Drink Reviews

There’s no better way to warm up as the cold weather approaches than by sitting down with a nice, hearty drink.

Coffee, Chocolate, Vanilla and Hazelnut? Yes please! The Oliver 1½ oz Tag No.5 Espresso Vodka ½ oz  McGuinness Creme De Cacao ½ oz Frangelico ½ oz Galliano Pour into cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Shake. Strain into old-fashioned or martini glass. What’s in the drink? Tag No.5 Espresso Vodka–A seasonal selection from the …

While there are many things to enjoy about the winter, let’s get real—life, and beer, is better enjoyed in sunlight and shorts. This will be my last beer review for the Fulcrum, and I’ve decided to leave you all with four spring and summer pints that can be found at an LCBO near you. Remember me as you sip your summer ales somewhere warm and beautiful in the coming months, and never forget the good times alcohol and I brought you. Stay golden. Amsterdam Framboise This beer, brewed seasonally in small batches, is best enjoyed among friends on a sweltering summer day. Surprisingly smooth for a fruity ale, the Framboise manages to walk a fine line between sour and sweet. This strong beer won’t overwhelm you, but it’ll give you and your friends something to …

Adult hot chocolate: Canadian Cocoa This holiday, it’s time to leave the eggnog behind with the ugly Christmas sweaters. A much richer, decidedly more Canadian drink exists, and should be your new go-to holiday cocktail. Canadian Cocoa is simple to make, will warm you up on frigid winter days, and packs a rye whiskey-fuelled boozy …

I’ve never been able to say I’ve had St. Petersburg’s best of anything, so it was with great excitement that I tried my first Russian beer at the stylish Moscow Tea Room.

Augustiner Bräu’s Lagerbier Hell Despite Germany being home to many of the world’s top-rated beers, Berlin’s reputation for quality brews is surprisingly poor. Lucky for me, I stumbled upon one heck of a clean and crisp lager while out for dinner at a local student hotspot. Augustiner’s lager is exactly what a confused Canadian wants …

Where to find it: Arrow and Loon Pub and Restaurant in the Glebe There’s nothing wrong with hops. As an ingredient, hops can bring delectable bitterness and sharpness to an ale or lager. But since the great hops movement began a few years ago — scholars maintain that the exact date of its origin is lost …

Where to find it: Clocktower Brew Pub in the ByWard Market (also in Westboro and the Glebe) This beer is like Dan Mangan. I’m really happy it exists and that people support it, but despite my efforts, I cannot help finding the overall product a little lacking. The prospect of finding a solid, local, fruity …

Where to find it: 1848 Don’t be turned off by the name. I know winter memories are the last things U of O students need right about now, but this beer is refreshing and tasty enough to warrant your time, even if you’re not wearing a parka. This is a mild winter ale. Rather than …

Where to find it: Pub Italia at 434 Preston St. There comes a time during every semester when I feel I should take a step back from university life and pay my respects to an institution that helped build this city. It is with great reverence that I then make my way to the great …

Where to find it: Chez Lucien This beer is a hidden gem, just like the bar I found it at. It’s a simple formula — barley, hops, yeast, and water — with a simple, smooth taste, not dissimilar to your common Keith’s or Canadian, but this beer just does it right. It doesn’t have preservatives, …

Where to find it: Café Nostalgica (that’s right, they serve something stronger than water again) First of all, regardless of your taste, drop your plans for one night this weekend and go to Café Nostalgica. They recently regained their liquor license and the full range of beers they have on tap is second to none …

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