA and Cream Soda Pilsner, has captured the attention of beer drinkers for two decades.

The second half of the tour meant chocolate and spirits, which I’ve learned over my years with Mrs. Sip, are not mutually exclusive! Schokolade had many tasty chocolate varieties and I enjoyed them so much, I snuck away to pick up a box for my valentine. Odd Society has a handful of craft liquors, which as I mentioned above, I still need to try. We did order a cocktail called The Drive, which apparently is comprised of each of their alcohols. It was quite tasty and I’ll have to go back for future liquid libations.

We finished our evening by using our free drink ticket at Rogue Kitchen & Wetbar, where I enjoyed a meal that has quickly launched to the top of my favourite burgers list. To wash that deliciousness down, I tried the High Tea beer cocktail, which combined IPA beer, gin, Earl Grey syrup, grapefruit juice, and bitters… a very interesting blend that complemented my awesome sandwich.

Continuing the weekend filled with hitting places we’ve been meaning to visit for some time, Mrs. Sip and I went for a long walk Sunday, in the gorgeous, but unseasonably sunny weather. I mean, this is mid-February! At least the beautiful skies allowed for us to get around to so many stops, sans umbrella or taxi.

Mrs. Sip and I always seem to get lucky when we go on our walkabouts. This time, while en route to Bomber Brewing’s first anniversary celebration, Mrs. Sip spotted its neighbour and newest microbrewery in the city, Off the Rail Brewing, which was enjoying their first day in operation. We only hope that next year, to celebrate their mutual birthdays, they shut down the street for a massive beer-fueled block party!

Mrs. Sip and I shared a set of tasters at each location, while enjoying speaking with the friendly staff at Bomber, the new surroundings of Off the Rail, and the jovial atmosphere at both locations. I think Pa Sip, a true train nut, would enjoy Off the Rail, based solely off the name of the company and some of their beer offerings, including the Crazy Train IPA and Derailer Pale Ale.

This outing was capped with a long-awaited visit to Devil’s Elbow Ale House, the occasional home hangout of the CAMRA craft beer group. The bar is an offsite tasting room for Howe Sound Brewery and offers the company’s collection of brews for tastings and true pints, among other menu items, including a beer, bourbon, and bacon trio that I must try.

It was a weekend chock full of beer flights, gluttony, and quality time spent with my love. Really, that’s the way things should always be!

Flavour Revolution – Watermelon

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Seed Money

By far, my favourite fruit is watermelon. That said, the other day, the Sip Advisor picked up a little round watermelon for $3.99. Not per pound, just $3.99, straight up. That’s a pretty good deal. Some of the other price points that will appear on this list… eh, not so much! Here are some of the most expensive fruits of all-time:

Densuke Black Watermelon

Let’s get the ball rolling with some watermelon selections. Apparently, only 100 of these black, non-striped melons are grown each season, with one being sold at auction for $6,100. Sure the behemoth weighed in at a whopping 17 pounds, but I’ll take my $3.99 melon, thank you very much. There are also square watermelons, which blew up the internet a couple years back with their $200 cost.

Lost Gardens of Heligan Pineapples

I would have never thought of England as a breeding ground for pineapples. Tropical countries, sure, but not a nation that is often the butt of weather jokes. Even more shocking is the method used to develop these fruits, which uses straw, manure, and horse urine, classified as “Victorian techniques!” Doesn’t sound very appetizing to me and we haven’t even brought up the $16,000 price tag.

Yubari King Melons

These melons are given as gifts, so I’m wondering who out there wants to get close enough to the Sip Advisor that come my next birthday, you might flip a set of these melons my way. What’s that? You don’t want to spend $12,500 on this purveyor of such pleasure? Well, that just makes me sad.

Strawberries Arnaud

At least in this case you get a bowl of strawberries and not just one, but the price point ($1.4 million) is completely ridiculous… even if it’s garnished with a 4.7 carat diamond ring. I wouldn’t pay that if Mrs. Sip was given the cash and had to personally serve me the berries, while wearing little to no clothing… or maybe I would!

Ruby Roman Grapes

These grapes are each about the size of a ping pong ball, but why does that make them so valuable? At least there are 25 in the bunch, but $6,400 seems excessive. Imagine taking these grapes and playing the most expensive game of beer pong, ever? There would have to be something like fine champagne or luxurious cognac in the cups!

Flavour Revolution: Love Potion #9

1 oz Watermelon Pucker
1 oz Vanilla Vodka
Top with Cranberry Juice
Splash of Pineapple Juice
Garnish with a Watermelon Ball

So, how much would you pay for some of your favourite fruits? As far as watermelon is concerned, it’s almost cheaper for me to settle for the 21^st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon or Parallel 49 Seed Spitter beers and call it a day!

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (4 Sips out of 5):
There are other recipes under the same Love Potion #9 name. This martini was very tasty, with hints of vanilla, watermelon, cranberries, and pineapples. It was a fruit salad for the mouth and a perfect recipe for this article… best of all, it didn’t cost an arm and a leg to enjoy!

February 14 – Love Bite

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Lover’s Quarrel

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be a good opportunity to look at some of the classic “will they/won’t they” TV romances. Nearly every show has one, hoping to bring in the hopeless romantic as a regular viewer. My favourite story is from NewsRadio, where the network wanted this element for the show, much to the chagrin of producers. So, they had Dave and Lisa sleep together immediately, before then teasing their relationship from that point. Well, on with the list:

#5: Ben & Leslie – Parks and Recreation

The Parks and Rec crew are quite incestuous with numerous couplings coming out of the small department. Despite stiff competition (Andy and April, Chris and Ann, etc.), Ben and Leslie get the nod for best “will they/won’t they” storyline on the show, as it took the nerdy Ben to finally reel in the ambitious Leslie, who was more likely to be married to her job than a living person. Ben and Leslie’s wedding was especially touching, as the Parks and Rec crew had to stage the event on short notice.

#4: Niles & Daphne – Frasier

Niles loved Daphne from the first moment he saw her… the problem was, he was in a loveless marriage with the never-seen Maris. By the time Niles got his side of things all sorted out, Daphne was due to be wed to Donny – ironically, Niles divorce attorney. Well, true love conquers all, and Niles and Daphne ended up together, marrying and having a baby boy. Poor Niles waited many years – and through many boyfriends – for his chance to be with Daphne, but fate works in mysterious ways.

#3: Leonard & Penny – Big Bang Theory

For those who believe that opposites don’t attract, take for example the relationship between blonde bombshell Penny and her kind, but geeky neighbour Leonard. Despite taking a while to date and an extended break-up, the two have been together for a fair portion of the show’s run and at this point are even engaged. Rivaling Leonard and Penny is Sheldon and Amy, who most fans just want to see finally get into bed with one another!

#2: Jim & Pam – The Office (US)

Based off of the similar storyline of Tim and Dawn from the UK version of The Office, Jim and Pam go from co-workers with a mutual crush to lovers, having to evade obstacles such as Pam’s pending marriage to Roy, Jim’s transfer to another Dunder Mifflin branch, and Pam going back to school in New York. Once Jim and Pam were all securely married, Dwight and Angela moved into the spot of “will they/won’t they,” but their relationship was always a little odd and unusual.

#1: Ross & Rachel – Friends

These two went back and forth so many times, that it makes one’s head spin. In the end, they of course wound up with each other, following the typical last-minute ditch effort to save the relationship, with Ross rushing to the airport to stop Rachel from leaving the country for a job opportunity in Paris. Through the series, the two even produced a child, all the while teasing a reunion, but never really getting back together from the first time they became a couple and broke up.

Super Saturday Shot Day: Love Bite

0.5 oz Cherry Liqueur
0.5 oz Orange Liqueur
0.5 oz Milk
Garnish with Chocolate

Honourable mentions go to Kevin and Winnie (The Wonder Years), Zack and Kelly (Saved by the Bell), Eric and Donna (That 70’s Show), and Fry and Leela (Futurama); some of which ended happily and others, not so much. Thankfully, my will they/won’t they with Mrs. Sip worked out pretty well!

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (2.5 Sips out of 5):
The Cherry and Orange Liqueurs mixed together really well, but the Milk didn’t play nicely with the spirits, nearly curdling the alcohol. Luckily it didn’t get that far and the flavours could still be enjoyed. At least I always had the Chocolate garnish to enjoy afterwards!

Sip Trips #6 – Disney Drinking

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Well, Mrs. Sip and I completed another successful trip to the Happiest Place on Earth this past week, taking advantage of B.C.’s Family Day holiday. In recent years, the park has become a completely different experience for us, thanks to California Adventure’s beer, wine, and spirit offerings. Here’s a wrap-up from our recent extra-long weekend:

Pier Beers

The first stop we usually hit after getting to the park is the Pacific Wharf, where Karl Strauss beer can be had. While the $8 price point isn’t ideal and lines can be pretty long, there are a variety of styles worth trying and Karl Strauss has become a favoured brewer for Mrs. Sip and me. On this visit, we enjoyed both the Fullsuit Belgian Brown Ale and the Tower 10 IPA.

Wine with a View

Then, we were off to the Alfresco Tasting Terrace, so Mrs. Sip, along with Ma and Pa Sip, could get their wine on. While my drinking partners enjoyed their vino, I grabbed the Brother Thelonius Abbey Ale, which came in at a whopping 9.4%. As you can imagine, we were all flying pretty high by the time we were lining up for attractions!

Downtown Dining

The next day finished with a meal at the ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney. It was here that I finally got to try Shock Top’s Shockolate, which mixes chocolate and their traditional wheat beer. The blend was very nice and I enjoyed the mix of cocoa and hefeweizen colliding. I don’t think I’d drink a six pack in one shot, but a couple per drinking evening would make a good beer nightcap.

Also, while there, I had an absolutely epic Smokehouse Burger, complete with three-pepper bacon, tangy barbecue sauce, crispy onion straws, and I even broke my own rules, throwing some cheese on the massive sandwich!

Classy Cocktails

After a busy trip, we were all in need of a little downtime, while still getting to enjoy the sights and sounds of the park. In this case, there is no better stop than the Carthay Circle Lounge, home to spectacular hand-crafted cocktails and the finest beers and wines the resort has to offer. As for food, Mrs. Sip and I always order the Queso Fundido dish, which blends melted Monterey Jack cheese with Ranchero Sauce and tortilla chips for dipping. It is a perfect complement to the high-end alcohol options.

Sis-in-Law Sip decided to go off the board and order a tasting flight of tequilas, consisting of Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Don Julio Reposado Tequila, and Jose Cuervo Reserva De La Familia Extra Anejo Tequila (damn, that’s a mouthful!). Each was great for sipping and had such unique scents, that it made for an incredibly different experience. Despite all my boozing, I’ve never done spirit flights like that.

Games and Goodies

We ended the vacation with a visit to Dave & Buster’s, a place that has quickly become a favourite for Mrs. Sip and me, giving us a chance to harness our inner-child, playing video games, while downing fun food and great drinks. My Strawberry-Watermelon Margarita, for example, came with strawberry-flavoured ice cubes, which were creative and delicious. After 10pm, the joint goes into happy hour, where deals on cocktails, beer, and other items can be had.

On this visit, we got into a good video trivia battle, playing multiple rounds with a couple locals. The Sip Advisor, whose greatest attribute is having a head full of useless information, won a bunch of these matches, earning oodles of prize tickets that will surely eventually be used on candy and stuffed toys!

Do you have any suggestions for our next jaunt down to Disneyland and the surrounding area?

Flavour Revolution – Honey

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Terms of Endearment

The term ‘honey’, given to a loved one, has been documented to have existed all the way back in the 14th century. It is something I have often called Mrs. Sip, who is as sweet as they come! Let’s take a look at some other terms, from around the world, that just don’t measure up:

Petit Chou – Little Cabbage (French)

Cabbage smells funny when cooked and is a food that many just can’t wrap their heads around taste wise. You would also never think that cabbage is cute or even remotely attractive in any way. I think if I ever handed this term out to Mrs. Sip, she would make a quick trip to the shower and I’d be setting up shop on the couch for an indeterminate stay…

Tamago Gata No Kao – Egg with Eyes (Japanese)

In all technicality, aren’t we all “eggs with eyes”!? The scary part is, for a culture that has such other oddities going on, as tentacle porn and panties in vending machines, things could have turned out worse, especially given what the Japanese are willing to eat, in the sushi realm. All I can envision when I see this term is some weird anime character with an oddly sweet voice.

Ma Puce – My Flea (French)

The French make this list a second time, which should be a solid indictment against their language, as a whole! I’m sure your partner would love to hear that you think of them as a blood-sucking parasite that causes you to feel itchy and uncomfortable. I wouldn’t even use this term on a child. If animals hate fleas so much, why in the world would I like them!?

Chang Noi – Little Elephant (Thai)

The one saving grace here is that the term is “little elephant” and not a plain old elephant. That said, little elephants still weigh in at an average of 200 pounds at birth and grow steadily from that point. I can only imagine the thrashing any male Thai nationals received upon using this term in other locales, from women who had no interest in being compared to a baby pachyderm!

Chen Yu Luo Yan – Diving Fish Swooping Geese (Chinese)

I’m not even sure where to begin with this term and how to really break it down. Given the two terms that are being combined, I can only assume that this term of endearment would be handed out to someone who was skilled at oral sex. You know, with all the “going down” in dives and swoops. Of the five terms I’ve chosen to deride, this may be the most flattering.

Flavour Revolution: Tennessee Honey Hole

Muddled Peach Slices
1.5 oz Jack Daniel’s Honey Whiskey
Top with Ginger Ale
Garnish with a Peach Slice

Given I’ve taken a shot at some terms of endearment, I feel I should reveal a couple of mine, that little sippers can ridicule if they choose. I often call Mrs. Sip “Pookie,” based off of Garfield the Cat’s stuffed animal. Have at it, but I will never stop, as I’m sure anyone who uses the above terms has no intention of changing their game!

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (3.5 Sips out of 5):
Well, this cocktail sounds a little dirty, but I guess it kind of goes along with the subject matter of today’s article. The drink was pretty good, with peach pulp coming through the straw with every sip. The peaches I used weren’t as flavourful as I would have hoped for, but the Jack Daniel’s and Ginger Ale made up for it.

February 7 – Saturday Night Fever

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Live from New York

The iconic Saturday Night Live is celebrating its 40th season on the air this evening and in those 40 years, we’ve seen many classic characters hit our screens – both big and small. Here are the Top 5 Saturday Night Live characters, according to the Sip Advisor (a great character in his own right!):

#5: Irwin Mainway

Dan Aykroyd, the man behind Crystal Skull Vodka and so many great characters, can also list this shady salesman among his fine credits. Mainway appeared on the show Consumer Probe to defend his geared-towards-kids Halloween costumes and Christmas toys, such as ‘Bag O’ Glass,’ ‘Bag O’ Sulfuric Acid,’ ‘Teddy Chainsaw Bear,’ ‘Invisible Pedestrian,’ and ‘Johnny Switchblade Adventure Punk.’ I personally don’t see the issue with any of those products!

#4: Celebrity Jeopardy

These are some of the best skits in the show’s history and while they may not be original characters, a couple of them were reoccurring, such as Will Ferrell’s Alex Trebek and Darrell Hammond’s Sean Connery. The Trebek-Connery rivalry was a great touch, as were many of the game categories, which Connery hilariously misconstrued, much to Trebek’s bewilderment. For example, “An Album Cover” somehow became “Anal Bum Cover” when Connery got ahold of it.

#3: Stefon

The New York club scene insider and Weekend Update guest, was responsible for introducing the world to some of the most bizarre underground hangouts, including Crease, Whimsy, and Kevin?… yes, that one has a question mark. Played by Bill Hader, fellow writers would change the cue cards for Stefon appearances between rehearsal and live run and then it would only be a matter of time before Hader would break character laughing and have to bury his face in his hands.

#2: Wayne Campbell & Garth Algar

“Party on, Wayne… party on, Garth! With those words, Wayne’s World took to the airwaves, although it’s a little known fact that Mike Myers first used the Wayne Campbell character on the Canadian show It’s Only Rock & Roll. Anyway, the Wayne’s World co-hosts took their skit success straight to feature films with two great movies, perfect for cameo appearances from musical acts, as well as actors. The characters have rarely been reprised, but they live on in the hearts of millions.

#1: Matt Foley

While Chris Farley made this character legendary, it was actually created by Bob Odenkirk, aka Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad. Matt Foley, with his unique way of motivating others, made us all fear an existence of living in a van down by the river. A highlight of each Foley sketch was the inevitable crash the inspirational speaker would take through a table or into a Christmas tree. The first table fall was actually accidental, but was the icing on the cake for the sketch and became tradition.

Super Saturday Shot Day: Saturday Night Fever

0.5 oz Sambuca
0.5 oz Whiskey
Splash of Lime Juice
Garnish with a Lime Wedge

Some honourable mentions go to Mr. Bill, the Festrunk Brothers, Toonces the Cat, the Ladies Man, the Butabi Brothers, and Mr. Robinson. While I’ve never been a big regular watcher of the show, I have many fond memories from it and have to thank the series for launching the careers of some of my favourite comedians!

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (4.5 Sips out of 5):
While this shot is certainly meant for the John Travolta disco dancing film from the 1970s, I believe it also works well for the theme of today’s post. The Sambuca and Lime Juice are to be shaken together first, with the Whiskey being floated on top afterwards, but I had forgotten this element and when the result was a wonderful tasting shot, I just went with it. This may be one of the best uses of Sambuca I have yet to find and I think things might have been helped by the Royal Challenge Whiskey from India.

Sip Trips #5 – Cask Comforts

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

No need for a lengthy lead up, let’s cut right to the chase. The big outing this week for the Sip Advisor was attending Yaletown Brewery’s Caskival 2015 event on Saturday. The event featured 13 cask IPAs, from 13 different craft breweries around the region.

For $25, each person received a punch card for the 13 casks and then it was time to travel around and get your IPA on! Beers were provided by Whistler BrewHouse, 33 Acres, Brassneck, Red Truck, Yellow Dog, Moody Ales, Bomber, Bridge, Deep Cove, Steel & Oak, Yaletown Brewery, Big Ridge, and Parallel 49.

After about half our cards were punched out, we were in need of some eats, which we found at The Distillery, next door. With beers at a minimum of 5.5% and most in the 7% range (maxing out with the Parallel 49 Toques of Hazard 9.2% offering) we were all flying pretty high by the end of the event. Still, my punch card was fully used… a grand achievement!

I’ve really been getting into IPAs over the last year and many of these were very good. I found that I’m not really into dark IPAs, such as Bridge Brewing’s Black Rye IPA. If I had to choose a favourite among the bunch, it would have been Red Truck’s Citrus IPA, which blends lemon, lime, and orange juices together with your typical heavy hops.

That evening, I was part host to a birthday celebration for Mrs. Sip and I used my legendary skills to defend the title ‘King of Mojitos,’ which I bestowed upon myself many years ago. Raspberries, blackberries, limes, and mint were flying around everywhere. I think I even wound up with some fruit in my hair!

To celebrate the end of the work week, Mrs. Sip and I finally cracked open the Steel & Oak/Four Winds Gratzer collaboration I mentioned last week and the dark, smoked sour brew came exactly as advertised. It’s a lighter beer, at only 4%, but tastes really good and goes down easy. I wish we had more in the fridge!

In new product releases, I stumbled upon Schweppes Dark Ginger Ale the other day. While I didn’t pick it up, I’m very curious, given my affinity for ginger ale, as a cocktail mixer. And here I always thought ginger ale was already quite dark, especially compared to lemon-lime sodas. This may be a rare item to hit Canadian markets first.

The biggest liquor news of the week may have been Budweiser’s anti-craft beer ad, which aired during the Super Bowl. It broke the internet, as far as fans of micro-breweries are concerned and many of them immediately backlashed against the campaign. Jim Vorel of Paste Magazine, perfectly attacked the attack ad, most notably pointing out that Budweiser slammed a beer flavour that is made by a brewery they recently acquired. What a bunch of mooks!

Flavour Revolution – Peanut Butter & Jelly

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Together We Stand

The Sip Advisor makes a mean PB&J… but it’s not that difficult when you have two ingredients that work so well together. Their pairing has even created the saying “[insert item here] and [add second item here] go together like peanut butter and jelly”. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of those famous combos that just look odd when one member is missing:

Salt and Pepper

These two items go so well together that hip hop girl band Salt-N-Pepa adopted the combo (although spelled horribly wrong) for their group name… they were a trio, though, so I did a little research and discovered that while one was “Salt” and the other “Pepa,” the third member was “DJ Spindarella”. What ingredient is that!?

Bacon and Eggs

While my preferred breakfast is comprised of bacon and hash browns, I must concede that bacon and eggs share a special relationship. Things get a little kinky when you put bacon IN eggs, but who am I to judge what goes on in the privacy of kitchens everywhere. Bacon is such an awesome food that it really pairs with everything.

Bread and Butter

While Mrs. Sip might say that lobster and butter are better companions, bread and butter is also one of her vices. When we’re at a restaurant that offers the two, I may have a slice, while my lovely wife is more inclined to ruin her dinner with the appie. It’s quite the show as we move through the meal and she regrets her early choices.

Hamburger and Fries

With advancements in culinary techniques and consumer’s tastes, many restaurants have tried to change the typical burger and fries options, leaving that for the fast food joints of the world… but nothing beats a good ol’ fashioned burg and fries. I wonder who first joined these two in holy EATrimony. They should have patented it.

Crackers and Cheese

With an overall view of this article, it’s like it was meant for Mrs. Sip, this combo be another of her favourites. I can’t count how many times I’ve see a plate of crackers and cheese coming out of our kitchen. This is the wine lovers go-to accompaniment. I’ll never be on board with the whole thing, given my contempt for cheese.

Fish and Chips

While chips may augment a number of main dishes, fish is rarely seen without its potato-based sidekick. In fact, they go so well together that they share similar condiments, such as salt, vinegar, tartar sauce, and ketchup. This means that you don’t have to be cautious while dousing your meal with additions and can let loose!

Meat and Potatoes

Typical meat dishes are almost always accompanied by a starch side like potatoes. Also, saying that someone is a meat and potatoes kind of person translates to them getting the job done without being very flashy. It is often used in hockey circles to describe a hardworking player who doesn’t put up high offensive numbers.

Movies and Popcorn

If the Sip Advisor had his way, it would be “Movies and Potato Chips,” but alas, my motion to have the traditional theatre snack changed has fallen on deaf ears. I’m not a popcorn advocate – heck, I don’t even like going to many movies – but I can respect how these two go so well together. What I don’t get is the marked up price.

Milk and Cookies

In my younger days, I used to love sitting back with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. Now that I have to be a little more conscious of what I put into my body, I don’t get to enjoy this tradition much anymore. I still eat cookies, but never enjoy a full plate and rarely combine milk in the practice anymore. That’s sad, isn’t it…

Coffee and Donuts

While I love my donuts (the proper way to spell the word… how ridiculous does “doughnuts” look!), I absolutely deplore coffee. Interesting tidbit, though, the whole dunking a donut into coffee was first popularized in the classic movie “It Happened One Night,” which featured star Clark Gable performing the simple task.

Chips and Salsa

Being a potato chip fiend, I’m more inclined to do the chips and dip thing, but tortilla chips and salsa are a natural alliance and got me through many meals at Mexican restaurants when I was a young, picky eater. “And what would you like to order young man?” “Who, me? Oh, I’m fine with the free chips and salsa, thanks!”

Flavour Revolution: The King

Rim glass with Peanut Butter and Jelly
2 oz Van Gogh PB&J Vodka
1 oz Banana Liqueur
Garnish with Bols Banana Liqueur Foam

My favourite PB&J of all-time was a grilled version that included bacon and jalapenos. Mrs. Sip and I enjoyed this sandwich while getting blitzed at last year’s Portland Beer and Wine Festival and we hope it will be available again this year.

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (4 Sips out of 5):
I’ve made this martini numerous times for guests of Mrs. Sip and I, but have never tried a full serving of it myself. Now I can see why this drinks typically earns me rave reviews! It looks neat with the PB&J rim and tastes fantastic, thanks to the Van Gogh Vodka and Banana Liqueur. A great liquid tribute to ‘The King!’

January 31 – Hotel California

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

California Screamin’

Mrs. Sip and I are frequent visitors to California and I try to blast some California-set tunes every time we are approaching our destination. Let’s take a look at the Sip Advisor’s California playlist!

#5: Going to California – Led Zeppelin

I doubt Led Zeppelin wrote this song about the Sip Advisor, but the lyrics “Going to California with an aching in my heart” kind of told my story. I was once a naïve teen on my way to California with the opportunity to meet a pretty little lady. That lady ended up being the future Mrs. Sip, who I first met in Disneyland all the way back in 2002. “Someone told me there’s a girl out there with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair”… Mrs. Sip lacked both those things when we met, but I won her over!

#4: Californication/Dani California – Red Hot Chili Peppers

You knew at some point that the Red Hot Chili Peppers would appear on this list. The band has a long history of being influenced by California. Sadly, Mrs. Sip has made Californication her alarm music and therefore I have grown to have great disdain for the song I once thoroughly enjoyed. Coincidentally, Mrs. Sip and I actually met a girl named Dani in California… except she’s originally from Colorado and Dani’s just a shortened version of her middle name… I think it still counts!

#3: California Dreamin’ – The Mamas and the Papas

Given where the Sip Advisor and Mrs. Sip live (Vancouver, Canada), this song can really speak to us at times. You know, with all the leaves being brown and the sky turned gray and all. At that point, we’re desperate for the warmth and sunshine that California offers, leaving behind the “Wet Coast!” The Mamas and the Papas’ hit has been covered by so many artists, including high profile acts America, The Beach Boys, and R.E.M. Even Alvin and the Chipmunks have copied the song.

#2: Hotel California – The Eagles

“You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave…” If that was true about California, I’d be quite happy. This begs the question: Where exactly is the Hotel California? Well, some have said it’s an inn located in San Francisco that was turned into a Church of Satan, while others believe it to be a mental hospital. While the original song is amazing, I absolutely love the flamenco-inspired acoustic adaptation that was first played live during The Eagles 1994 Hell Freezes Over reunion tour.

#1: California Love – 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre

This is a true California anthem, mentioning numerous areas of the state. San Diego, the Bay Area (San Francisco and Oakland), Long Beach, Sacramento, Pasadena, Inglewood, Hollywood, Los Angeles, and Compton all get shout outs. Speaking of Compton, on one shuttle from LAX to Anaheim (where Mrs. Sip and I typically wind up on visits to California) we went through the notorious city to drop off a fellow passenger. Sadly, I was too afraid to play this song, for fear of getting a cap in my ass!

Super Saturday Shot Day: Hotel California

0.5 oz Amaretto
0.5 oz Margarita Mix
Top with Blue Curacao Foam

Narrowly missing the cut for this list was California Girls by The Beach Boys. While babes from Cali are fun, they don’t necessarily have to be from there to get the Sip Advisor going. Now, I’m no music expert, but I’d venture a guess that California is the most sung about state in the U.S., with perhaps New York challenging that prediction. One song that definitely sucks is the theme to California Dreams… I hated that Saved by the Bell rip-off so very, very much!

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (3.5 Sips out of 5):
This is actually a cocktail recipe, but I thought it sounded neat, wanted to give it a try, and thought it went good with the theme of this post. You got a problem with that!? The recipe calls for 0.5 oz of Blue Curacao, but I took the opportunity to use my Bols Blue Curacao Foam again and I think the visual results speak for themselves. All the flavours here are light and tasty, so it all came together pretty well.

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