Last Friday was the men's ice hockey semi-final, and a plan had been hatched to go watch it. By my very calling it 'ice' hockey, you know can tell I am not from round here. But still, I like watching hockey, and have a passing familiarity with the sport, watching the Salmon Kings for most home series, and following the Red Wings... once the NFL season is over. So with a plan to watch the game, I joined three or four other real Canadians to get in to the Olympic spirit and feel the national pride (as seen down the pub). And see if it's different to the raving madness that is a England Football game.
So, this review of the Beagle might be a little tainted as I was headed on a very busy night. But, I've been there before on quieter nights (watching the Phoenix Suns, and homeboy hero Steve Nash, or after a long walk in Beacon Hill Park), and there's not much difference.
Except the place was packed. We were asked to wait in the lobby while other's finished up drinking through the curling finals. Being 3rd in line, this wasn't a big deal, and after a bit of a wait at the bar, we got a seat. Though we couldn't get served at the bar as it was blocked off by patrons sitting down. Not a big deal over here, as table service is standard, and standing around isn't. But one of my biggest peeves in a British pub is it being filled up with people drinking and not people buying booze, so I can have my turn.
Still we found half a table, then got a full table and squeezed ourselves in. The Beagle has several screens, but none that big, so viewing across the bar was a bit of pain. Could see the game, but not as well as it would have been at home, or on a large projection screen or decent sized flat screen.
But there was a buzz. Red and white, face paint everywhere, maple leaves on shirts, faces and tied into people's hair. O Canada was sung at least three times (I can't imagine a full pub in London breaking into to Good Save the Queen). Beer was served quickly enough, and I missed pints of Lighthouse being $5.25 on Friday and opted for Molson Canadian. What? They didn't have any Slovak beer. And, I find Canadian drinkable, unlike most light lagers. Cold, fresh, good sports-watching beer. I did switch the the Beacon IPA, which was okay, but seemed slightly less hoppy than normal. Whether it was the batch or the service, hard to tell.
So, this review of the Beagle might be a little tainted as I was headed on a very busy night. But, I've been there before on quieter nights (watching the Phoenix Suns, and homeboy hero Steve Nash, or after a long walk in Beacon Hill Park), and there's not much difference.
Except the place was packed. We were asked to wait in the lobby while other's finished up drinking through the curling finals. Being 3rd in line, this wasn't a big deal, and after a bit of a wait at the bar, we got a seat. Though we couldn't get served at the bar as it was blocked off by patrons sitting down. Not a big deal over here, as table service is standard, and standing around isn't. But one of my biggest peeves in a British pub is it being filled up with people drinking and not people buying booze, so I can have my turn.
Still we found half a table, then got a full table and squeezed ourselves in. The Beagle has several screens, but none that big, so viewing across the bar was a bit of pain. Could see the game, but not as well as it would have been at home, or on a large projection screen or decent sized flat screen.
But there was a buzz. Red and white, face paint everywhere, maple leaves on shirts, faces and tied into people's hair. O Canada was sung at least three times (I can't imagine a full pub in London breaking into to Good Save the Queen). Beer was served quickly enough, and I missed pints of Lighthouse being $5.25 on Friday and opted for Molson Canadian. What? They didn't have any Slovak beer. And, I find Canadian drinkable, unlike most light lagers. Cold, fresh, good sports-watching beer. I did switch the the Beacon IPA, which was okay, but seemed slightly less hoppy than normal. Whether it was the batch or the service, hard to tell.
They serve a full slate of local beer on draft, including Driftwood, Phillips and Lighthouse, and more than just a token effort from each, which is supporting the side nicely. There's also your standard Okangan Spring, Sleeman's and the Molson range. So thats the beer. Unadventurous, but that's not the point. There's one for your taste there.
The food is standard pub grub. I ordered chicken and yam fries. These were nasty, with the yam fried under cooked, the dipping sauces cloying and manufactured (and plum sauce is not good), and the chicken strips over crisped in batter. The Halibut burger looked a lot better, being not, as I imagined, a deep fried organge battered traingle, but a seasoned, extra-lightly battered wedge of nice white flaky fish. But with underdone fries.
The food is standard pub grub. I ordered chicken and yam fries. These were nasty, with the yam fried under cooked, the dipping sauces cloying and manufactured (and plum sauce is not good), and the chicken strips over crisped in batter. The Halibut burger looked a lot better, being not, as I imagined, a deep fried organge battered traingle, but a seasoned, extra-lightly battered wedge of nice white flaky fish. But with underdone fries.
But, dammit, there was a hockey game on. The canned music was turned off (nothing worse than music being forced instead of sports when the sports is the point... I'm looking at the Podium downtown there as an offender), the commentary just discernible and the noise in the room amped up. Each hit was cheered, each chance clapped and each save by Bobby Luongo causing the audience to break out in a chorus of 'Loooouuu'. Not Boo. The place, of course, erupted when Patrick Marleau's goal was given after a second look. Tip to the Slovak goalie... probably best to concentrate on stopping the goal first, and protesting a high stick after making the save, not as it whizzes past you.
Not dissimiliar to watching England take a 1-0 lead in a football match. But less swearing. In fact, even after Canada gave up a 3-0 lead to have it 302 in the dying minutes of the third period, there was no abuse, just a subdued hush and a vague sense of panic. People half hid their eyes, shoulders dropped and exhortations to 'skate hard' punctured the air more than 'Go Canada Go'.
Still, after 2 minutes of something less like hockey, and more like scrambling on ice by both teams, the right team one, the fever pitch came back on and another chorus of Canada was sung. My friends checked I knew the words (I do, from it being played before every game of ECHL hockey), and beers were finished, and the bill settled.
So, as a venue to watch a major sporting event where everyone's on the same side... good plan. As a venue for casual sporting events... not so sure. And for food... erm, no. Overpriced, and badly cooked. Still the service IS good, so full marks to our server.
Not dissimiliar to watching England take a 1-0 lead in a football match. But less swearing. In fact, even after Canada gave up a 3-0 lead to have it 302 in the dying minutes of the third period, there was no abuse, just a subdued hush and a vague sense of panic. People half hid their eyes, shoulders dropped and exhortations to 'skate hard' punctured the air more than 'Go Canada Go'.
Still, after 2 minutes of something less like hockey, and more like scrambling on ice by both teams, the right team one, the fever pitch came back on and another chorus of Canada was sung. My friends checked I knew the words (I do, from it being played before every game of ECHL hockey), and beers were finished, and the bill settled.
So, as a venue to watch a major sporting event where everyone's on the same side... good plan. As a venue for casual sporting events... not so sure. And for food... erm, no. Overpriced, and badly cooked. Still the service IS good, so full marks to our server.
Final Bill :
2 pints Beacon IPA - $5.25 each
1 pint Molson Canadian - $5.75
Chicken Strips and Yam Fries -$11.95
Location : 301, Cook Street
Telephone : (250) - 382 - 3301
Website : http://www.beaglepub.com
(I watched the final from the safety of my own home... excellent match, and downtown was crazy till at least 9pm...)
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