This time we made it early into the Food Tasting Line at the Atlantic Canada Pavilion.  We waited for about and hour and change to get in, passing the time talking to a nice Portuguese couple (mostly about food, as we will).  Once ushered into the tasting room we were immediately disappointed.  After an hour of standing in line it would have been nice if there were more than a couple of tables and chairs.  There were mussels in broth (had to spit one out as it was off, which will happen with mussels), a variation on Oysters Rockefeller that was pretty tasty,  another mussel on toast and a little pastry with lobster salad.  I don’t mind tiny portions, especially if the food is really good, but this food was not remarkable.  It was ok, and yeah I know it was free, but to wait over an hour to sample four pedestrian little tidbits?  There was also some sort of lobster fritter, apparently, that we didn’t get to try – not enough was brought out for the whole room.  Ultimately, the food tastings at Atlantic Canada pavilion are not worth the lines.  We tried to duck into the Lounge for a beer, but decided to pass when it too had a big line.

Disappointed, we decided to check out the Saxony House, but we were again thwarted.  By this time the line for Saxony house was over a block long.  Determined to find drink we went to the Alibi Room.

I walked along the False Creek seawall, making my way back to the Concord pavilions to find myself a drink and some company.  Along the way I discovered that there is large market next to the old Plaza of Nations.  Most of the market is ethnic street food, which suited my appetite just fine.  Most vendors offer Chinese, Japanese or Indian, but there were also Perogies, fries and such.  I had Japanese BBQ – garlic chicken, pork belly and bacon-wrapped sausage.  The market is next to a stage offering free live music throughout the games, and a beer garden put on by the Edgewater Casino.  The stage featured an earnest young folk singer, singing about her feelings about love and life.  I enjoyed the bacon more than the feelings.  I gave the beer garden, offering Granville Island and internationals such as Heineken, a miss.

I eventually made it back to Ontario Pavilion, where I enjoyed more Crazy Canuck Pale Ale.  First time I’ve seen a line-up to get into the Ontario pavilion.  Good crowd, and I met a number of cool people.

Next up was the downtown LiveCity Location at Cambie and Georgia, home to the Canada and Manitoba pavilions. I endured a twenty minute line to enter through the most rigorous security I have seen at a pavilion. I did not stay. The pavilions here have displays extolling the wonders of Canada and Manitoba and giant outdoor screens showing Olympic events if you’re happy to stand around and watch without a seat. The food and drink area offered Molson Canadian and the worst kinds of fair food, at ridiculous prices. Worst. Pavilion. Ever.

Having nothing but bad luck so far, I ventured to the Alberta Pavilion at Robson and Beatty. Alberta has taken over the old Dogpound Restaurant location. There is no actual pavilion, just a restaurant. All seating is outdoors, but due to the spring weather this was more than comfortable, and a good place to take in the genial chaos all around. The small menu features items that showcase Alberta meats; burgers, sausages and a couple of stews. I had the sausage, which was decent. Big Rock beers on tap (no surprise). It’s a nice set up, comfortable and friendly, and probably a decent place to watch a game, but I won’t need to go back.

Frustrated with the goings so far, I considered the nearby Italian Pavilion, but decided that should wait until later in the week (when I’m not full of sausage). Instead I fought my way through the two swarms of people (some leaving a hockey game at GM place, others arriving for the next) and walked down to False Creek and the Ontario Pavilion.

The Ontario Pavilion was packed, but I was able to walk right in. I finally tried the Mill Street Organic Lager, which was ok, but far from the best beer I’ve had from Mill Street. I stuck to the Mill Street Tankhouse and the Crazy Canuck. Mill Street had a promotion on – they were handing out small samples of the Tankhouse. Reaction was mixed, with most punters preferring to stick to their bland Rickard’s and Steamwhistle. Hopefully they converted a few. Ran into a couple more CAMRA members, and we enjoyed watching Canada win gold in Women’s Cross.

It being a weekday, and early, I finally visited the Saskatchewan Pavilion and its ubiquitous big line-ups, and got in after about ten minutes in line.

I left in about 2 minutes.  Molson Canadian, burgers, and the games shown on strangely dim projection screens.  Really, you can get Canadian and burgers anytime and anyplace, making the lines for this pavilion seem rather pointless.  If it was at least a great tent with good multimedia to broadcast the games I could maybe see the cause for enthusiasm.  And why not showcase Saskatchewan beers?  Other pavilions are showing way more locale pride.

Disappointed, I went back to the Quebec Pavilion to try another of the Archibald beers, this time going for the IPA.  This is a real IPA; hoppy, with a big mouthfeel and the right balance of malt.  Quebec brewers aren’t really known for their IPAs, so this is a nice surprise.  Ran into some CAMRA members out enjoying the Games.

Next, went back to the Ontario Pavilion.  Tried the Beau’s Lagered Ale, which is fine but unexceptional.  Probably a pretty friendly beer to a mainstream beer drinker, but not assertive enough to engage a serious beer drinker.  Switched back to the Mill’s Tankhouse and Crazy Canuck ales after that.

While in Ontario I watched the Men’s Snowboard Cross event.  I’ve never seen this sport before – it’s a very telegenic, exciting and fun sport.  Will make sure to watch the women’s Cross event as well.  Good crowd in the pavilion, energetic and cheerful.  Ran into CAMRA members again.  Overall, had a pretty good time.

The French Pavilion disappoints with Granville Island beers on tap.  While they do offer French wines and French food that, while I’m sure is all very delicious, I can get that anytime of the year.   I may go back, just to check out the vibe, but we passed by and headed to the Swiss Pavilion.

The Swiss have taken over Bridges, a lousy restaurant with a great location. As Bridges is divided into three separate spaces (the upstairs, the downstairs and the pub) with three entrances, so does the Swiss Pavilion. The pub entrance had a small line (three people, as opposed to the 50 or so people at the other end) so that made our decision pretty easy. All three rooms are offering the same menus, a mix of Swiss food and some of Bridges regular fare.

The Swiss Pavilion isn’t really a Pavilion, it’s just a sit-down restaurant. There are no displays, and the staff are the regular Bridges staff. I did see a couple Swiss about the place though. The beer available is just Granville Island, which we can get anytime, so we went for the Swiss wines. Switzerland makes many good wines, but not enough for expert, so this was a rare opportunity. The pinot noir was a bit too sour, but drinkable and a reasonable match to my food, but Dawna’s chasselet was quite pleasant.

The food at the Swiss Pavilion is rather expensive, but the appetizers aren’t too bad, so we tried the sausage-and-cheese salad and the raclette (cheese melted over potatoes). Both were very good, and very authentic. The Pavilion was handing out free chocolate desserts (very nice), perhaps in honour of Valentine’s Day.

The Atlantic Canada Pavilion was high on my list, based on word I’d heard on the quality of beers and food they would have on hand. Atlantic Canada’s Pavilion takes up three spaces, a display area in the Arts Club Theatre, the Arts Club Lounge, and a room just across the lane. Three times each afternoon the Lounge offers free food tastings. The line-ups for these tastings are, as expected, very long, and we were full of Swiss food, so we decided we would have to come back on another day. We did discover, however, that the hall across the lane  which holds live music performances throughout the day had a little lounge offering microbrews, and we were able to walk right in.

Beers are $6, and there are a number of good Micros to choose from, most of which I’ve never had. I went straight for the Picaroon Bitter, which was beautiful; a rich, dark, malty-but-not-sweet English-style bitter. I must go back to try the Picaroon Blonde. Dawna tried the Garrison Irish Red, which was an unusual beer, bitter but without much hoppiness. A number of other Garrisons are available, as are a couple of beers from Propeller (Propeller’s excellent ESB is generally available around here, but worth trying if you haven’t had it before.)

In the evenings the Atlantic Pavilion becomes the “Atlantic Canada Kitchn Party,” switches to a daily dinner menu, with live entertainment from acts like Sloan and Ashley MacIsaac. It is notoriously hard to get in, but I’m keen to make an effort. This Pavilion has the rep as the hottest party place at night for these Games.  I’ll post an update once I try it out.

On the way we stopped at Sochi House, the Russian Pavilion for the next Olympic host, situated in the Science World building. This would be the only Pavilion I would wait in long line for in my first few days of Pavilion-Hopping. After half an hour or so of waiting, watching tourists in line pass the time by taking endless photos of each other against forgettable backdrops in the rain, we passed through the x-ray machine and into the Pavilion.

We were out in under 10 minutes. There was no food, no beverages, and really nothing to do but endure the accordion player whose efforts were amplified beyond reasonable volume. There are displays showing geography of the Sochi region, and displays extolling the virtues of Sochi as your next, great holiday vacation, but unless you are actually considering going to Sochi (or wanting to buy Russian Olympic clothing) this Pavilion has little to offer in the day. I am told that in the evening there is food, Vodka, and a club-like atmosphere, but have been unable to find information about hours, admission fees, or even if its open to the public.

Disappointed, we went on to Concorde.

We skipped the Saskatchewan Pavilion with its ridiculously long line, and went to the Quebec Pavilion. A giant cube from the outside, most of the Pavilion’s space is actually uncovered, and as we discovered this Pavilion is not at its best in the rain.

Quebec Pavilion as four beers, all from Archibald Microbrasserie, a microbrewer from Lac-Beauport, Quebec. The beers are pricey, at $9.00 each, but come in those big cans normally reserved for Guinness. The La Mantante is a blonde ale, Belgian in style and reminiscent of Blanche De Chambly. Very nice. The Brise Du Lac is a German-style Pilsner, but with good body for a pilsner, pleasant and drinkable if not otherwise noteworthy.

Quebec Pavilion also offers food, with menus that change daily. We shared a pork sandwich which was quite tasty.

The staff were friendly, in a good mood despite the rain, and were handing out free scarves. I may go back in the evening and check out the vibe when they have entertainment on their stage.

Next we aimed for the Ontario Pavilion. We groaned as we saw the long line, but got in queue anyways. After half-hearing someone else in line, I got curious and investigated, only to find that the line was for the Ontario Pavilion’s 4D Theatre (whatever that is) and not for the Pavilion itself. That the entrances to both are situated right next to each other, and the lack of any useful signs, muddles the situation. Being more interested in 3D beer than 4D movies, we skipped the line and headed in.

The Ontario Pavilion is a high-tech wonder that shows the nine million dollars the Ontario government sunk into this space. A huge stage holds cooking display, concerts and dances, giant screens show various Olympic events, and the large bar area offers food, wine and beer. Over the bar TVs show the latest in 3D television technology (3D minus the glasses).

Beers are only $6, a better rate than most pavilions. For the mainstream-minded they have Rickard’s Red on tap, as well as Steamwhistle (really, one of the worst beers I have ever had). But they offer a number of interesting Micros.

Mill’s Tankhouse Ale is a favourite I remember from my last trip to Toronto; a rich, balanced ale with good malt and good hops (though served a bit over-carbonated in the pavilion). I was skeptical of the Crazy Canuck Pale Ale from Great Lakes Brewing, given the name, but this turned out to be an excellent beer. The server actually warned me off trying it on account of its bitterness, and it is indeed bitter, but in a very good way. Cascade Hops (unusual for an Ontario ale) with just enough malt to make this beer feel more like a northwest ESB than a pale ale. Strictly for those who don’t mind big, citrusy hops. Mill’s Organic Lager and Beau’s Lagered Ale are also on offer. I’ll have to go back.

On day 1 of the games I found myself near the German Fan Pavilion next to Steamworks, and, rather on a whim, decided to drop in.  There was a line of about twenty people, but turnover was swift and I was inside in minutes.  There were random bag checks and frisks, but they rushed me though (I was dressed for a job interview which may have leant me a bit of unearned respectability).  I entered the Pavilion, saw a couple outdoor food vendors, but quickly found what I was looking for: the beer garden.

The German Fan Pavilion has beer-garden style bench seating, as well as a few small tall tables, a couple giant screens, food and beer.  I considered the pork sandwich but instead went for the sausage-on-a-bun (yum!) and a big pretzel.

There are two beers on tap. Köstritzer Schwarzbier is a dark-style beer, though I’m not sure if it’s a lager or an ale.  It’s malty, but not sweet, very drinkable, and one of the better dark German beers I’ve had.  The Wernesgrüner Pils Legende is a typical German pilsner; light, clean and rather lacking in character.  The pilsner was obviously outselling the Schwarzbier, but the Schwarzbier is clearly the better beer.  Beers are $8.25, and served in plastic cups – but I do go to these events expecting things to be over-priced.

As I was on my own, I grabbed a small table, but soon found myself joined by some Germans.  They were friendly, curious as to my thoughts on their beer (I told them to check out the Alibi Room – I hope they do) and they eventually asked me what I thought of the Olympics and what the local sentiment was.  I told them my feelings on the subject, and did my best to explain why many in BC feel frustrated and angry, and why I think others are more optimistic.  I hope I was able to offer balanced views, given the polarized rhetoric that blows around this subject.  I think that, by actually going to events and engaging people from around the world, there are opportunities to really explain local concerns that may resonate in a way more useful than angrily waving a sign at a camera.