By popular demand, here is a short addendum to last year's Calgary report.

Decor: Neighbourhood pub meets ski lodge. Huge inside. "Home Theatre" room with 4 TVs and a big screen (for watching Monday Night Football and playing QB1).

Tap selection hasn't changed since last year. They have a sampler (five 6 oz. glasses) for 6 bucks.

Brewpubs in Calgary seem to be thriving.

On this trip, the author tried:

• Lethbridge Pilsner: Nicely hopped Czech-style pils. Very drinkable, comparable to Czechvar.
• Palliser Pale Ale: Alleged Cascade hops and American IPA style. Might have caught a bad batch, the beer tasted sweet and not very hoppy at all.
• Bighorn Bitter: Low carbonation. Pretty much your generic English bitter.
• Blue Monk Barley Wine: Decent enough, not very spicy this time around.
• Shaughnessy Stout: Light-bodied, like a porter. Wonderful coffee flavour. My favorite of the night.
• Flying Frog: Light-bodied, mild hoppiness, preferred it over the Palliser Pale Ale.

Alberta being the land of lax regulations, drink specials abound. Examples: 3.50 a pint Mondays, 12 bucks a pitcher on Thursdays. The very idea of a 60 oz. pitcher of barleywine scares me.

Food: decent, a notch above typical pub grub. Go for the 3.99 short ribs on Mondays. Pizzas are excellent.

2. Bottlescrew Bill's (10th Avenue SW near 1st Street)

Decor: More traditional cozy pub.

Beer selection: Dozens of generic import bottled beers (i.e. stuff you'd find at the LCBO), probably 80-100 different products from 10-15 counries. A dozen or so local micros (Big Rock, Brew Brothers, Alley Kat).

Also has a decent selection of single malt scotches (40-50), bourbons, vodkas, and tequilas.

Food: typical pub grub.

Decor: Changed from mahogany-panelled 1920s saloon to mahogany-panelled 1960s modern.

Beer: Still have the Albino Rhino pale ale on tap. Still an excellent easy-drinking hoppy pale ale.

Food: two notches above your typical chain restaurant, about on par with Gordon Biersch.

Four areas: general products, cold beer room, vintage wine room, "stupid money" wine room

Inside the cold beer room:

• 50% Molson and Labatt stuff (includes Interbrew stuff like Hoegaarden)
• 15% generic imported (Heineken, Corona)
• 15% Big Rock
• 5% other Canadian (mostly Unibroue, a couple Sleeman brands)
• 5% other West (Alley Kat, Brew Brothers)
• 10% specialty import (some Duvel and Chimay, but a huge stock of Rogue Dead Guy Ale and Floris Ninkeberry for some strange reason)