BC's new Happy Hour law ain't all sunshine and rainbows

[Summer-Love]

http://eastsidebeer.blogspot.ca/2014/06/43-price-hike-does-not-sound-like-happy.html?spref=fb

So the liberals thought they would bring the much revered Happy Hour to our wonderful province. In theory, it sounds like a great idea. Who doesn't love to socialize over a great brew? However, with the new minimum drink pricing of $0.25 per 28 ml (one ounce), many beer drinkers in BC will see the regular price of their pint increase significantly, especially in more rural areas of BC. Considering I just got out of university (I know a lot of poor students), and craft beer, bourbon, and tasty cocktails are a big interest for my hipster friends, I know a lot of people who aren't too stoked about this announcement. I know so many great places in Vancouver where you could get a pint for $3; no longer can this option be available.

This is just another example (though minor) of the government doing something to "modernize" our laws. They neglect to look at the bigger picture or properly do their research, and end up messing things up even more.

Thoughts?

 

[Peyton Anders]

Bellinis for all!

 

[peacectryguy]

I guess I should be happy I don't drink anymore. 18 years coming up. Hard to believe. Anywho, I have a feeling the government did actually research this and realized they could fool everybody into thinking they were being generous while actually generating more revenue via taxes. The politicians are probably patting each other on the back while trying to figure out how they are going to get themselves a pay raise.

 

[Tugela]

The purpose is to get people to drink less, not to gouge them. Setting minimum prices is the most effective and palatable tool available for them to do that.

According to that link, "happy hours" were previously illegal.

 

[Plude]

not surprise. Liberals are known to be sneaky. They always try to find new ways to make themselves look like a saint and champ at the same time.

 

[manni]

don't really see what the fuss is about?
so they have to raise the price, whoop-de-do…but it's not unreasonably high.
I'm just happy to be able to order drinks without having to buy food.

and besides, I'm not one to drink to get hammered. rather, I like to soak in the atmosphere
of an establishment, shoot the shit if I'm with a friend or on a casual date. and when flying solo,
will usually bring work along and enjoy a few pints and people watch.

personally, it's finally good to see the variety of micro brew lounges opening. kinda similar when all
them indie coffee shops started to sprout.
my current fave brew lounge is Portland Craft on Main/23rd. talk about selection!

man, Vancouverites are like spoiled little brats. we have it good here…let's just appreciate what's in front of us.

 

[Summer-Love]

personally, it's finally good to see the variety of micro brew lounges opening. kinda similar when all
them indie coffee shops started to sprout.
my current fave brew lounge is Portland Craft on Main/23rd. talk about selection!

Speaking of micro breweries, have you been to Brassneck? It's also on Main and it's fantastic. If you haven't been, I recommend you give it a shot.

Red Racer out in Surrey is also pretty great, and they have tours every weekend I believe. Fun thing to do with some friends or family who also appreciate craft.

 

[badbadboy]

Speaking of micro breweries, have you been to Brassneck? It's also on Main and it's fantastic. If you haven't been, I recommend you give it a shot.

Red Racer out in Surrey is also pretty great, and they have tours every weekend I believe. Fun thing to do with some friends or family who also appreciate craft.

Great looking SP who knows her microbrews! BBB must investigate further

Being from Victoria (lucky you) how about Driftwood or Spinnakers? Fat Tug IPA or Spinnakers IPA are the bomb IMHO.

Also have you checked out local micro distillers? Not quite the same smoothness as Grey Goose or Sapphire but the vodka and gin I have tried are pretty amazing. Nice to support local biz :nod:

 

[Summer-Love]

Great looking SP who knows her microbrews! BBB must investigate further

Being from Victoria (lucky you) how about Driftwood or Spinnakers? Fat Tug IPA or Spinnakers IPA are the bomb IMHO.

Also have you checked out local micro distillers? Not quite the same smoothness as Grey Goose or Sapphire but the vodka and gin I have tried are pretty amazing. Nice to support local biz :nod:

I only every got out to Spinnakers once in Vic. For some reason none of my Victoria friends were ever too into craft beers, that was always more of a Vancouver thing until recently. I did go to Argyle whiskey room a couple times there though, that's a fun place. And they serve food until 12:30!

Haven't checked out any distilleries, do you have any suggestions?

I try to support local as much as I can. Luckily that's one of the great things about being across the bridge from downtown, so many more independent shops and restaurants. Main, Cambie, Commercial, and now a couple areas on Fraser are loaded with options.

 

[badbadboy]

The two I have tried out are Deep Cove Craft Brewing and Distilling in N Van and Long Table Distillery on Hornby at Pacific. Go with friends to one of their sampling nights. They usually have a food truck outside and a bartender available to mix up your fav cocktail

 

[manni]

Speaking of micro breweries, have you been to Brassneck? It's also on Main and it's fantastic. If you haven't been, I recommend you give it a shot.

Red Racer out in Surrey is also pretty great, and they have tours every weekend I believe. Fun thing to do with some friends or family who also appreciate craft.

unfortunately I went on a Friday night with too long a line-up to get in. I'm not a fan of line-ups so I bailed and went to 8 1/2 (on 8th Ave) instead.
will try again as I've heard good things about the place. I must say, these micro brews can be very addictive.

 

[Summer-Love]

unfortunately I went on a Friday night with too long a line-up to get in. I'm not a fan of line-ups so I bailed and went to 8 1/2 (on 8th Ave) instead.
will try again as I've heard good things about the place. I must say, these micro brews can be very addictive.

Haha, is there anyone who is a fan of line-ups? I would definitely suggest NOT going on a Friday night.
I like 8 1/2, good atmosphere. Good choice.

And thanks BBB for the suggestions! Mmm food trucks, another one of my favourite things (I'm secretly really fat, I just photoshop my massive gut out of my photos and blur my face to hide the grease dripping down my chin).

 

[badbadboy]

Haha, is there anyone who is a fan of line-ups? I would definitely suggest NOT going on a Friday night.
I like 8 1/2, good atmosphere. Good choice.

And thanks BBB for the suggestions! Mmm food trucks, another one of my favourite things (I'm secretly really fat, I just photoshop my massive gut out of my photos and blur my face to hide the grease dripping down my chin).

Vij's was at Longtable one night. Curry with a Gin and tonic perhaps ?

Congrats on the photoshop Stunning actually!

Beer - check
Sense of humour - check
Grease dripping down chin - Priceless ound:

 

[Claire Monet]

Mmmm... Longtable's gin is so good. I also really like Odd Spirits on Powell near Commercial Drive, their vodka is quite nice, made with malted barley. They're also now serving up cocktails.

For breweries in Vic (I'm not a beer drinker but can understand when something is tasty) I was partial to Hoyne and Driftwood. Spinnakers and Swans were fun for brewpubs. In Van Brassneck is great (props SL), I quite like Parallel 49's Rattler, and Powell Street because they're so small (expanding soon?) and deserve credit for their select brews.