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Sip Trips #226: Sip-Tember Celebrations

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September is always a crazy time, filled with numerous birthdays and at least one getaway. This year, was no different. Here’s how it all played out:

The month began with a trip to Bellis Fair Mall in Bellingham, Washington, where we let the kids run wild at Playdate, as we took turns doing some shopping. Our drinks at the cafe included the Terramar Amber Ale and Stemma Hazy IPA. I still maintain there should be more places like this, where kids can play, while adults enjoy a beverage.

Following a friend’s wedding over the Labour Day long weekend, the Sip Family had lunch at Firecrust Pizza, a place Mrs. Sip had long wanted to check out. We ordered the California Club and Prosciutto Arugula pizzas, as well as a side of Mozza Bread for the kids. For dessert we all split two of their Epic Shakes in the Kit Krush and Candyland varieties. While I personally wouldn’t need to do the shakes again, I know the kids won’t allow that. My California Club pizza was delicious.

Pizza

More shopping occurred early in the month, as we geared up for birthdays and vacations. Following one trip, we had dinner at White Spot, where I had a Legendary Burger with Caesar Salad, paired with a Vancouver Island Beachcomber Hefeweizen. This has become my go to meal there over the summer and it’s quite satisfying.

As part of my 40th birthday celebrations, we hosted a Sip, Chip and Dip party, where guests were asked to bring their favourite sip, chip and go for a dip in Ma and Pa Sip’s pool, if weather permitted (and it did!). I was generously gifted a number of treats from family and friends, including many liquor bottles, beers and other items. The chip buffet went over very well and I hope to make this event an annual tradition on the social calendar!

The next day, after meeting with another family at the Museum of Surrey, we had a meal together at Hawthorne Beer Market. For drinks, I enjoyed the Twin Sails Could Crush Watermelon Wheat Ale and Bridge Get to the Choppa IPA, while Mrs. Sip and I shared the Nachos Callejeros. I hope to return to this restaurant in the future to try more items from their extensive menu.

Birthday

Later that week, prior to our performance of Little Shop of Horrors at The Stanley Theatre, we ate at the nearby Cactus Club. My dinner consisted of the Ugly Wheat Ale and Chicken Tenders and Fries, which was solid as usual.

For my actual birthday, we took the Sipplings for a game of bowling at Lucky 9 Lanes. This was followed by lunch at Monkey 9 Brewing, where I capitalized on the free birthday flight I was emailed, compiling the El Jefe Hefeweizen, Guava Loves Mango IPA, Chimp and Dales Hazy IPA and Mizaru Brown Ale. To eat, I had the Pork Belly Rice Bowl.

With the kids dropped off at Ma and Pa Sip’s place for a sleepover, Mrs. Sip and I attended the House of Comedy to see Josh Blue perform. My two item minimum was used on the Crispy Chicken Sandwich with Fries and a tall can of Steel & Oak Royal City Ale. The show was good, but there was a weird vibe with the crowd, with patrons constantly disrupting the show.

Stand Up

The next morning, we set off for our Vancouver to San Francisco cruise. This was the first time we ever bought the drink package aboard a ship, as it came with so many other perks (free internet, gratuities paid, premium desserts, etc.), it was really the best route to go. My mission for the voyage was to have 40 different cocktails and I finally finished the feat a few hours before we disembarked the ship. Some drinks, ordered through the Princess Cruises app, don’t even tell you what ingredients they include, but simply that they contain alcohol, so those were always a fun adventure!

Once off the cruise, we did a day excursion that ended with us all being dropped off at the airport. A highlight of this tour was the Sip Family walking across the famous Golden Gate Bridge, which took about 45 minutes to traverse. Lunch on this outing took place at the Ferry Building Marketplace, where we combined El Porteno Empanadas (Jamon, Champinion, Acelga) with a tall can of Bike Dog Dog Year’s IPA.

While the Sipplings, Ma and Pa Sip and Cousin Sip’s family all returned home, Mrs. Sip and I travelled to Las Vegas for the next leg of our 40th birthday vacation festivities. After checking into our awesome room at The Vdara (complete with kitchen amenities), we were off in search of a late night dinner. I wanted to go to Shake Shack, where I had a ShackBurger and shared some Bacon Cheddar Fries and Oreo Cookie Funnel Cake Shake with Mrs. Sip.

Vegas

The next morning, we continued to settle into Sin City, making our way to Gordon Ramsay Burger for lunch. I had a fantastic Stout Burger (complete with mushrooms and crispy onions), while we split a 32oz serving of Mother Earth Cali Creamin’ Vanilla Cream Ale. The Truffle Parmesan Fries here were also very good.

Our main event for the first full day in Vegas was visiting Lost Spirits Distillery. I had learned about this attraction prior to one of Mrs. Sip’s girl trips and given the awesome time they had, Mrs. Sip vowed to share the next experience there with me. We purchased the package that offered four rum tastings (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea [bought bottle at end of the night], Pineapple, Creme de Cerise and Navy Style), along with four cocktails between us. We really enjoyed the whole outing, constantly entertained by acrobats and dancers, while savouring our sips. We lucked out by deciding to go mid-week, as not only were ticket prices cheaper at $99 each, but attendance was around 200 people, compared to 500 folks on weekends.

During our walk on the night we arrived, the sign for Scottish brewery BrewDog caught my eye and we made a reservation for their outdoor patio. This is an element I love about the city, as you often go with some places planned out (old favourites and new destinations) and just walking around and having a keen eye can pad the rest of the stay. We hit BrewDog for their happy hour, which offered $10 cocktails, $7 beers and two-for-one appies. To eat, we shared the Wood-Fired Flatbread and Bang Bang Chicken, while each trying a beer (Crimson Amber Ale and Hazy Jane Guava NEIPA) and a cocktail (Whiskey Sour and Elvis Paloma [made with Elvis Juice IPA]). Combining the chicken and flatbread was into one bite was a great move on my part.

Happy Hour

From BrewDog, we walked down the strip to Fuel Bar, where we’ve enjoyed many drinks together. Using their 2-for-1 coupons, we ordered a pair of The Bizz (Dragonberry Rum, Coconut Puree, Cranberry Juice, Citrus Sour) and watched some of their flair bartending displays.

Continuing our journey, we ended up at The Venetian to inquire about their Atomic Saloon show. The guy running the ticket desk said he could get us into the next show at a discounted rate, so we made impromptu purchases of front row seats and 45 minutes later were encompassed by the chaos of the wild, Wild West show. Given our seats, we became part of the action, with three different characters using me as a prop, while we were pelted at times by dinner rolls, ping pong balls and even some sugar glass! For the performance, I ordered the Where There’s Smoke cocktail (Tequila, Chipotle, Peach, Cinnamon, Lime).

The next day, we targeted the Arts District for a brewery crawl. We began at Able Baker Brewing, which has a very cool theme. I drank a pint of the Ententanz Oktoberfest, while Mrs. Sip’s flight consisted of the Class A Detonator Doppelbock, Mango Calutron Girl Hefeweizen, Of Balloons & Unicorns Hazy IPA and Our-Cha-Tah Cream Ale. We also split some Pulled Pork Tacos, which were very tasty.

Brewery

Next up was Nevada Brew Labs, which was just a block from Able Baker. I had the Ariana Rye IPA, while Mrs. Sip put together another flight, this time having the Hefeweizen, Brulee Dunkelweizen, Oktoberfest and Blood Orange Hefe.

After that, we went next door to HUDL Brewing, where we combined our beers – Toasted Pecan Ale for me, High Hatter Hefe on Pineapple for Mrs. Sip – with some amazing Disco Fries (BBQ spiced fries with cheese sauce, pulled pork and giardiniera) from Soulbelly BBQ, which is also housed on the property.

Stop number four was SerVehZah, where I tried one of the bottle shop and tap room’s own brews, the Nueva Esperanza (Mexican Lager), complete with Tajin rim. Mrs. Sip got a taster of the Bad Beat Japanese Lager with Hibiscus. Our final visit of the crawl was Hop Nuts Brewing, where we split a Papa’s Red Ale, before returning to the Strip.

Tajin

Once back among the bright lights, we popped into Ocean One in the Miracle Mile Shops. This place offers much cheaper food than your typical Vegas locales, along with three-for-one cocktails at $12. To eat, I had a very good Honey Dijon Chicken Club (only $10!), to go along with a set of cocktails, including a Long Island Iced Tea, Tom Collins and Moscow Mule. Mrs. Sip got her own trio, which I helped her finish, so I was feeling pretty loose by the end of the night!

We began the next day going for a long walk to the Pinball Hall of Fame. Here, we enjoyed a number of the classic arcade games at 25-75 cents per play. We spent close to two hours here, with the only downsides being a number of games being out of order and there being no bar on site. Still, I would recommend this place to anyone interested in a respite from the Strip.

On our journey back, we got martinis at The Chocolate Bar in New York-New York. I went with the decadent Hershey’s Chocolate Caramel Martini, while Mrs. Sip had the equally yummy Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Martini.

Pinball

For dinner that night, we returned to the Miracle Mile Shops and tried Flights, where most menu items are served in trio flights – food and drinks – and there is a fun overall travel theme. The featured drink flights change throughout the day, as some take off, while others land. Over our sitting, we had the Mule Flight (Moscow, Kentucky, Mexican) and Mojito Flight (Classic, Watermelon, Strawberry). For eats, we had the Mac N’ Cheese Flight (four-cheese, crispy bacon mac and cheese sticks, truffle) and Tacos Flight (steak, chicken, carnitas). The dessert cheesecake flight also looked good, but we were quite stuffed already.

The following day, Mrs. Sip wanted to have afternoon tea at Petrossian in The Bellagio. While there, I had a Franziskaner Weissbier and picked at some of the scones offered to Mrs. Sip.

Our late dinner that evening was at Vanderpump à Paris, where we were seated at the exact same table we had been at for the restaurant’s soft opening in March 2022. To drink, I had the Tickle Your Fancy cocktail (tequila, Cointreau, white peach, lime, pink peppercorns, orange bitters, firewater bitters), while we split the Truffle-Stuffed Vanderpump Baguette, Ratatouille Frites and Boeuf Wellington-Style Sliders. This was a delicious meal in a unique setting.

Appetizers

On our final day, we attended the Immersive Disney Animation exhibit, which we hope eventually makes its way to Vancouver, so we can take the Sipplings. The one-hour show, includes great art, music and special effects, to really make you feel part of the Disney world.

After a brief rest, we went to our dinner at Superfrico, stopping briefly into the Ski Lodge speakeasy that adjoins the restaurant. At Ski Lodge, we had a pair of cocktails in the Devil’s Dimples (mezcal, genepy, grapefruit, celery, agave) and Sticky Pajamas (vodka, lychee, grape, lemon, coconut honey) drinks. The theming of this hidden bar – somehow only the first true speakeasy the Sip Advisor has ever visited – is very cool and everyone seems to get into the spirit.

Our feast at Superfrico took on a whole new life when I pointed out to Mrs. Sip that there was a Chef’s Menu. For $149 each, we received a nine course meal, including gem salad, tuna, carpaccio, meatballs, scallops, butternut squash, chicken parm, Brussels sprouts, and cheesecake for dessert. Mrs. Sip got the wine and cocktail pairings (white, red, Poolboy, Espresso Martini), while I had a pair of beverages in the Make It Snap Pea (gin, snap pea, lime, aquavit, white miso) and emMa-ReNAe (bourbon, sherry, ginger, lemon, toasted coconut honey). We left the place feeling full and impressed by the spread.

Speakeasy

Before returning to our hotel, we hit one more speakeasy in Ghost Donkey, where I had a Smoked Corn & Coconut Manhattan. We tried to complete the Cosmopolitan speakeasy crawl, but The Barbershop was closed for a private party… or so that’s what they said!

Upon flying back to Bellingham, we went for a meal with the Sip Family at Buffalo Wild Wings. I liked my Southern Chicken Sandwich, paired with a Wild Herd Kolsch (brewed by Goose Island). Ma and Pa Sip, along with Boy and Girl Sip, also enjoyed their meals and we will be back in the future.

Well, that wraps an intensely busy September. October, by comparison, is looking much lighter, even as we dive into the school and kid activity calendar. There will also surely be many Halloween activities to keep us busy!

Sip Trips #225: Voracious Vegas

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Well, August flew by, thanks to various travels and spending half the month trying to entertain Boy Sip as best as possible, while Mrs. Sip and Girl Sip were off the France. Let’s see how the Sip Advisor survived the spell:

Out one day in Langley, early in the month, Mrs. Sip and I were both in need of a washroom, so decided to drop into the nearest brewery. We ended up at Five Roads Brewing, where I ordered the Leprechaun Museum Irish Red Ale. We also split Tater Tot Poutine and Pork Al Pastor Tacos, with the poutine being particularly good.

In the middle of the month, the Sip Advisor enjoyed a Las Vegas bachelor party weekend. Our adventure began with lunch at Browns Socialhouse at the Bellingham Airport. Here, I paired a Widmer Hefeweizen with the delicious Sesame Ginger Gyoza appetizer. I loved the sauces accompanying the dumplings and now crave this dish. A round of tequila shots was also had, as a good start to the guys’ getaway.

Gyoza

After arriving and settling into our hotel, The Mirage, we walked over to Gilley’s at Treasure Island for some dinner. I had the Pulled Pork Sliders, while our crew shared a bucket of beers. Collectively, this wasn’t among our favourite stops of the weekend.

The next day, following hitting a gun range and prior to hopping into the resort’s pool, we had lunch at Diablo’s Cantina at The Mirage. I enjoyed my Southwest Chicken Caesar Salad, along with a massive 32 oz serving of Elysian Superfuzz Blood Orange Pale Ale. We also did some jello shots from an outlet across the way from the restaurant and I still don’t understand why these have ever gained any popularity.

For dinner that evening, we went to Best Friend at Park MGM. There, we had the Chef’s Menu ($69 per person), which featured items such as Kogi Tacos, Slippery Shrimp, Kimchi Fried Rice, Garlic Chicken, and others. I’ll be honest with you, I don’t remember many details about this meal (like which beverages I ordered) after a full day of drinking, but I’m sure I enjoyed the Korean-Mexican fusion spot.

Memory Loss

The next day, we hit the Fremont area of the city, spending some time at the Circa Resort sports book and doing some gambling. I had my second meal ever at White Castle, looking to get some food in my tummy before massive beers and rum and cokes, and I just don’t get the appeal. This is how I felt the first time around in 2013, but thought a second chance was deserved. The meal was very meh.

We next made our way to the Sahara resort. Prior to our dinner, we had drinks and a snack at Uno Mas. There, I had a tasty Michoacan Margarita (818 Silver Tequila, Tanteo Habanero Tequila, Bols Watermelon, Cantaloupe Syrup, Lime Juice).

Our dinner was at Bazaar Meat. We began by sharing the scrumptious Vittore 1950 Carpaccio. My main for the meal was Thai Lobster, which melted in my mouth. Side dishes for our table included mashed potatoes, carrots and Brussels Sprouts, all perfectly seasoned and presented. For drinks, I had the Nitro Caipirinha and an Enriched Tom Collins, which I really enjoyed. We were even given a dessert platter on the house, in celebration of the stag.

Lobster

Following our feast, we ventured to the Rio’s Comedy Cellar, where we saw a very funny show. My favourite comedian of the night was Dustin Ybarra, who may be best known for his appearances on the TV show Kevin (Probably) Saves the World. I had a cocktail at the performance, but didn’t note what it was and the venue has no drink menu online for me to verify.

Once back at home, we were on the road again, as Mrs. Sip had court in Kelowna. On our way there, we stopped at Empty Keg Brewing, a favourite break spot of ours, on drives to and from the Okanagan. There, I had the Kilt Lifter Scottish Ale, while we snacked on Taquitos and very good Soft Pretzels. We learned any local outside food (even fast food options) is allowed at the place, which is a cool policy.

Upon arriving in Kelowna, we visited White Spot for their annual Adult Pirate Pack Day. I had the Legendary Burger option, paired with a Spot Size Nat’s Pale Ale. Everyone left happy, following servings of ice cream and a chocolate coin.

Chocolate Coins

The next day, we had lunch at Vintner’s Grill, the restaurant for our hotel. We had another good German Pretzel here, while my meal of the Prime Rib Burger with Caesar Salad was incredible. It reminded me of how good a similar burger used to be a The Keg restaurants.

That evening, we went to Unleashed Brewing, hoping to partake in their Music Bingo. Unfortunately, a wildfire had broken out in nearby West Kelowna and folks who usually run the bingo were understandably preoccupied with potentially having to evacuate their home. We decided to stick around for some drinks, with my selections being the All Dogs Go to Hefeweizen and Fuggley Dog Irish Red Ale, while Mrs. Sip went with a flight, which was cleverly served in a dog bowl. It was fascinating and a little scary to watch the wildfire grow over the course of the night and we were a little relieved to head home and out of any danger the next day.

On our journey home, we stopped at Old Yale Brewing’s new Abbotsford location. I had the Tropical Fruited Hefeweizen, along with the breweries Sunset Slider Trio (pulled pork, cheeseburger and hot fried chicken). I liked being able to try all three sliders, so I know what to perhaps get a full order of on our next visit.

Bingo

Towards the end of the month, Boy Sip and I picked up Ma and Pa Sip from the airport and were treated to dinner at White Spot for our efforts. After years of contemplating changing my traditional order at the restaurant, I finally pulled the trigger and tried The White Spot Club. It did not disappoint and going forward, I will have a difficult decision to make when perusing the menu. Complimenting the sandwich, I had a Spot Size Vancouver Island Beachcomber Hefeweizen.

Finally, out in Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge for a kid’s birthday party, we dropped into Foamers Folly for a pint. I really enjoyed my Zesty Slice Key Lime Pie Ale (Nitro), while Cousin Sip tried their Barbie Flight, which featured three pink brews and a hard seltzer.

September promises to be its usual level of crazy, with so many family and friend birthdays taking place during the month. Among them, the Sip Advisor’s big number 40 occurs, so there will be much celebrating to document!

Sip Trips #222: Goin’ to the Lodge

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May flew by quickly, highlighted by our first ever expedition to the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound (Centralia), Washington. Aside from that, there was much adventure enjoyed by all. Let’s see how it all unfolded:

The month began with me meeting Mrs. Sip and the kids after work in Port Coquitlam. There, we had dinner at Patina Brewing, where I combined the Fries N’ More Pile (with Pulled Pork) with pints of the brewery’s Hazy Pale Ale and Amber Lager. The barbecue at Patina is some of the best I’ve come across locally and Mrs. Sip and I continually return for the meats.

A few days later, it was Cinco de Mayo. Mrs. Sip and I were granted a date night by Ma and Pa Sip, so made quite the evening of it. First, we ventured to Port Moody’s Brewer’s Row, drawn by a social media post by Parkside Brewing. While I was hoping to try the Paloma Ale Cask they advertised, apparently the beer presented more as a Lime Margarita Ale Cask, so was renamed. While there, we did have a decadent Churro Donut and split some delicious tacos (Braised Beef with Jalapeno Cheese Crust and Korean Pork from the Taps & Tacos food truck.

Lucha Libre

Up next, was our first visit to Rewind Brewing, where I loved the 80s/90s theming. To drink, I had the Scantron Saison (a collab between Rewind and Brassneck), while Mrs. Sip compiled a flight, consisting of the Leg Warmers Hot Cocoa Ale, The Dark Crystal Dark Ale, Hammer Time Hazy Pale Ale and Rainbow Road Passionfruit-Guava-Pomegranate Fruit Ale/Sour. The flight was served on a cafeteria tray, which I thought was a neat touch. Our last stop on the Row was Rocky Point Spirits, where Mrs. Sip ordered a Horchata Hootch and I went with a Margarita.

With a buzz going, it was time to head to our main event (literally!), as we travelled to Downtown Vancouver’s infamous Commodore Ballroom for a Nation Extreme Wrestling show. Tickets were $47.75 each, with lucha libre matches and a mariachi band advertised. The venue also offered tacos and quesadillas, along with Mexican beers. To pair with my tacos, I had a Stanley Park Trail Hopper IPA, followed later in the show by a Mexican Mule cocktail.

Later in the month, Mrs. Sip and I had another date night, taking advantage of the opportunity to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 at the Cineplex VIP Theatre in Coquitlam. Arriving as the previews started, I quickly ordered a Whiskey Business (whiskey, blackberry syrup, basil, lime, ginger ale), which was tasty. Following the movie, we went for a late dinner at the nearby Cactus Club, where I selected the Chicken Tenders and an Ugly Wheat Ale.

Chicken Tenders

The next night, we were back at it, this time with the kids in tow. Following the Jurassic Quest event at the Vancouver Convention Centre – which we would never do again, by the way – we took the kids to White Spot for eats. I paired the Legendary Burger (with Caesar Salad) with a Granville Island Beachcomber Hefeweizen, while revelling in the Toronto Maple Leafs defeat and elimination from the NHL playoffs.

For the May long weekend, we packed up our swim trunks and our flippy floppies, crossing the border en route to the Great Wolf Lodge. On the way, we stopped for dinner at Red Lobster in Olympia, Washington. Although I was tempted to order some lobster, the Sesame-Soy Salmon Bowl caught my attention thanks to the combo of ingredients included in it, such as edamame beans and crispy Brussels sprouts, not to mention the delicious sauces. I completed the meal with a Blue Moon beer.

To stock up our room for the weekend, we bought the White Claw Bring the Wave Variety Pack (Citrus Yuzu Smash, Tropical Pomelo Smash, Watermelon Lime Smach, Wildberry Acai Smash), a four-pack of Cutwater Tiki Rum Mai Tai ready-to-enjoy cocktail and a bottle of Bacardi Spiced Rum.

Clawserole

Our entire family, kids and adults alike, enjoyed the stay at Great Wolf Lodge. While the resort is definitely geared towards youngsters, Mrs. Sip and I felt there was enough for adults to join in on, not to mention we felt comfortable walking around the place with drinks in hand. To set up our crew with the visit, Mrs. Sip purchased the Sip & Savor Pass, which provided the following:

  • 1 appetizer at Lodge Wood Fired Grill
  • 2 rounds of Howl at the Moon Mini Golf
  • 1 Wine Down or Northwest Brews Package
  • $20 Arcade Card at Northwest Lights Arcade
  • Choice of 2 Mimosas or Bloody Mary drinks at Loose Moose
  • 2 Tiki Souvenir Sippers at Grizzly Rob’s

For our meal at Lodge Wood Fired Grill, we used our free appy on 12 Jumbo Wings, selecting a mix of Korean and BBQ Dry Rub. We also ordered a plate of Potato Chip Nachos. For beverages, I enjoyed the Gold Rush (Jameson Whiskey, honey, lemon, pineapple, Angostura bitters, ginger beer), while Mrs. Sip had a Lodge Mojito (Light Rum, coconut water, mint, lime juice, club soda). I liked that the Kid’s Meals included all three side options, giving picky kids lots of choice.

Great Wolf Lodge

We also had one lunch at the nearby Burger Claim restaurant. I had an Original Burger with Fries, paired with a bottle of Elysian Space Dust IPA.

After checking out, we drove the short distance to Talking Cedar Brewing, which also houses Heritage Distilling. We ate at the facility’s restaurant, with my feast including a Cellar Door Wheat Ale with Jordanian Sage Tea and Fried Chicken Sandwich. As we were leaving, we bought a bottle of Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey to bring home.

One last stop on the drive home was Rail Hop’n Brewing in Auburn. As Boy Sip could watch the many trains that pass the location, Mrs. Sip and I were able to enjoy pints of their Firebox Jalapeno Amber and Strawberry Patch Cream Ale. The jovial owner and brewer also offered us samples of other wares, including his Jalapeno Blonde.

Chug Life

The next day, we took visiting friends to Steel & Oak Brewing, where I tried the Yuzu Guava Pale Ale (collab with Fieldhouse). Mrs. Sip went with the Gin & Spruce cocktail, as she was back to her keto diet. We also took our friends to Frankie G’s Pub for a quick bite to eat, before they flew out that night. For eats, I had the Pulled Pork Sandwich, paired with a pint of Four Winds La Maison Tropical Ale.

That wrapped the month of May for the Sip Family. June is already fully booked, with excursions to Whistler, Sechelt and the Okanagan on the calendar. There’s also celebrations such as birthdays (young and old) and Father’s Day to be mindful of!

Sip Trips #221: Science Fact

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April was a fairly laid back month, at least in comparison with our typical breakneck speed. Still, there’s a fair bit to cover, so let’s get right to it:

We spent the Easter extra long weekend at a cabin in Manning Park. On the way there, we popped into Sidekick Brewing, which has a selection of amazing deep dish pizzas to go along with their beers. We ordered the Classic Pepperoni and Smokey Hawaiian pizzas to eat, while I drank the Barb Caramel Cookie Brown Ale, followed by sharing the Sister Mary Patrick Belgian Dubbel with Mrs. Sip, who also tried a flight comprised of the Forgivable Roomie Rhonda Hazy Pale Ale, Aspiring Mixologist Toby Cranberry Lime Sour, First Mate Nate Tropical Stout and Lucas Dark Lager with Cacao Nibs.

For our cabin stay, amongst a horde of other beverage options, we purchased the new Nutrl Tropical Mixed Pack, with three each of pineapple, mango, watermelon, peach, and grapefruit flavours. I find myself leaning towards vodka sodas more and more in my drinking habits, especially when Mrs. Sip is doing keto dieting.

keto

On our way home from the Manning Park, we popped into Old Abbey Ales. Mrs. Sip and I each put together a flight of their eclectic options. My set included the Beerzer Tomato Basil Kolsch, Hipsters Paradise Spinach + Kale Sour, Dirty Blonde Cardamom Blonde Ale and Juicy Caboosey White IPA, while Mrs. Sip selected the Sippy Chai Aye Chai Tea Lager, Wee Peachy Peach Cobbler Wheat Ale, Orange You Glad I’m Beer and Razzle Dazzle Raspberry Sour. We also bought a four-pack of the Old Abbey and Storm Brewing collab Cinnamon Toast Crunch Ale.

That week, prior to taking Girl Sip to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, we had dinner at the Cactus Club in Coquitlam. Girl Sip and I shared an order of the Mini Burgers, paired with some Truffle Fries. I also had a pair of Ugly Wheat Ales, reminding me of how much I like that beer.

A few days later, I had time to kill as my vehicle was in for servicing, so I grabbed lunch at the Willowbrook White Spot. Sitting at the bar, watching a muted NHL playoff game, I had a very good meal of their Legendary Burger with Caesar Salad and a Camp Cucumber Kolsch, which was refreshing and tasty.

Cucumbers

Towards the end of the month, Girl Sip had a school Pro D Day, so we took the Sipplings to Science World for a few hours of exploration and play. Following that, we walked over to Brewhall for a meal. The Sip Family shared some Chicken Strips and a Cheeseburger, both with Curly Fries. I also had two Hall Pass IPAs on Happy Hour pricing. To wrap the meal, we ordered the decadent Oreo Ice Cream Cake, which all four of us were fighting for bites over.

A few days later, we closed out April with a bang, returning to Science World for their annual Science of Cocktails charity event. General admission tickets were $185 each (VIP tix were $289), offering 30 bar stations and a host of food tastings. Companies involved included: Jack Daniels, Appleton, Beefeater, Tito’s, Flor de Cana, Campari, and many more. My favourite cocktails of the night included Petrichor Daiquiri, Smoked Old Fashioned and Clarified Smoky Paloma. I even walked away with a pack of Ms. Better’s Bitters. Afterwards, Mrs. Sip asked me if I thought the price was worth it and I’m still grappling with my answer. Yes, it’s very expensive, but you have all-inclusive access to some amazing specialty cocktails and nibbles. Given we wouldn’t go every year because of price, though, I’d have to say it’s an amazing event that is a touch overpriced. When we last went in 2016, we paid $145 each, which feels like a good rate by 2023 standards.

May is already filling up, highlighted by the Sip Family’s debut at Great Wolf Lodge, as well as Cinco De Mayo and Mother’s Day celebrations. Looks like it will be another busy month!

Sip Trips #220: Hawaiian Hangover

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March was a very busy month, highlighted by our two-week Hawaiian cruise. There’s much to cover, so let’s get right to it:

Before we could hit international waters, we had Boy Sip’s third birthday to celebrate with friends and family. As a result, we crossed the border into Blaine, Washington to pick up some ordered items for the occasion and once again popped into Bob’s Burgers & Brew for a bite to eat. This time, I ordered the Crispy Chicken Burger, going with Potato Salad as my side again. To drink, I had one of my favourite Bellingham beers in the Kulshan Amber Ale.

That weekend, was our long-awaited Vancouver Canucks game against the vile Toronto Maple Leafs. To help with the enjoyment of this 4-1 victory, I spent the entirety of my $50 Canucks membership gift card on a selection of beverages. Following the contest, Mrs. Sip wanted to go to the Caveman Café and get some keto items. I was just happy their “double” drinks are actually three-ounce pours!

Leafs Logo

Running more errands in preparation for Boy Sip’s birthday parties, I found myself in Maple Ridge one afternoon, needing to kill some time before making a pickup. So, I had dinner at the Billy Miner Pub, where I ate a very good Muzzle Loader Burger (braised onions, mushrooms, mozzarella, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles and Billy sauce), paired with a pint of Neighbourhood Happy Place Pale Ale.

With the birthday festivities out of the way, it was time to head to San Francisco and board our 15-day Hawaiian cruise. Going in, I joked the voyage would be a a tale of two cruises, with the first half being before Boy Sip turned three and we had to stay with him at the ship’s Kid’s Club, while the latter half, we’d be able to drop both Sipplings off and make a run for it!

Thanks to some maneuvering by Mrs. Sip, some other refunds and a generous Christmas gift from Ma and Pa Sip, we had $900-plus worth of ship credits to work through, so it was like being at an all-inclusive, in that we never had to worry about paying for drinks and other goodies. Even with Mrs. Sip buying internet and photo packages during the journey, we had plenty of money left for frivolities.

Dream Vacation

This was my first cruise as an ‘elite’ passenger, so I received my first complimentary bar set up. The eight mini bottles Mrs. Sip and I received, along with beers and mixers, went well with the other mini bottles I always pack for cruises and the one-liter bottle of Bacardi 8 Rum I bought at Duty Free on the way down that stowed away in my luggage.

As we set sail and passed under the Golden Gate Bridge, I purchased my first cocktail of the cruise, the Limelight (lime vodka, club soda, ginger ale, lime juice, cucumber). It would be the first of many, including the Red Carpet (vodka, cherry liqueur, ginger beer), Dark N’ Stormy, Pina en Fuego (tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, muddled pineapple, jalapeno), Paloma Caliente, Lynchburg Lemonade, Lucky Charm, Cartagena Cool (rum, cinnamon, orange and chocolate bitters, orange peel), Manhattan, and Floradora (gin, raspberry, lime juice, ginger beer). Basically, I never drank the same recipe twice!

Our first port stop of the expedition was in Maui. We began the excursion with lunch at Waikiki Brewing’s Lahaina location. Over the course of our meal, I enjoyed the Hana Hou Hefe and Jalapeno Mouth, while devouring a Chicken and Pork Belly Wrap with Potato Mac Salad. We had a lot of fun here, with the bar being in full-festive St. Patrick’s Day mode. Before returning to the ship, we also hit Kohola Brewing, where I tried their Red Sand Amber Ale and Mrs. Sip and I shared the Hana Mac Nut Stout.

Cruise Training

The next day, we were on the Big Island, where we enjoyed an amazing lunch at Kona Brewing. Their pizzas are still some of the best I’ve ever had, as I went with the Kulana Bacon Cheeseburger variety. Over the course of a long meal, I indulged in servings of the Kua Bay IPA, Purple Grain (Amber Lager) and Koko Brown Ale. An unknown IPA was also accidentally delivered to our table and I was happy to help eliminate it.

Following lunch, we stumbled to the nearby Puna Chocolate Co., in search of shaved ice and other treats for the Sipplings. Upon entering, we became aware they served chocolate cocktails, dubbed Choc-Tails, so had to sample a couple. I went with the Aztec Old Fashioned (whiskey, Hawaiian chili pepper syrup, Aztec chocolate bitters, black cherry), while Mrs. Sip selected the Chocolate Margarita (tequila, orange liqueur, crème de cacao, lime, orange blossom water), which came with a delicious chocolate rim.

Prior to getting back on the ship, I did an ABC Stores run, smuggling onboard a bottle of Sailor Jerry’s Spiced Rum, along with a couple mixers for the next stage of the trip. That night, Mrs. Sip and I won a bottle of the cruise’s not-so-good bubbly, nailing a perfect score while playing 90s Sitcoms trivia.

Cruise Ship Drunk

Our last Hawaiian island stop was a two-day sojourn in Honolulu. Following a morning spent at the Waikiki Zoo, it was time to quench our thirst with a stop at Maui Brewing’s Waikiki location. This meant, we went to Waikiki Brewing in Maui and Maui Brewing in Waikiki! At the restaurant, Mrs. Sip and I shared a yummy order of MBC Nachos with Pulled Pork. To drink, I had the Waimea Red Ale. Boy Sip then awoke from his slumber and demanded a McDonald’s cheeseburger, so I raced to the other end of the beach strip, stopping for a brief beer at Lulu’s.

I then hurried back for our dinner reservation at Duke’s Waikiki. Here, Mrs. Sip and I shared a pair of appies in the Korean Sticky Ribs and Crispy Coconut Shrimp. For beverages, I had both the Hana Koa Rooftop Pale Ale and Maui Lahaina Town Brown. Of course, we finished with a serving of their famous Kimo’s Original Hula Pie, which was complimentary, as we were celebrating Boy Sip’s birthday from the day before.

The next day, we only had a few hours on land before setting sail again, so visited Aloha Brewing, which had quite an extensive menu of beer options. Between Mrs. Sip and myself, we tried the Hi-Bitchcus Ale, Froot Lupes IPA, Kaka’ako Tripel and Aloha Hefeweizen. Although we definitely didn’t have the time to do it, Mrs. Sip insisted on popping into Honolulu Beer Works on our return to the ship, so we rushed servings of their Cocoweizen and Cream Ale. A more relaxed return is warranted in the future.

Cruise Liver

Aboard the ship again, Mrs. Sip and I partook in a wine tasting, which is free for elite passengers. My only complaint with these, is there’s too much yapping… I was done all my wines well before they finished talking about each one and thankfully had the excuse of checking in on the kids to make my quick exit.

Over our return days at sea, I composed a bar crawl that hit some of the more unique settings on the ship, with the caveat that Mrs. Sip and I had to each order the other’s drink. It all went down like this:

  • Outriggers Bar – Margaritas: Chocolate & Chili Margarita for Mrs. Sip, Sweet & Smoky Margarita for me
  • Wheelhouse Bar – Adapted Classics: Elderflower Paloma for Mrs. Sip, Jack Daniel’s Smash for me
  • Crooners – Martinis: French Martini for Mrs. Sip, Sailing Through Orchards for me
  • Bellini’s – Bellinis: Fellini for Mrs. Sip, Sweet Annie for me
  • Vines – Classics and Beyond: Beverly Hills Iced Tea for Mrs. Sip, Rob Roy for me
  • Good Spirits – elaborate cocktails: Sandia en Fuego for Mrs. Sip, Bangkok Mule for me

Cruise Drinks

Our final port stop, offered a few hours in Ensanada, Mexico. We rushed over to Thor, which we thought was a craft brewery, but was just a bar. There, while trying to fix one of the kid’s toys, I knocked over a freshly-poured pint of Harry Polanco Red Ale, which sucked. We did use the bar’s internet to figure out where an actual brewery was, so headed over to Wendlandt, where I tried their Perro del Mar IPA. We then rushed back to the ship again for our final day at sea.

Upon returning home, Mrs. Sip surprised me with tickets to the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert at the end of the month, as part of our 21st dating anniversary celebrations. Prior to the show, we had dinner and drinks at Original Joe’s, where their daily special was 22oz tankards of beer. Mrs. Sip went with the Golden Lager, while I had the Red Ale. We followed that up with the Silver Dollar cocktail for Mrs. Sip (suggested by me) and a Double Spiced Rum and Coke for moi. To fill our tummies, we shared the Chicken Tenders with Poutine. I like that many of the meals at Original Joe’s come with two sides and we will have to frequent the restaurant more often, as they had numerous menu items we wanted to try.

Chili Peppers

As for the concert, I find you’re always trying hard to maintain your buzz throughout a long show, while not letting the stadium take too big of a bite out of your wallet. Mrs. Sip and I started with a tall beer each and later a pair of margaritas per person (they offered Lime Margartita, Charra Negro and Tequila & 7). The show was fun, but when the band closed out the night without playing my favourite song of theirs, Scar Tissue, it all seemed a little anticlimactic. Maybe next time…

April is already shaping up to be insane, with a fully-booked calendar, despite us still recovering from March. Par for the course, for the Family Sip!

Sip Trips #216: Bellingham Bonanza

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November had a fair pace to it, including a mid-month getaway, along with other activities as we work towards the most wonderful time of the year. Let’s see what the Sip Family got up to throughout November:

The month began as many do, watching the Vancouver Canucks lose. While at the game, which started out well, only to end in misery, a friend and I took turns buying rounds. $20 for a tall craft beer at Rogers Arena is ridiculous and hard to accept. I had to do a double take each time the total came up on the payment machine. By comparison, we were able to buy late night happy hour pitchers at Browns Socialhouse following the game for the same price.

Beeramid

The highlight of November was our stay in Bellingham, Washington, over the Remembrance Day long weekend. Each night, our Oxford Suites hotel, offered a manager’s reception, with two drink tickets per guest. This allowed for a couple beers or wines to be enjoyed each day of our stay, so long as the kids allowed it. Mrs. Sip and I also had dinner at the hotel one night, where I really liked my Oxford Burger with Pasta Salad.

For dinner after arriving, we walked over to Buffalo Wild Wings at Bellis Fair Mall. This was my first time at the restaurant and I enjoyed my pair of Bird Dawgs (Honey BBQ and Buffalo), which is a chicken variation of hotdogs. Thanks to Mrs. Sip asking if I could mix and match flavour options, I was able to try two different versions of the meal, which I paired with a Breckenridge Christmas Ale. I hope to go back soon to try other menu items.

After visiting the fascinating Spark Museum, we dropped into Stemma Brewing. While there, I drank servings of the saBro That’s Fresh Hazy Fresh Hop IPA and Conditus Lager. I don’t normally go with lagers, but was curious about its blend of lemon and cayenne. I also got to try Mrs. Sip’s Skybright Winter Ale. To eat, we ordered some Birria Tacos from the food truck outside.

Birria Tacos

Next up, was returning to Bellis Fair Mall, to allow the kids to burn some energy at the Playdate playground. The best part of this place is that while the kids get to have their fun, parents and guardians are able to order beer and wine, along with various food offerings. Over two stays at Playdate, I was able to drink pints of Terramar Amber On, Breakside IPA and Stemma Hazy IPA. I would have taken the kids here if they only sold Budweiser, so for them to exclusively offer craft beers is a bonus. A playdate cafe, where adults can playdate too!

The next day, we started by perusing the Bellingham Farmer’s Market. This was followed by lunch at Boundary Bay Brewing, where Mrs. Sip and I shared the B.L.A.T. + Turkey with Tim’s Potato Chips. To drink, I ordered the Cosmic Visions Cold IPA. We’ve always enjoyed our times at Boundary Bay and this was no exception.

After lunch, Ma and Pa Sip took the Sipplings to a playground, while allowing Mrs. Sip and I a chance to relax at Stones Throw Brewing. It was a brief stay, but very much enjoyed, as I tried the Happy Valley Hazy IPA, while Mrs. Sip went with a hot cup of Mulled Wine. We really enjoyed our outdoor seats around a roaring fire.

Mulled Wine

Our last brewery stop of the day was at Otherlands Brewing. Here, I went with the Some Soft Returning Amber Kellerbier, while Mrs. Sip tried the Send in the Clouds Hefeweizen. We were tempted to try some the vegetarian dishes offered by the eatery, but had dinner upcoming.

For that meal, we visited Mi Mexico. To drink, I ordered the Bartender’s Special (Tequila, Triple Sec, Margarita Mix, topped with Cranberry Juice and Grand Marnier), which was very tasty. My feast consisted of the Burrito Al Pastor, which was enough for two people and quite good.

The next day, Mrs. Sip left for her girl’s trip to Las Vegas, while the remaining Sip Family members travelled to Blaine to check out Beach Cat Brewing. I had a pint of the Munchkin Red Ale, while the Sipplings played with the many games at the brewery. For dinner, Pa Sip and I picked up food from Boomer’s Drive-In. I had the delicious Bacon Swiss Burger with Curly Fries.

Curly Fries

One more food note for the trip, I finally tried a McDonald’s McRib, as the sandwich is celebrating a farewell tour in the U.S. The results were I wish I’d ordered my usual Mickey D’s favourites instead, but I can cross it off the food bucket list. I also brought home bottles of Tito’s Vodka and Dough Ball Cookie Dough Whiskey, along with a case of Mountain Dew Fruit Quake fruit cake-flavoured soda.

After returning from the vacation, Girl Sip and I had a daddy-daughter dinner at Boston Pizza. Monday nights are a perfect time to visit the chain, as draft beer is $1.50 off and individual pizzas are only $9.99 (about $5 off). I had a pint of Belgian Moon, along with a Tropical Chicken Pizza. While I don’t typically order dessert at restaurants, I had a free dessert for my birthday, through the BP app, so I went with the Loaded Brownie S’mores, off the Fall Menu. The dish was delicious, with the combo of hot brownie bites, toasted marshmallows and Graham Crackers being perfectly blended.

I hate smores - meme

We wrapped the month with a performance of Disney on Ice, an earlier birthday gift for Girl Sip. Prior to the show, we ate at the White Spot R+D Kitchen, where I had to get my usual Legendary Deluxe Burger (with Caesar Salad), despite some experimental options piquing my interest. I paired the burger I was craving with a serving of Off the Rail Big Red Ale, which completed a very good spread.

December is now here and we’ve already attended a few Christmas festivities. The month will only get crazier as we progress through it, so my liver has been warned of the impending work schedule!

Sip Trips #214: Disney Days

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The highlight of September, aside from our latest VCBW Beer Box arriving, was our long-awaited vacation to Disneyland. Seriously, we began planning this trip in late 2019, with the pandemic wiping out the journey for two straight years. Let’s see how it all finally went down:

To get to Southern California, we boarded a Princess Cruises ship from Vancouver to Los Angeles. Mrs. Sip finally reached Elite status on this voyage; therefore, she was given a complimentary mini bar set-up, among other perks. Only problem, she was given two gin and six blended whiskey bottles. Now, I understand this is a freebie, but a little more variety would have been preferred. We did call to make some changes, but availability was so limited, we were forced to go with six gin and two whiskey bottles. Another liquor issue we had was Ma and Pa Sip gifted me a bottle of Crown Royal for the cruise, but it was also unavailable. Not loving the substitution options, I elected to take a credit on the bottle, which allowed me to spend that on cocktails around the ship. I am now an Elite member as well, so hopefully our next cruise provides a better mini bar set-up.

Cruise

As for that ship credit, I quickly went to work on it, ordering a Mayan Mule at the Elite Lounge. We also bought a bottle of Pinot Grigio for dinner, which we spread over three of our four meals. My night cap that evening was the Captain’s Bounty (Sailor Jerry’s Spiced Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum, Bacardi Limon Rum, Kraken Rum, sweet and sour, pineapple juice, Coca-Cola), which was my favourite cocktail of the cruise.

Our one port stop was in Victoria, where we met some family members for breakfast at the Breakwater Bistro. Before taking Boy Sip on a walk along Ogden Point, I quickly enjoyed a Hazy IPA and Breakfast Sandwich.

Our next two days at sea were spent celebrating my and Girl Sip’s birthdays. Drinks enjoyed over the festivities included: Alaska White and Amber Ales, Ultimate Cooler, Mango Margarita with added chili flakes, Long Island Iced Tea, Lynchburg Lemonade, and Strawberry Fields (Mezcal, Strawberry Puree, Ginger, Lime).

cruise work

Some thoughts to sum up the cruise, I still really miss the Explorer’s Lounge and Skywalker’s Lounge, which are both missing from these newer ships. Also, I feel there should be some sort of arcade available on the ship for kids and adults alike. Amongst some other good (not great) food eaten, my favourite meal was the quick serve Bahn Mi Sandwich from the International Café. I felt the food was better in Disneyland than on the cruise.

Speaking of Disneyland, we had finally arrived, in the middle of a SoCo heatwave and massive crowds in the park. The best way to handle it all was frequent visits to beer vendors. Our first servings of the stay were the Battlesnakes Pilsner for me and delicious Golden Road Hefeweizen for Mrs. Sip. I later also added the Karl Strauss Boat Shoes Hazy IPA.

Each day, we retreated to either our or Ma and Pa Sip’s hotel for a break from the heat and recharge. On one of these occasions, I was tasked with getting Girl Sip a Quesadilla at Calaca Mamas. When asked to wait for my order at the bar, I took advantage of the situation and had a pint of the restaurant’s Mexican Lager.

Disneyland Fun

One of the best lunches of our trip was at the Pym Test Kitchen, where all food comes in enormous servings. Our meal included the Not so Little Chicken Sandwich and massive Quantum Pretzel, finished with the decadent Choco Smash Candy Bar. To drink, Mrs. Sip put in mobile orders at the Pym Tasting Lab. Our beverages were The Regulator (Tequila, Golden Road Mango Cart Wheat Ale, Mango and Habanero Syrups, Mango flavor-filled Boba) and Honey Buzz (Gin, Lemon Juice, Honey Syrup, Honey Straw). As we left the kids with Ma and Pa Sip for a Disneyland date night, we also enjoyed a pair of fantastic BarrelHouse Strawberry Daze Blonde Ales from the bar.

Continuing with our kid-free evening, we landed a spot at the Carthay Circle Lounge. Here, we sat back and enjoyed fancy cocktails, such as a Dill Gin & Tonic (Gin, Tonic, Dill Pickle Brine, Dill, Lemon Peel) for me and Tequila Daisy (Reposado Tequila, Cointreau, Crème Yvette Violet Liqueur, Lime Juice, Agave Nectar, Egg Whites) for Mrs. Sip. We also split an order of Bao Buns of Soy-Ginger Braised Pork Belly with Cucumber Kimchi, which were incredibly tasty.

We then moved to the Magic Kingdom park and managed to get into Oga’s Cantina, the only place you can get alcoholic beverages in this part of the resort. We were allowed to stay for a maximum of 45 minutes and two drinks, so we made quick work ordering the Tarkenian Night Flower (Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, Ginger, Huckleberry), The Outer Rim (Tequila, Pomegranate Liqueur, Lime Juice, Cane Sugar, Exotic Fruit Purée, Black Salt rim), Jet Juice (Bourbon, Piment d’Espelette, Pomegranate Liqueur, White Grape Juice, Lemon Juice) and Fondor Fizz (Chardonnay, Vodka, White Tea, Lemongrass, Pea Flower Citrus). The bar is neat, but it does make me wonder why liquor can’t be purchased at other parts of the park.

Star Wars Disneyland

In the middle of our California stay, we decided to head out to Legoland for the very first time. Our day here was a stark contrast to Disneyland crowd-wise, as we were able to walk onto almost every ride and sometimes do back-to-back runs of an attraction. We had lunch at the Knights’ Smokehouse BBQ, sharing the Taste of Texas Platter (Pulled Pork, Brisket and Hot Link) with Fries, Mac & Cheese and Jalapeno Cornbread as side dishes. To drink, we got servings of Societe The Harlot Blonde Ale and Stone Hazy IPA. The only downside of our Legoland day was the park was only open from 10am-5pm and we would have loved to have had more time to explore and play.

Back to Disneyland for a day, we cooled off with another visit to the Sonoma Terrace beer garden, where I enjoyed glasses of the Unsung Carina Hazy Double IPA and Karl Strauss Red Trolley Ale.

With another day off on the schedule, we took the kids to Dave & Busters. Over our lunch of the Chicken Avocado Club and Pretzel Dogs, Mrs. Sip had a Strawberry Watermelon Margarita, while I sipped on a Jameson and Ginger Ale. Then, we played a host of arcade games, some of which were worth their cost and others not so much.

Dave & Busters

Following an afternoon of swimming, we returned to our hotel, which had a Denny’s next door. We decided to have dinner there, where I paired a Shock Top Belgian White with a yummy Nashville Hot Chicken Melt with Seasoned Fries.

For our final day at Disneyland, we had lunch at the Pacific Wharf area. I ordered from the Lucky Fortune Cookery, having the Teriyaki Chicken with a Four Sons Lucky Dragon IPA (exclusive to the Cookery). We also grabbed beers again at the Pym Tasting Lab, this time having the SLO Brew Cali Squeeze Blood Orange Hefeweizen, suggested by a friend who visited Disneyland in the summer.

My final thoughts on this Disneyland trip were that the resort has become shockingly unreliable, with rides being down and constantly having issues. The new Genie+ system ($20 per day, per person) has its perks, such as being able to get passes to rides from anywhere around the resort, but I refuse to pay extra for a ride on top of the exorbitant entry price. We used to be the type of people that would buy a Disneyland year pass and make the trek two to three times a year. That’s not feasible anymore with park ticket, food and drink and hotel prices all going up dramatically. I can’t see us coming back for at least a couple years and, more likely, a few years.

Disneyland Wishes

As we waited at LAX to fly home, we had a meal at the Point the Way Café by Golden Road Brewing. My Ride On Tropical IPA worked really well with the Grilled Chicken Nachos Mrs. Sip and I shared. Sadly, all good things must come to an end and we were back home with two tuckered out Sipplings.

October is already shaping up to be busy, albeit fun. This weekend we’re on the road again, taking advantage of the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend, with a trip to the Okanagan. Halloween festivities will also provide ample opportunity for shenanigans!

Sip Trips #211: Tap Travels

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June (or more accurately, Jun-uary) was a busy month, with a fair bit of travel on the schedule. We covered a lot of track, so let’s get right to it and see what the Sip Family got up to in the first month of summer:

We began June with a week-long all-inclusive vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. There, we stayed at the Riu Jalisco resort, which impressed me from the start with a liquor dispenser in every room. I’ve never experienced this perk before, but apparently, that’s a standard feature of the Riu chain. It’s all the more appreciated to have rum, vodka, gin and tequila at the ready, when you have young kids and can’t always escape the room to hit a bar for your beverage.

Mexico

My one liquor purchase of the trip was a bottle of Azul Mango Chamoy Tequila, which I still haven’t had a chance to experiment with yet. I can see the booze going good in Margaritas, Palomas and other tequila-based beverages.

Our one day leaving the resort and going into the town of Puerto Vallarta, was highlighted by stops at two craft breweries. We started with Monzon Brewing, where I enjoyed a serving of their Paloma Doble IPA (with grapefruit and serrano peppers). They didn’t have the Coconut Lime DIPA I wanted to try, but I really enjoyed the beer I settled for. We also shared an order of the Birria Fries, which was a delicious dish, especially with all the different salsas and chipotle sauce you could add.

Next up, was Granero Brewing, which is associated with Los Muertos Brewing. I ended up having the same beer I had when we visited Los Muertos’ original location back in 2019, the Anillo de Fuego (Chili Ale).

Salsa

Upon returning home, Mrs. Sip and I received our second VCBW Beer Boxes. This offered another cool assortment of beers with one regular bottle, one 500ml bottle, two regular cans and 20 tall cans, curated from brewery’s around the province. The second box improves on the first one, which was quite good in its own right.

Out on a date night, Mrs. Sip and I began our evening with happy hour at The Hub. I had pours of the Russell Peach Apricot Hefeweizen and Papaya Milkshake IPA, while we also split a Blueberry Lemon Mojito. For food, I went with a pair of tacos, including the Beef Brisket and Spicy BBQ Chicken options.

Our main event of the evening was trying out the Neverland Peter Pan-inspired pop-up bar at the Vancouver Alpen Club. Tickets were $45 each, plus fees, and included a welcome drink, plus two cocktails. The 90-minute immersive experience was fun, with an amazingly decorated setting, games to play to “earn” your drinks and fine work from the actors. The drinks were just okay in my books, but they tried to do something different with each, using a fizzy stick for one and butterfly pea colouring for the other. We ended up helping another couple finish the fishbowl they ordered and this led to us all heading to karaoke at Georgie’s Local Kitchen & Bar.

Peter Pan

To end the month, we travelled up to Kelowna for a few days. Our first meal was at Boston Pizza, as we had to use our last two free kid’s meals before the June 30th expiry date. The deal of getting five kid’s meals for $5 is a fantastic offer and one we will do again next year, if the chain offers it. My meal consisted of items from the new summer menu, including the Carnitas Pizza (BBQ sauce, mozzarella cheese, BBQ pulled pork, pineapple, red onions, feta cheese), paired with a Spicy Blue Margarita (tequila, blue curacao, lime, mango, jalapeño). The pizza was fantastic… the drink, not so much.

The next day, we visited Off the Grid Winery, where Mrs. Sip did a tasting and bought a couple bottles, while the kids and I checked out the animals and other sights the place offers. It was a nice stop, with the perfect temperature and a relaxing vibe.

On our way back into town, we stopped at Copper Brewing, where Mrs. Sip and I shared orders of the Darla’s Red Ale, Peaches N’ Cream Wheat Ale, Raspberry Lemonade Pils and Nut Brown Ale. The brewery offers guests the chance to play video games on their Classic NES and SNES systems, which were enjoyed by the Sipplings, even if they had no clue what was going on. We also played the Guess Who board game with Girl Sip, as Boy Sip enjoyed his afternoon nap.

NES

For dinner that night, we walked over to Bin 4 Burger Lounge. Hitting the tail end of their happy hour, I ordered a pint of Phillips Citrus Lager, along with a Blackberry Vanilla Lemonade (vodka, blackberry simple syrup, vanilla syrup, basil, lemon juice). Mrs. Sip had a tasty Pineapple Strawberry Mojito. To eat, I selected the Big Spenny Burger with Curry Aioli for my scrumptious fries. Other sauces we enjoyed, as each dish comes with one free cup, included Bacon Aioli and Truffle Aioli.

Our final Kelowna destination was Barn Owl Brewing, where I had the Passionfruit Paradise IPA, while Mrs. Sip went with a flight consisting of the Genesis Raspberry Wheat Ale, A Whittle Orange Witbier, Headturner Hazy IPA and Escape – The Pina Colada Sour. The brewery had a really neat upstairs area and visitors can bring food in from outside, particularly from the bakery next door. Prior to leaving, Mrs. Sip also ordered a Night Owl Porter Float, while the kids played shuffleboard.

As the calendar turned over from June to July, we were relocating from Kelowna to Penticton, to continue our Okanagan getaway. That portion of the vacation and much more will be documented in the next Sip Trips.

Sip Trips #208: Vegas Bound

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To end March, Mrs. Sip and I entered the U.S. for the first time in over two years, which is a gap I thought I would never experience, unless I moved to another continent. We selected Las Vegas as the perfect place to celebrate our 20th dating anniversary and it was a journey full of good food, drinks and an adventure or two.

All the fun started at the Vancouver Airport, where we had a relaxed breakfast/lunch at the Canucks Bar & Grill. Their All-Dressed Poutine was one of the best poutines I’ve ever enjoyed and went really well with my mid-morning Stanley Park Wheels Up IPA.

Airport Drinking

In Vegas, we stayed at The Palazzo. Mrs. Sip booked us a Prestige Club room, which gave us access to the Prestige Lounge. We arrived just in time for happy hour on our first day, which featured free drinks from 4-7, along with delicious appies starting at 5. The staff at check-in and in the lounge were all fantastic and we would definitely recommend the Prestige experience.

For dinner that night, we had a reservation at Mon Ami Gabi. Mrs. Sip and I have enjoyed many meals over the years there, but our usual order of the Chilled Seafood Platter was sadly no longer on the menu. We adjusted and went with the Small Seafood Platter, along with the Escargot. All paired with a bottle of wine, we were even given a free dessert for our anniversary celebration.

The next day, we made the journey to the off-strip Ellis Island Hotel & Casino, home to Ellis Island Brewing. At The Front Yard restaurant, we enjoyed a couple $3 beers in the Amber Ale for me and Hefeweizen for Mrs. Sip. I also had a Bonfire Rauchbier for $5, while Mrs. Sip did a flight of the Hefeweizen, Wit, Belgian Tripel and Dubbel Trouble. To eat, we had an amazing CBR Flatbread, comprised of citrus garlic sauce, bacon, shredded chicken, pico de gallo and jalapeño cream.

Flatbread

Returning to The Venetian, we hit up happy hour at Trustworthy Brewing, which was my 200th brewery visited! There, I had the A Year in the Making American Amber Ale, while Mrs. Sip switched things up and drank a Southern Peach Smash (bourbon, peach nectar, ginger syrup, mint, ginger ale), as she is getting more into whiskey and bourbon cocktails of late.

Given we could also access The Venetian Prestige Lounge, we had happy hour there, allowing us to compare the two options. After another set of cocktails, we returned to The Palazzo side, where I squeaked in two more beverages for the road, enjoyed as we got ready for another night out.

While at The Paris the night before, Vanderpump à Paris caught Mrs. Sip’s eye, so we made that our destination for dinner. The restaurant had only been open for a couple weeks when we tried it and we had a fantastic experience. We ordered Bouef Wellington Sliders, Mini Monsieurs and Baked Brie En Croute to share, while Mrs. Sip had a glass of wine and I tried the Louvre At First Sight cocktail, which came in its own smoker shaped like the infamous Louvre Museum glass pyramid. The drink is called ‘A Smoked Work of Art’ and includes Gracias a Dios Mezcal, prickly pear, lemon, jalapeño honey, orange bitters, aquafaba and hickory smoke.

Cocktails

Our main event of the evening was supposed to be checking out the Omega Mart immersive art exhibit by Meow Wolf, which had caught the eye of both myself and Mrs. Sip. Sadly, once we got out to the Area 15 location, we learned the facility had been evacuated due to a fire alarm and the Omega Mart had been cancelled for the night. We still checked the Area 15 building out and had overly expensive drinks at its bar – seriously, $15 for an off-strip Spiced Rum and Coke??? – but the air had kind of come out of my sails with the Omega Mart debacle.

For our anniversary day, we did what good couples do best and went our separate ways for the day. While Mrs. Sip enjoyed some rest and relaxation poolside, I had a need to walk the strip and explore, since I hadn’t been to Vegas since March 2018. Along the way, I grabbed a few road beers, had a very good lunch from Dave’s Hot Chicken (which is apparently opening a couple locations in the Lower Mainland soon) and took care of buying some snacks and souvenirs for the family, along with our booze to bring home, in the form of bottles of Jameson Orange Whiskey and Bacardi Dragonberry Rum.

We reconvened to unfortunately have to race out and take care of our COVID antigen tests, which needed to be done as we returned on March 31, and the whole need to get this done in Canada was being eliminated on April 1. While Mrs. Sip inquired about changing our trip to avoid this, Air Canada (after many hours on hold to speak to an agent), said we couldn’t change anything because we had booked a vacation package. #BoycottAirCanada

Air Canada

Following our negative tests, we enjoyed a final Prestige Lounge happy hour at The Palazzo, toasting our 20 years together. We weren’t able to go too crazy on the hors d’oeuvres, though, as we had a big night out planned. That began with dinner at Picasso, my first Michelin Star restaurant experience. In fact, Picasso is ranked at two Michelin Stars and is thought to be one of the best restaurants in the U.S.

So, what did I think of the meal. Overall, I was a little disappointed, to be honest. Nothing really blew my mind and I’ve had $14 burgers make me lose all my bodily functions. The price of this meal was absurd… like, I won’t even print it absurd. I did leave overly stuffed, which Mrs. Sip says is rare for Michelin Star restaurants, since portions are usually doled out to perfection, so eaters get just enough and are comfortably full by the time the feast is finished.

Upon arrival, I ordered the Greyscale cocktail (Earl Grey-infused gin, orange oleo saccharum, fresh lemon juice and a splash of soda). I went with the Menu Dégustation (Tasting Menu), which included four courses plus dessert (Maine Lobster Salad, Pan Seared U-10 Day Boat Scallop, Sautéed Steak of “A” Foie Gras, Prime Petit Filet Mignon). Mrs. Sip did the Prix Fixe Menu (Warm Quail Salad, Sautéed Crispy Gnocchi and Sautéed Medallion of Fallow Deer) with wine pairings. The desserts were fantastic, but Mrs. Sip didn’t even get a wine pairing with hers. Part of the draw of the restaurant is the many Picasso paintings that adorn its walls. Since I’m not an art guy, I preferred to watch the Bellagio fountains from our table, but the music accompanying the fountains was hard to hear, so that detracted a little from the shows. As we left, we were given boxed chocolate, which Mrs. Sip and I still have to eat.

Michelin Restaurant

To end the evening, we attended the Absinthe show at Caesar’s Palace, which was as wild and raunchy as advertised. Going into the performance, Mrs. Sip and I shared an Absinthe Hallucinator cocktail (vodka, pomegranate, blood orange, lemon, absinthe), which helped get us into the spirit.

The next day, with mere hours before we had to checkout and head to the airport, we tried to get to The Chocolate Bar at New York New York, but it was closed when we arrived, despite online sources saying it was supposed to be open. Dejected, we hurried back to The Palazzo to check out and finally enjoy the welcome bubbly we didn’t have at arrival, since happy hour was afoot.

It was amazing being back in Las Vegas, especially after what the world has gone through the last couple years. I will say, though, I was feeling my age a little on this getaway, as I was in bed each night by about 1 a.m. and my feet were done long before that each evening. Maybe I just need to “train” better in advance of the next trip!

Sip Trips #206: Mexico Musings

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February has come and gone and when you spend close to half the month on vacation, that can never be a bad thing. How did the Sip Family’s first international travel in over two years go? Let’s find out:

To begin the month, we finalized the purchase of our first ever new vehicle. After picking it up, we went for a late dinner at Montana’s in Langley. There, I took advantage of their $4.99 Rickard’s Red  special, pairing it with a Southern-Fried Chicken Sandwich. We also had a coupon for a free appy, using it on their Loaded Garlic and Cheese Pull-Apart Bread. The beer hit the spot, while all the food was tasty. This was my first time to Montana’s for some time and I hope we can return soon for more comfort food goodness.

Comfort Food

Next up, was our long-awaited family trip to Cancun, Mexico. We had booked this vacation all the way back in January 2021, thinking the world would be back to normal by February 2022. Well, it isn’t quite back to normal yet, but we weighed all the pros and cons and decided to still go ahead with the trip, despite pandemic concerns, having to take tests to return home, having to quarantine once we returned, and some of our fellow travel group deciding against travelling.

First, a couple quick notes about Vancouver International Airport and our flight to Mexico. Prior to our flight boarding, I noticed a Whistler Brewing Lodge was coming soon. I greatly look forward to this dining/drinking option at the airport and hope I get to enjoy it at some point. As for our flight, while we were saving our drinking for the all-inclusive resort, I was dismayed to hear flight attendants turn down drink orders and end drink service early because they didn’t have enough stock for the return trip. I mean, come on, people are starting their vacation and may want to get into the festive spirit or make their trip more relaxed. How could they not stock up properly for the round trip or why can’t they restock once in Mexico?

Upon arriving in Cancun, we boarded our private transport to the resort, with our drvier providing us with some of the most satisfying Coronas I’ve ever enjoyed. After a 1.5-hour journey, our long travel day was finally complete and we could begin relaxing and enjoying. Here are my notes about out resort, the Grand Palladium Riviera Maya:

All-Inclusive

Our bar set up was supposed to included two bottles of our choice, but we were thrilled to hear upon arrival that we would now get to select five bottles. In a bit of a panic, I quickly chose Stolichnaya Vodka, Havana Club 7 Rum, Jim Beam Bourbon, Bombay Sapphire Gin, and Don Julio Reposado Tequila. When looking into my selections, our bottles would have cost me close to $300 if purchased at a BC Liquor Store, so I was very satisfied with that. With free drinks across the resort, we planned to bring three of the bottles home and only opened two in the room.

Speaking of those drinks around the resort, my orders largely consisted of Margaritas, Palomas, Dos Equis Amber beers, Rum and Cokes, Gin & Tonics (using the delightful Tanqueray Rangpur whenever possible), and Jameson & Ginger Ale with lime juice. I also enjoyed the many “make your own” drink stations. There was ones for Mojitos, G&Ts, Bloody Marys and Mimosas.

As for food, it was mostly very good. I can’t say we had a single bad meal at any of the dinner restaurants and we enjoyed the various themes, including steakhouse, Thai, Japanese teppanyaki, family barbecue, Mexican, etc. We didn’t get a chance to hit them all, though, and particularly would have like to have tried their beach-set seafood and Spanish tapas options.

Resort Food

Okay, now for some negatives and areas where the resort can improve. I felt the resort was too big, comparing it to my opinions of rather being at Disneyland than Disney World, for manageability. Next, their computer system was atrocious with communication between different departments being almost non-existent. Add in some typical language barrier issues and there was a few problems we had to unfortunately work through, when we should have been relaxing without a care in the world. Lastly, I never got to try any of the resort craft beers, as they were only free in one part of the place, although they were on display everywhere. That said, I wasn’t thrilled with the varieties offered anyway.

My Top 5 experiences at the resort were:

  1. Playing with the Sipplings at the water slides
  2. Watching the kids dance at a couple of the parties
  3. Seeing Girl Sip perform live on stage for first time, through the Kid’s Club
  4. My night out with Mrs. Sip to watch the Chic Cabaret performance
  5. Our infinity pool getaways at the adult-only portion of the resort

We left the resort twice, once to see a friend’s mother in Puerto Venturas and a couple days later to Playa del Carmen to visit that same friend’s sister and her family. In Puerto Venturas, we had a late lunch at Café Ole International. There, I tried a Chamoy Michelada and scarfed down a delicious Baconnator Burger. The Chicken Strips for the Sipplings were also quite good, as I just had to try one. We also had a drink at the Beach Club & Hotel, where I had a Mai Tai.

Mexico

In Playa del Carmen, we ate at the Sonora Prime steakhouse, where I ordered the Skull Rabbit cocktail. For food, we shared a number of menu items, including the Calimari and Cheese Dip and Chips. For a main course, Mrs. Sip and I shared the Wellington Burger, which was injected with hot cheese. The burger was spectacular, but sadly, Girl Sip was dealing with a bout of heat/sun stroke and that put a damper on this outing, as we were concerned with her illness and recovery.

On our return trip home, at the Cancun Airport, we wanted to eat at Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen Bar, but it inexplicably closed at 6. This, during a dinner rush with many weary travellers looking for a good meal before boarding their long flights home or to their own vacation destinations. We ended up getting some eats in the food court area, but I was disappointed with not getting to try Guy Fieri’s.

That wraps the shortest month of the year. In the end, I’m glad we took the risk and went on this vacation. It provided a chance to have some wonderful family time together and experience some new things. March will be fun, as we have a number of Canucks games, other events and we celebrate my and Mrs. Sip’s 20-year dating anniversary!