Regina Construction

[skphc08]

Originally Posted by ReginaGirl

Me too! It is awesome, and has a great downtown feel! Reminds me of Stephen St in Calgary.

This Beer Brothers place reminds me of another fine Regina-founded microbrewery. I stopped in there in a few months ago and the bar portion appeared to be open but the restaurant portion was under construction (across the hall). Anybody know if the whole thing is open now?

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by skphc08

This Beer Brothers place reminds me of another fine Regina-founded microbrewery. I stopped in there in a few months ago and the bar portion appeared to be open but the restaurant portion was under construction (across the hall). Anybody know if the whole thing is open now?

Yes they completed the dining room renovations and it is now open. They have lots of interesting beers to try on the menu, but seem to run out of them for to often.

[aberrant]

Originally Posted by Stormer

They have lots of interesting beers to try on the menu, but seem to run out of them for to often.

They have some great beer, but also carry a ton of garbage.

The closest thing to local beer they have is Great Western and Big Rock - neither of which is hard to find in Regina, both of which operate as and compete with large scale breweries, and both of which make so-so products.

For craft beer, they have a single tap for Half Pints from Winnipeg, and nothing from Paddock Wood (Stoon), Alley Kat and Ambers (Edmonton) or Wild Rose (Calgary), let alone Yukon (Whitehorse) or Tree (Kelowna). All of these products are widely available in Alberta, and most have been brought in by other bars and brewpubs in Saskatchewan. For owners that tout the whole "support local products," they sure don't seem to be practicing what they preach.

Aside from this, all of the beers they carry are ridiculously overpriced, and can all be purchased in Alberta for a fraction of the cost.

[skphc08]

Originally Posted by aberrant

They have some great beer, but also carry a ton of garbage.

The closest thing to local beer they have is Great Western and Big Rock - neither of which is hard to find in Regina, both of which operate as and compete with large scale breweries, and both of which make so-so products.

For craft beer, they have a single tap for Half Pints from Winnipeg, and nothing from Paddock Wood (Stoon), Alley Kat and Ambers (Edmonton) or Wild Rose (Calgary), let alone Yukon (Whitehorse) or Tree (Kelowna). All of these products are widely available in Alberta, and most have been brought in by other bars and brewpubs in Saskatchewan. For owners that tout the whole "support local products," they sure don't seem to be practicing what they preach.

Aside from this, all of the beers they carry are ridiculously overpriced, and can all be purchased in Alberta for a fraction of the cost.

Stormer, Aberrant:

Would it be accurate to say that neither of you were impressed with this new "local" operation?

Looked like it had a lot of potential - I will still have to try it to see for myself, but thanks for the heads up!

Do they have an outdoor portion/patio for the bar area or is it only indoors?

[aberrant]

Originally Posted by skphc08

Stormer, Aberrant:

Would it be accurate to say that neither of you were impressed with this new "local" operation?

Looked like it had a lot of potential - I will still have to try it to see for myself, but thanks for the heads up!

Do they have an outdoor portion/patio for the bar area or is it only indoors?

They have the same outdoor patio as when it was Alfredos.

My first post about Beer Bros was quite harsh, although accurate. I think it is worth trying at least once, especially if you are relatively new to quality beer, as there is some outstanding product that will open your eyes to what beer can be, but be prepared to pay. I highly recommend the Stir Stick Stout on tap - a fantastic Coffee Stout - let it warm up a bit, and enjoy the roasty goodness on it's own, with beef or with dessert.

I know some beer geeks that are unable to travel, so they love having a local option (aside from the oustanding Bushwakker) for sampling exotic quality beers. For them, paying 100% more for a single bottle of beer is still cheaper than a drive to Alberta.

I'm not overly crazy about the menu at this point. Just about everything on it is prepared with beer, but I was hard pressed to detect any beer character in the dishes I sampled, and regardless, the food was just ok. I am familiar with preparing beer cuisine, so I know how hard it is to preserve beer character in a finished dish, but if this is your claim to fame...

I have spoken with many other beer geeks and all of them seem to come away from Beer Bros with similar impressions. Regardless, it has a lot of promise, and Reginians should consider themselves lucky to have a beer bistro (downtown nonetheless), as I am not aware of any other west of Toronto.

[ReginaGirl]

Aside from this, all of the beers they carry are ridiculously overpriced, and can all be purchased in Alberta for a fraction of the cost.

Minus the gas to get to Alberta of course.

I found the food amazing. Try the guiness steak pie! The staff was friendly and knew their stuff. It was raining when I went so I couldnt enjoy the deck but they have the same layout at Alfredo's.

The pub continously changes their selection. If those Beer companies you mentioned want to be on the menu, they should send their beer reps in.

[StealthGirl]

First people are griping that new restaurants aren't going downtown and that the city is full of chain restaurants.

Now we have Beer Brothers which is not only downtown, but it's locally owned and not a chain, and people still complain.

Beer Brothers is owned by the same people as The Willows on the marina. I don't know about BB, but at Willows, they really do try to bring in as much local as possible with Saskatchewan produce, fish, etc.

[saskdave]

Originally Posted by aberrant

They have some great beer, but also carry a ton of garbage.

The closest thing to local beer they have is Great Western and Big Rock - neither of which is hard to find in Regina, both of which operate as and compete with large scale breweries, and both of which make so-so products.

For craft beer, they have a single tap for Half Pints from Winnipeg, and nothing from Paddock Wood (Stoon), Alley Kat and Ambers (Edmonton) or Wild Rose (Calgary), let alone Yukon (Whitehorse) or Tree (Kelowna). All of these products are widely available in Alberta, and most have been brought in by other bars and brewpubs in Saskatchewan. For owners that tout the whole "support local products," they sure don't seem to be practicing what they preach.

Aside from this, all of the beers they carry are ridiculously overpriced, and can all be purchased in Alberta for a fraction of the cost.

I believe flying to Calgary and picking up a dozen or so will cost me alot more than walking down the street for a few...and I was just in Calgary and everything is overpriced and expensive...

[saskdave]

Originally Posted by urbanregina

Watching a game isn´t recreation... playing one is. I don´t see Mosaic Stadium being used for anything more than Rams games and Rider games. I don´t think we need a new stadium now and hopefully by the time we do there will be development plans in place for the rail yard which would totally rule out anybody even thinking of putting a stadium there.

Sorry don't agree...that's like saying going to a movie theatre isn't being entertained because your not in the movie...

The biggest challenge with sports stadiums is that people's hearts and not minds drive the decisions. Team is winning then people will argue for spending gov't dollars....team is losing then the people don't want the gov't to spend a dime. I expect that if the Riders continue to do well for the next couple of years the press and fans will push the issue and something will come out of it but if they tank it then the issue will quietly go away....

[A4Regina]

Originally Posted by StealthGirl

Crave still has the outdoor patio infront, doesn't it? I think they've done a nice job of creating streetscrape. Between Crave and the new Westerns and the success of O'Hanlons on Scarth, we're slowly getting some interesting options downtown.

We are definitely getting more options that are upscale and fancy for downtown.
It seems like a mini 'Food district' is forming (Former Western's, Atlantis, Crave, Golf's, O'Hanlons, Michi's, Beer Brother's, etc.), If only we can stop Restaurant Chains from opening in the east end..

[caveat.doctor]

Originally Posted by saskdave

Sorry don't agree...that's like saying going to a movie theatre isn't being entertained because your not in the movie...

The difference is that amateur sport and investing in sport participation has proven public health benefits, especially in children and adolescents - society benefits from providing facilities and maintenance for things like public soccer fields, pools, etc. Entertainment is a side benefit, but the justification for tax funding would be the greater gains to health and wellness.

On the other hand, there is no evidence to show that professional sports provide the same health benefits. Like the City's report said, even funding a new stadium (that amateur athletes could potentially use) would not "have any significant impact to the City in terms of meeting recreation needs." Knowing that, and that professional sports don't provide the economic benefits to justify government investment, is why no tax dollars should cover a new facility, and government should leave new stadiums etc for us fans to cover.

Originally Posted by djforsberg

You think we should stop commercial development? Isn't that kind of... communist?

I don't think A4Regina said anything that "we should stop commercial development" - s/he just highlighted Regina's "getting more options" and a growing 'Food district' with the new restaurants, which is clearly pro-development. The point seems rather that the chains ought to build Downtown too - which obviously is pro-development, by bringing more business downtown, making our 'Food district' a even stronger draw, and reducing sprawl and spending to the east end. It might not make things as easy for individual developers (of course they love the cheap building and City-funded sprawl of Vic Av E), but overall the city would benefit.

[aberrant]

Originally Posted by StealthGirl

First people are griping that new restaurants aren't going downtown and that the city is full of chain restaurants.

Now we have Beer Brothers which is not only downtown, but it's locally owned and not a chain, and people still complain.

Beer Brothers is owned by the same people as The Willows on the marina. I don't know about BB, but at Willows, they really do try to bring in as much local as possible with Saskatchewan produce, fish, etc.

All I'm saying is that people who are quite knowledgable about beer are not terribly impressed with Beer Bros. That doesn't mean it's a bad place; I also said to check it out for yourself and form your own opinion. The place is packed whenever I walk by, so it's obviously working for them.

As for local products, the new Original Joe's (a chain no less) in Saskatoon has a better selection of local craft beer than Beer Bros.

[Stormer]

Just had lunch at Beer Bros. Blue cheese mushroom pizza was great as was the beer. Hey its beer. OK now back to construction talk.

They are cutting new windows into the south wall of the Leader Blg. today. Should lighten up the lofts.

[A4Regina]

Originally Posted by djforsberg

You think we should stop commercial development? Isn't that kind of... communist?

No, not stopping commercial development (i didnt say that). Instead of restaurants being opened up in the east end (applebee's,Chili's, etc.), having them open up downtown is a much better choice as it will bring more people in and add more life and a inviting atmosphere downtown.

[ceedub1170]

Coast Wholesale Appliances is moving out East too. They are going in one of the new buildings in the Vic Square Mall parking lot.

[Stormer]

Rio Tinto, one of the world's largest mining companies (they bought Alcan last year) has announced its intention to build a new solution potash mine on what it call's its Regina Project. They say it is east of the Mosaic mine at Belle Plaine, but the map at the first link below shows their claims are actually just east of Regina. Kennecott is Rio Tinto's exploration subsidiary.

Greenfield potash mines are generally thought to cost a minimum of $2.5 Billion to construct.

The second link is the news story.

http://www.potash1.com/i/maps/Permits2.jpg

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs...wan-potash-plans-could-hurt-juniors.aspx

[Stormer]

Newstalk Radio has a story out that Jim Hopson has confirmed that the Riders and the City have formed a committee to explore the possibility of a $250 million new stadium. Hey if Moose Jaw can build a $60 million arena for a junior hockey team, albeit with a little controversy, we can build a $250 million facility for a pro team. We are 5 times bigger than Moose Jaw and who doesn't enjoy a little contoversy.

[skphc08]

Originally Posted by Stormer

Newstalk Radio has a story out that Jim Hopson has confirmed that the Riders and the City have formed a committee to explore the possibility of a $250 million new stadium. Hey if Moose Jaw can build a $60 million arena for a junior hockey team, albeit with a little controversy, we can build a $250 million facility for a pro team. We are 5 times bigger than Moose Jaw and who doesn't enjoy a little contoversy.

This is welcome news! Forget about the "beliefs" of certain Surrey consultants, a new (regrettably indoor) stadium is required to meet the long-term needs of this community. It would not need to be massive or on the scale of the Saunders proposal for 2000.

-Taylor Field was originally constructed in 1927.
-Stadium facilities lag significantly behind other CFL stadiums - this is from personal experience (I've been to seven CFL stadiums), especially up until two years ago
-Renovations or construction of a new stadium is long overdue
-It will eliminate the need for costly temporary seating to be rented once a year for large concerts/Grey Cup
-A Canadian bid for World Cup 2018 is contingent on ten Canadian stadiums meeting minimal FIFA requirements - this could be huge - but of course very much an unknown at this time

Most importantly, this province and city have supported this team uniquely for a long time. I would not necessarily expect a BC consultant to understand anything about the team or the relationship of this community to it.

[CCF]

Originally Posted by Stormer

Rio Tinto, one of the world's largest mining companies (they bought Alcan last year) has announced its intention to build a new solution potash mine on what it call's its Regina Project. They say it is east of the Mosaic mine at Belle Plaine, but the map at the first link below shows their claims are actually just east of Regina. Kennecott is Rio Tinto's exploration subsidiary.

Greenfield potash mines are generally thought to cost a minimum of $2.5 Billion to construct.

The second link is the news story.

http://www.potash1.com/i/maps/Permits2.jpg

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs...wan-potash-plans-could-hurt-juniors.aspx

Wow, very interesting. Good news for the Regina region.

[crooked rain]

Fantastic news indeed. Things keep looking better and better for the city.