Took a drive out to Kananaskis Village – looked like it would be as warm as anywhere today – and ended up going on an unplanned short, easy hike. Near the Village is Ribbon Creek Day use area with a number of well kept walking/hiking trails nearby. We hiked along the river and made the first convenient left on the trail and looped back making about a 7-8 kilometer hike: difficulty: easy.
This last picture was taken on the way back – Sibbald Flat. (Our next hike.)
Recently, my son and a couple of friends drove up from Denver to visit. All being under 21 and not being able to drink in the US of A, we took them for some fine food and exceptional beer at the 1410 Bierhaus. We had not been there before and did not know what to expect. We were all more than pleasantly surprised. The beer list is about 180 choices and mostly of types that I had not had before. The waitresses know the beers but they also have a fellow, Cory, that cruises the floor and helps people with their choices. He came by our table asked us each one or two questions and brought us each the exactly what we wanted. Everyone different. What was great about this also is that we were able to taste each other’s beer as well. All were fantastic.
The restaurant’s claim to fame is the beer, obviously but we have been back a couple of times since for the food.
I could recommend it alone for the service, which was wonderful. The place was packed and although the waitress had a lot to do she never made us feel that she did not have time for us or had to rush away. The place does get busy and noisy so if you want a quiet piano bar, this is not the place. On busy nights it may be wise to book a table ahead of time.
1410 Bierhaus
This blog is kinda for my kids and anyone else who will listen. We always hope that our children will not always have to relearn those things which we had to get knocked into our heads throughout a lifetime. Sadly, or maybe it isn’t so bad, it doesn’t always work out that way. Anyway, here is rule number one for raising children. Well, actually it would be rule number two. ‘Love them’ being rule number one.
Rule number two: Never get angry with your kids or fight with your spouse around them.
This rule is not up for argument.
Well, there are good days and their are better days. Today was a bit of both. I was running errands and happened to be near the Enoteca Wine store. Gary is always a treat to visit and always recommends excellent wines. And, as happens from time to time, there was a wine representative with Gary and I was able to taste some of their wine. Meeting the lovely Chareen, the rep, took the day from good a good one to ‘better’.
Today Chereen was showing a couple of wines from Cathedral Cellar in South Africa. A Pinotage and a Chardonnay. The Pinotage had a nice smokey start and was well integrated. I generally prefer my whites light and don’t like oaky Chardonnays. This wine however was not and was quite drinkable. The warmer climate in South Africa brings out more fruitiness but it is not overwhelming. If you have not tried a Pinotage, they are generally very reasonably priced for the value.
Gary and Chareen also gave me some great tips on how to properly characterize wine. I enjoy wine in all of its variations but didn’t know always how to describe various aromas and tastes. More on that when I’ve explored.
Make your way over to McLeod Trail just south of Glenmore Trail and drop in to Enoteca and see Gary, he has never steered me wrong with any of his recommendations.
I found another great wine shop. Hmmm, lots of wonderful places to taste and purchase wine in Calgary.
A few weeks ago I was in Brandon, Manitoba. I was working at the Royal Winter Fair. Across from me was a gentleman promoting Canadian Cheese. We managed to find the time to talk wine and cheese during our breaks and he told me that his son had a wine store on 17th Ave in Calgary.
We finally made it in the other day. As we approached the counter, Tim, the proprietor was pouring a couple of glasses of white. I did like the fact that he did not ask us but just poured. I really don’t know if he does this for everyone or just took a good read on me. Either way my thinking was that ‘of course’ if someone walks into a wine shop, odds are they would like to taste some of the wares. I did end up purchasing what we tasted; though I limited my total purchase leaving an excuse to go back and try more next week.
One can check out the website here: Wine Ink but really, go have a look at this beautiful old brick building that houses his beautiful selection of wine. And have a sip.