Pintathlon

Granada, Spain

2010-05-25T02:45:00.000-04:00

OK, this posting is a bit of a stretch for a few reasons. First, we only spent about a day and a half in Granada with the main purpose being to visit the magnificent Alhambra, so it's not like there was a lot of time for searching about the city for great beer locations. Second, we didn't even venture into the main part of the city...we hung out in our little medieval section of Granada called the Albaycin, so we didn't cover much territory. And third, the places we are writing up offered only one or two beers TOTAL. But since Atmosphere is one of the primary drivers of Pintathlon, we figured these places had it in spades and were worthy of mention.

The first spot was called La Mancha Chica Chaoen, a most unlikely spot that appears to be a small variety store at first glance. But look a little closer and you'll see it actually has a menu, and look closer still (i.e. go in and order some food) and you'll find that they have excellent Moroccan food. The owner was priceless and spoke enough of just about every language to make his guests feel comfortable. What surprised me was even though they hung a Cruzcampo sign outside, he insisted on serving me the local beer, Alhambra, and when it came it was paired with the matching Alhambra mug, frosted!

The second location came after a lengthy hike through the local hills. We simply turned left out of our hotel, and walked up: the cobblestone streets grew gradually more narrow, then turned to pavement, and then turned to dirt as we switchbacked up the hills. We eventually walked by several cave houses, a concept we were introduced to through Househunters International although these ones weren't quite as fancy as the ones featured on TV. Anyhow, we spent a few hours hiking, got a great view of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains (no this won't turn into a story about the Sierra Nevada brewery) and turned back for home.

Once back on our side of the river valley, we opted for Cafe Bar Bocailleria Pibe, a small covered patio for a beer and some lunch. This place was also a cave bar, and offered a terrific view of Al Hambra...what better atmosphere? We naturally ordered our beers first, and to our surprise, a free plate of finger food showed up. Since the beers were served in 200 mL glasses, they were done in no time, so we order two more, and a second free plate of food showed up. We\ decided to see how long this would go on for, and they had a seemingly inexhaustible supply of net new free dishes to offer us. They won!

Cerveceria Internacional, Seville

2010-05-14T13:55:00.002-04:00

Now here's a cerveceria that lives up to its name. But before we get there, first a few notes bout Seville. Our travel book says that if you can see only two cities in Spain, see Toledo and Seville, and that's the exact one-two combo we started our trip with. Both cities were amazing, where Seville is a much larger and livelier city and in both cities the architecture is stunning. I thought the cathedral in Toledo was the biggest I'd ever seen until I saw the Seville Cathedral,which is apparently the third largest in the world (locals argue that if you go by air volume, it's the largest).

The city streets are lined with bars and restaurants, and just about everywhere you can get a Cruzcampo, the local BLECC beer. In fact, you don't even need to ask for it by name...just ask for a cerveca and Cruzcampo comes out. I learned today that you can ask for a "doble", which means you get a decent serving of beer rather than a small wineglass-full. And while there's plenty of magnificent wine to be had here in Spain, we found an exceptional beer bar\called Cerveceria Internacional.

Beautiful marble floors, a long bar that stretches the length of the room, high ceilings and a beautifully panelled front...in other words, standard design in Seville. You'll find almost a dozen taps (again, that's tons for Spain) and about 150 bottles from around the world, including a better selection of Unibroue beers than I can get in Toronto. Like pretty much every place that sells good beer, it was packed and vibrant. We got in just after siesta, and the place was full within 30 minutes. As we were getting ready to leave, the rain started so we had to wait it out over a couple more bottles, including this lovely Floris Chocolat below.

Bar Rincon, Toledo

2010-05-14T13:10:00.003-04:00

Date visited: May 9, 2010

No, not Toledo Ohio! Toledo Spain, the subject of the famous El Greco painting that ironically hangs in the Met museum in New York. Toledo is a UNESCO world heritage site, a beautifully preserved small city just south of Madrid. It's a sleepy little place compared to the major cities in Spain, but a beautiful spot to unwind after a long flight from Toronto.

Anyway, the city was just as billed in the guide books: narrow winding lanes, cobblestone streets, beautiful gothic buildings. We had a picturesque view of the town from our hotel, but it was a long hoof into town. So when we got there, we enjoyed many different restaurants and bars. Before dinner one night, we stopped at Bar Rincon, quite by accident. Turned out to be a beer bar (many bars call themselves cervecerias but have only one or two taps). Rincon had a half-dozen taps, a standout by Spanish standards, and a nice selection of a couple dozen international bottles, particularly Belgian. Nice little spot with the funniest mini-chairs and tables about a foot and a half off the ground. A beer oasis right in the heart of the ancient city!

Cèst What

2009-12-05T15:57:00.001-05:00

Date visited: January 22, 2006
Score: 83

As an underground location, C'est What is an easy place to miss if you're not careful, which is why you should always be careful on Pintathlons. Well worth a visit, CW is warm and inviting with candlelit tables throughout, stone walls and a long wooden bar. The drag is that the best bar area (yes, there are a couple) is closed off when bands are playing. Great for music lovers, but not so good for Pintathletes who are looking for some conversation over a pint. We had some argument over whether CW is suffering from an identity crisis, trying to be a pub, a restaurant, a music venue or some combination of all three. Call it what you will, but with 30 taps of exceptional quality, CW is one of the best places in the city to have a pint.

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl	Karen
* Quality	8	8	8
* Quantity	7	7	8
* Diversity	8	7	8
* Timeliness	7	7	7
* Attitude	6	6	7
* Capability	7	5	7
Atmosphere	37	35	44
Gut Feel Factor	0	5	0
Total	80	80	89

Bier Markt

2009-12-05T15:53:00.000-05:00

Date visited: January 22, 2006
Score: 80.5

The Bier Markt has become a Toronto institution - equally popular among the after work crowd, night-time clubbers and tourists alike. Despite the expansive space, BM offers many cosy sitting areas so you never feel like you're in a hockey arena. You'll enjoy an impressive range of taps and plenty of international bottled selections. So what's keeping the Bier Markt from Jewel status? There's something "invented" about the BM, a certain lack of authenticity that you don't get like you do at a place like C'est What. Perhaps part of the problem is that it is often overrun with patrons, meaning a lack of seating and deep lineups at the bar. Nonetheless, the Markt is a definite must-visit on the Pintathlon and and enjoyable spot for a quality pint.

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl
* Quality	7	8
* Quantity	8	7
* Diversity	8	7
* Timeliness	7	7
* Attitude	6	6
* Capability	7	7
Atmosphere	36	40
Gut Feel Factor	0	0
Total	79	82

Beer Bistro

2009-12-05T15:48:00.000-05:00

Daryl looks on as a blurry Linda contemplates the lovely Morte Subite that she's about to enjoy. Meanwhile, Dave's Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout dominates the foreground awaiting its pour...

Date visited: Jan 22, 2006

Score: 86.66

To say that the Beer Bistro got mixed reviews would be accurate, yet misleading: everyone loved it, but for different reasons. Formerly Zoom restaurant, the Bistro offers an expansive space with soaring ceilings and windowed walls on two sides. In the bar area up front, several cosy booths are available, but the seats at the bar are equally comfortable and afford a prime view of the impressive range of about 20 taps. For Linda, B2 brings the class of an upscale martini bar to the beer world, while Dave and Daryl found the atmosphere a bit sterile (although they admit it somehow works and makes you want to stay for that extra pint.) The service is prompt, friendly and all staff are highly knowledgeable about beer. (Dayna is a particular delight and you'll know if you've met her.) In a district with stiff competition like Bier Markt and C'est What, it is a particular achievement that Beer Bistro claims Jewel Status for Old Toronto.

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl	Linda
* Quality	8	8	8
* Quantity	7	7	7
* Diversity	8	7	7
* Timeliness	8	8	8
* Attitude	7	8	8
* Capability	8	8	8
Atmosphere	40	37	45
Gut Feel Factor	0	0	0
Total	86	83	91

Danforth Pintathlon

2009-12-05T09:55:00.002-05:00

The Danforth is one of Toronto's most dining-intensive neighbourhoods, known well for its numerous Greek restaurants. Led by local resident and expert Mark, and under a glowing orange moon, Pintathlon took to the streets to seek out the best that Greektown has to offer. And The Danforth certainly offers some of the best! The Auld Spot takes top honours as the Jewel of the Danforth, with Allen's and the Dora Keogh close behind.

Black Swan

2009-12-05T09:53:00.000-05:00

Date visited: March 28, 2005
Score: 45.14

Every neighbourhood has its beer hall, and the Black Swan is it for the Danforth. In fact, only the Midtown Tavern in Halifax tops the Swan in terms of classic beer hall character: lights fully on, no music, and a small lonely TV glowing in a corner. If those clues aren't strong enough clues, the "Hot Nuts" machine gives it away. Average service and rotten beer selection complete the picture. In an effort to be fair, Daryl noted that the Swan might fare better if we were in New Orleans, suggesting that context might be a factor. Perhaps so - but we weren't in Nawlins, so the rating stands!

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl	Mark	Linda	Karen	Joc	Rui
* Quantity	2	3	3	1	3	2	3
* Quality	2	4	3	1	3	2	2
* Diversity	2	4	3	2	3	2	2
* Capability	2	5	5	4	6	5	6
* Timeliness	5	6	6	5	6	5	6
* Attitude	2	5	4	4	6	4	3
Atmosphere	25	20	30	18	32	20	20
Gut Feel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	40	47	54	34	59	40	42

Brass Taps

2009-12-05T09:49:00.000-05:00

Date visited: March 28, 2005
Score: 69.6

There are a few Brass Taps locations thoughout Toronto, and the Danforth edition is pretty much the same as its cousins elsewhere. Don't let the monicker "pizza pub" fool you - this is a regular pub with decent decor and standard taps. Where BT stood out for us was the prompt and friendly service, perhaps the best in all the Danforth.

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl	Mark	Linda	Karen
* Quantity	7	6	6	6	7
* Quality	5	5	5	4	6
* Diversity	4	5	4	5	5
* Capability	5	6	6	6	6
* Timeliness	7	7	7	8	6
* Attitude	7	7	7	7	6
Atmosphere	38	32	38	35	40
Gut Feel	-8	-3	0	0	0
Total	65	65	70	72	76

Court Jester

2009-12-05T09:47:00.000-05:00

Date visited: March 28, 2005
Score: 67.66

Daryl's first impression of CJ was favourable as he got his Kilkenny served in a Kilkenny glass. A small touch, but frequently overlooked. The Court Jester's strong suit is its numerous taps with decent selection. Beyond that, it's a fairly average location.

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl	Mark
* Quantity	7	7	7
* Quality	6	6	5
* Diversity	6	6	6
* Capability	4	5	5
* Timeliness	6	6	6
* Attitude	3	5	6
Atmosphere	36	35	30
Gut Feel	0	0	0
Total	68	70	65

The Old Nick

2009-12-05T09:43:00.000-05:00

Date visited: March 28, 2005
Score: 61.86

When visiting, you may feel like you've been to The Old Nick before, even if you haven't. That's because you've probably seen everything Nick has to offer a million times beofre. The pint selection is OK, the atmosphere (despite a beautiful curved bar) is typically pubby and is OK, and the service is fine. Despite offering live music (with no cover charge), our consensus was the Nick was a place you'd come to have a serious talk. Pay a visit and you'll see what we mean. And it is worth a visit - there was wide variation in scores among the Pintathletes showing that the Nick worked better for some than for others.

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl	Mark	Linda	Karen	Joc	Rui
* Quantity	5	5	4	4	4	4	5
* Quality	3	5	4	4	4	4	4
* Diversity	3	5	3	5	4	3	3
* Capability	4	6	7	5	6	6	6
* Timeliness	4	6	6	6	6	6	7
* Attitude	4	5	6	5	6	6	6
Atmosphere	30	33	30	38	38	25	35
Gut Feel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	53	65	60	67	68	54	66

Gabby's

2009-12-05T09:40:00.000-05:00

Date visited: March 28, 2005
Score: 68.5

Another of the Danforth's chain pubs, Gabby's can't decide whether it's a pub or a sports bar. On one hand, there's a small library and dart boards on premises (pub). On the other hand, there are TV screens everywhere and a basketball net on the wall (sports bar). Even though Gabby's was very busy when we visited, the service was fast, attentive and friendly, which puts Gabby's on the upper end of average.

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl
* Quantity	6	6
* Quality	5	5
* Diversity	4	4
* Capability	5	6
* Timeliness	7	7
* Attitude	8	7
Atmosphere	37	30
Gut Feel	0	0
Total	72	65

Fox and Fiddle

2009-12-05T09:38:00.000-05:00

Date visited: March 28, 2005
Score: 61.25

Perhaps the best description of the Fox and Fiddle was Daryl's: "This is a nightclub disguised as a pub". At first glance, the dark rich wood and the sizeable square bar dominating the centre of the room give off pub vibes. But this place is huge - hardly a cosy spot for a pint. High ceilings, wide open space, a large dance floor and a disco mirror ball make F2 a better place for Saturday Night Fever than for your Saturday night pint.

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl	Mark	Linda
* Quantity	7	7	7	7
* Quality	5	6	5	5
* Diversity	4	6	5	4
* Capability	4	5	4	4
* Timeliness	7	6	6	7
* Attitude	5	5	4	5
Atmosphere	30	31	28	25
Gut Feel Factor	0	0	0	0
Total	62	67	59	57

Dora Keogh

2009-12-05T09:33:00.000-05:00

Date visited: March 28, 2005
Score: 74.67

With a name like Dora Keogh, it's got to be Irish, right? Wooden floor, pannelled walls, Celtic music, even Tayto crisps - all the trappings of a true Irish pub. Yet the DK is far from a quiet watering hole with a couple of bearded guys arguing at the end of the bar. The DK is alive, crowded and energetic, as though the otherwise beautiful pub were overrun with club goers. And it seems to work, as evidenced by the relatively high atmosphere scores, although the lack of table service did it the scores somewhat. Still, a no-miss spot for a pint in the Danforth.

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl	Mark	Linda	Joc	Rui
* Quantity	5	5	6	5	5	5
* Quality	6	6	7	5	6	5
* Diversity	7	5	6	5	6	5
* Capability	4	6	6	5	6	4
* Timeliness	4	5	6	5	6	6
* Attitude	4	5	5	5	6	4
Atmosphere	43	40	45	40	45	43
Gut Feel	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	73	72	81	70	80	72

The Auld Spot

2009-12-05T09:27:00.000-05:00

Date Visited: March 28, 2005
Score: 78.33

The Auld Spot Pub was a surprise. The name suggests a more traditional, stodgy establishment, and the Danforth certainly has better renowned pubs. Still, the Spot was tops for everyone, drawing consistently solid scores across all Pintathletes. Beautiful wooden floors and doors, booths and bench seating, the Spot was as pleasant to look at as it was comfortable to be inside. It really is the atmosphere that makes you want to stay at the Spot, as evidenced by the unanimously 40+ Atmosphere scores. As a result, The Auld Spot is conferred Jewel Status in The Danforth.

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl	Mark	Linda	Karen	Joc
* Quantity	5	5	5	5	4	6
* Quality	8	7	6	6	6	7
* Diversity	5	6	5	5	5	6
* Capability	5	5	7	5	6	6
* Timeliness	5	6	6	6	6	6
* Attitude	6	5	7	4	5	6
Atmosphere	40	45	42	46	45	48
Gut Feel	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	74	79	78	77	77	85

Allen's

2009-12-04T19:47:00.003-05:00

Dave visited: March 28, 2005

Score: 77.6

Starting from the rich wood-pannelled exterior, Allen's is a beautiful spot to enjoy a pint. It's an upscale pub in front, and a restaurant in back. On the wall to your left is the chalk-board listing of Allen's impressive selection of bottled and on-tap beers. So if it sounds this good, why isn't Allen's the Jewel of the Danforth? Because it's a little cliquish. There's a sense of belonging and entitlement among the regulars, and it's fed by the staff. We watched as two regulars shooed away a couple of unsuspecting newcomers from a plum spot at the bar. The regulars explained to us later that the newbies clearly didn't realize that the bar corner was "their" spot. Allen's is still a highly recommended spot, nonetheless.

Pintathlete	Dave	Daryl	Mark	Linda	Karen	Joc	Rui
* Quantity	7	7	8	7	6	7	7
* Quality	6	6	6	7	7	7	7
* Diversity	7	6	7	7	7	7	6
* Capability	7	8	6	7	7	7	6
* Timeliness	3	5	4	4	6	3	3
* Attitude	4	5	4	6	5	3	4
Atmosphere	41	40	40	42	43	41	40
Gut Feel	5	0	2	0	0	0	0
Total	80	77	77	80	81	75	73

London, England

2009-11-29T18:14:00.002-05:00

Date visited: July 2005

Okay, we didn't exactly do a London Pintathlon, but we had a few good reasons why not. First, we were only in town for about 12 hours en route to Belgium. Second, we were jetlagged beyond belief and coasting on no sleep. Third, London has a staggering number of pubs to cover so we'd probably need at least a week (ha ha).

Perhaps the biggest reason we didn't bother with a Pintathlon is that a team of gentlemen in London have already done a humblingly good job of covering greater London already. For an impressive survey of London's pub scene, have a look at fancyapint. For an account of Pintathlon's brief stint in Jolly Old, read on.

With no direct flights to Belgium from Toronto, we (Karen and Dave) connected through London, and all flights included at least a three-hour layover. So then the brilliant plan: we'd conquer the inevitable transatlantic jetlag by a) getting a little sleep on the plane, b) arriving in London first thing in the morning, c) having a full day in London, d) hitting Brussels late that night to sleep like the dead, and e) waking up the following morning completely time-adjusted. The plan worked, but it made for a hellish twelve hours in London.

By the time we got off the plane, stowed our carry-ons and navigated the tube to Covent Garden, it was about 8 am. (Karen always calls it Covenant Garden...so like a lawyer). The Garden is quiet this time of day, with just a few delivery trucks doing their rounds and a few keen shop owners polishing windows. We managed to find a small breakfast nook and treat ourselves to a true, greasy English breakfast. Sufficiently weighted down, we set out for a few of the must-see sights in London. Buckingham Palace made the list, as did Westminster Abbey, The parliament buildings, and Tesco. Why Tesco? Because we read that Young's Double Chocolate Stout (a magnificent beer currently unavailable in Ontario) is stocked in abundance at Tesco. Imagine that - a beer we can't get here at home, just sitting on the shelves at your local grocery store! Sadly, none of the Tescos we visited had what we wanted, so we settled for water and pushed on.

Having been to London before, we decided to get into some new territory, crossing the Thames to its lesser travelled south bank. And this is when the fatigue really set it. By now it was a little past noon, which meant we had been up for 24 hours straight. As we walked past the Tate Museum, Karen asked if I wanted to go in, and I knew it would be death standing up if we were to walk slowly about a museum, no matter how interesting. She instantly detected the glaze on my eyes, sat me down, and fed me a Power Gel. Within fifteen minutes, I was restored. The trip continued.

Karen sits delighted at the George Inn

Our main destination was the George Inn, so everything else we passed along the way was a bonus. The Borough Market was a particular delight, including a beer vendor who offered Unibroue products, which we declined to taste since we've had so much of them here at home. When we finally found the George Inn, we quickly shuffled past the throngs of tourists sitting in the courtyard and found ourselves a quiet, comfy spot by the window.

On our way back through the Market, we found another nice little pub called the Market Butcher. It was crowded and smoky inside, but we managed to find some window sill space outside, so we took out pints outside enjoyed. This, of course, is a novelty for Pintathletes who are accustomed to rigid Ontario liquor licensing laws, which would never allow patrons to walk freely with full pint glasses outside. In the picture to the right, a local family glares suspiciously at Karen as she snaps a photo of me (white shirt), grinning with that "look at me, I'm having a pint on the pavement" look on my face.

Our outing in London ended with a long Tube ride back to Heathrow (we did mind the gap), and a painful two-hour wait for our flight to Brussels. We were afraid of falling asleep and missing our flight, or at least I was, so I did everything I could to stay up. The only redeeming moment was seeing Morley Safer of 60 Minutes wandering about the airport. Smart guy, but he's a very small man.

Rural Pubs

2009-11-29T09:45:00.000-05:00

Yes, even these city-slicker Pintathletes can appreciate the unique charm of countryside pubs! The Rural Pubs section is an ongoing labour of love, highlighting the best of small-town pubs worthy of a visit when you're out crop-touring in the back forty. Know of a good spot? Drop us a line and let us know! In the meantime, the Rural Pubs jewel is currently The Shepherd's Pub in Elora, Ontario. See below!

Rural Pubs Gallery

2009-11-29T09:43:00.001-05:00

Overheard at Pintathlon

"On the Russian Facebook, you can tell who visited your profile!" -- Nataliya, describing the Kremlinesque features of social media in Russia.

"You guys are a bunch of pisstanks" -- Some guy on the street in Fergus, commenting on how bars stay open an hour longer in Toronto

"I just found a headrest!" -- Joc, the trooper who rode in the hatchback between Fergus and Elora so we could all fit in one car

"No,, they closed the pet store across the street so we're pushing the soup hard" -- Our waiter at Shepherd's Pub (sorry we didn't get your name), responding to the joke that the seafood in the chowder was caught locally in the Grand River

"I saw some bum clutching going on" -- Deege, describing the dancing style he observed in the windoow while passing the Metcalfe In earlier in the day

"It was my sixth to ninth beer of the night" -- Mark, describing a particularly good evening at a San Franciso pub

"You would never have had this experience without Pintathlon" -- Dave, remarking on our time in the unlikely Metcalfe Inn

"Haven't started yet...still working on bacon" -- Nataliya, responding to the question about how her liver entree was

Joc takes one for the team and rides in the hatchback!

The Pintathletes cast shadowy figures in downtown Elora, walking from the Elora Mill Inn.

It's Christmas everyday in Fergus!

Linda beams with Scottish pride!

Karen and Deege are ready for pints. Bring 'em on!

Nataliya and Rui take the menu very seriously

Police on the scene of an altercation in Fergus. One guy lying down. Deege proclaims "He's OK...just taking a dirt nap"

Rui sports his vintage pintathlon.com tshirt while pensively scoring the pub

The Brew House

2009-11-29T09:16:00.001-05:00

Date visited: Nov 14, 2009
Score: 65

Oh Brew House, you had so much promise. Imagine driving by a riverside stone building, nestled among historic architecture called The Brew House. We did and couldn't wait to see what it had in store. It is a beautiful building inside and out, but the The Brew House just didn't deliver. We walked in to Brittany Spears and Avril Lavigne, sipping on largely BLECC selections since they were out of two of the tolerable selections. Definitely not the worst spot in Fergus-Elora, and quite picturesque in the summer if you get a riverside spot on the patio. But don't get your hopes up if you're a Pintathlete.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	6	3	5	4	6	6	35	0	65
Dave	6	4	4	4	6	5	39	0	67
Rui	6	3	4	4	7	4	34	0	62
Mark	6	2	5	3	6	5	39	2	66

Breadalbane Inn

2009-11-29T09:04:00.001-05:00

Date Visited: Nov 14, 2009
Score: 77.75

The Breadalbane Inn is a beautiful stone building dating back to the original settlers in the 1860's. Located in the west end of Fergus, the BI consists of the Inn with about ten rooms, and the adjoining Fergusson Room pub. The Pub is a beautiful room with a long bar in the front and cosy booths in the back. An excellent scotch menu is available...too bad the taps aren't quite as good. Many taps to choose from, but most are BLECC and the same tired old British selections. Still, one of the prime spots in Elora-Fergus for a pint and a close second to the Shepherd's Pub for the Rural Pubs jewel.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	7	7	6	4	7	8	45	0	84
Dave	7	5	6	4	6	7	41	0	76
Rui	7	6	6	5	6	6	34	0	70
Mark	7	6	7	7	6	6	42	0	81

The Metcalfe Inn

2009-11-29T08:49:00.002-05:00

Date visited: November 14, 2009

Score: 49

To the nostalgic notes of Livin' On A Prayer, the pintathletes were piped into The Metcalfe Inn in Elora. The bartender and patrons were surprised to see such a large group walk in. Sporting a beautiful patio in the summer, the Inn is less appealing in the fall/winter. The greatest thing going for this place is that our round for 8 people was a mere 33 bucks. Other than that, the tap selection is limited and the atmosphere middling at best. Not worth the drive to Elora!

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	2	2	1	4	6	6	25	0	46
Dave	2	3	2	3	6	5	29	0	50
Rui	2	2	2	5	5	5	33	0	54
Mark	2	1	1	6	6	6	24	0	46

The Shepherd's Pub

2009-11-22T10:45:00.001-05:00

Date visited: Nov 14, 2009
Score: 79.5

Enter at street level, go down a flight of stairs and drink at river level. Really. The Shepherd's Pub isn't the most beautiful in the Fergus-Elora area, but they've got a couple things right. First, service is excellent. Second, they made a conscious decision to retool their tap selections focusing on local, craft brew. If the owners made a few adjustment to lighting and music (make it comfortably loud), they'd improve their scores substantially. But as it stands, the Shepherd's Pub was a delight and at present, is the jewel of Rural Pubs!

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	4	7	6	7	6	8	39	0	77
Dave	4	7	6	7	7	8	38	-3	77
Rui	4	7	7	7	7	8	35	0	75
Mark	4	8	7	7	8	8	47	0	89

Elora Mill Inn

2009-11-22T10:34:00.000-05:00

Date Visited: November 14, 2009
Score: 59.25

It's not that the Elora Mill Inn isn't beautiful. To the contrary, it's a stunning piece of historic Ontario architecture that preserves the memories of the early settlers in the region. Now an Inn, the EMI boasts dramatic views of the waterfalls over the Grand River, the same view that we Pintathletes enjoyed over a pint. Speaking of pints, while EMI offered good quality brews, there were just four taps available. The atmosphere should have been so much better considering the materials they had to work with...stone walls, wooden beams. For us, the Inn was a good place to come for a drink, but definitely not a destination for pints.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	2	5	4	4	5	7	33	0	60
Dave	2	6	4	5	6	6	40	0	69
Rui	2	5	4	3	4	4	30	0	52
Mark	2	5	3	6	6	6	28	0	56

Toronto West End

2009-11-11T10:00:00.001-05:00

Sleepy? The sticks? Mississauga east? Call it what you will, but ignore Toronto''s west end at your peril! While we've dedicated a section to increasingly trendy Roncesvalles (which is also in the west end), there are a wealth of pub options along or near the Bloor subway line that deserve exploration. Bloor West Village, Islington Village, the Kingsway and more are included. The Jewel? So far, it's Bryden's at Bloor and Jane. Read on!

Shakey's

2009-11-11T09:59:00.001-05:00

2255 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON M6S 1N8
(416) 767-0608
Date visited: November 10, 2009
Score: 61

We panned Shakey's when we first visited it in 2004. It was a total sports bar, serving almost exclusively BLECC beer. Since then, they've shedded the glowing neon Labatt Blue in the front window and even added a number of locally brewed beers...this is progress. Make no mistake however, Shakey's always was (and we suspect always will be) a sports bar. But with the recent tap improvements, Shakey's is a tolerable place for a pint while your spouse is getting a style at Capucci's or browsing the bargain bins at Chapters.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	2	5	6	3	8	7	31	0	62
Dave	2	5	4	3	6	6	34	0	60

Yellow Griffin

2009-11-11T09:49:00.000-05:00

2202 Bloor St. West
Toronto, ON
416-763-3365
Date visited: November 10, 2009
Score: 57

Some of the shine has dulled on the Yellow Griffin since our first visit back in 2004. It's still a cosy enough space, fairly small with booths and tables scattered about. However, it looks and feels a little worn out, and the beer selection hasn't kept pace with the changing trends in beer. Still stuck on the old European selections, you won't find much in the way of local craft beer on tap. Check out their fancy website, and you'll see they're more interested in events and burger combinations than serving the perfect pint.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	5	4	3	4	5	3	33	0	57
Dave	5	4	3	2	4	4	35	0	57

Dr. Generosity

2009-10-31T14:18:00.000-04:00

2197 Bloor St W
(416) 604-0704

Date visited: October 2004
Score: 86

Dr. Generosity is a real surprise in Bloor West Village. Formerly the Rebel Chop House (and long standing Mad Apple's Restaurant before that), the space features a beautifully panneled dining room in back adorned with stained glass, and a cosy bar area up front. So when the property changed hands, we weren't sure what "Dr. Generosity" was all about, and the "family friendly" menu posted outside made us sure it wouldn't be about pints. We were wrong. DocGen offers a large number of taps with some quality selections, all of which you can enjoy in the intimate bar and window seating area (the best spot as far as we're concerned). Our service was excellent - prompt, attentive and courteous. Our experience was excellent

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Dave	5	6	6	8	8	8	45	0	86

A Dark Horse

2009-10-31T14:08:00.001-04:00

2401 Bloor St. West
(416) 769-4696
Date visited: October 31, 2009
Score: 66

The utility building on the corner of Bloor and Armadale couldn't have been put to better use - a pub! The Dark Horse was also the source of much neighbourhood controversy when it applied for (and eventually won) a patio license, despite the outcry from local residents. Inside, the owners made all the right choices with decor: beautiful oak floors, textured wall paper, chandeliers. The problem is that a great pub atmosphere isn't simply the sum of its parts. The room is square and open, making the place feel a little cold despite the winning elements. They also tend to keep the lights on good and bright. You'll see what we mean. On tap, there are a couple of nice surprises in terms of German and British beers, but the taps are average otherwise. And they provide a beer list, which is always a good thing. If you do visit the Dark Horse, we recommend sitting at the bar where the view is best.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Dave	5	5	5	5	5	5	36	0	66

The Falcon

2009-10-25T14:52:00.000-04:00

3369 BLOOR ST W
Toronto, ON M8X 1G2

(416) 236-7832

Date visited: October 4, 2009
Score: 61.5

The Falcon is a narrow little spot wedged in beside its considerably larger neighbour, Orwells pub. This spot has changed hands a few times, and when we visited, the newest owners had only taken over a few weeks prior. Very eager to please, and added a few nice touches. The furniture was new and comfortable, a few high-def TVs very scattered about within easy viewing distyance, and I can only hope the mirrored crown moldings were left-overs from the previous owner. A nice enough spot, although with just six taps, it's not a beer destination.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	2	3	2	3	8	8	38	0	64
Dave	2	2	1	3	8	8	35	0	59

Henry VIII Alehouse

2009-10-25T14:44:00.001-04:00

3078 Bloor St. West
phone: (416) 237-1444

Dave Visited: October 4, 2009
Score: 79

Henry VIII Alehouse is a relatively new and comparatively upscale addition to the string of pubs along the Bloor West subway line. Not a big place with capacity for about 40, but it's cosy and nicely decorated. If there were an award for cushiest barstools, the King would win hands down. So the best seats are at the bar where you get a good view of the 13 taps available.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	5	6	5	7	7	7	45	0	80
Dave	5	6	5	3	8	8	45	0	78

Halifax Pintathlon

2009-10-25T10:52:00.001-04:00

**Editor`s note**
The details below reflect the historic Halifax Pintathlon, conducted in August of 2002 by Dave and Daryl, the founders of Pintathlon. The ideas generated throughout this week of pubbing gave way to the Pintathlon we know today. We obviously didn`t have our ratings system then, but we certainly knew a good spot when we saw one, crowning Tom`s Little Havana Cafe as the Jewel of Halifax. Now, many years later, the posts are quite old...we`re sure some of the locations no longer exist or have been transformed into clubs or retirement homes. Still, Halifax is where it all started!

My buddy Daryl and I had some unfinished business in Halifax. If you must know, we had been pursuing a 4-year part-time MBA through Dalhousie, all through distance education in Toronto. This was the 16th course of 16, but unlike the previous 15, our week of intensive classes were to be held in Hallifax. We would be finished our degrees, and what better place for a celebration?
All we kept hearing about Halifax was "greatest number of pubs per capita of any Canadian city". Quite a claim - when we got downtown, we expected to find street after street lined with pubs. But we didn't. So we hit the first place we found (The Halifax Alehouse) and had a little chat about this so-called "pub capital" of Canada. "Halifax is no match for us," we boasted. "We'll do this town in a week!" And the Pintathlon was born. The goal: to have a pint in every pub in downtown Halifax.

We grabbed a local paper and started a list of pubs. At each establishment we visited, we asked the staff to add to our list any pubs that were missing. Before long, we had a list of almost 50 places. And once we started roaming the streets, every corner we turned revealed another couple of pubs. We started to realize that our task might be bigger than we originally thought...

Many years later, the

Bar	Comments
Mexicali Rosa's	Kinda small. The bouncers were juiced...on diesel fuel. What's with all the security? Known for margarita Monday, which should be Shaftarita Monday at about six bucks per. Best part: good view of McDonald's. Mmm…Piggers.
Lower Deck	Should be called "luggage Deck". Always busy because of unsuspecting tourists. Good Celtic music warrants the cover, although beer selection is horrendous. Unless you like Keiths. Overrated. Both of us were embarrassed by the degree to which the women were digging us.
O'Carrolls	The O stands for "Old". Come here to party with your parents…and their friends. Great taps, decent band, small cover. Expensive Kilkenny pints mean an expensive night unless you win big at the VLT.
PourHouse, The Snug and the Old Triangle	Three pubs in one. Great Celtic music and no cover. Decent taps. Good mix of locals and tourists. Recommended.
Halifax AleHouse	Great burger - get the double barbecue bacon cheeseburger. Great prices, traditional pub atmosphere. The staff are forced to wear goofy outfits, but if you can get past that, it's a fine place. Recommended.
Pitchman Pub	Pub, restaurant and bar in one. Has a dance floor with occasional DJ. Good happy hour specials, large, excellent service. Extra good for big groups.
The Argyle	Great atmosphere - dimly lit. More of a lounge than a pub. Moderate taps, and when we went, sparse attendance. Comfortable.
Economy Shoe Shop	Talk of the town, but overrated. Four interconnected bars (including the Diamond and Backstage). Service wasn't great, nor was the beer selection. Atmosphere was decent.
Seahorse	Typical basement pub. Old - since 1948. Asked them when the renovations would be done, and they said, "what renos?" Worth visiting for the tank full of evil fish and the signature 3-foor seahorses around the bar.
Planet Pool	Tuesday is the night, mostly for the band. Good bar, good quick service. This is a bar, not a pub. Great décor.
Rogue's Roost	Pronounced "row-gees". Awesome atmosphere - very cosy. It's a brewpub and their beers are worth tasting. Open mike Sundays featuring decent local talent. Connected via back halls to the jewel of Halifax (see Tom's).
Bearly's	Cavernous and rough around the edges. Good hospitality. Hello VLTs. Blues pub. Karaoke Wednedays.
Merrill's	Named after Merrill Lynch, who used to occupy the building. Great old architecture, high ceilings. We loved Jenny the Newfoundlander. Popular dance club on the weekends.
Thirsty Duck	Great patio.
The Tickle Trunk	Another basement pub with musical entertainment - horrid Chili Peppers cover band.
Copacabana	Decent patio. Populated by people who work there, who are very friendly. Great view of shakey streets below. Bad beers, nice wait staff.
Dooly's on Barrington	Pool hall, and a good one. Nice staff who helped us build our list of pubs, and who held my credit card over night.
Ginger Tavern (aka Granite Brewery)	Same as the Granite brewery in Toronto. We showed up on I am Woman night. Loved the female solo musical act, and loved the mostly lesbian crowd. Not sure the feeling was mutual.
Midtown Tavern	1949 lives on at MT. Walk by this place at night and bask in the flourescent lighting that pours out. Drown your sorrows in traditional 11-ounce beer glasses. Lots of people seem to eat here, although we feared the grease.
Tom's Little Havana Café	The jewel of Halifax. We closed most nights here. If you've ever been to Havana, you'll know what to expect. High ceilings, dimly lit, tall windows draped with thick curtains, comfy chairs, candles. Decent beer selection, decent cigar selection. But all worth it - this is Halifax's finest location!
The Willow	At the Holiday Inn on Robie. What do you want - it's a hotel bar. Friendly staff. Reminisce about Molly Ringwald in the lovely mid-eighties décor.
Maxwell Plum	Huge tap selection, but stale atmosphere. We grabbed a quick pint and bolted.
The Split Crow	Another "talk of the town" spot. Everyone suggests it. Not bad...decent band, lotsa seating. Decent tap selection. In French, it's le demi oiseau.
Peddler's Pub	Strange - located on what should be a hip street, yet we felt like we were at a suburban strip mall. And it was empty on a Friday night when the pub down the street was packed. Hmmm. Redeeming quality: blueberry wheat beer on tap. Different.
The Party House	This joint ain't no shoe shop, this house is hip hop. Putting on your best digs for pubbin', better think again this house is clubbin'. [cue music]
The Grad Pub	On campus at Dalhousie. We liked it because it was the first place we went after having finished the last exam of a four-year degree. Good patio, sunny weather, limited taps.
The Fife 'n' Drum	Packed when we went, likely because of the awesome celtic band. Dangerously close to the casino. Heavy tourist trap...packed full of outrageous Toronto accents.
The Liquordome	An interconnected series of about 6 pubs, dance clubs and music venues. What else can we say? A veritable dome of liqour. But the two entrances are absurd - you pay the same cover, have access to the same bars, but the southernmost entrance isn't lined up. Unless yer dyin to spend extra time enjoying the streets of H-fax, use the south entrance!
Your Father's Moustache	Modest selection of taps. Although it doesn't matter as you sit at the bar and observe the parade of babes heading for the patio.

Daryl on Pintent

2009-10-24T19:23:00.000-04:00

Daryl, one of the founding members of Pintathlon, shares critical insights into his new concept, Pintent. More than just a decision criteria for which establishments to include in a given location, Pintent strikes at the very core of the Perfect Pint Experience itself.

--July 2004

While making our way through a Pintathlon, there are usally more establishments available than we can reasonably visit. How do we decide if we should darken the doors of one local versus the next? This age old question is posed by many Pintathletes, both novice and expert. And it is a fair question. This essay clarifies the matter and presents a pinting philosophy that all Pintathletes must grasp.

In our collection of over 90 rated establishments, there are many that do not fall within the traditional pub genre. In fact, of the places that we have bestowed the coveted "Jewel" status upon, a mere 1 in 5 is a traditional style pub. For seasoned Pintathletes, this is completely acceptable if not expected. The central principle in determining if a place is Pintathlon material is INTENT. What is the intent of the establishment? Dining, dancing, or serving beer? To qualify for inclusion in a Pintathlon, an establishment must at least have the intent to serve pints.

How does one go about defining intent? Intent is somewhat like defining atmosphere. It is very obvious when you see it, but hard to define in words. It is innate. It is an experience. That said, there are some rules of thumb that can help determine if a location is Pintathlon material or not:

1. Are there any beers on tap?
2. Would it be acceptable and/or normal for patrons to visit for drinks only?
3. Is there a bar with seating at the bar?
4. Can you seat yourself?

If the answer to all these questions is 'yes' then you likely have a place demonstrating intent to serve beer. The intent to serve beer is all that is required to be a Pintathlon candidate. However, finely tuned Pintathletes are looking for a bit more then a place intending to serve beer…the perfect pint experience will not be found there. Pintathletes are looking for a place that is intending to serve pints. Thus, the introduction to a pinting philosophy known as PINTENT (pint-ent). Though locations intending to serve beer may rate highly, it is those chosen few that have made it their business to serve pints that generally score high and are a "must stop" for any avid Pintathlete.

So if the intent to serve beer is evident, then the establishment is a viable Pintathlon candidate. Do not be disappointed if it does not deliver the perfect pint experience. It may rate highly, but is missing something. Yes, it has the intent so it is the right type of place. The dilemma is that the place has no Pintent. So why stop at an establishment that has no Pintent? First, it is the duty of Pintathlete to give places of intent an opportunity. Second, a place without Pintent and plenty of intent may still rate very high, so do not write it off. And finally, Pintent cannot be assessed until you are inside being served (versus intent which is observable the moment the establishment is entered).

In closing, intent is the philosophy that separates Pintathlon destinations from non-Pintathlon destinations. This is the fundamental point. Pintent is the philosophy that drives the propensity for the perfect pint experience. Imagine if you will, a public house that has great service, strong taps, perfect atmosphere and Pintent…you have just found the perfect pint experience.

Perfect Pint Etiquette

2009-10-24T19:17:00.001-04:00

Yes, there is a right way and a wrong way to conduct yourself during a Pintathlon. Here are a few simple rules that will ensure your pinting behaviour is de rigeur!

Use a beer mat. A must for the veteran Pintathlete. Beermats ensures that no condensation builds up on the Pint table. If no beermat is provided, ask for one. For more, see "beermat" in the glossary.
Avoid a sticky beer mat. Never allow your Beer Mat to stick to the bottom of your glass more then once. How embarrassing. After the first occurrence, one should apply the Salt the Beermat Pinting technique immediately.
"Cheers" the first drink. A custom that was developed early in Pintathlon and has become tradition. It is simply rude to start drinking your pint without a friendly 'cheers' to kick it off.
Drink beer. Ordering something besides beer on a Pintathlon is like ordering a hamburger at a Chinese restaurant: sure, it can be done, but if you want a hamburger, go to MacDonald's! If you are not a beer drinker today but cannot resist the allure of Pintathlon, there are ways to ease into the beer world.
Avoid BLECC beers. Asking for a BLECC beer during a Pintathlon is like asking a chef for ketchup! Of course, if you are at the MacDonald's of pubs, then asking for ketchup is expected.
Don't complain about the establishment. It is a Pintathlete's duty to drink a pint at every pub that has Pintent. If you don't like the establishment as you first walk in, refrain from complaining about it and get busy providing an objective rating. If the place was an utter beerhall, then it is acceptable to say something like "Ugh, what a beerhall" after you have left.
Wait at least a half-pint. Like sands through the hourglass, you should wait at least a half-pint's worth of time before conducting your rating of a pub. Years of research have indicated that senses are heightened at the half-pint mark, making it the optimal time to evaluate. You must give the establishment a chance to grow on you.

Bryden's

2009-10-19T18:07:00.001-04:00

2455 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON M6S 1P7
(416) 760-8069
Date Visited: October 4, 2009
Score: 80

Bryden's is a fixture in Bloor West Village, located right at the base of Jane Street at Bloor. It's always been a good pub, featuring excellent food and capable service. Recently, management has revamped the beer selection, and for the better. Stale old British brands have been replaced with local microbrews, and they even have feature and guest taps to keep the selection fresh and new for regulars. The atmosphere can be a bit cold...even with arm chairs and couches, the tile floor and large window can bleach the place out, even at night. That said, Bryden's figures as a prominent Bloor West destination for pints.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	6	7	6	8	7	7	40	3	84
Dave	6	7	6	7	7	8	35	0	76

Shamrock and Thistle

2009-10-17T09:18:00.004-04:00

Situated in the heart of Islington village, the Shamrock and Thistle is an easy to miss spot on the south side of Dundas. Perhaps overshadowed by their cross-the-street rival (the Fox and Fiddle with its fancy historic precinct building), the S&T is nonetheless a popular spot, particularly for those interested in televised sports. Despite the selection of relatively BLECC beers, this is a nice enough place to drop in for a pint, certainly more appealing than the Fox. We couldn't quite put our finger on it, but this place has a Classic feel to it. We wouldn't walk from the subway for a pint at this place but if stranded in the neighbourhood, it would certainly be our choice. Taps - Qty = 6 (16 taps) - qlty dr=4 dg=3 - div dr-4 dg-3 Service -cap dr-6 dg-6 -att dr-8 dg-8 -tim dr-8 dg-8 Atmosphere Dr-40 Dg-38 Total Dr-75 Dg-71 Gut Feel Dr -7 Dg 0 Total Dr = 69 Dg = 72

Fox and Fiddle Precinct

2009-10-14T09:56:00.004-04:00

Address: 4946 Dundas Street, West Etobicoke, Ontario M9A 1B6 416-207-9990 Date visited: Oct 1, 2009 Housed in a grand, old precinct building on Dundas Street just west of Islington, this Fox and Fiddle has considerable curb appeal. Walk the steps up to the historic entrance way, pass the quaint patio that adorns the front patio, step through the door aaaaand? Same old FNF. I'm sure that's comforting for some, but at Pintathlon, we'd prefer a little unique style. And the place is cavernous...no problem showing up with 250 of your closest friends. Best seating is at a window table near the bar, where at least you can get some sense of atmosphere (and hang with the drunken regulars!). Taps are plentiful at 24, but are dominated by the usual suspects of BLECC brand and British imports. Not bad place in a pinch, but with the Shamrock right across the street, it's hard to justify. Taps - Qty-7 - qlty dr-4 dg-4 - div dr-4 dg-5 Service -cap dr-5 dg-3 -att dr-7 dg-8 -tim dr-8 dg-8 Atmosphere Dr-34 Dg-32 Subtotal Dr-68 Dg-66 Gut Feel Dr -4 Dg-0 Total Dr = 65 Dg = 67

Rock Bottom

2009-10-14T08:39:00.000-04:00

State and Grand - Chicago
Date visited: October 13, 2009
Score: 83

Brew pub in the heart of chi-town. Exposed brick every where, substantial oak bar anchoring the place with 15 foot stainless steel vats in the back drop. Comfortably loud, adequately dim lighting. What I really like about this brew pub? Not only do they carry their brews - of which they are diverse and excellent quality - but they also carry guest beers to round out their offering. So 10 taps are brewed in house while an additional 3 were guest offerings.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	5	7	8	5	7	5	46	0	83

Roncesvalles Pintathlon

2009-01-02T22:30:00.001-05:00

Conducted after a long hiatus, the Roncesvalles pub drew a record crowd! As many as a dozen pintathletes gathered in locations in this up and coming neighbourhood in Toronto's west end. A few duds indeed, but a couple of worthy spots for Pintathletes, particularly The Local, which was crowned as the Jewel. Read on below! Overheard at Roncesvalles Pintathlon

"I'm more likely to enjoy that tasty beverage if you're not at a sausagefest." -- James
"I go both ways!" -- Sandra
"I hate the back polish." -- Amir
"Hey cookie, you're breakin' my mojo!" -- Amir
"That puts the 'rogue' in perogie." -- Dave
"I wouldn't bring my friends here, but I'd bring my dad!" -- Joanne on Intersteer Tavern
"women don't yawn...their ovaries suck it up." -- Amir
"She's a giver." -- Ken

Mitzi's Sister

2009-01-01T22:12:00.004-05:00

OK, the Sister isn't on Roncesvalles. It's around the corner and up the hill on Queen Street West by a few blocks. Close enough. Mitzi's (named after Mitzi Gaynor) is a unique west-end music destination featuring live bands most days of the week. Within its dim interior, Mitzi's offers a wide-range of local micro-brews, and as such, is a hidden beer destination. Not your typical pub, but a

real find for Pintathletes and worth the walk!

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	6	7	7	5	5	5	38	0	73
Dave	6	7	7	5	5	5	45	5	85
Sandra	6	7	8	6	7	5	40	0	79
Linda	6	7	7	4	4	8	46	0	82
Heidi	6	7	7	4	4	6	47	0	81
Joanne	6	7	7	7	5	7	49	0	88
Amir	6	7	7	6	7	6	32	-3	68
Jimmy	6	8	7	6	6	5	45	0	87
Wayne	6	6	7	5	5	4	42	0	75
Ken	6	8	7	6	6	5	15	0	53
Nancy	6	7	6	5	5	4	37	0	70
Mike	6	6	5	4	5	4	39	0	69
									75.8

Dizzy Gastro Sports Pub

2009-01-01T21:57:00.003-05:00

A pintathlon first: a round of "Barrett's Privateers" broke out while we were there, and those Pintathletes that knew the words joined in heartily! A fitting welcome. We were also impressed by the Jagr bomb. Um. Perhaps most amusing about this place is the schizophrenic title. Anyway, we were quite comfortable and the waitstaff did a great job seating our large, unruly crowd. The Diz proved a worthwhile locale for out Pintathlon, as evidenced by the scores below!

Nov 12/2011 update: The Diz has updated their tap selections, featuring a series of fine local craft brews. Having visited a few times now since the Pintathlon, the Diz has become one of the better beer locations in Roncesvalles, if not the West End and I've updated the Dave score below accordingly!

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	3	4	3	4	7	8	37	0	66
Dave	3	6	7	7	7	7	42	0	79
Sandra	3	6	5	6	6	7	44	0	77
Linda	3	4	4	5	7	6	44	0	73
Heidi	3	5	4	7	7	6	45	0	77
Joanne	3	6	5	7	8	7	47	0	83
Amir	3	5	5	8	6	7	46	5	85
Jimmy	3	5	4	7	8	7	43	0	77
Wayne	3	5	4	7	7	7	42	0	75
Ken	3	5	6	8	6	8	30	0	68
Nancy	3	5	5	7	6	7	42	0	75
Mike	3	6	5	8	6	8	35	0	77
									76

Chopin

2009-01-01T21:39:00.003-05:00

Ah, Chopin. Poet of the piano. Mazurkas, etudes, polonaises. If you're a fan of this early ninteenth century master, you'll be disappointed. And if you're a pintathlete, same thing. Chopin is a restaurant, not a pub. On the rainy night we visited, the single waitress was a hospitable hostess, almost astounded to have customers. We took over the patio and looked on at the Jays game playing on the lonely TV in the back of the restaurant.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	1	1	1	1	7	8	25	0	44
Dave	1	4	1	5	5	4	35	0	55
Sandra	1	6	2	4	6	6	39	0	64
Linda	1	2	1	2	6	5	39	0	56
Heidi	1	4	1	5	7	5	41	0	64
Joanne	1	2	2	4	6	6	29	0	50
Amir	1	2	2	5	5	6	29	0	50
Jimmy	1	2	2	6	6	6	25	0	48
Wayne	1	2	2	6	6	5	31	0	52
Ken	1	6	5	1	4	6	25	0	48
Nancy	1	1	1	3	4	4	25	0	39
Mike	1	1	1	2	4	4	20	0	33
									47.5

Intersteer Tavern

2009-01-01T21:23:00.004-05:00

Undoubtably, the Intersteer is unlike anything you've ever seen. If you're a carpenter, you'll marvel at the elaborate woodwork: the entire walls and ceiling are covered with beautiful panelling fit for an Oxford lecture hall or a judge's chambers. Inside, the regulars look at us as "the new crowd", likely lured in by the woodwork, and mesmerized by the panelling, Deege orders a Steamwhistle. Joanne puts it best: " I wouldn't bring my friends here, but I'd bring my Dad!" To finish the surreal experience is a dog in the back hall, adorned by a sign saying " Don't bother the dog." Best heed the advice.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	2	1	1	3	6	5	29	0	47
Dave	2	2	1	4	6	4	35	0	53
Sandra	2	1	1	4	3	7	38	0	56
Linda	2	1	1	3	2	3	15	0	27
Heidi	2	1	1	2	5	3	20	0	34
Joanne	2	5	1	4	4	2	35	0	53
Amir	2	1	1	3	4	3	38	0	52
Jimmy	2	1	1	3	5	4	35	0	51
Wayne	2	1	1	3	6	4	38	0	55
Ken	2	1	1	2	4	6	50	0	66
Nancy	2	1	1	1	2	5	40	0	52
Mike	2	1	1	1	5	6	40	0	56
									50.2

Glossary

2008-12-23T20:47:00.008-05:00

Term	Definition
Beer Hall	A derogatory term used to describe an establishment that is utterly lacking in atmosphere. "Ugh, what a beer hall." Top three signs you're in a beer hall: "community centre" tables (fold down, faux wood veneer, you know the type) fluorescent overhead lighting fills the room Blue/Export/Canadian/Coors Light proudly dominate the tap selection (see BLECC)
Beer Mats	Thin disks of absorbent cardboard placed under pint glasses to soak up condensation. Without beer mats, the table top becomes slick with condensation, and the pint glass drips in your lap with each sip. In other circles (no pun intended), these devices are called "coasters". But a true Pintathlete uses only the term "beer mats". Feel free to ask for them if not offered: "Excuse me, but could we also have some beer mats?".
BLECC	A term that generically describes mass produced, mainstream beers. Its derivation is twofold: first, an acronym composed from Blue, Export, Canadian, and Coors Light. Second, the utterance usually made after such beers are named. For more on BLECC beers, see "Fiddy".
Classic	Term used to describe an establishment that at first seems lacking in atmosphere, but slowly wins you over. Sometimes because of the characters, and sometimes because of the cheezy yet charming decor, Classics make you say "I just might drop by this dump next time I'm in the neighbourhood!"
Comfortably Loud	The desired aural state in a pub for the Perfect Pint Experience. When a pub is comfortably loud, the background noise (voices, music) is low enough that you can easily hear your friends and be heard, but high enough that your conversation cannot be overheard at the next table.
Fiddy	The proper pronunciation of the number 50 when used during a Pintathlon. For example: "How much were the pints each?" "Five fiddy". Fiddy is also the the pronunciation of Labatt's 50, the only mass produced mainstream beer that has been granted an exemption from BLECC status.
Half Pintathlon	Same as a Pintathlon, but only half-pints are consumed. This variation appeals to those who enjoy the Quest for the Perfect Pint Experience, but at half the volume. Because Pintathlon is neither a pub crawl nor an adolescent beer fest, the Half Pintathlon carries no negative connotations whatsoever. [see also "Pintathlon"]
Intent	An anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions. Synonyms: aim, intention, purpose, design. Not to be confused with Pintent.
Jewel Status	Status conferred upon those town, city or neighbourhood establishments that offer Perfect Pint experiences. Typically, only one establishment can carry Jewel Status.
LCBO	For the benefit of our many non-Ontario readers, LCBO stands for Liquor Control Board of Ontario. While The Beer Store is the name-brand place to get beer in the province, the LCBO brings in some marvellous and unusual brews, both domestic and international. While many pronounce it as the acronym (EL-SEE-BEE-OH), it is de rigeur among Pinathletes to pronounce it as LICK-BO.
LICK-BO	See "LCBO"
Luggage	A term to describe a person whose behaviour or attitude puts a damper on a Pintathlon. A Pintathlon is a happy occasion, so anyone who engages in whining or complaining becomes a form of social luggage, so much baggage that the other Pintathletes are forced to carry around. If necessary, inform the person in question that s/he is luggage by saying "You are luggage" or "Hello, Samsonite".
Mats, Beer	See "Beer Mats"
Pintathlon	The quest for the Perfect Pint Experience. Not to be confused with a pub crawl, a Pintathlon involves the exploration of all pubs and bars within a town, city or neighbourhood in an effort to discover the best place for a pint. Notes should be taken, rigourous criteria applied, and scores given to each establishment. A Pintathlon does not need to be finished in a single evening. Much to the contrary, a Pintathlon is highly successful when lovingly conducted over several days or weeks. In some cases, the size of the city dictates a long timeframe, such as the Halifax Pintathlon which took over a week.
Pintent	Pintent - The intent to serve a pint; the planned actions of a licensed public house to serve the perfect pint experience.
Pintfolio	The roster of cities, towns or neighbourhoods in which you have conducted Pinatathlons. Your Pintfolio may include cities, town or neighbourhoods that are either complete or in progress.
Pinting	The act of going out for pints. Note the plural: to say "why don't we go pinting on Saturday night" is to suggest an evening of pints. If your intention is to go for a quick pint, perhaps after work, then it's more appropriate (and accurate) to say "let's go for a pint." Never suggest "pinting" when your intention is to have a quick one.
Pub Crawl	Premeditated drunkenness achieved by visiting a planned series of bars and having a drink in each, performed in large groups and often involving a hired bus or passenger van. The ability to discern between a pub crawl and a Pintathlon is a prerequisite of becoming a Pintathlete. [see also "Pintathlon"]
Two-pint Service	Service that is so slow that you're tempted to order two pints when the waiter/waitress finally comes by. The paradox here is that the poor service drives you out the door so you're not likely to stick around for the second pint, anyway.

The Local

2008-12-23T16:31:00.005-05:00

A contestant for best pub in Roncesvalles. The Local is in the heart of the trend restaurant/bar section of Roncesvalles and really gets atmosphere right. Dimly lit and adorned with original art, the room is dominated by a long bar and dotted with the same old tables and chairs you grew up with as a kid. Occasional live music, but always comfortably loud. Oh yeah, they serve excellent local beers on tap. After touring the entire street, we declare The Local is the *The Jewel* of Roncesvalles.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	4	8	5	6	4	6	39	0	78
Dave	4	7	7	7	5	6	46	0	82
Sandra	4	7	8	4	4	5	40	0	72
Linda	4	8	6	5	3	8	40	0	74
Heidi	4	7	6	6	3	7	43	-6	76
James	4	7	6	6	3	6	45	0	77
Amir	4	6	6	5	4	5	42	7	79
Joanne	4	7	7	5	5	7	45	0	80
Wayne	4	7	8	5	3	5	42	0	77
									77.4

Pintathlon Criteria - How We Rate Pubs

2008-12-23T07:01:00.004-05:00

The Perfect Pint Experience springs from a combination of three elements: Taps, Service, and Atmosphere. The relative weighting for each criterion is given in the table on the right. Let's discuss each:

Taps It's appropriate that we put the "pint" in Pintathlon, and focus first on taps. You can't have a Perfect Pint Experience at a pub that doesn't offer anything you like. As a result, we give 8 points to each of three categories under taps:

Quantity - this is about sheer volume. We've found that the average pub carries a dozen beers on tap, so we built a sliding scale around that average: - One point for three taps or fewer - Two points for 4-9 taps - Three points for 10 or 11 taps - Four points for a dozen taps - Five points for 13 or 14 taps - Six points for 15-19 taps - Seven points for 20-25 taps - Eight points for 26 and higher
Quality - this is the counterbalance to quantity. We've been to plenty of pubs that offer over a dozen taps, but most of them are BLECC beers. It's critical to flesh out your selection with craft and premium taps.
Diversity - this is about offering a variety of beers. For example, Irish pubs often score well on quality and quantity, but offer only the traditional creamy-style Irish beers. To score well on diversity, you need a mixture of darks and lights, ales, lagers and pilseners.

Service This criterion is often disputed as a "point-in-time" measurement. That is, you might just come across the one crabby waitperson on staff or catch the pub at the wrong time, therefore penalizing an otherwise excellent pub. True enough, but every pub is subject to the same rating system, and a true Jewel never has an off night. Like Taps, the Service criterion is scored on three categories:

Capability - you know capable service when you see it. The waitstaff know their taps, their menu, and they remember your orders. They don't get overwhelmed on a busy night. If you'd say "This person has a good head on his/her shoulders", you've got a capable waiter/waitress, and it makes a difference to your Pint Experience.
Timeliness - nobody likes to wait. So if it takes a while for anyone to realize that you've sat down, or you're experiencing two-pint service, you'll score the pub low on this category. A timely waiter/waitress also knows when to ask if you'd like another - which is not when your glass is 2/3 full or when you've been empty for 10 minutes.
Attitude - a waiter/waitress with good attitude makes you feel welcome. We've seen waitstaff that score well on capability and timeliness, but make you feel like they'd be just as happy (or miserable) if you got up and left. The easiest way to score well on Attitude is to smile. Easy, huh?

Atmosphere The weighting given to Atmosphere has been the subject of much controversy among Pintathletes. Why give more than half the points to Atmosphere? Because our experience shows that the most memorable spots don't necessarily have the best service or taps. Jewels draw you in and make you want to stay all night. Put it this way: if you had perfect scores on both taps and service, but were drinking your pint in a food court, how high should that score out of 100? Rating a pub's Atmosphere is a bit more subjective than rating Service or Taps, but there is still a framework to keep in mind. If Atmosphere is good, it will appeal to the five senses:

Sight - lighting is one of the major elements of a pub's visual appeal. Too bright, and you could have a beer hall on your hands. Layouts that create cosy sitting areas while not blocking off sitelines also build Atmosphere. Layouts must be tight enough to be cosy, but not so spacious as to make the place look empty. Pubs will score points with decor choices like dark wood, rich fabrics and interesting artwork. Strangely enough, Atmosphere is also built (or destroyed) by the other patrons who frequent the pub.
Sound - the most obvious sound attribute is choice of music. Country & Western or speedmetal may draw in a paying clientele, but don't contribute to the Perfect Pint Experience. To score well on sound, a pub should be comfortably loud.
Smell - generally speaking, there are no points to be gained on smell. You're unlikely to leave a pub saying "That was the best smelling pub yet!" But a pub can certainly lose points on smell, where an overzealous kitchen or poorly kept bathroom contribute more than they should.
Touch - this is the comfort factor, and mostly in terms of seating. If you can't get a seat, that's a problem. When you do sit, you know comfort when you get it. There's no formula for comfortable seating, but generally speaking, padding is better than hard wood, and backrests are better than none. The penalty for lack of comfort is that patrons just don't stay as long.
Taste - we're not treading on Taps territory here. Whatever the tap selection may be, pubs can alter the taste of beer according to the temperature they serve at, and everyone has a different preference on that. Taste is affected by the shape of the glass, as beer afficionados know all too well. We even find that getting your beer served in a brand-name glass affects taste, however psychological that effect may be.

Gut Feel Factor Every Pintathlete can, at his or her discretion, apply the Gut Feel Factor (GFF, pronounced "giff") to improved a pub's score when the numbers don't seem to add up. Atfer the scoring has taken place, Pintathletes should ask themselves "does this total score make sense?" If the score seems wrong, the first step is to revisit each of the sub-scores to detect any errors. If after this second examination, the sub-scores are all correct, then the GFF can be applied. Pintathletes may add (or subtract) points to adjust the pub's score to a level that feels more appropriate. Note that the GFF should be used infrequently, so if you're applying the GFF to every other pub, you need to adjust your scoring technique.

Loons Pub

2008-12-21T14:13:00.010-05:00

Loons Pub, located at the very top of Roncevalles, is a pub with much unrealized potential. It was previously a restaurant named Bijou, (French for Jewel), a spot with great atmosphere and a terrific back patio. When the restaurant closed, the new owners snapped up the space as well as the adjacent building and combined them into Loons. It should feel better than it does...the front is nicely done, good wood floors, good bar at the back, wainscoating, etc. Perhaps the false ceiling kills it, or maybe it's the video golf. Or maybe it was the waitress who said "fuck" every three words. Loons was an OK start to the Pintathlon, but definitely not a finisher.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	5	3	4	3	3	7	31	0	56
Dave	5	5	4	4	4	6	38	0	66
Sandra	5	4	6	6	2	4	25	0	52
Linda	5	3	6	4	2	6	20	0	46
Heidi	5	4	6	4	2	6	32	0	59
James	5	4	5	4	2	6	26	0	62
									56.8

Pinting Technique: Salt the Beermat

2008-12-21T14:03:00.007-05:00

Does this happen to you? How embarrassing. Excess condensation causes the beer mat to stick to the bottom of the glass. This happens most frequently with cheap faux beer mats. But don't despair - you can avoid this awkward occurrence by following the next two steps!

First, set your pint aside, exposing the beer mat below. (Don't worry, the pint comes back into play very soon.) Apply a small amount of salt, perhaps a few shakes' worth, ensuring the salt is evenly spread across the surface of the beer mat.

Now replace the pint on the beer mat. Reach for the glass and lift the pint. You'll find that the salt buffers the moisture, thereby curing the sticky-beer-mat problem. Drink away, while trying to conceal your smug facial expression!

Franklins Pour House

2008-12-21T12:38:00.006-05:00

Orwell: Author, Social Critic, Pintathlete

2005-10-03T18:04:00.000-04:00

We all read 1984 in high school. I read it in 1984. And if you followed it up with Animal Farm, you'd permanently associate the name "George Orwell" with socio-political commentary. [I've also spent quite a bit of time at Orwell's Pub, but that's a different story.] So who would have figured George Orwell for a Pintathlete? Certainly not me. Nonetheless, Orwell managed to find a little time for some serious thinking about the Perfect Pint Experience. In a 1946 piece for the Evening Standard, he describes his ideal pub in considerable detail, a place called "The Moon Under Water". Although Orwell admits that TMUW is fictitious, you'd never know it by the way he talks about it. You'd swear he had spent many evenings pinting at his favourite watering hole. What's most striking about his account of TMUW is how it lines up with the Pintathlon criteria: atmosphere, service and tap selection. Orwell appropriately ascribes the greatest consideration to atmosphere, in keeping with Pintathlon's 52% weighting on that category. He even gets into some of the detailed attributes like the vessels they serve their beer in, the noise level, or the kinds of decorative fixture that create the right feel. Orwell does go on to talk about how great it is to have kids running around the place. But that's limited to the garden, so I suppose that's OK. It's his dream, after all. The main point is that TMUH is an ideal, a beer Eden of sorts, and Orwell knew of only one pub that even came close to that ideal. This underscores the tagline to Pintathlon - The Quest for the Perfect Pint Experience. Like Orwell, we have yet to experience perfection, but it is this elusive experience that truly drives the Pintathlete to keep searching.