May 9 – Last Goodbye

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Finale Fail

It’s bad enough when a TV show you enjoy has been cancelled, but it’s even worse when that show isn’t given the opportunity to wrap up their storylines, leaving viewers and characters together in a dark void. I think a charity should be set up to fund series finale episodes for shows that have been abruptly cancelled or given their notice after a season has already been completed. Mrs. Sip has an even better idea, where networks should have to write into contracts a clause that allows any cancelled show one episode to tie all their loose threads together and end shows on the right note… or at least close to that. All this leads to the Top 5 TV shows that deserved a finale:

#5: Undergrads

After a short 13-episode run, Undergrads was no more, leaving a number of hanging storylines. Whatever happened with Nitz and the gang as they traversed the rigors of their undergrad education? Did Nitz ever finally realize his true feelings for Jessie? Shows that involve characters going off to college, should be given four-year contracts minimum to do a proper job on the experience. From time to time, there have been rumblings of a movie or second season to wrap up the series, but to this date, nothing has ever come of the talks.

#4: Boomtown

This critically-acclaimed series, showing each story through numerous perspectives, just couldn’t win over enough viewers and was cancelled abruptly, six episodes into its second season. I urge everyone out there to seek out the first season of the show (it was available on DVD at one point), for some of the most amazing storytelling you could find on network TV. I kind of wish they had kept the series at just one season, as there was some closure in that final episode. Instead, they went for season two (which was originally fantastic news) and changed their formula and cast a little. Then, they were cancelled abruptly and we all lost out.

#3: Titus

Everyone I’ve ever talked to about this comedy, starring stand-up comedian Christopher Titus, says they loved it. Despite that, the show was cancelled after three seasons and 54 episodes, apparently due to Titus’ refusal to split himself and girlfriend Erin in the storyline. I can’t really blame him, given he was still married at the time to the real-life Erin. The show sort of faded out, as a result, with no true resolutions. Starting in 2010, there were rumours of a new Titus series, which would have seen him divorced from Erin, his father having passed away, and Titus experiencing a new, normal girlfriend, but those plans were cancelled in 2014.

#2: Married with Children

Given its 11-season run and how much it helped establish the Fox network as a viable option to the “Big 3” (NBC, CBS, ABC) in the channel’s infancy, it’s shocking that the show was so disregarded and cancelled without any respect for fans. Sure, there was the reunion episode a few years back that went over the show’s history, but we still never got to wrap the family up and see them move to the next stage in their lives. Perhaps it didn’t need the nice neat bow on the package send-off that other shows require, but they didn’t even air the last taped episode in the proper order and instead, what is now regarded as the “series finale” is just an ordinary episode.

#1: Deadwood

The final episode of season three ended in one of the most anti-climactic scenes I have ever witnessed. With tensions raised sky high between the citizens of the Deadwood mining town and the despicable George Hearst, the end result was… absolutely nothing! Given that episode turned out to be the end of the series, it was one of the most disappointing viewing experiences of my life. There was an agreement to wrap up the story with two made-for-TV movies, but those never came to fruition and most involved with the show consider it to be a dead subject.

Super Saturday Shot Day: Last Goodbye

0.5 oz Cognac
0.3 oz Cherry Brandy
0.25 oz Triple Sec
Splash of Lime Juice
Dash of Grenadine
Garnish with a Maraschino Cherry

Others that may have made this list, save for movies or series reboots that were made years later, include: Firefly, Alf, Twin Peaks, Veronica Mars, and Gilligan’s Island, among others. Community was supposed to be the most recent TV tragedy on this list, cancelled last spring after already airing its season finale, but miraculously, it was picked up by Yahoo! Screen for a 13-episode sixth season.

Sip Trips #18: Gluttony Games

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Bacchanalia traditionally refers to a Roman festival celebrating the god of the grape harvest, Bacchus (also known as Dionysus). Today, the term is usually applied to “drunken revelry”… and that’s my favourite style of reveling! Each year, countless wineries get together at the Penticton Lakeside Resort for an event of epic proportions and this year, Mrs. Sip and I were in attendance. Let’s see how things shook out for us in the Okanagan region!

Following our trek to Penticton, we settled in with a meal at the resort’s Hooded Merganser restaurant. While the ladies enjoyed cocktails, followed by wine, I got to try the Stanley Park seasonal beer, SunSetter (summer wheat ale), which was so good, I ordered a second.

After dinner, we were off to Bad Tattoo Brewing for a beer flight nightcap. The five selections we were offered were each good and I particularly liked their Los Muertos Cerveza Negra (which you don’t see too often around these parts) and their Full Sleeve Strong Stout (which I grabbed a bomber of for the road). They also do something neat with their Berliner Weise, where they combine it with a squirt of a flavoured syrup of your choice, including green apple, peach, and raspberry. We, of course, tried all three!

The next morning, we hit the town’s farmer’s market, which shuts down a number of streets to allow for stalls selling fruits, vegetables, crafts, plants, and most importantly, beer and wine. We grabbed a few bottles of vino as we perused the bazaar and also stopped at the Tin Whistle Brewing tent for a tasting. Here, I bought bottles of their Scorpion Double IPA, Peach Cream Ale, and Chocolate Cherry Porter, before we were off in search of wineries.

Our afternoon included stops for tasting at Misconduct, Pentage, and Perseus Wineries, where the beautiful landscapes were matched by the delicious red, white, and rose wines we were getting to enjoy. The collection of bottles kept growing, but that’s just a sign that you’re having a great time!

The main event of the weekend was of course Bacchanalia 2015, which featured countless wineries, surrounding a feast of nibblies. I have to admit that by this point, I was suffering from some wine palette fatigue and a lot of stuff I was sampling was starting to taste the same. The food at the event was good, but I also seemed to tire of eating and noticed that many items would quickly run out while others were hard to find, sometimes located at one of the serving areas, but not all. A constant loop of the food tables sometimes unearthed hidden gems like sausage rolls and meatballs.

Following Bacchanalia, most of our group was still up for hitting The Barking Parrot Bar in our hotel, to wrap up the evening. Here, I enjoyed the Naramata Nut Brown beer, by Cannery Brewing, which was a welcome change from wine and a very fine beverage.

On Sunday, we packed up and hit the road, making a pit stop at 8^th Generation Winery, where Mrs. Sip became a member. She, along with other members of the Sip Family, are big fans of their wines and bubblies, so why not get shipped a few cases each year for glorious consumption.

Out last stop before making the long journey home was to the BC Wine Studio, where Cousin Sip had secured us a personal invite at the farmer’s market the day before. Here, we were treated to an intimate experience of tasting new wines fresh from the barrel, learning about their production process, and even getting to provide notes on grape mixes and products that have yet to hit the market.

The end result of the weekend was 15 bottles of wine, four bombers of beer, and a host of new experiences and memories. All was well with the world, until we arrived home and found our condo had suffered a sink flood while we were away. This has put the Sip Advisor a little out of commission, as my booze collection had to be packed up temporarily. We will forge forward, though and do our best to bring you the best liquor coverage possible.

Flavour Revolution – Pineapple

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Taste the Rainbow

A number of fruit and vegetables are quite polarizing, but none may be more so than the pineapple. That said, there a number of culinary items that are enhanced by the tropical plant… a fact even haters of the fruit can’t argue. Here are some of those select items:

Pizza

This one is obvious and I must admit that I am a huge fan of Hawaiian pizza. Did you know that the style was actually invented by two Canadians? The Panopoulos brothers created the topping combo in 1962 for their Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario. I must thank them for this, as it is among my favourite pizzas to order, especially with the addition of barbecue chicken.

Cocktails

Why not wash down your pizza with a nice, refreshing cocktail!? There are so many drinks that utilize pineapple juice… and we’re not just talking about tropical libations. Pineapple juice isn’t just consumable; it is also a weather pattern of sorts. When it rains in Hawaii, some locals will call the downfall “pineapple juice”? You might not want to drink that, though!

Fruit Salad

Mrs. Sip and I are not breakfast people (brunch is the earliest we’ll do), but fruit salad is one morning meal element I do enjoy – you know, aside from bacon and hashbrowns! Pineapple provides a nice balance to various melons, grapes, strawberries, etc. Fruit salad can provide an incredibly refreshing start to the day and pineapple certainly plays its role in opening your eyes!

Kebabs

Breaking up chunks of meat with fruit and veggies is what truly makes a kebab work (as well as make it a balanced meal!). Some of the best options include peppers, onions, and our good friend pineapple. The pineapple’s sweetness can be a good contrast to beef, pork, chicken, or whatever else you choose to skewer.

Burger

I have never tried this variation despite being a staunch burger supporter. I think the beefy goodness of the meat patty and the tangy flavour of the pineapple ring would actually complement each other quite well. I’ll have to give it a fair shot next time the opportunity arises. My only question is what kind of sauces would go with this combo. I can’t see the usual burger toppings working well.

Flavour Revolution: Pineapple Smash

1 oz Cruzan Pineapple Rum
1 oz Spiced Rum
Top with Club Soda
Splash of Lime Juice
Garnish with a Pineapple Wedge

While the brothers Panopoulos invented Hawaiian pizza and perhaps even the Hawaiian burger, another man was responsible for the Toast Hawaii sandwich (combining toast, ham, cheese, a pineapple slice, and a Maraschino cherry of all things). German chef and TV personality Clemens Wilmenrod can be credited with the snack, which just couldn’t crack this list.

May 2 – Fight Club

Posted on May 2, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Technical Knockout

With tonight’s massive super fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, I thought we should have a little look into the world of boxing… or at least the fictional side of the sport. Here are some of the greatest characters to ever step into the ring:

#5: Rock’em Sock’em Robots

I never played Rock’em Sock’em Robots, but any game where the goal is to knock your opponents head off sounds like a lot of fun. The toy was so successful that it has become a pop culture icon and has been turned into video games and an action figure line. The robots even appeared as characters in the movie Toy Story 2, which is a crowning achievement for any game. I never knew that the robots had their own names, including Red Rocker and Blue Bomber (and at one time, Bolt Crusher Bob and Gear Grinder Greg).

#4: Butch Coolidge – Pulp Fiction

Butch Coolidge’s tale in the serial Pulp Fiction begins with his change of heart about throwing a fight. Despite the consequences of disobeying mobster Marsellus Wallace, Coolidge not only doesn’t take a dive, but he knocks out the fighter he was supposed to lose to and even kills him. Things end up getting pretty weird for both Coolidge and Wallace, as they find themselves the prisoners of two sadistic serial killers, who are intent on raping and torturing the men, before putting them out of their misery. Coolidge escapes and saves Wallace, thus earning his freedom from the mob.

#3: Drederick Tatum – The Simpsons

Drederick Tatum is The Simpsons universe version of former Heavyweight Champion and ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ Mike Tyson, right down to having a manager (Lucius Sweet) similar to Don King. Homer Simpson also took a turn at boxing, when it was learned he could take a massive beating and not get knocked out. Guided by boxer turned bartender turned manager Moe Szyzlak, Homer was even placed into a fight with Tatum, for the former champions return to the ring after a prison stint for pushing his mother down the stairs!

#2: Mickey O’Neil – Snatch

You might not understand a single word this bloke says, but the talking he does with his fists, you will certainly make sense of… unless you’re on the receiving end of his blows and then you might not even remember your own name! Much like Butch Coolidge, Mickey agrees to throw a fight, only to knock out his opponent… twice! Thanks to betting on himself, O’Neil makes quite the killing and at the same time, avoids becoming the victim of a horde of gangsters. Those gypsies are a tricky bunch and that’s before they even get into the ring.

#1: Rocky Balboa – Rocky

I’m not a fan of Sylvester Stallone – not many are – but I will give him credit for his work with the Rocky franchise. Through the films, the Italian Stallion goes from unknown, small-time fighter to Heavyweight Champion to American hero. Balboa’s battles with the likes of Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang, Ivan Drago, Tommy ‘The Machine’ Gunn, and Mason ‘The Line’ Dixon, are legendary. The training montages alone in these films are iconic, from boxing in a meat locker, to running triumphantly up stairs, to trying to figure out how to defeat a machine-like Russian.

Super Saturday Shot Day: Fight Club

Rim glass with Lime Powder
1 oz Vodka
Splash of Lime Juice
Dash of Sugar

A special shout out has to go to the characters of the Punch-Out video game series, including Little Mac, King Hippo, Glass Joe, and Bear Hugger. Heck, even Donkey Kong found his way into the franchise and a pair of boxing gloves!

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (3 Sips out of 5):
My first inclination was to use a flavoured vodka to lessen any harshness in the shooter. But I reconsidered, wanting to let the lime flavour do as much as it could to influence the shot, rather than any other tastes. I settled for Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka to hit on both of my thoughts. The sugar added to the concoction solved any issues with it being too strong and it was much more pleasant than I ever thought it would be.

Sip Trips #17: All Around Town

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

With weekends as busy as the ones Mrs. Sip and I have, we almost need the work week to catch up on rest… but that time is even crazier. Clearly, there is no rest for the wicked, so let’s get this recap started:

The weekend began with Fuse at the Vancouver Art Gallery. This event – run four times per year – allows adults to peruse the exhibits in a more sophisticated setting. Translation: no kids running around! I have to admit that I am not an art lover and have found this event frustrating in the past, partly due to set-up and execution and partly due to my fellow attendees. Add on top of that, the fact that you can’t even have a drink with you as you explore and you have one grouchy Sip Advisor. If you want to enjoy a beverage, you are confined to the cafeteria or lounge. Even worse, friends of ours bought a couple drink tickets they couldn’t use, as the lounge was shutdown early, due to capacity issues.

On Saturday, we took our new bikes out for their first spin, journeying to Legacy Liquor Store in the Olympic Village. There, we stopped for their tasting event, featuring Les Trois Mousquetaires (The Three Musketeers) Brewing from Quebec. Two of their beers were available for sampling, including the Dopplebock and Baltic Porter. Both brews were strong, but delicious and complex. Apparently, they come in and out of the B.C. market, so keep your eyes peeled for them.

After returning our bikes back home, we walked over to Long Table Distillery, which we had heard good things about from a number of folks, before finally getting the opportunity to visit. Saturday is their Cocktail Hour, which means they’re making wonderful drinks from 3-9pm and we took full advantage of this occasion. Our selections included the Anthos , Winds of Arakkis, and their daily unnamed special. The bartenders were very attentive and I think their most interesting ingredients are their infused syrups.

Sunday provided an opportunity to do an East Vancouver craft crawl, with Mrs. Sip’s little sister in tow. The area was formerly known as Cedar Cove, but now goes by the name East Village and features a plethora of stops for beer and cocktail enthusiasts. We started with Powell Street Brewing (the lone location on our route that we had no prior experience with) and I have to say that all their beers were good. I particularly liked their Hopdemonium IPA and Seasonal Stout. The atmosphere of the place was also great and very relaxed.

Up next, was Odd Society Spirits. After previously writing about the distillery in another Sip Trips article, Mrs. Sip and I were invited back to do a tasting of their liquors. This included their Vodka, Gin, Oaked Gin, Crème de Cassis, and Bittersweet Vermouth. I loved how each alcohol had its own glassware. We also purchased a selection of their cocktails, with each more delicious than the last.

Afterwards, it was back to beers, with Parallel 49 Brewing. This company has a wide selection of beers, so figuring out what we had ordered (one of everything), with no guide provided by the bartender, was both fun and frustrating at the same time. I understand that they were pretty busy, but it would have been nice to have some kind of labelling. We figured things out with a little trial and error, but it caused Mrs. Sip and I to fondly reminisce about some of the places we had been to recently in Portland, where the customer writes out their own flight selections and then there is no mystery. My favourite beer here was the smoky Kellerbier, a collaboration between Parallel 49 and Steel & Oak.

We wrapped things up with Storm Brewing, which has some of the most unique beers you will find anywhere, let alone the Vancouver scene. For a donation, you can try up to six of their creations. The three of us sampled about 10 brews total, including flavoured stouts, IPAs, and sour beers. The place is constantly changing their menu, so every visit is a completely different experience.

I have to caution anyone looking to replicate out trip, as parts of the area can be sketchy. Mrs. Sip thinks at one point on our walk home, that a rough-looking woman was being advised by a man to steal her and her sister’s purses. There are routes that allow you to avoid much of the dodgier sections of East Van, so make sure you stick to them.

This weekend, we are off to B.C.’s Okanagan region for the Bacchanalia Food & Wine Festival. This all-inclusive evening promises to be an extraordinary experience, so guess what all you little sippers will be hearing about next week!

Flavour Revolution – Cantaloupe

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Food Foundation

Recently, I wrote an article about foods, such as the Macadamia nut, that were named after people. Today, we look at foods that have derived their name from a town or city. For example, the cantaloupe gets its name from the town of Cantalupo, in Italy. Let’s take a little journey across the globe and see where we end up for more eats!

Buffalo Wings – Buffalo, United States

I remember a time when the Sip Advisor didn’t like Buffalo wings. Today, though, I’m very thankful to the fine folks of upstate New York for creating these spicy pub favourites. The Buffalo wing dates back to 1964, when it was created by Teressa Bellissimo, owner of the Anchor Bar in the city of Buffalo. No blue cheese for me, though, that stuff is gross!

Black Forest Cake/Ham – Black Forest, Germany

If you travel through Germany’s Black Forest region, you can not only have some dinner, but also your dessert, as well. The smoked ham from the area is okay, but the Sip Advisor fully endorses getting filthy with a slice of their tasty cake. And for the most part, I’m not even a big cake fan. Black Forest cake is the only place I’d rather see a Maraschino cherry than as a cocktail garnish.

Yorkshire Pudding – York, United Kingdom

The first ever recipe for Yorkshire pudding appeared all the way back in 1737. You’d have to imagine the quality of the ingredients in these early side dishes was pretty poor, but somehow the meal caught on and is still enjoyed to this day. While reading about the food, it was noted that it could also be a dessert, which had me thinking that I really don’t want beef and gravy as a follow-up course.

Cheese – Various

There are just too many cheeses named after places to single any out with their own section. Some cheeses that belong to this group include Gouda and Edam (The Netherlands), Cheddar and Stilton (United Kingdom), Colby and Monterey Jack (United States), Gruyere and Emmental (Switzerland), Asiago and Parmesan (Italy), Brie and Camembert (France), and many others.

Hamburger – Hamburg, Germany

Who doesn’t love a good burger? Maybe vegetarians, but even they have devised ways to consume a nice patty. We have the beautiful port city of Hamburg (where the Sip Advisor has a fair bit of family) to thank for all that beefy (or veggie) goodness. Minced meat steaks were popular in Hamburg and spread to other parts of the world, thanks to Hamburg being a common starting point for voyages.

Dijon Mustard – Dijon, France

I am a fan of mustard, but I understand where some (like Mrs. Sip) might not enjoy its strong flavour. While there are still factories outputting Dijon mustard in the town of its origin, apparently most of the country’s mustard is actually produced using Canadian mustard seed. Dijon mustard came about when folks subbed verjuice in for vinegar. Today, white wine is used, instead.

Nanaimo Bar – Nanaimo, Canada

I always like throwing some Canadian content into my pieces, if possible. A short ferry trip from the Sip Advisor’s home (plus a little drive) will land you in Nanaimo, B.C., where this delicious chocolate, icing, and brownie combo hails from. A young Mrs. Sip once ate too many Nanaimo bars at one event and ended up getting sick, thus ending her days of consuming the dessert.

Flavour Revolution: Melon Mule

1.5 oz Grey Goose Le Melon Vodka
Top with Ginger Beer
Garnish with an Orange Wedge

Of all the melons out there, I’ve never been a massive fan of cantaloupe. Despite my opinion, cantaloupe has sometimes been known as the ‘Fruit of Kings.’ We also have to remember how well it pairs with prosciutto, the meat of legends!

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (4 Sips out of 5):
This cocktail was tasty and refreshing, with the specialty Grey Goose cup keeping things chilled throughout the drinking experience. While cantaloupe is not among my favourite fruits, the Le Melon Vodka is very nice and smooth. I fully recommend it to all you little sippers out there!

Sip Trips #16: Patio Play

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Well, patio weather has officially returned to the city (ironically, the wet stuff is falling as I post this) and the Sip Advisor couldn’t be happier. There’s just something about drinking in the great outdoors, breathing in fresh air, which is so rewarding. May patio season be as kind to you and yours as I hope it will be to me and mine!

To unwind after the long work week, last Friday, Mrs. Sip and I split the Crème Brulee Stout she recently picked up. It was a little sweet, but certainly tasty; a perfect dessert beer. I’ve been finding myself really getting into stouts, porters, and darker ales of late. Perhaps they will one day give wheat beers a run for their money.

On Sunday, we joined friends for brunch at The Boathouse in White Rock, providing a wicked view of Semiahmoo Bay. To pair with our food, Mrs. Sip ordered a Strawberry-Watermelon Mojito, while I enjoyed the Crown Smash (combining whiskey, ginger liqueur, muddled oranges, and mint). My cocktail wasn’t bad, but I think Mrs. Sip’s was better.

From there, we were off to return home and meet friends for patio drinks at Romer’s Burger Bar. This was our former trivia home, thanks to a great grand prize ($50 gift card) and a bit of a winning streak. Sadly, they stopped their trivia nights, but it’s still a good place to go, with daily $5 drink specials and a menu of $4 cocktails, available every day of the week. I ordered the Mason Jar Caesar (complete with pickle and pepper garnishes), followed by a pint of the Hoyne Dark Matter beer, which has to be my favourite dark brew right now.

The main event of the week was a visit to Prohibition Bar, at the Hotel Georgia. This is one of the places I had thought to hit for my and Mrs. Sip’s dating anniversary last month, as it’s supposed to be a swingin’ experience (like stepping back in time to the days of speakeasy joints) with amazing drinks and funky music. While we didn’t end up at the lounge then, we were keen to get there sooner, rather than later.

We enjoyed a few drinks over the course of the evening. I started with the Forbidden Sip (a potent mezcal and tequila-based libation), which the server warned me was smoky and earthy, prompting an emphatic response of “Bring it on!” Mrs. Sip meanwhile tried the Hotel Georgia Cocktail, a great pick on her behalf, with its gin portion nicely hidden behind flavours such as orgeat, orange, and nutmeg.

My next drink was the L’Air de Panache, which grew on me with each sip. The ladies at our table particularly liked its apple taste. Speaking of our table, my favourite cocktail of the night wasn’t even ordered by me. The Tennessee Highball provided a nice mix of bourbon and ginger beer and just the right bite I like from my beverages. I finished with the Breakside Wanderlust IPA, which was quite nice and flavourful. At 6.6% it was also strong enough to make for a good last call. I’m becoming a fan of Breakside beers, having previously tried their Tropicalia offering.

To sum up, I’ve found over time, that you know you’re in a good cocktail bar when half the ingredients they serve are unfamiliar to you, despite your knowledge in the realm. Everything about the place screams high class… and that includes drink prices. That said, if you want a beautifully crafted cocktail around Vancouver, you’ll be paying at least $12 and at least at Prohibition, they deliver the goods.

Lastly, the big news of the week was that we finally grabbed the bicycles we had promised to gift to each other for Christmas. This will allow us to organize bike and brew tours across Vancouver, as well as other adventures that may have previously eluded us, due to distance. Our first Sip Trip will likely happen this weekend (weather permitting), as we break in our new rides!

Flavour Revolution – Donut

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Pastry Perfection

Donuts are a pretty big deal around the world, but I’m personally curious as to how some of the globe’s biggest chains got their start in the industry. If you are too, you’re in luck. Here are some of those tales!

Tim Hortons

This Canadian classic was started by professional hockey star Tim Horton in 1964. Does it get any more Canadian than combining hockey and donuts!? When Horton passed away in 1974, his business partner Ron Joyce bought out the Horton family’s remaining shares of the company for only $1 million. On the plus side, one of Horton’s daughters married one of Joyce’s sons, bringing the Horton family back into the fold (and company fortune!). With Joyce at the helm, the chain slowly spread across the country and eventually outnumbered McDonald’s locations. Now owned by Burger King, Tim Horton’s franchises can be found throughout the United States, parts of the U.K. and even in the Middle East. As of 2015, Joyce has a net worth of $1.2 billion.

Krispy Kreme

One of the oldest donut chains (establish all the way back in 1937) in existence, Krispy Kreme started out as a uncle and nephew operation, first in Paducah, Kentucky and next in Nashville, Tennessee. The franchise even had delivery trucks at one point and hopefully they dropped by right after the daily milk drop off! When Krispy Kreme first came to Canada, line-ups stretched for hours, just to get a bite of the tasty treat. While folks are mostly familiar with the company’s glazed donuts, they also offer a number of other varieties… but everyone knows what brought Krispy Kreme to the dance. Aside from the Great White North, Krispy Kreme has also made its way to countries like Mexico, Australia, India, Colombia, Taiwan, the Dominican Republic, South Korea, China, Japan, and so many more.

Voodoo Doughnut

Voodoo Doughnut is one of the most unique pastry companies around, with their array of interesting offerings, including the Captain My Captain (with Captain Crunch cereal bits), the Marshall Mathers (with M&M minis), and the Old Dirty Bastard (with Oreo cookies and peanut butter). We’ve now stayed twice at a hotel across the street from Voodoo’s downtown Portland location and have been mesmerized by the constant line that forms in front of the store. Their donut creations are on the edgier side of the ledger, with a couple selections even being banned because they included medication as toppings. The chain currently has four locations, with the first opening in 2003. Although they are relatively young, they have grown in fame quite rapidly.

Dunkin’ Donuts

Established in 1948 as Open Kettle and later Kettle Donuts, founder William Rosenberg finally settled on Dunkin’ Donuts in 1950. His concept came from the success he saw in selling food and drinks at factories and construction sites. Like many other donut enterprises, coffee sales also make up a huge portion of Dunkin’ Donuts popularity and success, despite coffee’s grossness. I can’t recall ever going to a Dunkin’ Donuts throughout my travels around the world, but it is on my ever-growing “To Do” list. Today, you can find Dunkin’ Donuts in 30 different countries (outside the U.S.), which will help in me crossing a visit off my bucket list. One thing that gives me pause, though, is the website DunkinDonuts.org, which allowed customers to complain about the company… before they bought and shut the site down.

BeaverTails

Returning north of the border, BeaverTails are flattened donuts topped with a variety of garnishes, such as Nutella, cookies, chocolate, fruit, cinnamon sugar, whip cream, and much more. They are meant to salute one of Canada’s most treasured animals, the noble beaver (I’ll allow you little sippers to make your own dirty jokes here). The first BeaverTails location opened in 1978, in Killaloe, Ontario of all places. The chain can now be found in other parts of Canada, the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. The company enjoyed international attention when U.S. President Barack Obama made it a point to stop at the chain when visiting the Canadian capital. They even created an Obama Tail for the occasion, comprised of cinnamon sugar, maple-flavoured eyes, and a Nutella ‘O’.

Donut King

Adding some international flair, this franchise, founded in 1981, is based in Australia and has hundreds of outlets across the country. With the Australian market conquered, the Donut King chain has grown into China, which doesn’t seem like the most natural of expansion choices, but I’m not the one who has to explain decisions to shareholders. In 2007, Donut King took part in constructing the world’s largest donut, to celebrate the release of The Simpson Movie on DVD. The project combined 90,000 regular size pastries, a half tonne of pink frosting, and 30kg of sprinkles. The end result weighed 3.5 tonnes and stretched six meters. The effort took 40 people working for nine hours. I only wonder who got to eat the treat at the end of the project!

Flavour Revolution: Apple Fritter Martini

1.5 oz Glazed Donut Liqueur
1 oz Apple-Cinnamon Vodka
Top with Apple Juice
Dash of Maple Syrup
Garnish with a Donut

There are some other popular chains around the world, such as Churromania in Venezuela, Go Nuts Donuts in the Phillippines, and Mister Donut in Japan, but they had never come into my consciousness before researching this piece. Still, you have to give credit to all those making doughy snacks across the globe!

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (4.5 Sips out of 5):
While this recipe doesn’t call for it, I added a dash of Mrs. Sip’s recently-purchased Apple-Cinnamon Vodka and it was a really nice touch. All the other ingredients came together nicely and although I was worried the martini would be too sweet, it wasn’t. All in all, it was quite delicious and a crowd pleaser!

April 18 – High Five

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

Playing Peeves

Earlier this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs got into trouble for not doing their typical salute to the crowd, following a win. They were accused of snubbing the audience that had recently gone so far as to throw jerseys on the ice, when disgusted with the team’s play. Really, it’s their fault for being Maple Leafs fans in the first place, but I digress. While I don’t have any issue with the salute, one way or the other, here are some other player traditions that should be outlawed:

#5: Staged Fights (NHL)

While this pet peeve bothers me less than others that did not make this list, I figured I’d be fair and try to include as many different sports as I could. I’m not the biggest advocate of fighting in hockey, but I do like the odd tilt, usually between two light/middleweights who are chucking knuckles for a reason. Staged fights between two super heavyweights, only fighting because that’s all they can provide to the game, is a waste of roster spots. With the demise of the hockey enforcer, this happens rarely in today’s NHL. You still see the occasional bout off the opening draw, but it’s usually based off of something that happened in the team’s last contest.

#4: Slapping Helmets (NFL)

Given all the concussion concerns and lawsuits being launched by former players, it blows my mind when I see entire football squads viciously slapping each other on the helmet, in order to CELEBRATE a play. Talk about friendly fire! It almost makes you wish they went back to the days of smacking each other on the ass, as all that might do, is produce a bruise. I think every football player loses credibility in the whole concussion argument, given they’re likely seeing stars after successful plays, with injuries caused by their own teammates. Hmmm, perhaps the NFL should hire me onto their legal team!

#3: High-Fives After Each Free Throw Attempt (NBA)

Okay, so the fouled basketball player steps up to the free throw line, which basically means a take-your-time, unobstructed shot from a mere 15 meters away from the hoop and if he makes the shot, everyone on his team must give him a high-five… hell, they even high-five for a missed shot! There is some debate whether the exchange of pleasantries after each shot helps keep a player loose, or disrupts their technique or needed alterations for the follow-up shot. I think the whole process is ridiculous and I think some players do as well; given there have been instances of hoop stars mocking it.

#2: Elaborate High-Five Routines (MLB)

What do you do when you’re sport is slower than watching paint dry and you have to play 162 games each season? Develop an elaborate high-five routine, of course! I don’t understand why sports highlight shows are so enamored with this trend and feature the choreographed hand-slapping and fist-bumping performance in their replay packages. Sometimes the act goes on for minutes at a time and yes, I guess that does make it more exciting than the game itself. You would never see this ridiculousness in faster-paced sports, because if a hockey player, for example, tried it, they would be body checked through the boards before they could finish!

#1: Complaints About Running Up the Score

I’ve largely only seen accusations of this in football circles, but the other major leagues will take measures to quell landslide victories. In hockey, you might see the winning team rest its scoring lines, in favour of checking players, while in baseball, bunting and stealing bases may be discouraged. Basketball games are usually too close to call and in football, teams may run shorter plays and not go for big scores. The problem with this is if I paid my hard earned money to go to a contest and my team was obliterating the opposition, why would I want that experience to stop? All fans want to see the stars of the sport do what they are paid millions to do: perform at the highest level, not take a game off.

Super Saturday Shot Day: High Five

0.3 Grand Marnier
0.3 oz Rum
0.3 oz Passion Fruit Liqueur
0.3 oz Orange Juice
0.3 oz Pineapple Juice
Garnish with an Orange Wedge

I can’t believe how many of these items are based on high-fiving. Narrowly missing the list was female tennis players screaming and grunting their way through matches… although, it is kind of hot! Next up, the Sip Advisor should take a look at the greatest pet peeves I have towards sports fans. This would include such gems as dorks leaving a game before it’s over and the completely unnecessary wave.

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (3.5 Sips out of 5):
This is actually a cocktail recipe, but was easy to convert to a shooter, since all the ingredients were in equal portions already. It’s an incredibly fruity shot, so you know the flavours are going to be nice. The booze quotient could be upped a little so you know you’re drinking a shooter, but the taste is quite enjoyable as it is.

Sip Trips #15: Back to Basics

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Daniel Wilson

This last week wasn’t as jam-packed full of events as the last month or so has been, which has allowed for some rest and rejuvenation, as well as a chance to catch up on some recent developments. This may be a briefer than usual Out and About than most, but that doesn’t mean the quality won’t be there!

Our big trip of the week was to visit the Big Rock Urban Brewery and Eatery location, which is finally open. We first heard about this project last July at the Langley Tip N’ Taste event and it has at last come to fruition. Although the place had been opened a couple weeks already, this was to be the “grand opening” weekend, but there wasn’t a whole lot of action going on. Even the live music that was supposed to be playing that night never started up.

That said, Mrs. Sip and I each found beers we really enjoyed. I liked the smoky flavour of the Rauchbier, while Mrs. Sip enjoyed the richness of the Chocolate Malt Stout. We also tried a couple of the eatery’s appetizers and generally had a good time at the place. I can see the potential for the Urban location, as a great hangout and place to enjoy live music, and hopefully another visit will provide these additional elements.

The Out and About week ended with splitting a couple pitchers of Russell Pale Ale, while scarfing down a feast of smoked meat and other goodies at Dunn’s Famous, along with Ma and Pa Sip and Cousin Sip. Sadly, my Vancouver Canucks lost their opening playoff game in the dying seconds of the third period, but there is much more hockey to be played in the coming days.

Onto some news items, late last week, the schedule of events for the Vancouver Craft Beer Week in late May-early July was released and there were so many great options to choose from. Mrs. Sip and I were quick to grab tickets to the “What the Hop?” Beer Trivia, This Sandwich That Beer Throwdown (pairing sandwiches and beers together), and the Beer Cocktail Competition. We may make even more plans, but tickets to some events have sold out already, so we’ll have to be quick on the uptake.

Observant booze shoppers have likely noticed recently that BC Liquor Stores are touting their new extended hours and, for many, being open on Sundays. These are wonderful changes and one can only wonder why it took so long for the government-operated stores to catch up with the times. I mean, who wants to live in a world where alcohol is harder to locate on one of the few days most of us don’t have to drag our asses to work!?

Speaking of the weekend, this one looks a little crazier than the last one, so look forward to next week’s more robust Out and About. Maybe we`ll even pick up some Sunday liquor, just for the heck of it!