Craft Beer in Vancouver

Over the past few years the craft beer industry has exploded. Here in Vancouver there are many choices of beer to sample and enjoy. We will review and discuss some of my favourite breweries that have grown over the past years with aromatic, unique and delicious flavours.

Parallel 49

           This brewery is one of the first craft breweries to open located on Triumph Street in Vancouver. This brewery likes to create unique and obscure beers, from dark ales to light lagers.  It has a fair size tasting room where you can test some of the new ideas which are being released. My personal favourite is gypsy tears which can also be found in many restaurants.

 

Powell Street Brewery

            Is another brewery which is located a couple blocks from Parallel 49 and has a real nice homey feeling to it. The brewery now has a lounge area where everyone can enjoy and taste some of their unique beers. The on that I recommend is the Hopdemonium IPA which is a pacific Northwest IPA packed with hop flavouring and a strong malt base. This is a strong beer at 8% ABV, after two I have to call it quits. The owners are extremely friendly and truly enjoy crafting their beers.

Steel & Oak Brewing

            This brewery is a little ways out of Vancouver located in New Westminster on 3^rd Ave. This brewery is owned and operated by two locals from New West. The atmosphere in their tasting room is warm. They offer many different ranges of beer and have a wonderful amount of seasonal brews. The one that I enjoy is the red pilsner which is a full-bodied pilsner. It’s a great place to go and relax with a pint.

All these breweries have plenty to offer and there are plenty more across the lower mainland. Just don’t forget your Growler so that you can take 2 litres of beer home with you. I personally enjoy drinking out of Klean Kanteen Pint Cups because I can take them anywhere with me if I am going from one brewery to the other. Or if I am just taking a growler home to play some games with my buddies I will fill my Pac Man glass to help get me in the game. Anyway you drink these beers they are going to tantalize your taste buds, so get out there and give the craft breweries a visit.

Affordable Shopping!

With Vancouver having a ton of designer and expensive store all around downtown it’s nice to give your wallet a break sometimes.  On the bright side there are a lot of alternative stores to shop at, that will keep you fashion forward and keep your bank account happy.

Winners, 798 Granville St

If you like designer brands and are always looking for a good bargain, than Winners is a great place to check out. There is a section dedicated to discount high-end items up to 80% off, which makes them much more affordable. However, it does take a bit of hunting to find the good deals. On the other hand they also have some staple brands such as Nike and Adidas at discounted prices. Whether you are looking for a Kate Spade purse or Levi jeans, check out Winners before and you might just be able to save a couple extra bucks!

Joe Fresh, 540 Granville St

Joe Fresh is a great brand for staple affordable items. If you need some basic t-shirts or sweater this is a great brand to check out. With prices that range from $5-$20, shopping with them wont break your bank. The quality of these items is quite durable for the price you’re paying. They often have in store sales as well if you aren’t already sold on their low price. This is an extremely underrated brand for the products they are offering. It is definitely worth dropping by if you are looking to get the most bang for your buck.

8^th & Main, 2403 Main St

With a large mix of affordable and some design items, this is a great shop to stop by for some affordable brand names. They offer well know brands such as Vans; in addition to international brands such as Only and Sons. This is a great place to shop for fashion forward items that are still within a reasonable price range. Although they do sell some pricier items, there is almost always a sale section to check out.

Ever new, 702 W Georgia St

Located in Pacific Center Mall, they are one of least pricey options in the mall. They are a Melbourne based brand and focus on womens wear. Their prices are quite affordable for the quality and product they you will be getting. Their prices are comparable to Topshop and range up into the hundreds. However they have incredible fit and wear. These items will last years. If you are looking for clothing items that you know you will get a ton of wear out of, this is a great place to check out.

Oak and Fort, 355 Water St

Oak and Fort is a Vancouver based brand. If you want to support local business this is the place to go. With great minimalist fashion forward items there is something for everyone. The prices are reasonable if you are looking high-end street style.  There aren’t many items cheaper than $30; however they are a local brand and if you’re from out of town it’s a great place to pick up something that is based in the city.

Vancouver Eats!

Often times, Vancouver is dubbed by locals as "Rain-couver" , due to the extreme amounts of rain we get in a year. At times like these, Vancoverites are left with limited options of entertainment. Hiking in the rain, to most people, is not the most pleasant experience. Thankfully, Vancouver is home to many cultures and a variety of restaurants. From casual dining to fine dining, Vancouver has it all. Just remember to bring your umbrella!

1. De Dutch Restaurant, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver

Start your day off with a good meal. Everyone knows that breakfast if the most important meal of the day and if you're lazy to take out your frying pans to fry some eggs, then De Dutch is the restaurant for you. Make your way down to 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, to enjoy a delicious Dutch breakfast with a beautiful ocean view.

 2. Cactus Club, 1085 Canada Place, Vancouver

Another great choice for casual lunch or dinner is Cactus Club. Which originated from North Vancouver, British Columbia. Also located at Canada Place, enjoy a nice dinner after having a nice stroll around the surrounding sea wall. Be sure to try the Blacked Creole Chicken!

3. Saffron Indian Cuisine, 4300 Kingsway #5, Burnaby

I wasn't kidding when I said Vancouver is multicultural. If you have never tried Indian curry, then you are surely missing out. Saffron Indian Cuisine is a casual diner with an elegant interior. Indian food is slightly heavier in taste, as they use a variety of spices to give their food an extra kick. The most well known curry is their Butter Chicken, a creamy orange sauce, that goes great with garlic naan bread or rice. A second close favorite is their Lamb Korma, a cashew based curry. If you stray away from meat, substituting prawn for either curries still yields great results. Try a lassie while you're there, a creamy yogurt drink that comes in a variety of fruity flavors.

4. Le Crocodile, 909 Burrard Street #100, Vancouver

Le Crocodile is a perfect choice for romantic date or a business meeting. A classy French cuisine located in the heart of Downtown Vancouver, Le Crocodile offers a delicious Foie Gras tasting and a variety of delicious entrees. If you're just looking for some fine dining, or looking to impress a date, Le Croc is the place for you. Remember to suit up, put on a nice dress and prepare your taste buds for a great experience. Also. if you like dessert, keep the fruit souffles in mind!

5. Blue Water Cafe, 1095 Hamilton Street Vancouver

If you enjoy seafood, another great choice for fine dining is Blue Water Cafe. Make a reservation and be sure to ask your server for their selection of fresh oysters, which is served with horseradish and red wine vinegar. Not sure what to get? Get the seafood tasting for two and try samples of all their famous appetizers, such as the Albacore Tuna Tartare, Dungeness crab salad and my personal favorite, the Smoked Sockeye Salmon Terrine. Look through the menu for your preferred entree as they are all amazing. If you're looking to indulge your taste buds with an adventure, take a seat at the RAW bar and let the chefs go wild! 

Get Outside Vancouver!

Vancouver is set in such a climate that makes getting outside possible almost any time of year. The city is filled with wonderful green space that Vancouverites are lucky to enjoy whenever they so wish. Here are our top five places to get outside in or close to Downtown Vancouver:


1) Stanley Park

The most iconic of things to in the downtown core would definitely be a walk through Stanley park. Put on your walking shoes as this park has many different walks you can take. The most iconic would definitely be the seawall - 9 kms of gorgeous water views with many destinations along the way. Take out your camera to capture the view at Prospect point or detour off the path and check out the fountain in the middle of Lost Lagoon. Multiple beaches along the way give opportunity to stick your toes in the sand, but don't forget your sunscreen - even on a winters day the sun can be deceiving. Stanley Park is definitely a place worth spending a day exploring.

2) Granville Island

Just across the Granville Street bridge from Downtown Vancouver is the mecca of markets - Granville Island. With a variety of markets and art venues this is truly a space worth checking out, Even if art is not your fancy, just sitting by the marina with a cool beverage on a hot day will definitely be worth the visit.

3) Kitsilano

Also across the water from Downtown Vancouver is Kitsilano. Made famous by the yoga brand Lululemon this area is known for their trendy vibes and the beach is definitely worth a visit. Filled with cute cafes and independent shops the streets are worth exploration just as much as the beautiful beach.


4) Ambleside

Another notable beach is Ambleside. Nestled on the North Shore this beach is a perfect place to take your family for the day. Whip out a kite or nestle your feet in the sand with a delicious ice cream cone; this is the perfect place to relax.


5) Deep Cove 

Just a short drive from Downtown Vancouver this small community boasts gorgeous views of the Indian Arm and has a wonderful hike up to a rock face called Quarry Rock. Rated as a beginner hike don't let this be deceiving. While being very well groomed it still has many steep portions and a plethora of stairs. Wear your hiking boots and pack your waterbottle, your going to need both!

Robson Square Skating Rink

With it still being winter for a bit longer around Vancouver, we’ll take a look at a great winter activity to do in the heart of the city. A great way to take advantage of this Family Day Weekend would be to head to the Robson Square skating rink, as it is the only one of its kind in Vancouver, with it being open air, giving the feel of an outdoor rink. Skating on an outdoor rink is a favourite pastime of many Canadians, yet with the balmy winters of Vancouver, outdoor rinks are not an option as they melt. The skating rink at Robson gives you the outdoor skating experience while being under a fully covered roof, so even on a rainy day, anyone can lace up and go for a skate. It is a very family friendly venue, with many children enjoying skating in fresh air, as well as anyone else who likes going for a skate. The best part of the whole rink, it’s free!

Image: Jen Steele / Flickr

There are quite a few amenities at the rink, with rental skates available for those who do not own any skates, as well as washrooms and even hot chocolate sales at the concession stand, nothing goes better than a hot chocolate after a nice outdoor skate. Skate rentals are $4.00, with use of the ice still being free.

Robson Square rink has a few upcoming events within February, with the first coming up this Monday - Family Day. The rink will have free rentals, as well as free hot chocolate from 2-8pm. It’s a great chance to spend time with your family and enjoy their company on the day meant just for that. Another upcoming event is the weekly date night, on every Tuesday grab a date and head down for a rather romantic skate in the open air. The rink is only open for another three Tuesdays, so keep that in mind when planning your date.

       

The rink is only open during the winter, from December to the end of February, so there’s just under a month left to go to check out this great rink. Don’t let the opportunity to feel extra Canadian and go skating outdoors pass by, so grab the skates, some family or friends and head down to Robson Square.

For the hours of operation and any other important information head to the Robson Square website.

http://www.robsonsquare.com/en/

Welcome - We Are Living Vancouver

Welcome to Living Vancouver!!

On the west coast of Canada, Vancouver and its surrounding areas is a mecca of diversity and culture. With well over 2.5 million people living in this urban center it is an area filled with events, food, and shopping from all cultures of the world. 

Through this blog we hope to capture just a small part of what Vancouver has to offer. From shopping to restaurants, getting outside and events around the city Vancouver and the Lower Mainland has something for everyone.

First though let's introduce the team:

Anastassia

I was originally born in Russia, then I moved to Toronto and now I'm here living in Vancouver. I currently study and Douglas collage working on my marketing degree. In my spare time I also work as a tennis coach as well as play tennis. My main interest is fashion and design, as well as just creating anything in art. I am also a massive sneaker collector and I'm pretty sure it's getting the best of me.

Things I love:

Tennis - the racket I'd recommend for beginners http://amzn.to/1NOMapc

My sneaker obsession, these are super cute! - http://amzn.to/1UHyXnU

Andy

I was born in Taipei Taiwan, but I've lived in Vancouver for the last 18 years of my life. Currently, I am enrolled in Douglas college in the business administration program. My interests are food and fitness, specifically different forms of martial arts.

Something I love:

Martial Arts, check out this book for free on Kindle to learn more about this great sport! - http://amzn.to/1NOMrZi

David

Born in Vancouver and having lived in New West for the last 18 years, I currently attend Douglas College in the business management program. When not at school, I spend my time playing hockey, as well as getting up to the local mountains and out exploring the trails in my 4x4. I’m proud to call Vancouver and the surrounding area home, as it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Something I love: 

Hockey, a great stick for beginners - http://amzn.to/1NOMy7e

Derek

I am currently enrolled in the BBA program at Douglas and should be completing it this semester. I enjoy golfing and having a locally brewed beer after a round. The beer helps take away the bad taste that was left in my mouth from my poor performance on the course.

Examples of things I love:

Golfing, great clubs to get you started! - http://amzn.to/1UHAfzj

Craft beer, a set of glasses like these make trying new beers easy - http://amzn.to/1UHArP7

Leslie

I have lived in Vancouver all my life other than two years in London, England where I had the opportunity to go to school and travel Europe. I currently attend Douglas College and this is my final semester. In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends - going outside and trying new things as well as just a simple night in with a good movie and a great glass of wine.

Something I love:

Favourite movies: A Walk to Remember or The Notebook, which you can get both in this set - http://amzn.to/1PeIXRX