March 29th, 2011
Dear BeerNation.
Although I planned content for this site well into the coming months, a change in my writing schedule is prompting me to move on so this will be my final post.
I am happy this site has received some great comments. I was honoured to have this site read by many great breweries especially the breweries in Atlantic Canada that I am very proud to support.
I also want to thank the site co-founders for believing in the concept for this site. I think that the potential for bigger things is here for BeerNation. I hope that whoever takes the reins of writing this content can make this thing big, bigger than big!
Canada is a nation of beer drinkers and great thinkers. This is a place to combine both those concepts into thoughtful and entertaining posts.
Thanks all for reading,
Sincerely,
Dann Alexander
Tags: Atlantic Canada, BeerNation, breweries, Canada, great thinkers
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March 28th, 2011
Greetings BeerNation. Most of you who read this regularly know I write these pieces about a week or so in advance. I wrote part 1 of this series just over twelve hours ago on a Monday morning. I am still reeling from my trip to Las Vegas in January, so I am continuing my theme on casino games while it is still fresh in my head.
I had moved on from playing some games at Frank Sissons Silver Dollar Casino in Calgary to checking out other options in the City. Since then I had the pleasure of visiting all of the Casinos in Calgary and trying my hand at different slot machines.
When it came to table games though, I did not stray beyond playing blackjack, a game I have adored since my kid days where I used poker chips as the prize winnings. I may have never been keen on playing other tables games save for a couple of useless spins at a roulette wheel. Probably because the element of risk seemed higher, and I never had much interest in the other games from a playing perspective.
I make a point of telling friends and family that casino gambling is meant to be an exercise of the mind. It is supposed to be entertainment. When you realize you have spent a ton of dough in one game and you are feeling down about the loss, then it stops being fun. I think those who have the most fun with these games are people like me who learned hard lessons while playing those games. I made my mistake continuing in a losing cause and having to walk away with much less. I have not made that mistake since.
Tags: BeerNation, blackjack, casino games, dough, Frank Sissons Silver Dollar Casino, gaming, Las Vegas, prize winnings
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March 21st, 2011
In January of this past year, I was finally able to visit one of the greatest cities on earth. Las Vegas was everything and then some. It way exceeded my expectations. It was all about the lights, sights, sounds and people in the surroundings.
I have always believed that Las Vegas should be considered a gaming city first. It has become more about entertainment as a whole with shows and so on. As a kid when I would hear stories about Las Vegas it surrounded gambling and gaming.
My first visit to a Casino was at Calgary’s well-known Frank Sisson’s Silver Dollar Casino. By this time what I was used to seeing as far as gambling goes were Video Lottery Terminals which plastered many pubs in Nova Scotia. So I was walking into a room which was plastered with one-armed bandits. I remember scoping each machine and watching the players pump insane amounts of coin into the units. I started writing stories in my head as to where some of these people were getting the money. Perhaps they were losing entire pension paycheques. Rarely but easily I could spot players who were gambling with the sense of having fun. The kind of people I am referring to were well-dressed laid back people who carried fistfuls of cash in each available pocket.
I loved playing blackjack and poker on simulated video game programs. So I was really going to ramp myself up to sit down at a table and really give things a go.
It would be several visits to the Silver Dollar before I would take a chance on playing blackjack, and actually winning some chips.
to be continued….
Tags: blackjack, Calgary, Casino, Frank Sissons Silver Dollar Casino, gambling and gaming, gaming city, Las Vegas, Nova Scotia, poker, video game programs
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March 14th, 2011
This past July I had a ton of fun writing about a trip down memory lane and classic video gaming. For some time I have wanted to elaborate more on different systems we all probably have fond memories of. The second video game system I can remember having as a kid. was the Atari 2600.
I can remember having so many games for the old Atari that frankly we lost count. Some of these games were outright insane while others were so bad yet you still played them just because you had them. The Atari was recently named the second best console of all time by IGN news. For good reason.
The Atari was simplicity in itself. You had a joystick with one button. Nice and straightforward. With many Atari games you could also play them with a keypad, trackball, rollerball and a driving controller.
The Atari did feature versions of early arcade gold like Pac-Man and Asteroids. It was able to branch video games out further with the RealSports series, and other unexpected pleasant surprises in the catalogue.
Thanks to the development of technology, Atari 2600 games are now playable on your PC. The best Atari 2600 emulator I have found so far is Stella. A version can be found at “The Old Computer Site”
http://www.theoldcomputer.com/emulators/index.php?folder=Atari/2600-VCS
There are also a ton of games online through this and other sites. I reccomend staying with the Old Computer site. Setting these up to play is really easy. When you get to the Roms page and start downloading games, ensure you download them to the Atari 2600 ROMS folder within the Stella Emulator Program.
What were some of your favourite Atari 2600 Games? As comical as some of these were, they provided hours of entertainment for many.
My top 5
1. Pac-Man
2. Frogger
3. Bowling
4. Warlords
5. Asteroids
Tags: Asteroids, Atari, Atari 2600, Atari 2600 ROMS, Bowling, Frogger, joystick, memory lane, Pac-Man, RealSports, Stella Atari 2600 emulator, The Old Computer Website, Warlords
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March 7th, 2011
Going back to one of the big two for this particular piece about an often-forgotten favourite. Labatt 50 is a terrific blond ale which at one time was the best selling beer in Canada until it was overtaken by the staple we know today as “Blue”. (Labatt Blue). Labatt 50 was launched in celebration of the Labatt partnership in 1950.
50 is made from a special fermented yeast which yields into a pleasant smooth finish. My viewpoint of 50 is that it has always tasted slightly like a lighter beer. Many may disagree with me on this but perhaps it is because of the colour and smoothness. It is worthy of noting that the particular brand of fermented ale yeast used has been in use with Labatt since 1933.
When I mention 50 today to anyone, the usual reaction I get is one of slight disgust and confusion. This to me is a reminder that 50 is sadly an often-forgotten piece in Canadian beer history, worthy of an occasional purchase now and then.
Labatt 50 is available at most Ontario Beer Stores as well as select markets throughout Canada. In Alberta, 12-packs can be found at many stores usually for around 20 bucks.
For more information on Labatt 50 ,visit the Labatt website
Tags: 50, Alberta, blond ale, Labatt, Labatt 50, Labatt Blue, Ontario Beer Stores, special fermented yeast, the big two
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February 28th, 2011
During one of my many meal stops in Las Vegas, someone in my wife’s famly ordered a bottle of this unreal kick ass beverage known as Arrogant Bastard. California’s Stone Brewing Company are very up front about this 7.2 % drink. I do not consider this beer for the faint of hear. But instead I would say it is a drink for the fan of beer.
Although classified and brewed an Ale, this beer has the notes and flavours of a really dark and potent stout. Occasionally the traces of ale are prevalent albeit short lasting. The alcohol content is definitely there, almost hitting you with lightning speed shock. The high content thankfully does not take away the wonderful concentrated flavour of Arrogant Bastard.
Unfortunately it appears Arrogant Bastard and any of Stone Brewing’s products are not yet avaialble in Canada. If you visit the States at all, an attempt to take on this amazingly powerful and flavourful ale will be worth the time and coin.
For more information on Arrogant Bastard Ale, go to www.arrogantbastard.com and www.stonebrew.com
Tags: 7.2% drink, Arrogant Bastard, Arrogant Bastard Ale, beer, BeerNation, California, Las Vegas, Stone Brewing Company, stout
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February 21st, 2011
A few Bud Light is like visiting an old friend. Although I personally believe Moosehead Light to be the best of the Lights, Bud Light once in a while is a nice refreshing break. Where I am at in Ontario, Bud Light will go on sale more often than Moose, so I will grab some periodically.
Recently during my stint in Las Vegas I rather enjoyed being able to pick up something cold in a corner store and drink it like someone grabbing a soda pop. During a few of those moments I would grab a Bud Light.
Like any American Beer that is popular in Canada, there is a distinguishable taste difference between each product. Yet, Bud Light still remains pleasant and refreshing even if there are noticeable differences. Bud Light remains one of the most popular selling Light Beers in the world. It is a brand name from the big North American Two. You will see Bud Light as a name at events all over the world, and advertising all over television and radio.
One notable endorsement of the last two years has been from the Howard Stern Show on SiriusXM Radio. Executive Producer Gary Dell’Abate (Baba Booey) is a major champion of this product, and has given excellent radio promo spots to the Bud Light name.
Bud Light seems like it will always be there. I much prefer it to regular Bud. Not just because of my switch to enjoying Light Beer more, but the sharp edge to regular Bud just does not cut it for me anymore.
I miss the old Bud Light logo as well. Much cooler looking…
Tags: American beer, Baba Booey, Bud Light, Bud Light logo, Canada, Gary Dell'Abate, Howard Stern, Las Vegas, Lights, Moose Light, Moosehead Light, Ontario, radio promo spots, SiriusXM
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February 14th, 2011
Greetings BeerNation.
Maybe I am a bit out of touch with hockey this year. I have been trying hard to follow the Toronto Maple Leafs at every game. Whether via television feed or online radio feed. It seems like there are not a ton of great sports moments that I have seen this year. I’m referring to plays that are going to make the “plays of the year” reels.
I still reflect fondly on some great sports moments that I remember seeing on television as they were happening. What came to mind the other night when I was thinking about this were the final games of the back to back World Series wins by the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays had assembled two quality championship years and were playing really well. Just the idea that a World Series trophy was coming to Canada, was really something else.
As far as hockey games go, I can think of several great fights involving Leaf enforcers where they crushed the opposition. I still get very charged up watching hockey fights even now where I cheer loudly for the Blue and White.
When I was still a Calgary Stampeders fan, I had the pleasure of attending a game where the Stamps won it with no time left on the clock and with a field goal from a ways out.
When the game was over and people made their way to the exits, there were a few promotions people handing out rolls of toilet paper. Some fucking quilted type stuff.
Well I was part of the crowd that was making their way back to the train station. The people in the last car, even with no objection from the driver, wove the toilet paper rolls through the last car. People were honking horns as the train car went by…
Memories..
I will cap off the month by reviewing a great beer which I sampled in Las Vegas, and a piece about the great Bud Light.
Tags: BeerNation, Calgary Stampeders fan, Canada, championship years, hockey, hockey fights, Leafs encforcers, Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Maple Leafs, World Series
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January 31st, 2011
To continue from the last post.
So I was told that I needed to visit Recordland. Recordland is this deceivingly small yet vast warehouse of music situated in an expanding area just outside of Calgary’s downtown.
So a short few days later I wandered down to the Inglewood area of Calgary to check out Recordland. To this day I will never forget my shock and awe on walking in there for the first time. I immediately started to think about records that might be hard to find. Within minutes, I found most of the records I was thinking of.
I stopped myself as I made my dash through the store. It then dawned on me that somehow throughout this insanity, I realized I did not have a working record player…..
Talk about not firing on all cylinders….
I proceeded to a once profitable and now long gone audio store in Calgary Northeast. My stereo would require a special record player that would hook into an auxiliary connection. The store was pleased to be able to order what I wanted. I ordered a more high end version of this player for what now seems like a reasonable price.
A month and a half or so I go in to pick up the player only to find out it was dropped when it came in, breaking into a million pieces!
Another month and a half later I finally had my record player in hand and hooked up. I began to make regular trips to Recordland. It is one thing I miss about living there. I was able to build up a decent collection before I moved away from there. Now I will buy records on E-Bay when I can find a good deal.
You can now buy a record player/cd/tape combo for great prices through even the most basic department stores in this country and abroad. If you still have a record collection but need to find something to spin them on, consider picking up one of these units. Closer to Christmas, you are more likely to see them in the catalogues.
Tags: audio store, Calgary, Christmas, collection, cylinders, E-bay, Inglewood, Recordland, vinyl, Vinyl Records
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