By Joe Wiebe | November 2011
Hopscotch Festival
November 14 to 20, 2011
The first time I attended Hopscotch, Vancouver’s annual festival of beer, scotch and whisky, I’ll admit I didn’t last very long. Although comfortable with sampling beer, I wasn’t quite as used to whisky and I certainly didn’t consider spitting any of it out. Needless to say, after about an hour or so, I wasn’t able to sample much of anything any more.
Years have passed since then, however, and I am proud to say I can now hold my own at a whisky tasting. I still don’t spit (much), but I have a better sense of what I can handle and how to space the whisky out better over the course of an evening.
Normally, this column is devoted to craft beer exclusively, but for Hopscotch it’s worth making a partial exception. This annual event is a highlight of the pre-Christmas season and if you like beer but want to know more about whisky, or vice versa, then it’s perfect for you.
The main event is the Grand Tasting Hall held at the Rocky Mountaineer Station for three nights: November 17 to 19 from six to ten PM. More than 250 products are available to sample, including beer, scotch, various whiskies and even other spirits such as gin, tequila, rum and vodka. Tickets for this event cost $40 (Thursday) or $45 (Friday and Saturday), and include five sampling tokens and a souvenir tasting cup. Additional tokens cost $1 each.
There are also several satellite events—such as Whisky 101 classes and scotch-themed dinners—and several master classes held at the Legacy Liquor Store in the Olympic Village. If you enjoy cigars, then the Great Whisky Smoke is for you: held on the Friday and Saturday afternoon prior to the Grand Tasting Hall, it includes beer, scotch, cigars and food.
Check www.hopscotchfestival.com for more details. See you there!
