I stopped in at Common Crown Brewing Company in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Looking over their beers I decided on Andy’s Wee Heavy Scottish Ale. I really enjoyed its sweet maltiness and its crisp finish. What a great beer. And even better, the bartender gave it to me for free. He saw me struggling with the Canadian cash in my wallet and had mercy on me as a traveler. Thank you!
I stopped in at Tool Shed Brewing Company in Calgary, Alberta, Canada to try their beer. I decided on the People Skills Cream Ale and was not disappointed. I rarely drink cream ale and with this being one of their core beers I figured it was a good option and I was really impressed. Smooth. Drinkable. Nice mouth feel. Light but not too light. I could drink several of these. I also had a taste of Papa Bam Bam’s Oatmeal Pale Ale and that is a great beer as well. A hoppy pale ale with oatmeal richness. Delightful.
I stopped in at Marshall Brewing Company in Tulsa Oklahoma. Looking at the tap room beer menu I decided on the USS Tulsa Oatmeal IPA. I’ve never had an oatmeal IPA before. The bartender told me that the oatmeal gives it a richer body but does not affect the taste. I’d agree. Great taste. Rich body. Great beer.
I stopped in at Dead Armadillo Craft Brewing in Tulsa, Oklahoma and enjoyed a flight of their beers. Their Apricot Breakaway is one of their newest and pretty tasty with enough apricot that you can taste the fruit. The Raspberry Blonde wasn’t as sour or as full of fruit taste as I would have preferred. Their IPA is likely the best IPA in Tulsa. Hoppy with some malt complexity. Very nice! And Morning Bender Coffee Oatmeal Stout has a great roasted coffee flavor with notes of chocolate. Great beers!
I stopped in at Cabin Boys Brewery in Tulsa Oklahoma. The bartender recommended The Hallows Tripel and I also just had to try the Bearded Theologian Quad. Delicious and Delicious. I don’t drink a lot of Belgian ales but these were outstanding and make me want more. Both complex, sweet, malty and solid. These would go great with food and would keep you warm on a cold winter night.
I stopped in at Renaissance Brewing Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma to try their beers. I tried their Bold Gold a Belgian Golden Strong ale which is exactly what it says it is. Belgian, so you get the sweetness associated with that. A very solid beer. And I also tried the Dragons Breath with jalapeno peppers. Hot. This is a great beer. You need to be prepared for the heat. I was. And I loved it. I wish I had more time to enjoy this more slowly with chips or some food. Would have been awesome.
I stopped in at Bricktown Brewery in Tulsa, Oklahoma for dinner and a beer. I enjoyed their S x SW Cobb Salad with barbeque on it and their Three Guardsmen IPA was a good pairing. The IPA was hazy, full of flavor, and a good match for the flavorful food. Great food and drink!
I stopped in at Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton, Florida. I had tried their Pulp Friction Grapefruit IPA at a nearby restaurant and loved it. Once again it did not disappoint! Delicious hoppy and grapefruit flavor – I love it! Also enjoyed the Midnight Espresso Coffee Porter. Great place to stop. Great beers!
I stopped in at Trans Canada Brewing Company in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada for a beer and their pizza (which had been recommended by several other folks at breweries in town. Both the beer and pizza were amazing. Their pizza is made ad Timmy Tom’s Pizzeria right inside the brewery. Great marriage of pizza and beer. I enjoyed the Fungi Pizza – mushrooms, herbs, smoked gouda, pancetta – WOW!
I paired the pizza with Amarillo IPA which was perfect. The beer cut the richness of the pizza. Absolutely delicious beer. Hoppy and contrasting with the pizza. Great combination. I’d love to try other beer – pizza combinations here.
I also broke down and bought myself a touque – look that up my American friends – I should have bought one sooner because it was so cold here in Winnipeg. And I bought a running shirt which I’ll need soon to burn off the winter calories.
I stopped in at Stone Angel Brewing Company in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Great beers, great people, great place. I enjoyed Kaiser Bill IPA and Luther’s Folly Kolsch Blonde Ale. Their IPA is an east coast IPA so its not overpowering with hops. Very easy to drink. Their Kolsch Blonds Ale is fabulous. So smooth, full bodied and flavorful. I wish I could get cans of this back home. I enjoyed chatting with the owner and bartender and had a great time relaxing and enjoying just being there.
I also love the Martin Luther quote on the coasters and growlers. If I weren’t traveling internationally I’d have purchased a growler to take home just for the quote. Maybe some day they’ll have the quote on t-shirts and I can come back and buy one of those with another beer.
I Stop For Hops 