Monthly Archives: September 2015

Winesday Wednesday: Common Roots Brewing Co

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I really think sometimes I should just call it Beersday Wednesday because I tend to share more beers than wines. Especially when I’m home because there are just so many beers to try! Doesn’t have the same ring to it though.

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Last Wednesday I ventured out to South Glens Falls to check out a new brewery, Common Roots Brewing Company. I actually found out about the place when I was at the beer store a few weeks ago and chatted up the cashier for a few minutes. Thank goodness I did, because I really liked the place!

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Of course, since I had never had any of their beers, a tasting flight was the obvious choice. They had 8 beers on tap (check out the link to their site as previously posted) and we could choose four for our flight. (only $5! Insert super excited/happy/drooly emoji here)

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My mom and I both got the same 4:

  • Haus Sour- I loved this one! I have yet to see a sour beer in Alberta, but I do remember trying one in Seattle last summer. It’s an easy drinker and I think it’s a great beer for those who aren’t normally beer drinkers.
  • Coffee Cup- This one was pretty good. It was a bit hard to get down because of the high alcohol content, but I could really taste the cold press coffee and the fact that it’s from a local coffee vendor is even better!
  • Spinner- I really like this one because of the grapefruit in it. Still a bit tough for me to thoroughly enjoy since it is a pale ale.
  • Daylight DIPA- Yeah, not sure what I was thinking when I chose this one since I’m not an IPA person, but it was neat to at least try their take on it.

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I made sure Wes was wearing his Pint Sized shirt for out visit and the brewers got a kick out of it.

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While we were there, we were advised a local food truck would be there on Friday, so my mom and I made sure to come back! If you checked out my Weekend Recap, you’ll remember I had that AWESOME pulled pork quesadilla with my beer. Mmmm so good.

I know for a fact if I didn’t live so dang far away I’d be frequenting this place. The brewery was made up really nice and I saw on social media that they offer extended hours for football games, trivia nights, gears and beers, and even yoga! I’m actually hoping to make it to one of their monthly yoga sessions before heading back to Calgary. Umm yoga + beer= googly eyes.

What are you drinking this week?

Have any local breweries near you? Please share!

Weekend Recap

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Another great weekend in the books! Which also mean one week closer to going home..womp. Friday: Obviously the day started with pancakes! The consistency of these are way different than the ones I make at home..I now know just how awesome … Continue reading →

Three Things Thursday

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WHOA- I’m doing a post that doesn’t start with a ‘W’ (Winesday Wednesday, Weekend Update, Wes’s monthly updates..) I just felt like blabbing a bit here while we are hanging out on the floor watching all the Pope action on TV. So here goes!

1) Let’s talk about mat leave. Or rather, 52 weeks of less pay. I am NOT complaining in the slightest because HOLY CRAP a whole year of paid leave to stay home with my baby is pretty much the best thing ever. GO CANADA! But the cut in pay makes it a bit limiting, especially now that there is another human in the household. With that, I was thinking of potentially getting involved in an online business like Beachbody as a means of generating a little bit of extra $$

200Only problem is, I absolutely cannot stand how my social media feeds are now bombarded with all the entrepreneurial (<–spelled that right on the first try!) posts. No offence to anyone! I don’t want to be a hypocrite and end up doing the same. I know, I know, it’s the best way to reach others. Only, I feel that I might do well with that type of business because I am already a very active, health-minded, and fit person. I would love to share that with others….but not annoy everyone else in the process. It’s a toughie. Please let me know your thoughts!!!!

2) I have been drinking Polar seltzer water LIKE IT’S MY JOB. (If only that were a real job which would easily help me out. See #1)

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In the two weeks I’ve been home, I think I’ve consumed 8 cases. Cases. Then there’s the regular water. And the fizzy water I’ve bought while out. And the beer. Haha, the beer. (not as much as you’d think.) I do miss my sodastream at home since it’s more cost efficient, but I can’t hate that my parents have been keeping the fridge stocked with this stuff for me!

3) I am planning on a solo shopping trip for myself before leaving New York. I NEED CLOTHES. No, it’s legit you guys. First, I only brought 3 outfits + a dress with me for this trip. That’s three outfits to repeat for a month. WOOF. Plus, most of the clothes I do have don’t fit me anymore. I was out with Wes yesterday and saw so many cute things I could incorporate into my fall/winter stay-at-home-with-the-baby-but-not-look-like-a-hobo wardrobe.

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I’m keeping the budget small, but I think I can do it! So long as I steer clear of the Oreo aisle in Target.

Tell me something random!

Winesday Wednesday 9/23/15

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Holy crap, it’s Wednesday AGAIN? Where does the time go?! With that, Happy Winesday Wednesday, friends!

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So last week I headed over to a local craft beer market (Hops and Barley- they don’t have a website..WHAAAAAT). The shop was a bit boutique-y and they didn’t have an abundance of beer as I was expecting, but they still had a decent new-to-me selection AND a bunch of brews on tap for growler fills. Ahh, if only I were local. Anyhoo, I was in a pinch for time and threw together a mix and match 6 pack:

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I’ve yet to try the Southern Tier Harvest and the Brown’s Brewing Co Cherry Razz, so I’ll let you know about those next week. Of the ones I DID try..

Uinta Brewing Punk’n Harvest Pumpkin Ale

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 From the website: 

DESCRIPTION

This sessionable pumpkin ale is brewed with fresh pumpkin and seasonal spices.

TASTING NOTES

Malt and hops accented with roasted pumpkin and spices of the season. A subtle hint of vanilla and honey. Punk’n is a wonderful compliment to foods with nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove flavors. Try it with roasted turkey, squash or pumpkin ravioli, peach cobbler, or pumpkin cheesecake.

I was excited to find a pumpkin ale I’ve not yet tried, BUT….womp. I am sad to report there is approximately ZERO trace of pumpkin in this brew. However, it wasn’t a bad tasting beer! Just tasted like a typical harvest/fall beer. I wouldn’t cross it off my list, I just wouldn’t add it to your pumpkin beer tasting list.

Angry Orchard Summer Honey

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From the website: Our Summer Honey cider is a light and refreshing cider with subtle notes of wildflower honey, perfect for those warmer months.

It must’ve been the wildflower honey that did it, but I did not care for this seasonal flavor from Angry Orchard. It just had a different (an unpleasant to me) aftertaste. I’d still with their original because it is the nice sweet and crisp taste you’d expect from a hard cider.

Shipyard Brewing Company Pumpkinhead

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To my fellow New Englanders, you know this beer so there is no description necessary. It’s not fall until you can order one of these puppies at a bar with a cinnamon sugar rim (SO MANDATORY). This is my favorite pumpkin beer of all time..I only wish I could have another…with aforementioned rim. So cinnamony and delicious I can’t even stand it!

Abita Pecan Harvest Ale

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From the website: 

Abita Pecan® Harvest Ale is brewed with pale, Munich, biscuit and caramel malts and Willamette hops. Real Louisiana roasted pecans are added in the brewhouse and give the ale a subtle nutty flavor and aroma. Crack one open for yourself.

This ale is excellent served with both red meat, seafood and, no surprise here, it’s also great with nuts! Try Pecan® Harvest Ale with Gouda cheese.

MIND= BLOWN. This beer was SO good and SO different. At first, it tastes like your standard fall/harvest beer but it has the most unbelievable toasted pecan finish! I need to get my hands on another one of these before I go home, because I have never come across a beer with this flavor. Maybe a brewery up in Alberta will catch on and make something similar??? wink. wink.

Oh guys…there’s also a wine a tried this week. (Read: One sip. But I can get all I need to know in that one sip! Plus, my mom likes it. It’s a smooth red that’s an easy drinker and would pair well with many foods.)

Chateau La Paws Red Wine Blend

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From the website:

A medium-bodied mixed-breed with dark cherry and raspberry notes.

Grape: Red Blend

Vineyard: California

Style: Opulent spicy red, soft tannins, rich fruit notes.

Pairings: BBQ, Grilled Steak, Roasted Vegetables

ABV:13%

In 2015 Chateau La Paws™ & Diageo Chateau & Estates are donating $100,000 to North Shore Animal League America to help fund the great work that they do to rescue, nurture, and adopt as many dogs as possible. We are proud to donate to this worthy charity and are excited to develop this partnership as we continue to grow this brand.

I IMMEDIATELY grabbed a bottle of this when I saw it because….DOGS. Insert googly-eyes emoji here. Please check out their site in the link above to read more about their cause and to see pics of all the shelter dogs they use on the labels!!

Ok, that’s it for this week. What are you drinking??