Edinburgh review: Salt Horse – where to drink craft beer

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We took a day trip to Edinburgh from Newcastle. It’s a 1.5-hour train ride away, and staying in Newcastle meant we saved around $500 on our hotel room. For this post, let’s listen to the Arctic Monkeys, Do I Wanna Know?.

My brother, Narc, strongly recommended visiting Edinburgh Castle (£24), and his wife suggested the Palace of Holyroodhouse (£25). However, he texted me “Hollywood”, so the entire time we were in Edinburgh, I told locals who asked me where I was going next that I was heading to Hollywood Castle, instead of “Haw-Lee-rood” Palace.

We arrived at the train station and walked up the Royal Mile. Holy, I’ve never seen such an impressive mile in my life. We walked down cobble streets aligned with towering medieval and Renaissance buildings. The piercing sound of bagpipes, mournful yet inspiring, almost stopped us in our tracks. The sight of the buildings, churches, and ancient castles was even more stunning to me than my visits to Dubrovnik or Greece. Chew Steel asked me if my father had ever visited Scotland. No, I responded, he hasn’t, likely because Scotland doesn’t have enough composers to compel him to fly over.

In no time, we made it to Edinburgh Castle, just as the rain began to fall. Not the warm summer rain I’m used to in Calgary, but a sharp, bone-cold drizzle that chilled my bare legs and arms like a bottle of wine. I miscalculated the weather. In Liverpool and Newcastle, a heatwave occurred, and I incorrectly assumed the weather would be warmer.

No worries, I wrongly thought again, as I would be warm once inside the castle. Edinburgh Castle is perched on a rock, and most of the tour is outside, exploring the main gate, the open plaza, the main courtyard, and the artillery areas. The warmest spot was the prison, which was cozy with its puppet light show and rows of hammocks and blankets. I was shivering so badly I wanted to crawl into one of the beds.

I also realized too late why my brother liked this castle so much. It was all military-related: the Mons Meg, a medieval cannon; the One O’Clock Gun; and a section dedicated to a vast array of medals, swords, and other symbols of military valour. The castle was originally a royal residence, but it later evolved into a military fortress. Edinburgh itself has a very long military history.

When we left, the sun came out again and dried my clothes. For lunch, we headed to Salt Horse, which is located in the centre of the city, a few blocks away from all the action. We sat down, a table away from an Asian female and her Caucasian partner. This detail will make sense in the following paragraphs.

The bartender knows his craft, not just about the history of the brewery or the style of beer making, but also about current anecdotes related to certain bottles. I told him about a delicious raspberry I tried at the Broad Chare. He recommended I try Timmermans Black Pepper Lambicus (£6.80), a bubbly Belgian beer. Chew Steel ordered Kriek Boon (£6).

What a lovely beverage! Thick and fragrant, the black cherries tasted and smelled a little like fresh pink roses. The black pepper was subtle and complemented the dark fruit. I’m a fan. Chew Steel enjoyed his beer was well.

As we sipped our beers, our bartender dropped off a plate of wings at our table. I told him we hadn’t ordered this, and he looked genuinely puzzled. The woman sitting next to us chimed in, “That was ours.” He laughed and said, “Oh well, you can see why I got confused about who ordered what. Right?” He gestured to us and then to them. One interracial couple exchanged a glance with another, and a silent moment of recognition passed between us. I joked to our doppelgangers, “We all look alike.” She laughed and offered to share the wings, which was very Asian of her. I declined, even though I really wanted one, and introduced myself, because we’re probably related, somehow.

Her name was Lisa; she was originally from San Francisco and now lived in Paris. She and her husband were heading to Montreal and Quebec City. I gave them some travel tips — where to go and, just as importantly, where not to go. Lisa wished us goodbye, and her husband disclosed Lisa was after some haggis, as she’s a devout foodie. For once in my life, I bit my tongue, but my eyes registered with Lisa’s husband, and I nodded in understanding.

For food, Chew Steel and I both ordered the Bowhouse (£15), which features dry-aged beef and bone marrow, accompanied by homemade, twice-cooked fries. This is a tasty burger! I could taste the bone marrow in the patty, which complemented the dryish texture well. I would come here again.

After our meal, we made it down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which was much more hospitable. The palace was full of interesting twists and turns, like the royal portraits and Mary, Queen of Scots’ private chambers, where her secretary was murdered by her husband. We finished the tour with a walk through the royal gardens.

We checked out some other areas, famous streets, and the most impressive statue honouring writer Sir Walter Scott, housed under a towering Gothic structure. Exhausted, we headed back to Newcastle for the night. One more day in London and we were back home! To be continued.

Bars/Lounges · Beer · Patio · Restaurants

High Line Brewing Inglewood Calgary: Veggie Dogs & Craft Brews

August 5, 2024April 30, 2026 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

Lululemon and I met up for brunch on Saturday. As I was already in Inglewood getting my hair lopped off, she met me at the salon, and from there, we looked for a suitable eatery for our mood. Let’s listen to “Goodbye Earl” by the Dixie Chicks for this post.

Lately, Lululemon has been a big influence on what I eat. She’s introduced me to Vegan Street, DJ’s Market, Italian Centre Shop, and a soon-to-be-sampled bean curd banh mi at Nhu Y Sub. Lululemon suggested we get hot dogs and beer at High Line Brewing. I was game because there’s nothing better than the simplicity of a dog on a bun.

High Line Brewing is larger than it appears from the outside. Once you pass the front bar section, there are several rooms to sit and sip the afternoon away. You pay at the bar, grab your beer and then find a table. We first sat inside in a nook under a large tree before moving to the patio.

We ordered a vegetarian Chicago Doggo ($11) with chips and some beer.
I sampled four beers: CLUB MATE+, Dadge, Wabi Sabi, and Heartless Romantic. What I liked about these beers was that they felt like an eclectic sampling of sodas and cocktails. The Dadge, a cucumber ale, had a fresh, mild melon taste that reminded me of the refreshing cucumber water you get after an Eucalyptus steam.

The Club Mate+ reminded me of a cherry cola but sweeter. The hard tea and yerba mate were so mild that I could hardly detect them, though I’ll be the first to admit I don’t have a sensitive palate.

The Wabi Sabi was my favourite of the flight. It reminded me of all the sparkling lemon sours I consumed in Tokyo. The sour tasted like bright, tart lemon and tea. The Wabi Sabi was also noticeably bubbly, which I prefer over the more softly carbonated beers.

The Heartless Romantic was another cherry sour but more tart and less sweet than Club Mate+. I would order this one again, but I preferred the Wabi Sabi.

The outside of the bun was grilled and crunchy, while the interior was soft and fluffy. The temperature of all the ingredients was perfect. Warm bun, steaming hot dog and cold, crisp condiments. The vegetarian weiner tasted like a regular hot dog but lacked that elastic snap. Proportionally, the ratios were perfect. Each bite has some sausage, bun, and a delicious hit of mustard, pickles, onion, and banana pepper. The tomato was fresh and juicy, the sweet flavour highlighted by the hit of celery salt and the heat and crunch from the banana peppers. Oh, this dog just hit right.

Though I was full, I insisted on getting the next round of drinks and some chips and salsa ($9) because I know Lululemon likes to snack while she drinks. The corn tortilla chips were gluten-free, cut thick, and crunchy. Salty and well-seasoned, the corn chips paired wonderfully with the tangy pineapple salsa. There were way more chips to dip, so next time, I’ll request more salsa and sour cream so we don’t run out. I also made a mental note of the selection of gluten-friendly beers for my celiac friends.

Lululemon sipped on Zing, a ginger beer infused with lemongrass, lemon, and lime. The lemongrass flavour was particularly noticeable. I tried Honeybush ($7) from Ol’ Beautiful, and it was one of the best hard teas I’ve ever tasted. I loved the dry, rich notes from the black tea.

Thank you, Lululemon, for lunch and your excellent company. I look forward to our next vegetarian and gluten-friendly adventure.

For more reviews like this, see my picks for cheap eats in Calgary under $15.

Beer · Vietnamese

Sunday in Calgary: Tail Gunner Brewery and Rau Bistro

March 2, 2024April 27, 2026 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

Chew Steel and I stopped by Tail Gunner Brewery for a beer. Acme Pizza has officially moved into the brewery, and we saw several customers coming in to pick up a pie. Our server informed us if we wanted pizza, we could order from her, which is a different system than when Acme was at Two House Brewery. Let’s listen to “Angel” from Pink Pantheress for this post.

I went with my usual, the Linton Stephenson Czech Pilsner ($6.00, 330 ml). Chew Steel took a sip and noted it was crisp, dry and very “traditional.” I enjoyed the fresh foam and the light flavour. With beer this good, I don’t miss wine.

I sipped Chew Steel’s Ross Dixon West Coast Pilsner pick ($6.00, 330 ml), and wow, this is a goodie. The initially tasted a little sweetness, followed by a tiny bit of bitterness. I thought the pilsner was floral, while Chew Steel smelled cedar and thought it was almost tropical.

I was tempted to order a pizza, but I was craving Vietnamese food. I picked Rau Bistro, an old favourite of mine, located on Centre Street.

We shared the Banana Blossom Salad ($15) with Crispy Chicken Leg. The chicken itself was tasty, the skin a crackling, blistered brown. However, the salad mainly consisted of bamboo shoots with only a light sprinkle of carrots and herbs. The consistency of the salad was wet, soft and rubbery, with no distinct sweet or sour notes. The portion was large, but we only ate some of it. I read reviews of customers raving about this traditional dish, so maybe I wasn’t used to muted flavours. I would have preferred less bamboo shoots and more herbs, sprouts and banana blossoms.

I ordered a Mega Vermicelli Bowl ($18), and Chew Steel ordered a smaller version, the Grilled Meats Vermicelli Bowl ($16). The noodles in our bowl were plentiful but overcooked. However, the generous variety of crunchy vegetables made up for the noodles. He enjoyed the beef, which was sweet and smoky from what tasted like a charcoal grill. I loved the pork patty, which was juicy and just delicious. The shrimp was my second favourite protein, crunchy with a pleasant chomping quality. The chicken and spring rolls were a tad overcooked and chewy. The fish sauce tasted diluted and less potent than previous visits.

There was so much food in our bowls that we didn’t finish it. The portions are generous; you won’t walk away hungry after ordering a meal. We were content with the vermicelli bowls, but I wondered if we ordered the wrong dishes. When I looked around, everyone was enjoying hot steaming bowls of pho.

This particular visit is likely isolated, as it didn’t reach the high-level enjoyment I’ve experienced on prior occasions. I’m sure the wrap and roll combos and 7-course set meals are still on point. In any case, Rau Bistro is still a good option for Vietnamese food.

Want more like this? Check out my running list of Calgary’s best restaurants, date nights, and cheap eats.

Bars/Lounges · Beer · Burgers · Restaurants

Class Clown x Juice Imports: Natural wine collaboration dinner

January 30, 2024April 14, 2026 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

Juice Imports and Class Clown hosted a unique lineup on Sunday night: hot honey butter cornflake-crusted chicken burgers, corn pop ice cream, and six new natural wines by the glass. I coaxed my friend Divine Offering to come out, as she’s a fan of both businesses. Let’s listen to “Who’s That Girl” by Eve.

Erik suggested we try Yokel Rose ($65), made by Josephine Perry, winemaker and proprietor of Dormilona Winery. He informed us that the winery’s mascot is the Western Swamp Tortoise, Australia’s most endangered reptile. Dormilona donates a portion of its sales to the Friends of the Western Swamp Tortoise, an organization that relocates tortoises, restores their habitat, and funds research and projects such as the breeding program at Perth Zoo. Divine Offering noted that she hadn’t tried many rosés and found this one sweet and sour. We both tasted strawberries and lip-smacking yumminess.

She tried the night’s feature, Hot Honey Cornflake Crusted Chicken Burger ($15). She liked it even more than the Schezwannabe burger on the regular menu and Hi5’s version at First Street Market. She mentioned the sweetness from the honey stood out. I tried a bite and enjoyed the crunch and flavour from the butter, hot heat and honey. Divine Offering loved this burger so much she wished it was on the regular menu.

I wanted something simple, so I opted for the Phil A. O’Fish ($12.50). The burger reminded me of McDonald’s filet of fish, but a million times better. The cod was large and flaky. The grilled bun was buttered and squishy and held up to the crispy fish, gently sauced up with tartar sauce, melted cheese, and pickles.

We shared the Coney Fries ($8), which we prefer over the Super Fries we tried on our last visit. I like the beefy sweetness of the coney sauce; it reminds me of the meat pasta my mother made when we were kids.

For dessert, she tried Corn Pop Ice Cream ($7), and I tried a glass of the Meinklang Epic ($14). Damn, this was a lovely sparkling wine, dry and floral with tiny bubbles. I would get this wine again.

When I posted a picture from the night, my Instagram connection, Dannitrann, told me she was there too and thought she saw me. I saw her too but didn’t recognize her because my eyesight isn’t the best. I recognized her from her old Yelp posts, which I loved reading. She’s a good writer, and more importantly, she finds the best eats in the city.

I ordered a California Classic ($12.75) for Chew Steel, and he enjoyed it, stating it was one of the best burgers in the city. I mentioned it was only a dollar more than our favourite fast-food burger, Dave’s Double Cheeseburger. It’s safe to say we aren’t going to Wendy’s anymore for our cheeseburger fix. This is the kind of place that becomes part of your regular rotation when you’re thinking about where to eat in Calgary. Thanks, Divine Offering, for the lovely company and for trying new wines with me.

17th Ave · Beer · Burgers · Wine tasting

Class Clown: Avenue’s Best Restaurants 2026

November 26, 2023April 30, 2026 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

On Sunday, I texted Divine Offering and asked if she wanted to go somewhere for dinner. We went back and forth and decided on Class Clown, a new burger joint that opened up in Mission. I heard the burgers were delicious; and they served natural wines from Juice Imports. For this post, let’s listen to It’s Tricky Run DMC.

While I walked over, I signed up for the online waitlist about twenty minutes before I scored a seat at the bar. The heady smell of the beef hit me when I was still a block away. I like the vibe of the place. The space is very 70s, with curtains fringed around the bar’s ceiling and amber lights set against the walls. Rap music, on the other hand, was right from the early 90s, played loud and proud. I spotted a small private room that looked cozy and secluded. I wonder how you score that table.

Divine Offering and I shared a bottle of Orenji Dormilona ($55). We would get a glass, but our bartender persuaded us it was a better deal to get the bottle. I found the wine juicy, fresh, and easy to drink. Divine Offering mentioned she had never tried orange wine before and would order this again.

I was craving a burger. I ordered the California Classic ($12.75) and paired it with the Super-Duper Fries ($8.50). I informed Divine Offering that Miss Foodie highly recommended the Szechuwannabe Hot Chicken ($12.5), which she picked.

I loved my burger. The beef was lacey and crisp, and the two patties were proportional to the generous amount of lettuce shards, tomatoes, and squishy bun. I liked the stickiness of the cheese and how flavourful every ingredient tasted. Each bite was airy, crunchy and overwhelmingly delicious. It was so good that we stopped talking and just enjoyed every bite.

The bowl of fries arrived utterly covered in melted cheese, house sauce, and Coney sauce, garnished with a sprinkle of Cheetos. The best component of the fries is the coney sauce, which is sweet, meaty and tangy. I liked the fries, but I would have preferred splitting another burger with Divine Offering, because the burger was that good.

Divine Offering said her chicken sandwich was one of her favourites in the city, and it was a tie between this one and the Nashville hot chicken sandwich from Hi-5 Burger at First Street Market. She mentioned the batter was crispy, and the chicken was juicy. She didn’t find it too spicy or heavy, even though it was dripping with sauce and oil.

When I came home, I told L he missed out. Class Clown makes one of the best burgers in the city, and we have to go back to try some of the other offerings. Hitting the Sauce gives Class Clown two phat thumbs up.

Want more like this? Check out my running list of Calgary’s best restaurants, date nights, and cheap eats.