A Happy Start To The Holidays in Dawson City
Christmas and New Year’s are fast approaching us here in the Yukon, and this weekend reminded me what a beautiful and magical place we live […]
A Happy Start To The Holidays in Dawson City Read More »
Get Thee to the Brewery
I was lucky enough to “help” Rob Monk tap off a cask ale at Yukon Brewing a few weeks ago. Truth be told, there was
Get Thee to the Brewery Read More »
Wine for a Winter’s Eve
So now the rich, velvety darkness of the Yukon winter has descended and the temperatures at my cabin have dropped below minus 20, several evenings.
Wine for a Winter’s Eve Read More »
Old and New Offerings Keep Brewery Dynamic
Rob Monk is head brewer at Yukon Brewing Co. in Whitehorse. He was born and raised in Whitehorse, started working at Yukon Brewing at the
Old and New Offerings Keep Brewery Dynamic Read More »
Considering the Glass … of Wine
I was introduced to a neighbour who is planing to open a restaurant and it got me thinking about wine glasses. The restaurant is expecting
Considering the Glass … of Wine Read More »
Thai Food: A Delightful Challenge
Last Saturday evening, a friend of mine invited me and several of my co-workers to dinner at her cozy little apartment. My friend is an
Thai Food: A Delightful Challenge Read More »
Two Chilean Reds and One Surprise Ending
Sometimes you set out to explore one thing, and end up discovering something completely different. Such was the case, recently, and I wanted to share
Two Chilean Reds and One Surprise Ending Read More »
Wine Ephemera
Our copyeditor for What’s Up Yukon recently sent an e-mail to me, where she related that she had stumbled across an alternate definition for the
Sugar and Spice and … Bacon
Most people know that beer is made from water, barley, hops and yeast. The big four. If you were to glance around the shelves of
Sugar and Spice and … Bacon Read More »
Yeast Wheat (But way cooler if you call it Hefeweizen)
Hefeweizens are fantastic for a number of reasons, but we would like to start off with what Rachel thinks is the most important: they are
Yeast Wheat (But way cooler if you call it Hefeweizen) Read More »
Organic Beer: Beer Cache Gets Serious
Want to proudly face your beer bottle label forward at parties this summer? Purchasing an organic beer is one way to do just that. When
Organic Beer: Beer Cache Gets Serious Read More »
The Ideal Wine Collection?
As I mentioned in my last article, I have been invited to develop a wine list for a restaurant that a neighbour of mine plans
The Ideal Wine Collection? Read More »
A Bold, Brassy White – Organic, Too
Over the coming months, I hope to explore some new wines that I have not tried before, and also make a concerted effort to look
A Bold, Brassy White – Organic, Too Read More »
In Search of a “Local-ish” Organic Red
I noticed, when I worked as a wine merchant, that wine enthusiasts love a challenge. Occasionally a customer would come into the store, and relate
In Search of a “Local-ish” Organic Red Read More »
Legado Munoz: A Terrific Spanish Red
We’re plunging into the winter and holiday season at full tilt and for me this is a season of getting together with friends for dinner
Legado Munoz: A Terrific Spanish Red Read More »
“Le Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrivé” (Almost)
By the time this article is in print, we will be on the cusp of the Beaujolais Nouveau season. Each year I look forward to
“Le Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrivé” (Almost) Read More »
Not the New Kid on the Block
Nobody likes a beer snob. Even beer snobs don’t like beer snobs. So, when someone wrinkles their nose at a Bud Light and then reaches
Not the New Kid on the Block Read More »
Spanish Reds and How to Order Wines from Outside
In the days leading up to the Rotary Wine Festival, I felt as if I was eating, sleeping and breathing wine. At that point it
Spanish Reds and How to Order Wines from Outside Read More »
Shootin’ the Brews: Skagway Edition
Last weekend, Beer Cache had the amazing opportunity to spend the better part of a day with Trevor Clifford, head brewer at Skagway Brewing Co.,
Shootin’ the Brews: Skagway Edition Read More »
Where there’s smoke, there’s porter
Full disclosure: we really wanted to compare two smoked porters for this article, but quite frankly there is so much to say about our first
Where there’s smoke, there’s porter Read More »
Monk-made Belgian Brews
I would like to write about a fabulous bar I went to in Whitehorse that served a wide selection of Belgian beer but, unfortunately, it
Monk-made Belgian Brews Read More »
Chocolate + Porter = Genius
One of the swell new editors of WUY dropped us an email on the weekend inquiring about the status of our column, and casually mentioned
Chocolate + Porter = Genius Read More »
Cheap Beer!
Now that we have your attention . . . . Let’s pretend that you, our readers, wrote us letters. We imagine one of them would
How to Attend a Wine Tasting … and Look Like a Connoisseur
Over the last several weeks, I have been giving a significant amount of thought to wine tastings, and wanted to speak about them in more
How to Attend a Wine Tasting … and Look Like a Connoisseur Read More »
Sausage. Bier. Men in Knee-High Socks. It’s Oktoberfest!
”O’ zapft is!” cries the mayor of Munich. Translation: It’s tapped! What is tapped, where it’s tapped, and why it’s tapped is this week’s story.
Sausage. Bier. Men in Knee-High Socks. It’s Oktoberfest! Read More »
Tidings of Hops and Barley
It’s the season to eat, drink and be merry with friends and love ones. So what if we told you that you could kill two
Tidings of Hops and Barley Read More »
Wine and Wine Gift Ideas for the Holidays
As we are invited to holiday gatherings at friends’ homes and begin to realize that our runway for shopping for gifts is rapidly running out,
Wine and Wine Gift Ideas for the Holidays Read More »
This Season, Beer Eats at the Grown-ups’ Table
This festive season, why not blow the minds of your nearest and dearest by pairing beer – not wine – with your holiday shrimp rings
This Season, Beer Eats at the Grown-ups’ Table Read More »
Tasting France’s Most Famous Wine
Now that the Yukon snows have finally arrived and the all-too-brief weeks of skating the magically bare icy surface of my lake are done, I
Tasting France’s Most Famous Wine Read More »
Singing the Praises of the Much-Maligned Zinfandel
One of the fun questions I enjoy asking wine drinkers is, if you had one wine to take with you to a desert island, what
Singing the Praises of the Much-Maligned Zinfandel Read More »
Yukon Ho! Red!
When you really, really like beer, living in a city with its very own microbrewery is a daily kind of ‘pinch me’ phenomena. So when
Adios, Corona.
Who isn’t familiar with the concept of the Lawnmower Beer? This is just the one beer, a cool and refreshing drink, the perfect reward for
Craft Time
In light of the 18th Annual Great Alaska Craft Beer and Homebrew Festival, which took place in Haines, Alaska, this past weekend, we thought that
Open that Bottle of Wine Night!
Last week, I visited the Wall Street Journal website to read the most recent article by my favourite wine writers, Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher
Open that Bottle of Wine Night! Read More »
Happy New Beer!
In case your windows are too iced up to tell, it’s winter outside. For brewers, nothing really says winter like a barleywine: it’s strong, intensely
Great Scot!
As you may have noticed already, Whitehorse has some new beer in town. Our friendly neighbours at Yukon Liquor Corp have sourced four offerings from
Look What’s Shakin’!
Attention: New beer in town. OK, so it has been around for a few weeks, but if you haven’t yet tried Delirium Tremens on tap
Look What’s Shakin’! Read More »
Bitter and Batter
If you read Dennis Zimmermann’s article last week on ice fishing and combined it with the weather in Whitehorse this weekend, you may well have
BC Pinot Gris: Well Worth Trying
A kind friend returned from a trip with a belated gift for my 50th birthday – a mixed half case of British Columbia VQA wines,
BC Pinot Gris: Well Worth Trying Read More »
U(wanna) Brew?
Ever thought about U-brewing? It’s just another brick in the wall of beer enjoyment, and other than the method they use for actually producing the beer
Wine on the Go
Last week I was cornered by someone who asked what her options were for taking wine along on a paddling trip. For me, part of
Five Superb Wines Tried with Beef Wellington
In past articles, I have written about the fun of trying to match wines with food, and have also suggested that there is no one
Five Superb Wines Tried with Beef Wellington Read More »
Growlers: Not Just For Pirates
Canoeing to the DCMF? You are probably already concerned about the rattling of beer bottles in your canoe (to be safely consumed, of course, by
Growlers: Not Just For Pirates Read More »
Aerating a Red (and a Money Diet Suggestion)
Drinking inexpensive wines does not have to mean you are missing interesting wine experiences. This was brought home to me this past Sunday evening, when
Aerating a Red (and a Money Diet Suggestion) Read More »
Haines Beerfest 2011!
Have a lovely chat with Paul Wheeler of Haines Brewing Company about the origins of the Haines Beer Fest, and you will quickly understand Alaskans’
Haines Beerfest 2011! Read More »
No Reservations About These Reserves
Holy cow, it has a cork!” These were the exact words I exclaimed to a friend when I went to open a bottle of Australian
No Reservations About These Reserves Read More »
Exploring Gray Monk Estate Wines
Several weeks ago, I had the happy opportunity to explore a significant portion of the range of Gary Monk Estate wines. A friend of mine
Exploring Gray Monk Estate Wines Read More »
Message in a Bottle
I try to write a wine column every couple of weeks, unless life gets crazy, as it has over the past month or so. In
Message in a Bottle Read More »
To Be a Cicerone
When I grow up I want to be a cicerone. Sigh. The above statement is true. A cicerone is the sommelier of the beer world.
Add Some Wit to Your Winter
One of the perks of spewing your beer brain onto a white page every couple of weeks is that people occasionally give you beer and
Add Some Wit to Your Winter Read More »
A Walk Through the YLC Wine Store: Part 2
The third Thursday of November, chalkboards across France announced, Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé! (literally, “The new Beaujolais has arrived!”). This annual event is the
A Walk Through the YLC Wine Store: Part 2 Read More »
Skagway Craft Brew Festival Debrief
It’s official: Skagwegians know how to have a good time. We just got back from the second annual Skagway Craft Brew Festival, and it was awesome.
Skagway Craft Brew Festival Debrief Read More »
EA Wine Triple Treat
I was asked by some friends to participate in “An evening of Art, Wine and too much fun” presented by The Artist Relief Fund Society,
EA Wine Triple Treat Read More »
Beer Trivia
Delight your friends and family with a couple of beer-themed tidbits this week, or just look incredibly smart while getting your growler filled. The world’s
Washington Comes to Yukon
Most Canadian wine drinkers are pretty familiar with California wines. Their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays have been celebrated in such movies as Sideways and Bottleshock,
Washington Comes to Yukon Read More »
Turning to Argentinian Whites
In the week that followed the holidays, when I returned to earth with a thump to reflect on the fun and parties and food and
Turning to Argentinian Whites Read More »
Last-Minute Christmas and New Year’s Thoughts
I can’t believe I am writing my last wine column of the year! This is a time when I reflect on what I have experienced
Last-Minute Christmas and New Year’s Thoughts Read More »
Some of the Best Wines You’ve Never Tasted
This past weekend I had a very tasty bottle of red wine that I will be going back to buy more of. It was a
Some of the Best Wines You’ve Never Tasted Read More »
An Evening of Fine Pairings
For at least 4,000 years, wine drinkers have chosen food to accompany certain wines and vise versa. When I imagine trying a good wine, it
An Evening of Fine Pairings Read More »
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Part One
Several years ago, my then-editor at What’s Up Yukon asked me to do a walk-through tour of the Yukon Liquor Corp. (YLC) store in Whitehorse,
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Part One Read More »
Why Wines Differ
Last night a friend stopped by for dinner. He brought moose sausages to grill; I boiled up some Yukon grown red potatoes and added butter
Trying Some Malbecs
After more than a month of grey skies and rain, the sun finally made a re-appearance over my lake. Still, it feels like it is
Trying Some Malbecs Read More »
Wine Money Diet: Part 2
One of the delights of wine is that there are always surprises to be found and bargains to be enjoyed, if you are open to
Wine Money Diet: Part 2 Read More »
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Finale!
Several articles ago I promised to finish my tour of the Yukon Liquor Corp. (YLC) wine shelves before the snow melted. With the rains coming
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Finale! Read More »
Drop that Corskcrew
You are NOT going to eat that burrito with a glass of merlot. There are just some foods that were meant to be diluted by
Drop that Corskcrew Read More »
Planning a Wine Tasting
Several months ago I was asked by my friend Wendy in Dawson City to plan a wine tasting at her B&B, Bombay Peggy’s. We’ll be
Planning a Wine Tasting Read More »
The Joy of Yeast
That Louis Pasteur was onto something. Seriously. People were harnessing the power of yeast to make beer for thousands of years before they actually knew
Eight Men in a Canoe
Uncover the intriguing tale of Maudite beer. Learn how this brew connects to a legendary pact with the devil.
Eight Men in a Canoe Read More »
New Finds from Italy (in time for Thanksgiving)
A recent article on the consumption of Italian wine pointed out that, for the first time, the value of Italian wines exported was greater than
New Finds from Italy (in time for Thanksgiving) Read More »
To Gas or Not to Gas?
We here at Beer Cache have just returned from a three-week brewery tour of the great craft brew state of Alaska. We were lucky enough
To Gas or Not to Gas? Read More »
Beer personalities
I bumped into an old Alexander Keith’s beer commercial on YouTube this week—you might remember the series. It involved a crusty Scotsman with spindly legs,
Beer personalities Read More »
A Beer Snob Confesses
I admit it, I’m a beerist. Not quite so harsh a thing as being a nihilist or a sexist, but I have high expectations for
A Beer Snob Confesses Read More »
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Part 3
It is amazing how the experiences and passion for wine that I have shared with friends has come to colour and enrich my life, and
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Part 3 Read More »
A Happy Accident
I can understand how they discovered wine. You squash grapes. Wild yeast on grape skins devours the sugary liquid and voila! Sociables. But how on
Two Fine, Big Reds
This is a funny time of year in the Yukon. The return of the light and the moving forward of the clocks speaks to the
Two Fine, Big Reds Read More »
Beer Saves
It’s empty calories, I know. If you are on a diet, beer kills—one imperial pint (20 ounces) of Yukon Red could be a tenth of
Tropical Beer
While most of you poor sods were busy clothing and sheltering yourselves during the month of February, I was deciding how best to hydrate myself
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Pt. 5
I’m getting thirsty doing this ongoing wine tour of the Yukon Liquor Corp (YLC) store in Whitehorse, but I hope my articles in this series
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Pt. 5 Read More »
The Hot and Cold of It
Beer should be served cold… Or should it? The traditional rule is that ales should be served at cellar temperature (12-16 degrees C) and lagers
The Hot and Cold of It Read More »
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Part 4
In January, I wrote part three of a wine drinker’s walk through tour of the Yukon Liquor Corp. (YLC) store, covering Australia, and wanted to
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Part 4 Read More »
Beer Cocktail, Anyone?
Beer adulteration. It sounds dirty. But it’s a way to make an otherwise pedestrian beer seem wildly exotic. So-so wine can be made into sangria.
Beer Cocktail, Anyone? Read More »
Fine Pairings for a Birthday Treat
I’m not looking to expand my writing into the restaurant review arena, but I couldn’t help but relate an excellent dining experience I had last
Fine Pairings for a Birthday Treat Read More »
Great Beer, and a Star Sighting to Boot
Phew! After two columns dedicated to near beer, I’m so glad I can trade in my Holsten 0.0% for a beverage that doesn’t make me
Great Beer, and a Star Sighting to Boot Read More »
Near Beer Part 2: Faux Phobia
Did you Read Part One? In my last article I slagged the North American breweries for slacking off in the non-alcoholic beer department. The non-alcoholic
Near Beer Part 2: Faux Phobia Read More »
A Happy Find for Bordeaux Lovers
It’s a treat to ease off of the money diet as I shop for wines these days! While I have made some terrific wine discoveries
A Happy Find for Bordeaux Lovers Read More »
Near Beer: Part 1
Perhaps the most unspeakable adulteration of beer is the complete, or near-complete, removal of alcohol to make those sad, non-alcoholic shadows-of-their-former-selves near beers that men
And the Winner Is …
I was reminded again recently of the role that sharing wine can have in igniting enthusiasm and making new friends. As I mentioned in my
And the Winner Is … Read More »
Flavour Starts with Adam’s Ale
Why do the Irish drink stouts? Why did the pilsner style develop in the Czech region? The type of water flowing through a region was
Flavour Starts with Adam’s Ale Read More »
Respect in a Tall Glass
If you’ve ever been to a Belgian beer bar you know that those Belgians have a different glass for every type of beer, bless their
Respect in a Tall Glass Read More »
A Taste for the Arts
Love of (and interest in) wine has opened wonderful doors for me in my life. Tasting wine has been the lens through which I have
A Taste for the Arts Read More »
Cool Tunes, Swell Suds
Dawson Music Festival (DCMF) is billed as a music event, but there happens to be a lot of beer action in the midst of it.
Cool Tunes, Swell Suds Read More »
Treats for Summer Evenings
It took until the middle of July, but it seems (I don’t want to jinx us) that summer has arrived in the Yukon! The past
Treats for Summer Evenings Read More »
Extreme Beer
I blame my current state of beer obsession on Christmas of 1995 when I bought my partner a beer kit as a present. It somehow
The Other Side of the Andes
In my last several articles, I have been reviewing a number of inexpensive, yet tasty Malbec and Malbec blend red wines from Argentina. The high
The Other Side of the Andes Read More »
Iron Chef Beer Pairing
I am a non-reciprocator—people invite me to their houses for fabulous meals. I eat, and weeks later I think about having them over… and then
Iron Chef Beer Pairing Read More »
Too Much Like Funkytown
If your beer tastes like cardboard, you might want to reconsider drinking it. It was probably stored in a heated room, which accelerated the oxidation
Too Much Like Funkytown Read More »
Argentine Finds on the Money Diet
As mentioned previously, I’ve been on a “money diet” these past months, but still want to be tasting interesting wines to go with meals I
Argentine Finds on the Money Diet Read More »
Awash in Brew
I must be getting old: asleep in my hotel room by 10 p.m. the night of Haines Beer Fest this year. A poor display of
Learnings from a Wine Tasting
In my last article, I told you about the wine tasting I was planning at Bombay Peggy’s in Dawson City over the May long weekend.
Learnings from a Wine Tasting Read More »
Best Beer in Food
My partner likes to separate his beer and his food. I’m in favour of mixing them. One day we will find common ground. In the