Random Thoughts About Ottawa's CRAFT Beer Market

Ottawa has quickly become a hotbed for craft breweries, and the opening of the CRAFT Beer Market at Lansdowne has to have beer lovers very excited. With 14,000-square-feet to play with, and over a 100 beers on tap, this restaurant hopes to make as big a splash here as they did in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. The official opening is May 12, but I was lucky enough to snag an invite to a sneak peek of the place (who says nobody ever wins Facebook contests?). Here's how it went and what I thought about it:

• The event started at 5PM, and by the time my friend Perry and I arrived at quarter to six, the place was packed. It looked like standing room only until we discovered the communal-style tables on the top level.
• Nice looking place, very open with the high ceilings and all the large windows.
• This was the second pre-opening party, as the previous night was for the local breweries and partners.
• No patio as of yet; it would have been nice seeing how warm and sunny like it was.
• Because we were invited to this shindig, we got two drink tickets each. I started off with a Ransack the Universe IPA, and Perry went with nut brown ale from Black Oak. No complaints with either choice and the beers came promptly, despite how insanely busy it was.
• They use the appropriate glass for the beer you ask for - you got to like that.
• With about 60 percent of the restaurant’s taps dedicated to Ontario brewers, and more than half of those dedicated to craft beer offerings, along with the remainder of the taps featuring beers from across Canada, the U.S. and overseas, if you can't find something you like to drink on the beer menu, you either just don't like beer, or you're not trying.
• No issues here with female staff in sexy uniforms or high heels, if that is a thing that concerns you when you go out to eat.
• I was expecting chicken wings as the complimentary food offering (not that there's anything wrong with that) but was pleasantly surprised with the steamed mussels and the pork belly with noodles that was offered. I also was a fan of the falafel balls in the house tzatziki sauce.
• Perry now thinks I'm a savage because I attacked my first serving of pork belly and noodles with my hands because I didn't see the chopsticks or forks available. Screw him, I was hungry, and it was good.
• Wandering around, I saw the mezzanine which will be hosting a Brewmaster’s Dinner next month, with a different local brewery pairing their beer with a four-course dinner menu designed to complement the brew. From what I could see, they got a nice kitchen area setup too.
• Maybe CRAFT's community focus has stemmed the tide with them having already volunteered with the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group, but I haven't heard any of the usual complaints about the noise from Glebe residents; maybe it's because I've been listening to less AM talk radio these days.
• Ordering off the menu, I decided to go with the fish tacos, while Perry chose the BLT. The food was OK, I'd probably order the tacos with guacamole next time; there's something about avocado and Mexican food that just makes it work for me.
• For our second free drink, Perry went with an ABC vanilla stout, but I couldn't make up my mind.  I asked my server for a recommendation, and she suggested one of her favourites, the Side Launch wheat beer. As I don't like the taste of bananas, I went with another of her suggestions, a white ale from Unibroue. I liked my choice, but Perry thought the vanilla flavour was too subtle for his tastes.
• We got a quick speech from the owner who thanked us for our support.
• Planning ahead for a ride home after going through the beer menu is a good idea.
• OVERALL IMPRESSION: As long as lagers and ales are still popular to drink, the Craft Beer Market will be THE place to go for a pint when you head to Lansdowne. You'll probably have to wait for a seat, but it will be worth the wait.

Detox and Retox - Yoga On Tap at the Ottawa Winter Brewfest

A lot of people practice yoga in order to free their minds from the distractions that normally occupy it; a lot of people drink beer for the same reason. Yoga classes followed by a pint of beer have become a hot new pairing at breweries throughout the city and the country. While you may think the beer would offset any of yoga's positive effects, sipping a pint may have more health advantages than you think, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Cereal Science. And who doesn't like a cold one after working your muscles hard? I first heard of the trend when I saw one of my favourite craft breweries, Dominion City Brewing, hosted YOGA ON TAP last year, that featured a session that offered an all levels accessible yoga class, followed by a tour of the brewery and some beer tasting. It was too late for me to attend that event, but I managed to get into the session happening at the sold-out Winter Brewfest at Lansdowne Park today. It was -28 Celsius leaving the house this morning, with a windchill of way too cold to be out if you don't have to. I thought I could warm myself up on the frigid walk from my parking spot to the Horticulture Building by convincing myself I was attending a hot yoga class but it didn't help. Once I registered and started to defrost, I made my way to the front to set up. I'd say there were about 30-35 people in attendance, with more women than men, about a five-to-one ratio. Our instructor, Ashley, soon welcomed us to the class and won everyone over with her enthusiastic attitude, and the announcement that she was cool with people drinking beer while she led us through the routine. Her approach to the class was it was just her inviting us in to join her as she drank beer while she practised yoga, and that life is a gift that we should all enjoy. I appreciated the commitment to work-life balance, but I would need to take more yoga classes to get the full benefits of it. I was too busy getting my body into the proper form, and worrying if my breathing was correct to get any of the mental or spiritual aspects. But by the end of the session, I was relaxed enough to enjoy some beer. Ashley then led everyone through a beer tasting, and her knowledge of beer is on par with her knowledge of yoga. The standout of the samplings offered was the Unf stout from local brewers whiprsnapr, full of dark chocolate, black cherry, and espresso flavours. With a focus on one's well being, and one's community, YOGA ON TAP was a good time for everyone, whether you come out for the yoga or for the beer.

Random Thoughts About Ottawa's Whole Foods

When the decision was made to redevelop Lansdowne Park, one of the selling points was that Whole Foods was going to be one of the stores in the commercial part of the new urban park concept for the area. My first exposure to the natural and organic foods supermarket chain was during an episode of "Top Chef" when the chefs were scrambling to buy ingredients for a QuickFire Challenge. I was surprised at the variety of items available in this store - someone bought an ostrich egg there for an omelet. The grand opening of the store was yesterday, so I made my way over during my lunch hour to see what all the fuss was about. Here's what I thought:

• It's not hard to be the shining jewel of the renovated Lansdowne Park when your competition is a Winners and a Sporting Life (think their opening days were as hyped and anticipated?).
• Some people braved a windchill of -17 Celsius and arrived at 6AM for a 9AM opening to say they were the first people inside. I was not one of those people, as I've never been in that much of a rush to give people my money.
• I hear the first 500 customers were given gift cards, ranging from $5 to $500 - nope, still not reason enough for me get there that early.
• It will be interesting to see how this company will fair in Ottawa once the coolness factor wears off.
• Not surprisingly, parking for this place is limited. Something to keep in mind if you're planning on buying a lot of groceries.
• I'm willing to bet that the majority of people here buying stuff would never think of buying similar products at any of the health food stores in Ottawa that were around before Whole Foods came to town.
• With more than 50 foods from Ontario and West Quebec producers, hopefully, this will be local enough for those concerned about their carbon footprint.
• They make use of every inch of the 39 000 square feet they have to play with. This is your one-stop-shop for all things organic, with a wide selection to choose from. Just don't expect that products will be any cheaper, organic food is still as expensive as ever.
• I had no idea there was more than one choice available when it comes to turnips.
• If you can get away with selling packages of asparagus with the ends removed to the lazy, more power to you.
• Not an ostrich egg to be seen.
• The cheese selection is second to none. Pretty good looking meat section and bakery as well.
• Best things I sampled: the fresh guacamole and the popcorn with drizzled chocolate on it.
• Despite Health Canada's assurances of safety, Whole Foods does not sell any genetically modified foods. I mention this because if you don't trust Health Canada, what exactly do you eat?
• Bought a fair trade coffee and the best carrot muffin I've ever eaten on the way out. 
• OVERALL IMPRESSION: Whole Foods lives up to the hype, it's a great store for natural and organic foods, with a wide selection of ingredients that will make your recipe that much better;  that said, I don't see it being a regular destination for anyone who doesn't live in the immediate area, or has money to burn.