Beady Eye - Be

Oasis 2.0 has gotten much better

The Be album cover has also received some controversy

I don’t hide my love for Oasis or anything that Noel Gallagher, or Liam Gallagher, do for that matter.  Liam was the first to drop a new album after the Oasis split with his “new” band full of Oasis alums – Beady Eye.  That was two years ago, and while the first album Different Gear, Still Speeding, was decent, it was nowhere near the quality of Noel’s first album.  Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds has found its way into regular rotation in my music library but Beady Eye’s has not.

You can read my review of Different Gear, Still Speeding here, but for a brief recap it was an experiment of Liam writing all the music in, what seemed to me, a time machine – almost every second song had a feel of a different era.  I enjoyed the album but for the amount of good songs there were just too many terrible ones.

The new album, Be, has received a bit more hype than their debut, which probably has something to do with Liam spewing nonsense like he normally does and not actually the music that is being talked about.  I’ll admit he may be a huge asshole but the man can sing. 

“Flick The Finger,” the first single from the album was different, and when they released the second song, “Second Bite of the Apple,” you knew they were still experimenting to find their own voice.  But already with these two tracks you could tell the album was more focused.

The new sound probably has something to do with David Sitek’s (of TV On The Radio fame) production.  Of course he is a top-notch producer too, producing Foals and Yeah Yeah Yeahs to name a couple of the top-notch talent he has had a hand in.

On the first listen of the album I noticed a bit more hard rock riffs compared to the first album, more Oasis like maybe, yet as a whole the album seems a bit softer.  It has a bit of a garage rock feel to it too.  Like their first album it doesn’t seem too have a single focus but an improvement over the first one.

Oasis 2.0 has improved and I think it is safe to say that Liam has learned a few tricks from his brother and proves he is more than just an asshole with a good voice.  Some of the songs are aimed at Noel, but surprisingly they aren’t negative towards him.  It is almost as if Liam is looking for a reconciliation with his brother.  Maybe even to get Oasis back together?  Probably not but I think that is how Oasis fans will read the songs, especially “Start Anew.”

Keep in mind I am writing this with only a few listens to the album but I wanted to get this review up the day the album was released, especially once it leaked and they started streaming it on iTunes last week.  I am digging it on the few listens that I have had though.

300 Years of Beer

A look at Manitoba’s beer history

I like beer.  I like history.  I like books.  I like beer history.  I like beer history books. 

So of course I was intrigued about the new book 300 Years of Beer: An Illustrated History of Brewing in Manitoba.  The book, written by Bill Wright and Dave Craig, beer geek historians (it’s what I’m calling them but not their actual titles), is available at Great Plains, McNally Robinson, Chapters, and on Amazon.

300 Years of Beer is a gorgeous coffee table book, perfect for any beer geek or Manitoba history buff.  It is filled with lots of old photos, ads, beer labels, and logos of Manitoba breweries, pubs, and people connected to the beer scene over the years.  In fact, the first photo is of a delivery truck in front of the St. James Hotel in 1939, which, to this day, still stands and I actually frequent.

St James Hotel circa 1939!

Now I haven’t had a chance to read the entire book yet but it covers it all, starting with the corner of Main and Redwood and ending with the newest addition to Manitoba’s beer scene – The Farmery.  Like any good history book, 300 Years of Beer has little side stories, all which are little tidbits of information you’ll easily remember.  You know, to dazzle someone with Manitoba’s beer history at the  I bet someone you know very soon will mention the connection Winnipeg has to the Budweiser Clydesdales at a beer tasting.

next beer tasting.

Even if you don’t read the words in the book this is worth picking up just for all the photos.  Trust me; grab yourself a beer, this book, get comfy, and you’ll have a good night.

Innis & Gunn Canadian Cherrywood Finish

This years brew for Canada

Beer: Innis & Gunn Canadian Cherrywood Finish

Brewery: Innis & Gunn

Brewed In: United Kingdom

Style: Scotch Ale

ABV: 8.3%

Price: $4.95

Notes: Available around Canada Day

Story: Like last years Canada Day brew this one comes in a box with artwork from a Canadian.  This year BC artist Tatianna O'Donnell designed the packaging with a murky forest backdrop.

Appearance: The beer pours a copper colour
with a tan head.  It is honestly a gorgeous looking beer.

Smell: Oak, cherry, and a honey sweetness.

Taste: Oak like Innis & Gunn is known for, plus a bunch of caramel and maple with a cherry backbone.  Some dates also come across as the beer warms.  The alcohol is hidden well, just a slight tinge of it on the tongue on the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with no noticeable carbonation.

Drinkability: Buying a bunch of these for sure.  I think its the maple that makes this my new favourite Innis & Gunn beer!

The Great Burger Hunt - JL Beers (Grand Forks)

Burgers and beer (like this blog...)

Want a reason to visit Grand Forks? JL Beers. Seriously if you enjoy beer it is worth the 2 hour and 38 minute drive from Winnipeg (according to Google). 80 taps of glorious be…… wait… this is a burger review. Okay, okay. I got a bit ahead of myself thinking back to all the beer I tried but the burgers at JL Beers are quite good.

I can’t remember if it was Kevin or Adrian that made the comment comparing the burgers to a McDonalds-esque (or the fast food) style, but they are 100% correct.

Humpty Dumpty and loaded chips

JL Beers essentially serves a gourmet McDonalds burger. Like the ones you see in the commercials but it doesn’t have the fast food taste. Confusing I know. This may seem like its coming off negative but trust me if you’ve had one you would understand my reference and probably agree they are delicious.

I’ve been to JL Beers four times now for burgers (and beer). On two occasions I’ve had the Humpty Dumpty. The other two times I tried the Rajun Cajun (pepperjack cheese, Cajun lime sauce, and grilled onions) and a special burger they had on that day (it might have had blue cheese I can’t remember (so I probably had too much beer)).

Humpty Dumpty hits the spot almost perfectly. It is part greasy burger, part breakfast, but all delicious. This burger is just cheese, a fried egg, and a hamburger patty on a bun. Simple yet divine. And only $4.19!

You can also add on whatever you like to your burgers, for an extra cost of course - raw onions, grilled onions, grilled peppers, mushrooms, another patty, an egg, cheese, BLU cheese, bacon, tomato, or lettuce.

Rajun Cajun

If it is your first time at JL Beers do yourself a favour and pair your burger with a side of the loaded chips. Not the fries, although they are good, just not as superior. Either way “loaded” comes with beer cheese sauce, bacon, jalapeño, and some other seasoning (I think it is Cajun). They are a bit salty, and freshly cut, but are really good.

Now you can pair your burgers with a ton of different beers. So you should probably take that into consideration when you order.

The burgers, the portions or the price at JL Beers won’t disappoint you.

What I got: Humpty Dumpty and loaded chips - $10

Burger Taste: 4/5
Fries Taste: 4/5
Menu Selection: 4/5
Price Value: 5/5
Overall: 4.25/5

JL Beers
2531 S Columbia Rd
Grand Forks, ND 58201
701-738-1000

Granville Island Saison

Tis the Saison.....

Beer: Granville Island Saison

Brewery: Granville Island Brewery

Brewed In: Vancouver, Canada

Style: Saison

ABV: 6.5%

Price: $6 a bottle

Notes: Rotating.

Story: I find Granville Island beers are hit or miss.  I try most of their beers when they come through the MLCC but not all.  We don’t get many Saison style beers on a regular basis so I thought I would try this one.

Appearance: The beer pours a cloudy gold with a fluffy white head.  It left a good amount of lacing.

Smell: Smelled like a spiced hefeweizen to me.  Lots of cloves, yeast and banana.

Taste: Banana, cloves, and yeast were all present in the flavour but mostly this saison was grassy and citrusy.  It had a small bite in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with noticeable carbonation.

Drinkability: I could see myself drinking this again but like most of the Granville Island beers I have had I won’t rush out to buy more anytime soon.

The Great Burger Hunt - Billabong Bar Bistro

Australian burgers anyone?

I have been to Billabong Bar Bistro a few times, it seems every time I go there they have changed the menu considerably.  This time was no exception, although it does seem that there was more Australian cuisine than before.

James and I walked in a few minutes after they opened so it was not busy at all.  Within moments we got our drink orders taken and menus given to us.  Both of us decided on a burger, and different burgers.  I got the Aussie burger while James got the Kiwi burger.

The Aussie

It didn't take long for the food to come out.  We had an option of chips or fries as a side.  We split the difference and each got a different one.  There was an option for soup too but I passed even though it sounded delicious.

The Aussie burger, $14, came topped with pineapple, tomato, beets, an egg, lettuce, and aioli sauce. The yolk on the egg broke right away, making it a bit messy.  The 8oz angus burger itself had a great spice and was slightly charred on the outside.  Sadly a typical bun makes it from being a great burger.  It was really well balanced with the spice in the burger and the pineapple and beets on the burger giving it a sweetness.  

Now the debate - chips or fries?

The Kiwi

The chips were very crispy.  Topped with a bit of tomato and onions.  At first I didn't notice how salty they were but they were actually salty I definitely kept going to my beer to quench my thirst.  The waitress gave me an option of three dips too.  She recommended the aioli so I went with that. It was a bit garlic(y)? 

Thin cut fries is the way to go.  Crispy but not too salty.  Much less salt than the chips.  Overall I preferred them to the chips.

I would definitely return here for the burger.  I want to try the Kiwi burger next time too.

What I got: The Aussie Burger and chips – $14 (before taxes)

Burger Taste: 4/5

Fries Taste: 3/5

Menu Selection: 4/5

Price Value: 3/5

Overall: 3.5/5

Billabong Bar Bistro

121 Osborn St

Winnipeg, MB R3L 1Y4

204-452-1019

Pub Chat: Episode 35 - Grand Forks Special

With 3 beers!
In this episode Adrian and I are joined by Kevin in the hotel room. We drank three beers - Delirium Nocturnum by Brouwerij Huyghe, Southern Tier’s Pumking and Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout.  Not much was talked about other than the beers and Kevin's grey hair.

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No show notes this week!