Tuesday 28th June 2011

Bob Thompson

This was quite a basic boozer compared with those I would be visiting later but more than made up for it with a fantastic beer list.

Look at this: Phillips Brewing (Victoria, BC) Slipstream Cream Ale, Hop Circle IPA, Longboat Double Chocolate Porter, Blue Buck Pale Ale.

From Vancouver Island Brewery (Victoria, BC) there was Piper's Pale Ale, Islander Lager and Hermann's Dark Lager. Lighthouse Brewing (Victoria, BC) were represented by Race Rocks Amber Ale and Beacon IPA.

There were two beers from Okanagan Spring Brewery of Vernon, BC: 1516 Lager and Pale Ale. Other beers on tap were Sleeman Brewery (Guelph, ON) Honey Brown Lager, Driftwood (Victoria, BC) Ale, and Big Rock (Calgary, AB) Grasshopper Wheat Ale, Whistler Brewery (Whistler, BC) Grapefruit Ale and finally, Turning Point Brewery (Vancouver, BC) Stanley Park Pilsner. I had small glasses of Vancouver Island Pipers PA and Lighthouse Beacon IPA and liked them both.

I was feeling a bit hungry whilst I was in this pub and ordered Seafood Chowder. It was fantastic, a big bowl of clams, mussels, prawns and lots of scallops in a white wine and cream sauce. So good I had a second order! I like seafood and fish soups and have had many a Soup de Poisson in France and Clam Chowders in the Eastern States of the USA, but this was the best I've ever tasted. Highly recommended pub for beer and food!

Important Information:

Garrick's Head, 69 Bastion Square, Victoria BC. V8W 1Y2. Tel: 350 384 6835

Open: Daily 11.00-24.00

Victoria is at the bottom of Vancouver Island and is connected to the rest of the Island and also Vancouver by bus. The rail service is suspended.
Vancouver is also reached by normal air services and sea planes.
There are ferries to Seattle and Port Angeles in the USA. Cruise liners call regularly.