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.

Flavour Revolution – Salted Caramel

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Liquid Sunshine

Salted Caramel has become an incredibly popular dessert trend, featuring in cookies, cakes, ice cream, chocolate bars, milkshakes, and nearly every type of treat one can dream up. A perfect mix of sweet and salty, this combo has even been turned into a spirit flavour. Salted Caramel is not alone, though, on the dessert-turned-liquor front. Here are some other post-dinner courses that have been translated into booze:

Cookie Dough

The Sip Advisor has yet to try this alcohol from Pinnacle Vodka, but given it’s one of my and Mrs. Sip’s favourite desserts (often enjoyed in Dairy Queen Blizzards and other indulgences), we should get our hands on a bottle ASAP. As a human facsimile for the Cookie Monster, this is a notable omission from my bar collection.

Rainbow Sherbet

This vodka, also from Pinnacle, should be the official booze of the LGBT community. Personally, I wonder which flavour features most heavily amongst the berry, orange, and lime. Perhaps it’s a different experience for each drinker and one I should test on myself.

Cotton Candy & Caramel Apple

Why not bring the festive fun of the carnival home with you… in liquid form! While I’m not really into cotton candy, I have used the Pinnacle Cotton Candy Vodka in a previous Flavour Revolution article. On the flip side, I love Caramel Apples (especially the ones that are loaded with Smarties and other goodies), but have yet to try any booze related to the treat.

S’mores

This campfire classic is brought to you by Three Olives Vodka and it tastes like a mix of marshmallow and chocolate, with a hint of Graham cracker… exactly what you’d expect. I have used the spirit in a number of beverages seen on this site and the best part is you don’t need a fire or pokers to enjoy.

Pumpkin Pie & Pecan Pie

While I’m more of a fan of fruit-based pies, such as cherry and apple, these two pie variants are the ones that have been turned into spirits. I have a bottle of Pumpkin Pie Vodka at home that I haven’t had the chance to get into much yet, but with family members who love the Thanksgiving tradition, I’m sure it won’t take long for the bottle to get some serious use.

Lemon Meringue

Sticking with popular pies, we have an entry from Sobieski Vodka, which puts a spin on the tart pastry. Mrs. Sip isn’t a fan of lemon-based desserts and while I’m lukewarm to them, in alcohol form, it might be more tolerable.

Birthday Cake

With this libation option, you can celebrate your birthday anytime you want, which is awesome, unless you’re one of those anti-birthday peeps… although if that’s the case, you probably aren’t the drinking type, either.

Cinnamon Buns

Thanks to a partnership between Pinnacle Vodka and Cinnabon, the world was introduced to this yummy liquor, which does its best to replicate the experience of biting into one of their famous buns. The taste is a mix of cinnamon sugar and cream cheese icing and it works for dessert cocktails.

Crème Brulee

Ma and Pa Sip brought a bottle of Crème Brulee Liqueur back with them from Colorado last spring and it didn’t take long for the sweet treat to disappear. Sadly, Mrs. Sip (a certified Crème Brulee fiend) wasn’t around to sample any. That’s what she gets for taking off on me for a month-long European holiday!

Blueberry Pancake

Okay, I know pancakes are a breakfast food, but I think the intent here is to replicate a crepe-type dessert. This is another liqueur (from McGuinness) that I have yet to try, but I have seen it around and perhaps I should just take the jump and see what it’s all about.

Sugar Cookies

Who doesn’t like sugar cookies? Well, diabetics, I suppose, but I think they’re appreciated by most other folks. This is another vodka that I have yet to try and while it’s not at the top of my list to pick up, I’d certainly try it at a friend’s place.

Glazed Donut

Coming in liqueur and vodka releases, when I first came across a bottle, by chance, my jaw literally hit the floor. Mrs. Sip saw the look in my eyes and knew that we’d be going home with the product. Since then, I’ve used it in a number of drinks – usually shot recipes – and have enjoyed it thoroughly.

Candy Bar

Who doesn’t love some chocolate for dessert? Well, this chocolate-caramel flavoured vodka from UV will satisfy your need, while also limiting your calorie intake. I’m very curious about the chocolate-caramel blend and if it’s anything like the real thing, I’ll come away pretty happy!

Flavour Revolution: Bad Romance

1.5 oz Stoli Salted Karamel Vodka
Top with Cherry Cola
Garnish with a Maraschino Cherry

Massive thanks must be given to the various companies that have a willingness to experiment and bring us many of these flavours, of which there are some I just couldn’t fit onto this list. This includes Strawberry Shortcake, Peppermint Bark, King Cake, Peachberry Cobbler, Cookies N’ Creme, and Chocolate Cake. It seems that spirit creativity knows no bounds!

November 7 – Shot of Love

Posted on November 7, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Audial Bliss

The Sip Advisor is a five-sense kind of guy and over the next two weeks, we’re going to look at the sounds that make me smile, as well as the noises that make me cringe. Let’s get started with the satisfying side of the ledger:

#5: Breaking Glass

Of course, I’m not talking about the criminal variety, nor the type that might inflict any pain on someone. I’m talking about those rare times when you get to witness something being destroyed with good intent. I once worked on a garbage truck with Cousin Sip and we took great delight in whipping light tubes into the compactor. Or how about when an old car gets crushed? There’s also Stone Cold Steve Austin’s entrance theme, which brings fans to their feet with a shattered glass opening!

#4: Sizzling Food

Before the scent of the food can fill our nostrils, we hear that delightful sizzle that seems to beckon you, saying “come on, eat me!” Whether it’s chicken fajitas, barbecue burgers, bacon, or some other wonderful creation, we are drawn to this beautiful culinary melody. I wonder if vegetarians get the same thrill with their meals. Do vegetables crackle in the same manner as all things carnivorous? This is a mystery I may never solve, as healthy things don’t often touch the Sip Advisor’s plate!

#3: Golf Tee Shot

Even for folks that can’t hit the ball very well, if you get just the right shot, your reward is a delicious ping, as the (preferably) driver strikes the ball and sends in flying into space, off of the tee. This is why the Sip Advisor prefers to do his golfing at the driving range, rather than on the course. First, your time commitment is minimized, meaning you can hit the bar quicker. Second, your chances of spanking a couple good shots is increased. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about all those course hazards.

#2: Pop of Cork or Bottle Cap/Crack of Can

It’s amazing how universally awesome it is to open any alcoholic beverage vessel. Perhaps we’re so desperate to taste what is hidden within that item, that the jingle becomes part of the experience. My phone notification sound is a bottle cap being popped and it has been for some time. The tone brings such pleasure to me, that even if bad news if coming, such as Mrs. Sip not having left work yet, although she said she’d be home hours ago, I can still smile.

#1: Someone Saying: “I Love You!”

Is there a sweeter thing in the world than having someone say, “I love you!”? It doesn’t matter if it’s coming from your partner, parents, buddy, or adoring fans… so long as it’s coming. During time’s when Mrs. Sip and I have been separated due to schooling, travelling, or some other hurdle, you don’t get as many of those “I love yous” as you’re accustomed to and that can hurt. When one scrolls across your screen from an e-mail or message, it’s just not the same.

Super Saturday Shot Day: Shot of Love

0.5 oz Crown Royal Whisky
0.5 oz Peach Schnapps
Splash of Sweet & Sour Mix
Garnish with a Lime Wedge

Some honourable mentions include skate blades cutting into ice, a purring cat, and the music of Justin Bieber. Okay, just kidding on that last one! Next week, we’ll look at the worst sounds known to man… or at least your faithful Sip Advisor.

Sip Trips #42

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Nuttin’ Doin’

Mrs. Sip and I didn’t get up to too much adventure this last week, so this won’t be a long Sip Trips article. That said, we do have another vacation upcoming and there is certainly some mischief ahead. Let’s get on with things:

On Friday, I attended to retirement party of one of my coworkers at the new Tap & Barrel in North Vancouver. Here, I ordered the Steel & Oak Roggen Weizen, as well as the Hearthstone Hazelnut Porter. Both beers were good, with the Roggen Weizen being the better of the two. While I enjoyed the Porter, the hazelnut flavour wasn’t as strong as I would have liked. In fact, I couldn’t really taste it at all. The staff at the restaurant did a good job of taking care of our large group and paid me a terrific compliment as I settled my tab. The server remembered exactly what I had order because, as she put it, I ordered good beers!

For Halloween, we celebrated with friends at a house party. My pre-drinking included the Steel & Oak Barrel Aged Smoked Hefeweizen, which Mrs. Sip picked up for me a while back. The brew was definitely boozy and at 7% was a good base for the night ahead.

The next day, we visited Ma and Pa Sip to help eat their leftover Halloween candy… after all, what else are parents for!? While there, Ma Sip cracked open her bottle of Viniq Shimmery Liqueur (the purple one) and created a drink using lemon, pomegranate, and lemon-lime sodas. The concoction was quite good and now I have a better sense of where my natural cocktail mixing abilities come from!

Prior to attending Cirque du Soleil: Kooza, Mrs. Sip and I had dinner at the Hurricane Grill in Yaletown. The food here was delicious – we shared the chicken quesadilla and pulled pork poutine – and the service very good. I ordered the Blood Alley cocktail (vodka, scotch, and blood orange soda), which was good, but if I’d made it myself, I would have used more scotch to enhance the smoky flavour. Mrs. Sip had their feature drink, the Hurricane (three different rums mixed with strawberry and mango puree), which was a little disappointing in that it was not made clear the drink was frozen and given we’re moving into winter, an iced drink was not what Mrs. Sip was looking for.

To sum up, this is what a quiet week looks like for Mrs. Sip and me. Next week, there will be no Sip Trips, as we will be enjoying a cruise from Vancouver to Los Angeles, followed by a weekend of relaxing in Escondido, California. Nearby, San Diego will be celebrating their annual Craft Beer Week (how fortuitous), so you can bet there will be some Canadian content on hand for the festivities!

Flavour Revolution – Hazelnut

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Nutty Goodness

As we delve into some Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, I thought it would be a good time to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of the nut world, or better put: the ones I love versus the ones I loathe!

Good:

Peanuts – I am a certified peanut fiend. I like most all types, with the exception being peanuts in shells and with their skins still on. I’m just not a fan of the fuss and mess that comes with them. I’m currently in the process of devising a masterful trail mix recipe, set to include honey roasted peanuts, Smarties, chocolate covered raisins, and cashews (more on them later).

Almonds – These are best smothered in chocolate and not being sold by one of those groups that charges an arm and a leg for a small box. Charity be damned when I want my almond fix. Almonds also work on their own, roasted or salted. I also have massive respect for almonds for the flavouring they lend to Amaretto, one of my preferred nightcaps.

Macadamia Nuts – The Hawaiian treat, which everyone must bring back when vacationing on the islands, is a favourite of mine and Mrs. Sip. We are particularly fond of the Mauna Loa line, which includes varieties such as milk and dark chocolate, honey roasted, Maui onion and garlic, and coffee glaze. A couple companies have also devised Macadamia Nut liqueurs, which are very tasty.

Cashews – I absolutely love cashews, but they are so darn expensive that I only get them on very special occasions (ie. when other people serve them and I’m lucky enough to be on hand to help them with their abundant supply). Figuring everything was cheaper in southern Africa, during our recent travels, I grabbed a pack of cashews, without even looking at the price. When they were scanned at the checkout, my jaw dropped, but I’m not one to leave an item behind. They were delicious and got me through some long bus days.

Bad:

Pecans – I like pecans in Turtles chocolates, but little else. I think it’s because the other ingredients make up for this lackluster nut. There’s just something about the taste of pecans that I can’t wrap my head around. The texture is also an issue for the Sip Advisor.

Chestnuts – The roasted ones at Christmas smell so good, but it’s like eating warm paste, if you bother to buy a pack. My displeasure with chestnuts has even caused me to question my enjoyment of the yuletide classic The Christmas Song, which opens with the line “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire”…

Walnuts – It’s amazing how odd these nuts look, inside their cases. They remind me of a turtle shell and don’t look very appetizing. I think I turned on walnuts when considering the work it takes to get one open, using a nutcracker (which, given its name, brings about many images of horror) and then having to clean up the mess that creates.

Corn Nuts – These are the jawbreakers of the nut world and while they come in many interesting flavours (some of which I’d like to see brought over to other nut and even potato chip options), I just don’t enjoy the munching experience that comes along with corn nuts.

Flavour Revolution: Mister Frangelico

Rim glass with Crushed Nuts
1 oz Frangelico
1 oz Dark Rum
Splash of Orgeat Syrup

There are also a few nuts that I just don’t have any opinion on one way or the other. These include hazelnuts (funny enough, given today’s liqueur choice), Pistachios, and Brazil Nuts. Have I missed anything?

October 31 – Hellraiser

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Cursed Accounts

We wrap up our month of spooky goodness with another curious subject: curses. I mean, life can be tough enough without having a curse hanging over your head. Let’s take a look at some of the nastiest jinxes out there

#5: Men of Steel?

Who would have thought that portraying a super hero would be detrimental to your health and wellbeing? Catastrophe has followed a number of the actors who suited up as Superman over the years, from George Reeves’s suicide/murder to Christopher Reeve’s paralysation and eventual death. The story goes that the original creators of the character, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, placed the curse on Superman when they were denied the rights to the character and all the financial benefits that come with it. To be honest, I’ve never been much of a Superman fan… I’ll audition for the role of Batman, thank you very much!

#4: Chairman of the Board

As Thomas Busby was en route to his execution, he swore that anyone who sat in his favourite chair would die. The chair’s legend began when Busby came home one day to find his father-in-law sitting in it and demanding his daughter back. Ever the negotiator, Busby killed his father-in-law with a hammer. Since Busby’s death march threat, many are said to have died after sitting in the chair, particularly two air force members, who dared each other to sit in the chair and died later that day in a car crash. The chair now sits in the Thirsk Museum, hanging on a wall so it can’t be sat in, despite numerous requests to do so from visitors looking to tempt fate.

#3: When Painting Kills

The Sip Advisor has never been much of an art connoisseur and this tale isn’t going to change my mind. Many homes that displayed the Crying Boy painting, ended up being the site of fires or explosions. Despite the damage to the dwelling, the painting always survived intact. The Madrid-based artist who created the work, should have known something was up when he asked the boy (who was orphaned after his parents perished in a house fire) to pose for him and his studio caught fire. Apparently, each home the youngster was taken into would eventually go up in flames. There are a few museums I kind of wish this piece would end up at!

#2: Diamonds Aren’t Forever

Diamonds are supposed to be a girl’s best friend, but perhaps not in this case. The infamous Hope Diamond has caused many of those who possessed it to meet an unfortunate end. Stolen from the head of an idol in a temple in India, the 112-carat gem can be traced back to King Louis XVI of France, as well as Princess de Lamballie and Marie Antoinette. All of which were beheaded during the French Revolution. Similarly, the Kohinoor Diamond is said to bring great fortune to the women who own it, but tragedy to the men who possess it. Thankfully, the Sip Advisor isn’t really a jewellery guy and prefers to see diamonds on Mrs. Sip.

#1: Presidential Pallor

When future president William Henry Harrison broke a treaty with Chief Tecumseh of the Shawnee tribe in 1811, war broke out and many lives were lost. Tecumseh cursed Harrison as he was inaugurated in 1840 and from then on, the president elect every 20 years was doomed to die while in office: Harrison, Lincoln (1860), Garfield (1880), McKinley (1900), Harding (1920), Roosevelt (1940), and Kennedy (1960). Ronald Reagan beat the curse after his appointment in 1980 – although there was an assassination attempt on his life – as did George W. Bush in 2000. Who knows what 2020 will have in store, but that’s one year I would avoid if I were the political type.

Super Saturday Shot Day: Hellraiser

0.5 oz Strawberry Liqueur
0.5 oz Melon Liqueur
0.5 oz Black Sambuca

There are also a number of sports-related curses – perhaps to be examined in another article. I wish I could blame my Vancouver Canucks championship drought on a long-running curse, rather than poor drafting, trades, and play! Here’s to wishing all you little sippers a happy and safe Halloween!

Sip Trips #41

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Trail Tapping

Over the weekend, the Sip Family (Mrs., Ma, and Pa) spent the weekend across the line in Bellingham, Washington, exploring their Tap Trail, which features 16 different breweries and tap houses. Over that time, the Sip Advisor enjoyed trying about 40 different beers. Let’s see the results of another epic weekend!

Our adventure started at the Oxford Suites hotel bar, for their manager’s reception. The bar had four different local brews on tap, which I made my way through over our two-night stay. This included Aslan Bellingham Brown, Boundary Bay Scotch Ale, Kulshan Session IPA, and Chuckanut Kolsch. The Bellingham Brown was particularly good.

With a few drinks in us, Mrs. Sip wanted to go for a walk to Bellis Fair Mall, across the street. I figured: “What’s the worst that could happen?” Then I got stuck in a Kohl’s store for about half an hour as she debated buying some items, followed by going to Target (our original intended destination) and trying to track her down as she roamed the store. At Target, I did find two of my favourite San Francisco treats (Rice-A-Roni be damned!) in 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer and Francis Coppola Pinot Grigio.

The next morning, we were off on our Tap Trail explorations. We started at Kulshan, which has two different locations. After sharing two taster paddles, which included each of the brewery’s 13 available beers, it was very hard to narrow down our consensus favourites. Mrs. Sip liked their Horseman’s Head Pumpkin Ale and Kittens Mittens Winter Ale, while I leaned towards the Smoked Stout and Good Ol’ Boy Pale Ale. We did agree that the Trans Porter was quite good. One neat observance from Kulshan was that they didn’t have their own food available, but a food truck was outside that could bring eats into the brewery for those that ordered.

Next up, we headed over to Elizabeth Station, a beer store and tap house that was recommended to us by a friend. The store has a number of unique brews that you can purchase and even have opened by the staff to be served on site. I took advantage of this by purchasing a bomber of Justice Brewing Butterfinger Brown, which was brewed with Butterfinger candy pieces and was a fantastic beer. Mrs. Sip, on the other hand, tried a sample of Prairie Bomb from Tulsa, Oklahoma. At 14%, it packed a punch, but was also a very good drink.

We then made our way to Chuckanut where I was quick to order a serving of their Rauch. For those who are regularly readers, you know by now my affinity for smoky beers and cocktails. This brew did not disappoint. From there, our next stop was The Copper Hog, where we ordered samples of a couple interesting beers, including 21st Amendment Toaster Pastry Red Ale and Ninkasi R&D Mango IPA, as well as their Oktoberfest offering. The Toaster Pastry was the best among the bunch.

After that, it was a short jaunt to the Schweinhaus Biergarten, an outdoor beverage stop, which would be best enjoyed during the summer. Here, I tried a pint of Northwest Mango Hef because a German-style beer should be enjoyed at a German-themed location. The brew was decent, although Mrs. Sip’s actual selection from Germany was probably a better fit for the moment.

Another block walk landed us at Aslan, where we tried their Midnight Couloir, Pumpkin, Ginger Rye, and Cucumber Lager, all of which were good. This location was the busiest we experienced on the day, having to wait a short time for a spot, but that didn’t hinder our enjoyment.

Things were getting kind of fuzzy by the time we hit our last brewery of the day, Wander. This place was actually suggested to us by the border guard we chatted with as we crossed into the U.S. Here, we enjoyed their Wanderale Blond, Global Mutt Porter, Belling-Hammer Wee Heavy, Together Belgian Dubbel, Plum Sour, and Boysenberry Fruit Puncheon. To be honest, I don’t even remember what logic went into me ordering like this, but I put a star next to the Porter, so I must have liked it the best! Mrs. Sip wanted to try their Pumpkin, but they had unfortunately sold out of that variety.

On Day 2 of our Tap Trail, we were a little tapped out, but we did manage to go to Kulshan’s second location, as they have a few beers only available there. We tried a set, with the Mountain Beaver Brown being our favourite. This last stop allowed us to get our eighth stamp for our Tap Trail passport. Completing half the map and returning it to a Bellingham tourism office allowed us to receive a Tap Trail Mason jar and bottle opener.

In closing, I have to thank Ma and Pa Sip for this belated birthday gift. Pa Sip deserves extra thanks for being our designated driver and putting up with us over the course of the tour, while Ma and Mrs. Sip should be commended for being awesome drinking partners!

Flavour Revolution – Marula

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Animal Crackers

Mrs. Sip and I recently returned from a month-long journey to southern Africa and were completely enamoured with the animals the continent is famous for. We also have a fondness for Amarula Cream, a liqueur from South Africa that takes Bailey’s and other Irish crème’s to task. Today, we enjoy Amarula Gold (the Cream’s golden cousin), while looking at the greatest pop culture examples of the creatures we enjoyed during our travels:

Lions:

One of the most famous lions is known simply for his iconic roar, seen at the start of MGM movies. Leo is still introducing viewers to films to this day. The lion has also been adopted as the logo for two different football teams, the Detroit Lions (NFL) and my hometown BC Lions (CFL). That’s interesting because while lions are fierce hunters, they’re also incredibly lazy. In the media world, there are notable lions in Simba, Mufasa, and Scar from The Lion King, as well as Aslan (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe) and the Cowardly Lion (The Wizard of Oz).

Buffalos:

There aren’t really any fictional buffalos to choose from, but there is the city of Buffalo, New York, which is home to such teams as the Sabres (NHL), and Bills (NFL). There’s also the Order of the Water Buffalo, with such dignified members as Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble. Lastly, one can also include Buffalo Bill, the deranged serial killer from Silence of the Lambs… on second thought, maybe he should be left off the list.

Rhinos:

The horned beasts seem to be the perfect animal for animated antagonists. This can be seen with one of Spiderman’s greatest foes, Rhino, as well as Rocksteady from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. If we are to use the characters as examples of how rhinos are viewed by animators, then they’re certainly not the brightest individuals. Lastly, pro wrestler Terry Gerin, adopted the name Rhino (later changed to Rhyno, because actual rhinos love suing over intellectual property rights!), when he debuted with Extreme Championship Wrestling in 1999. Sadly, rhinos are rapidly decreasing in population, with poachers seeking their valuable horns, to be used for sexual potency.

Elephants:

Like lions, elephants have factored into a lot of media. One of Disney’s most cherished characters is that of Dumbo, the flying elephant. There’s also Babar; Dr. Seuss’s Horton (who heard a Who); Bart Simpson’s brief pet, Stampy; and Big Bird’s imaginary friend Snuffleupagus. Another fan favourite is Elephant Ears donuts, because there’s never a bad donut and these cinnamon-sugar sprinkled gems are no exception.

Leopards:

Famous leopards are about as rare as spotting the cat in the wild. The leopard is the only major African animal that we didn’t see on our recent vacation and our guide told us in all his years of taking tourists through Africa, he’s only seen a handful, himself. The only notable leopard that came to mind was Bagheera from The Jungle Book. His protective ways ensured young Mowgli’s survival in the wild.

Giraffes:

Youngsters today may not know about Geoffrey, the Toys R’ Us mascot, but he played a huge role in my childhood. He made many of the children from my generation want to be a Toys R’ Us kid! Originally named Dr. G. Raffe, the spokesanimal has been with the company since 1957.

Hippos:

The board game Hungry Hungry Hippos painted a lighter image on these dangerous beasts, who are known to charge at the boats of tourists for no other reason than because they feel like it. Despite their antagonistic nature, there is still the classic Christmas song “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”. Perhaps the little girl making the request just didn’t know any better.

Crocodiles:

Perhaps the most famous crocodile is Tick-Tock, the tormentor of Capt. James Hook and the beast that took the pirate’s hand. Crocodiles are often depicted as bad guys. This includes Killer Croc, a frequent nemesis of Batman; King K. Rool, the thorn in the side of Donkey Kong and his extended family; and the Fraternity of Crocodiles, from the comic Pearls Before Swine, who are often in pursuit of zebras (or zeebas as the frat calls them), despite their minimal intelligence.

Quick Hits:

Zebras: Fruit Stripe Zebra – Given the gum’s appearance, it was natural that Fruit Stripe would adopt a Zebra as its mascot

Cheetahs: I’ve enjoyed the recent Cheetos commercials starring Chester Cheetah, as he helps snackers get their share of the cheese-flavoured grub

Meerkats: In the real world, there was the popular Meerkat Manor nature series… in animation, we of course had Timon from The Lion King

Warthog: Speaking of Timon, you can’t forget his buddy Pumbaa… and just like the previously mentioned Rocksteady took after a rhino, his thug pal Bebop was mutated from a warthog

Hyenas: One last time we go back to The Lion King, with this pack of cackling baddies: Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed

Flavour Revolution: Golden Apple

1.5 oz Amarula Gold
Top with Apple Juice
Splash of Sour Apple Mixer
Garnish with an Apple Slice

Many of these animals comprise the Big 5 (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos), placed in that group because of their difficulty in hunting. There are also a Small 5 (elephant shrew, buffalo weaver, leopard tortoise, ant lion, rhino beetle), based on miniature versions of the Big 5, as well as an Ugly 5 (warthog, hyena, marabou stork, vulture, and wildebeest), which is kind of self-explanatory.

October 24 – Friendly Ghost

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Happy Haunts

Some people are really into haunted houses, buildings, and areas, but the Sip Advisor would prefer to keep his distance from any ghostly dwelling that is not located at a Disney theme park. That said, these places can be incredibly fascinating and I don’t mind learning about them from a distance. Here are some of the most haunted places around the world:

#5: Poveglia Island – Venice, Italy

Can you imagine an island being so haunted that it has been abandoned? Such is the case for Poveglia Island, which sits near the maze-like port city of Venice. During the days of the Bubonic Plague and later the Black Death, Poveglia became a quarantine site, where countless numbers of sick folks were sent to die. These unfortunate souls are said to haunt the island, while there are also rumours of an asylum existing on Poveglia, during the 1800’s, where patients were treated horribly. Locals will not go to the island, believing that they will be cursed if they go ashore and fisherman will not work in the area, with fears that they will unearth dead bodies in their operations.

#4: White House – Washington D.C., USA

Despite a history dating back more than 200 years, one wouldn’t naturally think of the American president’s residence as a site of ghostly activity, but it is in fact home to countless paranormal doings and is one of the country’s most haunted homes. Among some of the sights and sounds witnessed at the White House are Abraham Lincoln standing by the fire in the bedroom named after him; Andrew Jackson laughing or swearing up a storm in the Rose Room; and Abigail Adams floating through the East Room, where she hung the presidential laundry. And nothing is spookier than soiled undergarments!

#3: Banff Springs Hotel – Alberta, Canada

I always like to get some Canadian content into these articles and the Banff Springs Hotel seems like the perfect location to achieve that, thanks to tales of a family being murdered in room 873 (which has since been blocked off by bricks) and a tragic bride, who is often seen with flames coming from her wedding dress. Finally, there’s the ghost of Sam Macauley, the resort’s former bellman. Apparently, his spirit has remained on the job, helping guests to their rooms, while even unlocking doors and turning lights on. He only disappears when visitors try to tip him or make conversation with him. That’s my kind of bellman! While lacking the sex and murder of American Horror Story: Hotel, this site is still pretty damn spooky.

#2: Tower of London – London, England

Home to some of the most gruesome events in history, the Tower of London is a must-see attraction when visiting the metropolis… but you might get more than you bargained for (even with the pound’s exchange rate!). Some of the Tower’s ghostly inhabitants are quite infamous, including Anne Boleyn, who was beheaded in 1536 and has been seen roaming the site sans skull. Another area of serious paranormal activity is the attraction’s White Tower, where two small children have been spotted on numerous occasions. It’s rumoured that the apparitions are former princes that were deemed illegitimate and murdered, their skeletons found underneath a staircase.

#1: Sea of Trees – Aokigahara, Japan

Globally known as the Suicide Forest (as if that wasn’t enough to send chills down your spine), this woodland, located at the base of Mount Fuji is believed to be haunted by those that ended their lives amongst the overgrowth. The forest has become such a popular suicide spot – averaging 100 suicides each year – that signs can be found at entrances to the forest, pleading with distraught people, reading: “Your life is a precious gift to your parents” and “Please consult with the police before you decide to die”. A yearly body search is performed by police and volunteers, to clear the forest of remains.

Super Saturday Shot Day: Friendly Ghost

0.5 oz Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
0.5 oz Tequila
0.25 oz Absinthe
Garnish with Chocolate Flakes

Writing this article confirms that the only spirits I want any experience with are of the alcohol variety! Have I missed a favourite haunted locale of yours? Let me know, although I may leave the ghostbusting to you!

Sip Trips #40

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Coast Toasting

Mrs. Sip and I have finally returned to Vancouver from our epic travels to southern Africa and are getting settled back into the local drinking routine. I had to take some extra time this week, as we visited Legacy Liquor Store, to get acquainted with all the new releases that have hit the market while we were on vacation. A lot can change in a month, especially with the move from summer to fall, but it gives me some things to look forward to.

Speaking of things we were looking forward to, on Friday night, we attended the annual Toast to the Coast event at the Vancouver Aquarium. Mrs. Sip has wanted to go to this for a couple years, but previous engagements have always held us back from checking out the soiree, which sells out each season. A number of wineries, a couple breweries, and even reps from Russian Standard Vodka were on hand, as guests got to enjoy the various exhibits with a drink sample in their hand and an appetizer on their plate. My night began on the right note with a serving of Bomber Choqlette Porter, a delicious dark beer, with notes of chocolate and coffee. I also made sure to end my night with this brew.

The night was frustrating at times, as the event was scheduled to go until 1am, but most vendors packed up their wares at 10pm, which I think blindsided some guests, myself included. Also, a number of the eats around the venue were in short supply. To begin the night, the sushi table was a free-for-all, but later featured such a diminished stock that a volunteer was handing out one piece at a time on napkins. There was also the Rocky Mountain Flatbread table, which couldn’t keep up with the demand, as each time they brought out one tray, it was gone and those in line, who hadn’t received a slice, had to wait for the next dish to cook up.

I also had to battle through one of my greatest festival pet peeves, where people either get a drink or food and just stand there, neglecting to move out of the way and let the next person be served. This especially occurs at the wine stations, as folks want to try each of the bottles available, before moving on. That is particularly why the Sip Advisor prefers to stick to beer vendors.

The worst part of the evening was getting home after the function concluded. Shuttles from the Aquarium to Waterfront Station downtown were supposed to be offered, with the last one leaving at 12:45am. We stood around from about 12:25am to 1:00am and didn’t see a single shuttle, which left tired and boozed up guests having to resort to calling cabs and then fighting for their reservation when the vehicle arrived.

Much of the food was good, particularly the various desserts, such as Rose’s Shortbread and Chocolatas chocolates. The worst food offering of the evening definitely had to go to Earl’s Kitchen & Bar, which was handing out cups of sea urchin ice cream. The dessert was absolutely awful and a total disappointment from the popular chain.

Tickets were $125 and I asked Mrs. Sip the next day (once she had a chance to recover!) whether she thought the cost was justified. She thought it was, explaining that given all we ate and drank, it would add up to $125 or more on the local market. My argument in opposition was equating the night to an episode of The Simpsons, where Homer and Marge go to an all-you-can-eat buffet and are kicked out at the end of the night before Homer has enjoyed all-he-could-eat. Our group ended up having drinks and pizza when we finally got home (the best meal of the night), which I didn’t think would be necessary after an all-inclusive drink and food fest. Perhaps we’re just that gluttonous!

My final thoughts on Toast to the Coast are a little mixed. I had a good time, but certainly had some qualms with the event, as well. The true decider is whether I would go again in the future and the answer to that is yes… but perhaps not next year. Also, if ticket prices went up without much substance being added, I would be very hesitant. That said, it was a charity event, so I guess we did our civil duty.

Saturday night was spent celebrating a friend’s birthday, beginning with pre-dinner drinks. Here, I was able to try the 33 Acres of Darkness, another new beer that I really liked. I also had a serving of Dead Frog Super Fearless IPA, which was quite enjoyable. I topped off the pre-party with Steel & Oak’s Satsuma Lager, another fine release from the New West brewery.

Our meal was at Minami Yaletown, which is an upper scale Japanese restaurant. Mrs. Sip tackled their Taste of Yaletown menu, including sake pairing. Each of the sakes utilized different ingredients and matched up nicely with their respective dishes. I ordered the Kaisen Soba Peperoncino bowl, while trying the restaurant’s Asian-themed Caesar, complete with wasabi pickles garnish and lemon-pepper rim. It wasn’t the best Caesar I’ve ever had, but was a decent cocktail.

The week was pretty quiet otherwise, but this weekend, Mrs. Sip and I are off to Bellingham, Washington to see what trouble we can get into across the border, working our way through the city’s Tap Trail and other locations. This is a belated birthday gift (we were out of the country) from Ma and Pa Sip and there will certainly be much to write about, so look forward to that in next week’s Sip Trips!

Flavour Revolution – Jalapeno

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

High Flyers

Jalapenos may not get into many mouths, as there are those who try to avoid spicy food at all costs, but they have ventured into space. Taken aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1982 by astronaut William B. Lenoir, jalapenos are certainly not the craziest item to leave the earth’s atmosphere. Here are some of those items:

Ashes to Ashes

There are a number of folks out there that would probably like for their remains to be floated into space for eternity. For astronomer, Clyde Tombaugh, that exact wish was granted aboard the New Horizons mission in July 2015. What makes Mr. Tombaugh so special? Well, he discovered the planet Pluto and this journey was the closest man or machine had ever been to the celestial object. Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry also had his ashes shot into space in 1997, joining portions of scientist Krafft Ehricke.

If You Build It…

While LEGO has marketed entire lines of space-themed sets, the company can also claim to have had some of their characters enter the vast universe outside of earth’s borders. These little yellow men weren’t just any person, though. Miniatures of philosopher and astronomer Galileo, as well as Roman gods Jupiter and Juno were created for to join the few humans who can say they’ve enjoyed interstellar travel. Other toys to reach space include a Buzz Lightyear action figure… to infinity and beyond, indeed!

Special Sounds

A number of recordings have been sent into space during humans exploration of it. This includes The Beatles song Across the Universe (with a special message from Paul McCartney: “Send my love to the aliens. All the best, Paul.”); Louis Armstrong performing his Melancholy Blues; a recording of a mother kissing her child; a sheepherder… well, herding sheep; a blacksmith at work (is this still a thing!?); the brainwaves of Ann Druyan; Morse Code; laughter; a heartbeat; a hyena; the sawing of wood; and a steam train; among many others.

The Force

Many youngsters have become enamoured with space thanks to the Star Wars franchise of movies, so it’s fitting that a lightsaber prop from 1983’s Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, would make its way out of earth’s atmosphere aboard the Discovery shuttle in 2007. On the flip side of that, is the fact that a poster from the 1984 “classic” Top Secret!, starring Val Kilmer, has also enjoyed a trip through the galaxies. Why this movie was selected amidst all the potential sci-fi classics is a question aliens couldn’t even probe.

Sport Spectacle

Sports play a great role in human existence, so why not bring some of those items up into space. First, there’s the infamous golf shots that have taken place on the moon, including a 200-yard zero gravity bomb, hit by astronaut Alan Shepard. After that, things get a little weirder. In 2008, astronaut and New York Yankees enthusiast Garret Reisman decided to bring some dirt from the Yankee Stadium pitcher’s mound aboard his journey. Lastly, a set of NASCAR green flags were taken into orbit, but the shuttle did more than just loop a track repeatedly.

Reading Material

In 1967, a member of the Apollo 12 backup crew decided to bring a time killing slice of Americana with him. That ended up being a copy of Playboy magazine, which I’m sure was only aboard the spaceship for the articles! Many years later, 100,000 Craigslist advertisements were launched into space. At least the early days of flight have also been paid homage to during space missions: a piece of the Wright brothers first plane to leave the ground was taken into space, as was the watch and scarf worn by Amelia Earhart.

Flavour Revolution: Pepino Diablo

Muddle Cucumbers
2 oz Tanteo Jalapeño Tequila
Splash of Lime Juice
Dash of Agave Nectar
Garnish with a Cucumber Slice

Considering everything that we’ve sent into space, any life that does exist out there must certainly have formed some interesting opinions about us. Chief among those, must be how easily an invasion of earth would be to undertake. After all, just distract us with toys, music, sports, and Playboy magazines and it’s practically mission accomplished!

Sip Advisor

The Good, The Bad & The Bubbly

Author Archives: Daniel Wilson