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Victoria, for all of it's wonderful microbrews that often call me across the pond, has rather expensive beer and poor service, especially at the best known pubs, such as Thr Irish Times. Yet, close to these snobby pubs is one that makes you feel like you've accidently stepped right back into England, only with the warmth and courstey that can only be found in a Canadian pub.
After finally becoming so annoyed with the poor treatment from the more reknowned pub owners, I convinced my mum to look at Garrick's Head with me. While the enterance through the hotel lobby off of Government St. can be remarkably confusing, the pub had a nice entrance and view of Bastion Square.
When we entered, the bartender was dealing with a load of cruiseship folks, the typical well off older people who enjoyed talking as much as anything else. We sat down at a table while I watched him skillfully hand out samples and determine the best beer for each person by their reactions. Thus, I convinced my mother to move up to the bar with me where we could sample and discuss freely.
While the other bars will charge you staggering amounts of sample platters with five small beers in glasses not much larger than a double shot, Brad, the Garrick's Head bartender was more than happy to put a good amount of any beer that we inquired about in a tumbler for us to sample. In the end, I went for the Hop Circle IPA (the "best beer in the world" according to Brad, which was very similar in hoppiness and taste to Stone's Ruination), while my mother had a local cream ale (Brad claimed it to be his favorite brew on tap, which he noted was a different claim than "best brew in the world).
As we sipped our beers, Brad made smalltalk similar to the kind I find myself fond of AFK Tavern for, making easy conversation more complex than talking about the weather that makes you feel welcome as if you were a regular or a friend. He also correctly that I'm from the coast due to my love of IPAs, which I didn't know was a westcoast trait!
The couple sitting next to us ordered the beer battered fries ($6) and found they had much more food than they could eat, so they gave us the rest. The fries were to die for, they were perfectly crispy in the beer batter on the outside and cut just large enough so each had a small amount of warm, soft center.
The IPA was so delicious that I ordered another pint while my mother slowly worked on her ale, despite Brad's comment that I'd be passed out drunk by 3pm (this was a noon adventure). He was mostly right, as we grabbed our bags, stopped by a figurine store that has a gay pride prade in the front window led by the Empire (yes, I'll upload a picture of it to this blog as soon as I get home), and ate the absolutely most delicious onion rings I've ever had the pleasure of tasting, I found a couch below the main rooms of the Empress Hotel and took a nap. Admittedly, I'm not much of a person for formality, especially when I'm tired, and I have often shocked people with my willingness to sit, lay and sleep anywhere when I feel I need a rest. Luckily, most of the purple who passed my sleeping spot thought it was rather adorable to see all six feet of me curled up into a ball and happily asleep next to my mother, who was reading. I may be able to buy beer and financially support myself, but I'm still her daughter!
I had a few other adventures that I might add here and I'll definitely try to upload photos! Oh, and I now have some feather extensions in my hair, because I was feeling particularly hippy-y.
Now, for the weird blip of text that I can't seem to delete because of how this text box works on my phone: e ever
 
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What's with HMC and alcohol...
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On July 18 2011 14:04 Froadac wrote:
What's with HMC and alcohol...
We know how to appreciate the creations of our ancestors!
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Haha. When I visited some guy had what must have been 100 bottles of whisky and gin on his top shelf. Was quite impressive.
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omg i love onion rings! There's a place down the street that makes onion rings with tempura batter and they are AMAZING. But they bring like 50 onion rings so I can't order real food and eat them all unless I'm with more than 4 people. :C
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On July 18 2011 14:31 Ghin wrote:
omg i love onion rings! There's a place down the street that makes onion rings with tempura batter and they are AMAZING. But they bring like 50 onion rings so I can't order real food and eat them all unless I'm with more than 4 people. :C
That sounds like the serving sizes of Legends, a place near my school.
Anyway, Joe's onion rings were done in a batter that didn't "fluff" much, but was super yummy with various spices and salts. It was absolutely delicious and probably contained 3 days servings worth of salt.
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Wrong part of Canada. All the cool kids are on the East Coast.
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And yes, legends is amazing. Went there with my cousin. Just got like onion rings and the basic melt. So good :DD
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On July 18 2011 14:48 Torte de Lini wrote:
Wrong part of Canada. All the cool kids are on the East Coast.
Only because you're closer to Europe. 
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On July 18 2011 14:48 Torte de Lini wrote:
Wrong part of Canada. All the cool kids are on the East Coast.
South-East Coast.
Down in that america bit ^^
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Vancouvers the only cool place in Canada
Victorias just a bunch of old retired people lol
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On July 18 2011 18:05 Kojak21 wrote:
Vancouvers the only cool place in Canada
Victorias just a bunch of old retired people lol
Eh, I go to Vancouver often, too, but I really like the chill atmosphere of Victoria. Plus, trying to get into any clubs in Vancouver makes me want to scream. Huuuugeeee lines.
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If you want the best brew Canada has to offer you go East Coast.
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On July 18 2011 18:05 Kojak21 wrote:
Vancouvers the only cool place in Canada
Victorias just a bunch of old retired people lol
You've obviously never seen most of Canada if that's what you think.
QQ Canucks, I'll pity Vancouver while I'm drinking from Lord Stanley's Cup on August 1st!
If you want the best brew Canada has to offer you go East Coast.
This. It's a crime that Keith's is an "import" in Ontario.
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On July 18 2011 22:25 StarStruck wrote:
If you want the best brew Canada has to offer you go East Coast.
except that's all the east coast has to offer... that and unemployment 
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On July 18 2011 14:48 Torte de Lini wrote:
Wrong part of Canada. All the cool kids are on the East Coast.
As a western Canadian myself, I can agree with this. imo the best cities in Canada are Montreal, Halifax, and Charlottetown, in no particular order. /unrelated.
On July 18 2011 22:25 StarStruck wrote:
If you want the best brew Canada has to offer you go East Coast.
And this part I'd have to disagree with. My favorite beer probably comes out of Quebec (Unibroue ftw) but as far as micro-breweries go, there is some amazing beer in western Canada. Wildrose IPA will make your dick hard for an hour.
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On July 19 2011 00:41 OmniEulogy wrote:Show nested quote +On July 18 2011 22:25 StarStruck wrote:
If you want the best brew Canada has to offer you go East Coast. except that's all the east coast has to offer... that and unemployment
I'm sure the plains are exciting and amazing!
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On July 19 2011 01:38 Flaccid wrote:Show nested quote +On July 18 2011 14:48 Torte de Lini wrote:
Wrong part of Canada. All the cool kids are on the East Coast. As a western Canadian myself, I can agree with this. imo the best cities in Canada are Montreal, Halifax, and Charlottetown, in no particular order. /unrelated. Show nested quote +On July 18 2011 22:25 StarStruck wrote:
If you want the best brew Canada has to offer you go East Coast. And this part I'd have to disagree with. My favorite beer probably comes out of Quebec (Unibroue ftw) but as far as micro-breweries go, there is some amazing beer in western Canada. Wildrose IPA will make your dick hard for an hour.
What is this IPA and where can I find it?
>:D
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On July 19 2011 01:38 Flaccid wrote:Show nested quote +On July 18 2011 14:48 Torte de Lini wrote:
Wrong part of Canada. All the cool kids are on the East Coast. As a western Canadian myself, I can agree with this. imo the best cities in Canada are Montreal, Halifax, and Charlottetown, in no particular order. /unrelated. Show nested quote +On July 18 2011 22:25 StarStruck wrote:
If you want the best brew Canada has to offer you go East Coast. And this part I'd have to disagree with. My favorite beer probably comes out of Quebec (Unibroue ftw) but as far as micro-breweries go, there is some amazing beer in western Canada. Wildrose IPA will make your dick hard for an hour.
The micro-breweries in Quebec alone are enough to quench my thirst. There are so many and the flavors are endless.
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EPT
