Drinking Beer in Niagara

Tourism and craft beer seem intimately entwined as the explosion in interest in the microbrewery marketplace continues. Aspiring brewers are tapping and cashing in to travel destinations where flocks of tourists seem to guarantee a market for their wares.

The Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada is a fascinating mix of tourism, spectacle and agriculture. Niagara Falls, long known as the Honeymoon Capital of the World, attracts millions of visitors each year who swarm to casinos, haunted houses, arcades and resorts; not to mention the falls themselves and the various adventure and exploratory activities offered both in and around them.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, in stark contrast, maintains a quaint, small town feel with a main street that offers wares-of-interest to the modern weekender. Less than 30 minutes from the falls, NOTL is surrounded by the area’s celebrated wine region, one of the prides of Ontario and another hotspot for tourism.

In an area awash in wine a burgeoning beer scene is emerging. I took a stumble around the area a few weeks ago in search of gems, here is what I found!

Niagara Oast House Brewers

A beautiful brewery found along Niagara Stone Road, housed in “the Beer Shed.”  Everything about this brewery oozes quality and respect for brewing tradition, with even the name, oast house, being that of an old style kilning shed for drying hops. I consider Oast House a required destination for any trip to Niagara. I was fortunate enough to arrive just as they were finishing off an eisbock seasonal, a beer that is actually frozen in order to remove water and increase the alcohol content and associated characteristics. Quite an experience!

Saison Farmhouse Ale

Not the traditional session ale some expect from saisons, this 6.5-7% ABV offering brings surprisingly bready notes with a balance between citrus and pepper flavours most expect from saisons. A hint of bubblegum also comes through while the hops remain tame but present. Available at many LCBO stores in Ontario and highly recommended.

Barn Raiser Country Ale

A distinct, while slightly subdued, American pale ale, and the breweries flagship brew, Barn Raiser is made for social events like the one after which it is named. Flavours of straw and honey are quickly overcome by delicious sweet citrus fruit like tangerines from the hops. Due to the brewer’s dedication that it be served fresh, Barn Raiser is generally only available at the brewery and on taps at select bars throughout southern Ontario; though fortunately, we did catch wind that new cans may be available in stores soon.

Silversmith Brewing Company

Another lovely location along Niagara Stone Road, Silversmith is housed in an old church built in the late 1800’s. Like Oast, you can feel the passion for beer when you walk through the doors.

Bavarian Breakfast Wheat

Very light and effervescent, banana shines through this yeast-forward entry. Not heavy or overly filling like a traditional wheat, we could certainly see enjoying this with brunch on a sunny spring day.

Black Lager

A great entry in the schwarzbier category which is picking up steam in Ontario. This beer brings mild coffee and dark fruit flavours to the fore with woody hops backing them up. All this is wrapped in a light bodied, easy drinking package.

The Exchange Brewery

Dropping this nano brewery in the heart of the quaint town of Niagara-on-the-Lake was a bold move, a boldness that is matched by the stark, modern design and décor of the brewery itself. The Exchange has only been open for a few months and while they have their branding brilliantly forged, their beers are somewhat unrefined. I look forward to seeing what they put up as they mature.

#1 American Wheat Ale

This beer brings some nice tartness and spice to a style that can be, at times, a little hop forward. The Exchange manages a nice profile, bringing clove flavour with notes of grapefruit and tart kiwi.

Niagara Brewing Company

Located at the base of Clifton Hill, the notorious tourism/entertainment district of Niagara Falls, Niagara Brewing is a lively location for beer and stylish pub food. There are a few misses on their beer menu, along with some so-so seasonals like their novel Ice Wine Beer and Peach Radler. Nonetheless, a neat stop when you are taking in the neon on “the Hill.”

Beerdevil IPA

Sweet caramel highlights the malt profile and gives this beer a somewhat non-IPA characteristic. Moderately hoppy with citrus and grassiness dominating.

Niagara College Teaching Brewery

You might think a teaching brewery would produce sub par brews, but with their focus on getting their name, and their beers, out there via festivals and other beer events, Niagara College actually has some wonderful products.

Butler’s Bitter

An exceptional example of this traditional style, NC manages to pack bold malt and hop flavours together to produce an incredibly satisfying experience. If you can find it, get it. 

Read More

Real Man Tested: GSI Pinnacle Soloist

A few members of the Real Man Travels team recently went on a four day portage trip in Ontario's beautiful Massasauga Provincial Park. This was our first real portage trip together with no coolers, luxuries or special amenities, so we had to be smart about the items we packed. The decision to mostly use just add water food for our meals made the most sense for weight and convenience. Enter the GSI Pinnacle Soloist cook set to boil all of the water for my meals. I bought this set at MEC for $45.50 + tax and put it to the test. Here are the results I found:

1. What You Get

The GSI Pinnacle Soloist comes with a 1.1L pot with an attached handle that swings up and down, a lid with an integrated strainer and spout, a 590mL cup with a removable insulation strip, a “foon” (telescopic spork), a stove bag made for an MSR Pocket Rocket style stove (stove not included), and a stuff sack that can double up as a wash basin.

Included in the set: A 1.1L pot, telescopic foon, cup with insulating strip, a wash basin and a strainer/lid.

2. Look and Feel

When I first went to MEC and looked at this set my initial reaction was that it is small... much smaller than I thought it would be. After unboxing it at home and seeing how it all stacks up within itself I realized that this was a well thought out product.

The pot feels sturdy and light and the rubberized handle sits firm in its locked positions. The plastic bowl has a little bit of flex but not too much to be nervous about squeezing out your contents while holding it. The pot lid is a hard plastic and I was skeptical about it not melting when in use. The stuff sack has a rubberized interior which allows it to stand on its own making it believable for use as a wash basin. The stove bag was a generic pouch made of canvas material. The telescopic foon (spork) felt flimsy and cheap in comparison to the rest of the superior contents.

3. Ease of Use

Unpacking and packing up the stove is a breeze as all the components fit into each other perfectly. As for actually using the product, it’s as simple as: fill the pot with water, set it on a lit stove and let the water boil, add food, fill your bowl with your cooked food, eat with the foon and clean up.

Simple stove to boil water!

4. Actual vs. Advertised

The GSI Pinnacle Soloist is advertised as a trail solution for one person, but I found that if anyone else in the group has their own mess kit it could actually be beneficial for two people. 1.1L of water is enough to make two Knorr Sidekicks or two of most Mountain House meals, two cups of coffee in the morning etc. And if there isn't enough water in the first boil, it doesn't take very long to boil another full pot.

All of the included components work as advertised, my only gripe is that the telescopic foon is flimsy, cheap feeling and retracts itself under the pressure of you scraping the edges of the bowl for the last little morsels of food.

5. Value

Priced at $45.50 CAD at MEC, I believe this was a steal as some big box retailers offer crappier products that are bulkier and don’t include everything you need for a similar price. This complete storage system allows for a small fuel canister and a stove to be packed into it so the space and bulk savings in my pack is well worth the price tag.

6. Practicality

500mL of water took, on average, three minutes to boil, and a full pot took about five to seven minutes (under perfect conditions). This meant I wasn't waiting too long to eat my meals. I ended up sharing the pot with a buddy and it worked well for the two of us. This set is small and took up very little real estate in my pack. I’d say this is a perfect set for a backpacking or portage trip where the luxuries are left behind. It could also be used on a car camping or “glamping” trip where you would want instant coffee or instant oatmeal in the morning.

Ain't nothing like a bowl of noodles after a long day of portaging!

7. Overall Impression and Final Score

Overall I am very impressed with this set. The pot boiled the water quickly, the cup held a generous amount of food and was soft enough to grip yet firm enough to not spill contents. The foon, unfortunately, was junk and I would recommend grabbing something else that is a similar size to keep the integrity of the way the set packs up. I never used the stuff sack as a sink, but it is capable of the function, even if it seems a little small. The entire set packs up tiny, and is pretty cheap. I will definitely be using this set in the future for my adventures and would definitely recommend it for your next adventure.

A well deserved score of 4.5/5 for the GSI Pinnacle Soloist

Read More

Real Man Tested: RAM EZ On-Off X Grip Bike Mount

Review by: Ed Arsenault

Every once in a while you come across a product that just makes sense, and you wonder why no one thought of it before? That's exactly the case with the RAM EZ On-Off X Grip Bike Mount.

The product promises to hold your phone or similarly shaped object as you cruise around on your bicycle with their patented X Grip system. We here at Real Man Travels like to bike so I purchased one for myself from the fine folks at RAM Mounting Systems and put it through the ringer.

1. What you get:

The package arrived with:

• 1 X Grip phone mount
• 1 Mount insert
• 2 bar attachments (to suit your bar set up)
• 1 piece of 3M rubber
• 2 black cable ties
• 1 set of instructions

X-Grip Mount, cable ties and bar attachments

 2. Look and Feel:

The EZ On/Off mount initially feels solid and durable with its hard plastic casing, strong metal arms that have very little flex, and thick rubber tips that make contact to your device. If you squeeze the arms and then let them release on their own, you will see the strength in the spring that is meant to hold your device in place.

The pieces for mounting to your bike are also built from the same thick plastic but the method for attaching them to your frame are just generic cable/zip ties. If you plan to move this mount between a few bikes then you can purchase these zip ties from any hardware store for dirt cheap.

3. Set Up:

The set up process was very simple. You first attach the 3M rubber around the bar where you plan to have the mount (this prevents the mount from slipping or sliding). Then you attach the bar clip of your choice to the frame using the two provided cable ties which need to be pulled tight. I would recommend pulling the ends with a pair of pliers for that extra click or two your bare hands can't get.

Step 1: Attach the 3M rubber around the bar

Step 2: Set the bar attachments on top of the 3M rubber

Step 3: Pull the zip ties through the slot and tighten then up. Cut off excess zip tie straps.

Next you will insert the X grip mount by pushing it down and twisting it slightly. Once you hear the click the mount is in. At this point you can set the mount to be in portrait or landscape mode when you attach your phone.

Step 4: Attach the mount in either portrait or landscape

To attach your phone you simply squeeze the spring loaded "x" arms and then place your phone down and let them open against your phone. The spring loaded gripping arms will hold your phone snug at this point. Adjust the phone as necessary, but try to make sure it is as close to the middle as possible to avoid balance issues.

4. Ease of Use:

After installation this product is a piece of cake to use. It is always as simple as squeezing the X grip arms and releasing. It is easy to remove the X grip mount by simply pushing down and twisting it off.

Unfortunately the remaining pieces stay on your bike with cable ties so moving from one bike to another with one system is not easy. If you do wish to move the entire mount then you will need to cut the cable ties and have more handy to reattach it. You may also want some extra 3M rubber as well.

5. Actual vs. Advertised

I feel confident that this product delivers on its promise. I have ridden over 200km with this mount and my phone attached to my handle bars. I have ridden on many different terrains and landscapes including busy paved city streets and gravel country roads and my phone has been snug and secure the entire time.

While the mount does hold your phone in place it does come with one minor flaw. After placing a phone into the mount there is a small swivel of about 15 degrees. This will make for a small annoyance to those who have light OCD as it will sit just off kilter. You can swivel it back those few degrees, but after a bump or two it will revert back.

The arms of the spring loaded mount can latch on to most phones with a 4-5” screen (if you are using a phablet then I’d recommend staying away from this model). I tried an iPhone 4s, BlackBerry Z10, BlackBerry Q10 and a HTC One (M8). It can attach with or without your phone case on, just as advertised.

While the spring arms don’t obstruct the camera lens (which is great if you want to record your rides), the angle of the mount cannot be changed without cutting and reattaching cable ties. Therefore filming with this mount can be a pain. If you are looking for a mount to film with you may want to check out another one of their products intended for that purpose.

6. Value

I purchased this mount for $28 plus taxes and shipping and handling. When all was said and done, to have this in my hands, it cost me $45 (CAD). I believe that the mount is worth the $45 (CAD) price tag because you get a solid phone mount that is universal and doesn’t require any special cases or any tools to install it.

7. Practicality

The RAM EZ On/Off mount made sense on one of my long haul rides because I could have my navigation up and running in front of me at all times. As well as have a tracking app on that would show distance covered, average speed and more. There was no need to reach into my pocket and stop and check for these details. For use around town, or for quick bike errands, the mount has little to no purpose. Without needing navigation or statistics, my phone just sat on the mount with the screen off the entire time.

Phone attached and navigation on

8. Overall Impressions and Final Scoring

Overall, if you intend to use your phone as your main tool for navigation, stat tracking or even just as a music player then this mount will be a great solution. It is sturdy, grips your phone tight and after 200km of riding it hasn’t once given any indication that the device wasn’t safe.The best part is you don't have to buy another mount when you upgrade your device!

My only complaint is that the mount does rotate just slightly during rides, but that is more of an OCD issue. Hopefully newer models of this mount will address this issue. 

I'd give this product a 4/5 and would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking to hold their gadgets on their bike. 

Score: 4 Real Man Beers out of 5

You can order this directly from the manufacturer here, oryou can try Amazon (that is where I got mine from).

Happy riding!

Read More

Real Man Tested: Boto Swimwear

Tis the season to book an all-inclusive vacation (get tips on that from Scott), and the much dreaded chore of finding a bathing suit for that vacation. We here at Real Man Travels understand your struggle and want to make things easier for you. Just three weeks before I ventured off to Varadero, Cuba in October I was contacted by Boto Swimwear, a company based in Montreal to test out their line of swim shorts for the modern man.

They kindly sent me two pairs of swim shorts to use and abuse from the St. Lucia collection in the colors of sky blue and coral red. I put these swim shorts through the Real Man Tested criteria to help you make a purchasing decision for you next vacation.

1. What you get.

Because this is an article for clothing there are no extras or accessories necessary or included.

2. Look and Feel.

The Sky Blue shorts looked much better in person than I anticipated and I quickly knew they would be my go-to pair during my trip. The Coral Red shorts also look great but are softer in colour than the Boto website would lead you to believe.

The shorts, when dry, feel light and have a bit of a swishy sound when you rub them between your fingers, but for some reason that sound is non-existent when walking. That’s a good thing. No one wants swishy swim shorts. To my surprise when the shorts are wet they do not get darker or lighter as most clothing materials do.

The shorts have a white mesh liner on the inside to protect your precious manhood from whatever may be lurking in the waters. The shorts have a zipper, a snap button and a drawstring to keep them firmly attached to your waist. The draw string is on the inside of the shorts to keep it hidden. This was probably my favourite feature as I was the only one on the beach (next to the liberal speedo wearers) without a draw string dangling by my unmentionables. The shorts are fitted with two side pockets and one zippered pocket on the rear.

3. Ease of Use

As long as you can dress yourself these are simple to put on. The hidden draw string will throw you a curve ball though as you try to decide which to do first, the drawstring, the zipper or the snap button. I went the route of zipper, draw string then button.

4.  Advertised vs. Actual

The shorts are advertised to be for the modern man because of their tailored fit, comfort and bold colour choices. And they were just that. These works of art sat snug on my body and were cut just inches above my knee. The colours really popped when I wore them and I never once felt that discomfort that wet shorts can give you. Overall I would say they really hit the mark with their claims for these shorts.

5. Value

These won’t be for the budget conscience who prefer to just grab a pair to beat up from Wal-Mart, as these shorts retail for $69.00 CAD. For the quality and style the price isn’t too bad considering those flashy board shorts from skate and snowboard companies retail for $50-70 CAD.

6. Practicality

You will definitely use these swim shorts on any given trip to a tropical destination or even to the beach. I can also guarantee you'd be one of the few not drowning in your swim short material (like board shorts) or tucking your junk inside your body (like speedos). 

These shorts are meant to be transitional swim shorts where you could wear them in the water or up to the beach bar or even to a restaurant close to the beach. They deliver just that with the side pockets allowing for money or other small purchases when not in the water.With that being said I don’t see these being the first choice for water sports even though they would hold up if you were to water ski, wake board or tube with them.

7. Overall

A solid pair of swim shorts goes a long way on vacation as I personally spend over 50% of the day in them. So I was happy to have a pair that functioned both in and out of water. These shorts are stylish and I got complimented on the sky blue ones (and asked where I got them). They held up well in the ocean, in the pool and in my initial shower test. The hidden drawstring, side pockets and zippered back pocket are all great features that help with the design elements and functionality. And they just look good, plain and simple (even though I do not have a 0% body fat model body). I give the Boto St Lucia line of swimwear a four out of five.

Want to grab a pair for yourself? You can currently order these from the Boto Swimwear website or wait until December when they will be launching in Bikini Village at most locations. Be sure to give them a follow on twitter or facebook if you decide to buy a pair and let them know what you think.

Have a suggestion for a product you would like us to put through the paces? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook or in the comments below!

Read More

Acura ILX and Acura RLX Put to the Test

Our editor and chief Chris is so used to driving his big, American made, gas guzzling pick up truck that he had forgotten what it was like to drive a four cylinder gas friendly vehicle. This past summer he was given a peek at just how awesome new car technology really is. Thanks to Honda Canada and Acura Canada Real Man Travels had the luxury of driving five different models from their line ups, along with participating in some amazing events (such as the Honda Indy, kart racing with James Hinchcliffe and a few other good ones). If you are in the market for a new car, take a look at Chris' and Ed's thoughts on the Acura ILX and RLX.

Chris was impressed when he hopped into the brand new Acura ILX - performance meets fuel economy in this beauty. The ILX's leather interior, six speed transmission and sunroof made him smile every time he drove it. He told the guys that the sound of the engine made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. The ILX's sleek look and amazing stereo caught the eyes of many senoritas. 

If you ask Ed about his trip to Montreal he'll likely talk more about driving the Acura RLX Elite for over 1500km than he will about the trip. He fell in love with the styling and handling, fuel economy (half a tank of gas lasted 500km!) and the little details the car provided. He has been secretly wishing some long lost relative would buy him one so he could be happy driving every day.  

Needless to say we were very pleased with both cars and they should be on your "must test drive" list.

Read More

Real Man Tested: Broadstone Pop-Up Tent

Real Man Tested: Broadstone Pop-Up Tent

Last year while planning for our annual Man of The Year trip to the top secret "Isle of Man," I found myself in the market for a tent. The first year I shared with fellow RMT contributors Ed (@EdRealManTravel) and Scott (@SFRealManTravel), but due to a snoring incident they gently suggested we each get our own accommodations.

My criteria was simple:

• Two person
• Easy to set-up/tear-down
• Lightweight
• Reasonable price

A casual flip through the weekly flyers found the Broadstone two-person pop-up tent on sale for 30% off at Canadian Tire. I only found a few reviews on the item, but was sold on the idea of a pop-up tent. I pulled the trigger and, with a little practice, was a pro at setting up and tearing down in less than a minute. The only thing left was for it to prove its worth on the "Isle of Man." Here's what we found:

What You get:
The Broadstone pop-up tent came with a carrying bag that doubles as a backpack, and standard ground pegs that fit in an inside pocket of the bag.

Broadstone pop-up tent with carry bag and tent pegs.

Look and Feel:
The hoops that form the overall support structure of the tent, and provide the pop-up feature, feel strong and sturdy. Very important as without them your pop-up tent becomes a misshapen tarp. The tent material,  EverDry polyester taffeta, feels like most other tents I've owned. The blue and yellow isn't a colour scheme you will find on the hottest fashion runway this year, but it's a tent, not a purse.

Ease of Use:
Setting this thing up is a breeze. Simply remove the safety strap and look out; the tent bursts into shape at a rate that will startle any unsuspecting onlooker. Then, just secure your tent with pegs and look for your cooler - because its Miller time. Tear down takes a little practice and the instructions provided become a little difficult to follow when it gets to the folding stage. I suggest watching the video below to fully understand what exactly you are expected to do. But breathe easy, it doesn't require an engineering degree.

Actual vs. Advertised:
This tent definitely pops-up, so that's an easy check mark. The tent's waterproof fabric, treated with a Rainguard™ system, got an early test as a downpour caught us as we made camp. The ability to set the tent up quickly made it the hero of the day as it saved the rest of our gear from getting soaked. That said, the heavy rain eventually got the better of the tent, which allowed a very small amount of water in. It is also on the smaller side for a two-person tent. More like a 1.5.

Value:
I picked this little beauty up for $69.99. The benefit of not having to fiddle around with poles or guy lines does help maximize vacation time. While some conventional dome tents come in at a lower price point, this pop-up tent is more cost-comparable to the new "easy up" segment. This tent is worth its sale price, but it is a little small.

Practicality:
This tent is great for recreational camping, backyard camp-outs with the kids, as a sun shelter at the beach, or anywhere a quick set-up shelter would be appreciated. While its usefulness as a back country camping tent might be limited by its packed size if you plan to portage, you can secure the carry bag to your pack for easy short-haul treks.

Overall Impressions and Final Score:
Over a year later I still smile when I set this tent up. The fact that it's easy to store with minimal pieces ices the cake. If there's one thing that leaves me wanting, it's the waterproof level. That said, I've never had a tent I trusted enough to not cover with a tarp for additional confidence. I purchased two small tarps, one as a ground sheet and one for additional cover, and have never looked back. I just pop, cast a line, and watch the other guys struggle to make camp.

VERDICT: Real Man Tested, Real Man Approved. 3.5/5

3.5 RMT beers out of five

Have a suggestion of a product you would like us to put through its paces? Let us know on Twitter @RealManTravels 

Read More

Real Man Travels and Honda/Acura Team Up for Summer Travel + Honda Indy Preview

A post by Scott F

It’s summer, and the open road is calling our names (it was calling all winter too, but we couldn't hear it under all that snow and ice). The crew at Real Man Travels are chomping at the bit to hit the dusty trail for some adventure and we’re happy to share that we've teamed up with Honda/Acura to power our road trips this year.

One of the Honda vehicles we will NOT be testing this summer.

We’ll be trying out different Honda and Acura vehicles and chatting about them as part of our various trip write-ups. Naturally, we’ll only provide honest feedback. We’re not car reviewers, so we’ll be talking about the role the whips played in our fun, along with any features or characteristics that improve our experience.

Our first big trip will be our annual Men vs. Wild excursion in mid-July. Watch the page in late July when we unveil who took home this year's Man of the Year honours.

Our big chief, Chris, was invited by Honda to attend a preview of the featured off-track activities that will be featured at this year's Honda Indy in Toronto. The Indy, which takes place July 18-20, is now a full fledged festival featuring various automotive, food and even beer events! Featured events will include Stihl Timbersports, FireFit Championships, Honda Pit Stop Challenge and the Honda Junior Red Riders. Learn all about the Honda Indy and the exciting festival activities at: http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/.

Hitting the road this summer? Tell us about your plans in the comments section below.

Read More

Wvrst in Toronto - It's Wunderbar!

Tucked away in the metropolis of Toronto is a restaurant serving up one of the manliest menus I have ever seen. Its key - a menu focused on two things men love: Sausage and Beer.

Sausages and Duck Fat Fries                                                 A tasty stein of Nickel Brook

A wide selection of sausages may be the main attraction on the menu at Wvrst, but trust me when I tell you.....DO NOT MISS OUT ON THE DUCK FAT FRIES. That's right. All caps. It's that important.

Wurst Flight! 

If you can't quite decide which beer to try, why not try them all! A tasting flight might be my favourite way to try beer. Directly comparing the various draft beers offered in a sample size, so as not to impair your beer judgement, is a great way to broaden your beer horizons. Highly recommended if you aren't part of your friend's Beer Brain Trust.

So next time you're in Toronto and want to sample some new beers head on over to Wvrst at 609 King St West, Toronto.You wont be disappointed.

Sam-

@SamRealMan

Read More