And our final gift idea of the season? Why, beer, of course!

A gift pack with some pretty glasses would be nice, or the brilliant Caledonian Deuchars pack of four cans and a paperback copy of Ian Rankin’s first Rebus book, Knots & Crosses, or a mixed six-pack of interesting brews, or just a pint at the bar. Let’s face it, beer is also welcome. (more…)

The aptly-named King Cocktail of America is a fellow named Dale DeGroff, who has plied the mixology trade both behind the bar and as a high-profile consultant for more years that I suspect even he’d be comfortable admitting. Like the superlative bartender he is, Dale wears many hats — amiable drinks companion, mentor to the trade, imaginative cocktail creator, good friend to many — but one hat he appears to have only reluctantly worn is that of author, having to 2008 penned only a single book, The Craft of the Cocktail. (more…)

Earlier this year, I received in the mail a copy of “Sociable!: The elbow bender’s guide to Maritime pubs.” If I recall correctly, I was under the deadline gun at the time and so never got around to offering a review of the book, although I did manage to peruse its chapters with interest on a plane bound for somewhere. (more…)

Anyone who knows me understands that I’m not a big fan of brewery logo-ed merchandise. It’s not that I have anything against the stuff, per se, just that I have a long-held aversion to providing free advertising for any company, period. I even cut the tags and logos off my jeans, for crying out loud. The only branded tee-shirt I own, which I happen to be wearing at this very moment, boasts the well-faded but still familiar letter-logo of the late and lamented New York music emporium, CBGBs. (more…)

My friend and colleague Don Russell writes in Philadelphia as “Joe Sixpack,” and has been enlightening the palates of the beer curious from Allentown to the Jersey shore for years, largely through his eponymous column in the Philadelphia Daily News. But his secret obsession for all this time, which I knew nothing about, is Christmas and holiday beers, those wonderful winter warmers that light our (all-too-short) days and sooth our nights through these cruelest months. (more…)

Thanks to Camper over at alcademics from bringing to my attention these great, funny beer ads recently posted at on the Esquire website.

Take a look for yourself, and make your own commentary if you want. Here’s mine: (more…)

Yup, that’s the theme of this month’s edition of The Session, as chosen by the guys at San Francisco’s 21st Amendment brewery, Nico and Shawn. And in my grumpier moments, which have been many this week, I’d answer, simply, not a damn thing, you myopic, self-absorbed Americans, because I’m Canadian and as shocking as it may be, the entire beer blogging world, indeed the whole brewing world, does not revolve around the United States of America! (more…)

I never thought I’d even suggest buying this calendar as a gift, much less recommend it, having been given one myself on multiple occasions by well-meaning individuals. But that was back in the days that Bob Klein was author of the calendar’s many reviews, and I’ve always had a bit of a problem with the way Mr. Klein approaches the subject. Which is not to say that his observations have been wrong, tasting being the entirely subjective science it is, just that I find his writing style florid to the point of overwrought. (more…)

Both my morning papers today are filled with gift suggestions, so I figure this must be the time for me to start my seasonal listing of gift ideas, beginning with a highly informative and enjoyable book. Watch this space in the weeks to come for more beer and drinks related gift ideas. (more…)

For most people aware of my two decades of writing, and no doubt most of the people who frequent this blog, I am The Beer Guy, a name by which I have been introduced for many a year, and proudly so. But there are other facets to my work, including stories about travel, principally for Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper, whisky and other varieties of spirits, and most recently, cocktails. (more…)