Whatever is a robust ginger lad to do when he finds himself wandering the streets of Vancouver on a windy winter’s afternoon? I answered this self-asked question by following my intuition this past monday and stumbling into St. Augustine’s on Commercial Drive. Did you know that St. is the Patron Saint of Brewers? Time for a self-imposed stout sampler tasting competition (that counts as a hearty meal.. and the food was yummy-times as well!)

Pothole Filler Imperial Stout
Howe Sound Brewing, Squamish, BC
howesound.com/

“This beer is a strong, inky dark ale, brewed with 6 malts and blackstrap molasses.  It is a thick beer, with an intense roasted barley flavour, with notes of chocolate and licorice.”

I started with Howe Sound Brewing’s stout because, well, they’re always close to my heart, and my house, being geographically close to the coastline I grew up on (one day I will kayak there!). And their Nut Brown Rail Ale is one of my all-time favourite beers.

Enjoyable, hoppy, with a roasted note coming through.

Nitro Oatmeal Stout (Red Racer Stout?)
Central City Brewing, Surrey, BC
centralcitybrewing.com/

“This dark Irish stout is deep, dark, smooth, and creamy. The use of oatmeal in the mashtun adds a silkiness to the texture and body of this ale.”

Definitely silky smooth. Like putting on a silk kimono after a hot tub... of flavour.

Obsidian Stout
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon
deschutesbrewery.com

“Deep, robust and richly rewarding, this is beer to linger over. Obsidian has distinct notes of espresso, chocolate, roasted malt and black barley, with just enough hop bite to cut the sweetness.”

Sharp and tart with the strongest hoppy taste of the bunch, it coated the inside of my mouth and left a light floral note.

Survival Organic 7-Grain Stout
Hopworks Urban Brewery, Portland, Oregon
hopworksbeer.com/

“Beer of the Ancients! Barley, Wheat, Oats, Amaranth, Quinoa, Spelt and Kamut sustain the soul with nutrients cultivated through the millennia. Finished with 20 pounds of cold-pressed Stumptown Organic Holler Mountain coffee. Unlock the mystery entombed in darkness.”

Smooth. Hearty. Solid. With a strong scent and taste of coffee. This was a strong robust finish to the stout challenge.

The Winner?

The winner of this challenge? It was me.
All four stouts are well-crafted and had something different to offer; there wasn’t a dog in the bunch. I’d not hesitate to order any of them again.

Food time

After savouring the different beers my prompt and courteous server Natasja appeared with my requested Fall Flatbread. The broccoli on top crunched cooked crispness, the roasted squash, kale, and goat cheese melded together like wonder on the tongue, and the tomato and red pepper splashed a dash of tart juicy goodness. The crust was crisp but not brittle, lightly golden, and a great thickness.

Alongside was a mixed greens salad with arugula, goat cheese, grapes, sunflower seeds, with a few crispy onions on top. So good. I generally don’t take dressing on my salads as I prefer to taste the mix of fresh greens and goodness as is, and in this case, "as is" was a blend of delights. Seriously, you could add goat cheese to most things and that rich goodness would make me swoon and/or possibly drool.

In Summation

St. Augustine’s will definitely be getting some more of my business when I’m in that area again. The food was delicious and their massive list of craft beer on tap beckons for repeated discovery. (Check out the Live Beer Menu on their website. You can filter it by category and also see the percentage left in the current keg!) The Patron Saint of Brewers must look, as I do, with approval upon this fine establishment. I'm now ready to follow the words seen on the back of my excellent server’s shirt and “Repint of my sins”.

St.Augustine’s Craft Brewhouse and Kitchen, Vancouver BC

2360 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC V5N 4B7
604-569-1911

staugustinesvancouver.com
@staugustinesvan
facebook.com/staugustines

Jordan Oram isn't only WE's Photo Editor, he's also the
Outdoor Adventures Editor and combines these passions in
photographically adventurous ways on his world rambling journey. You can
follow his zany hijinks at  www.coastalforestdweller.blogspot.com

All photos courtesy and copyright Jordan Oram