Premier Ralph Klein has asked revellers to show restraint
May 23, 2006 7:58 PM Subscribe
Gentlemen, start yer cliches: Thirsty hockey fans drinking Canadian city dry of beer
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posted by MonkeySaltedNuts at 8:13 PM on May 23, 2006
posted by MonkeySaltedNuts at 8:13 PM on May 23, 2006
Ralph "Show up drunk at a homeless shelter" Klein is asking people to show restraint?
posted by Grimgrin at 8:20 PM on May 23, 2006
posted by Grimgrin at 8:20 PM on May 23, 2006
OH DEAR GOD NOT THE BEER YOU MAD DRUNKEN APES AND SAVAGES
posted by loquacious at 8:31 PM on May 23, 2006
posted by loquacious at 8:31 PM on May 23, 2006
Maybe I'm misremembering, but haven't the Oilers had a couple of decent playoff years lately? Not this good certainly, but good enough that local barkeeps ought to have their orders together? Man, playoff hockey is the only thing I miss not having cable.
posted by aaronetc at 8:39 PM on May 23, 2006
posted by aaronetc at 8:39 PM on May 23, 2006
SOS -- EDMONTON ALREADY DRANK IT'S RATIONS -- SEND BEER TO PHOENIX, AZ WHERE IT'S 100 F AT 9PM ASAP
posted by loquacious at 8:48 PM on May 23, 2006
posted by loquacious at 8:48 PM on May 23, 2006
Maybe I'm misremembering, but haven't the Oilers had a couple of decent playoff years lately?
Sorry, I'm going with misremembering. The last time the Oil made it to the semis was '92, and barring a couple of first-round upsets of Dallas ('97) and Colorado ('98), recent post-season success has been elusive. Mayhaps you're thinking of Calgary's 2004 run (led the Cup final 3-2 before losing the final two to Tampa Bay).
posted by hangashore at 8:52 PM on May 23, 2006
Sorry, I'm going with misremembering. The last time the Oil made it to the semis was '92, and barring a couple of first-round upsets of Dallas ('97) and Colorado ('98), recent post-season success has been elusive. Mayhaps you're thinking of Calgary's 2004 run (led the Cup final 3-2 before losing the final two to Tampa Bay).
posted by hangashore at 8:52 PM on May 23, 2006
Still, quite a contrast to the last successful Cup run ('90). Even the
posted by hangashore at 8:56 PM on May 23, 2006
posted by hangashore at 8:56 PM on May 23, 2006
Is that whole 'hockey' thing still going?
posted by puke & cry at 8:58 PM on May 23, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by puke & cry at 8:58 PM on May 23, 2006 [1 favorite]
I must be thinking of those upsets. I guess I figured they must have put a real run together sometime between now and then. Now that you mention it, though, I wonder if this was a problem in Calgary two years ago?
posted by aaronetc at 9:00 PM on May 23, 2006
posted by aaronetc at 9:00 PM on May 23, 2006
Ralph "Show up drunk at a homeless shelter" Klein is asking people to show restraint?
That doesn't sound so bad, as long as he didn't beat up one of the homeless guys for wearing a jersey for another premier.
posted by stavrogin at 9:04 PM on May 23, 2006
That doesn't sound so bad, as long as he didn't beat up one of the homeless guys for wearing a jersey for another premier.
posted by stavrogin at 9:04 PM on May 23, 2006
(dammit, hit 'Post' when I meant refresh)
Still, quite a contrast to the last successful Cup run ('90).Even The Whyte Avenue pub strip was basically nonexistent then, and you couldn't even buy beer in the stands at the then-Coliseum. Just a bit of horn-honking and partying on Jasper Avenue when they won it all (in contrast, they were blowing car horns down near me when they won their quarter-final last week, and I'm fifty blocks south of the bar district).
I wonder if this was a problem in Calgary two years ago?
I don't recall talk of any beer shortages down in the City of Cows*, but much partying was done on the Red Mile (and be sure to Google "Flames Girls" for plenty of NSFW fan exuberance).
*I kid, of course (in a Springfield/Shelbyville way).
posted by hangashore at 9:13 PM on May 23, 2006
Still, quite a contrast to the last successful Cup run ('90).
I wonder if this was a problem in Calgary two years ago?
I don't recall talk of any beer shortages down in the City of Cows*, but much partying was done on the Red Mile (and be sure to Google "Flames Girls" for plenty of NSFW fan exuberance).
*I kid, of course (in a Springfield/Shelbyville way).
posted by hangashore at 9:13 PM on May 23, 2006
"Oilers fans had previously made headlines for disturbances on Whyte Avenue. People have been stabbed, assaulted, and stores have been vandalized."
Who says Canadians are tame now?
posted by tweak at 9:29 PM on May 23, 2006
Who says Canadians are tame now?
posted by tweak at 9:29 PM on May 23, 2006
For those who aren't aware, you can only buy alcohol in Canada at the govt-run liquor commission, or the govt-licensed Beer Store chain. So the idea that a city could "run out of beer" isn't really that far-fetched given the bottleneck this system presents.
I can't say for certain it's exactly this way in Edmonton now, but that's how it was last time I was back home.
posted by nightchrome at 9:49 PM on May 23, 2006
I can't say for certain it's exactly this way in Edmonton now, but that's how it was last time I was back home.
posted by nightchrome at 9:49 PM on May 23, 2006
That's incorrect nightchrome, especially for Alberta.Here's Alberta's private liquor store association. The province privitized sales of liquor in 1993.
posted by Grimgrin at 10:04 PM on May 23, 2006
posted by Grimgrin at 10:04 PM on May 23, 2006
"Oilers fans had previously made headlines for disturbances on Whyte Avenue. People have been stabbed, assaulted, and stores have been vandalized."
Well if there's a way of showing Oiler pride that doesn't involve knives, arson, or flags I'd sure like to know what it is!
posted by mazola at 10:04 PM on May 23, 2006
Well if there's a way of showing Oiler pride that doesn't involve knives, arson, or flags I'd sure like to know what it is!
posted by mazola at 10:04 PM on May 23, 2006
Man, what a contrast to the crowds of the 80s. Does anyone else here remember when the Coliseum was more like a morgue filled with corpses? We used to have the quiestest, most polite arena to play in.
I can clearly recall playing Chicago, in '87 I believe. That was _the_ hockey party place. Watching those games from the old Chicago barn was simply unreal. The noise was incredible - probably similar to the Oilers' fans of today.
Edmonton fans in contrast simply sat down and politely cheered when the boys scored. But then again, victory was almost always assured, so why get all bent out of shape. Yawn, another cup. Yay us.
Now, having been so far removed from any success for such a long time, it's nice to see some real enthusiasm to go along with it. Though I'm afraid of the consequences if we manage to win the cup.
Pity about the beer though. I probably shouldn't mention that I'm well supplied.
posted by C.Batt at 10:16 PM on May 23, 2006
I can clearly recall playing Chicago, in '87 I believe. That was _the_ hockey party place. Watching those games from the old Chicago barn was simply unreal. The noise was incredible - probably similar to the Oilers' fans of today.
Edmonton fans in contrast simply sat down and politely cheered when the boys scored. But then again, victory was almost always assured, so why get all bent out of shape. Yawn, another cup. Yay us.
Now, having been so far removed from any success for such a long time, it's nice to see some real enthusiasm to go along with it. Though I'm afraid of the consequences if we manage to win the cup.
Pity about the beer though. I probably shouldn't mention that I'm well supplied.
posted by C.Batt at 10:16 PM on May 23, 2006
So proud of my hometown.
So glad I moved off Whyte Ave.
So ready for those assholes to stop honking their horns now (north-west of downtown).
posted by Zozo at 10:25 PM on May 23, 2006
So glad I moved off Whyte Ave.
So ready for those assholes to stop honking their horns now (north-west of downtown).
posted by Zozo at 10:25 PM on May 23, 2006
maybe a little less beer would prevent this sort of nonsense (video)
and by nonsense i refer to the explosions, not the flashing girls in the shopping cart. that of course is delightful, particularily after a simple playoff victory
posted by tsarfan at 10:48 PM on May 23, 2006
and by nonsense i refer to the explosions, not the flashing girls in the shopping cart. that of course is delightful, particularily after a simple playoff victory
posted by tsarfan at 10:48 PM on May 23, 2006
/not a fan
//not a member of fark
///not caring
////flagged
posted by sourwookie at 11:50 PM on May 23, 2006
//not a member of fark
///not caring
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posted by sourwookie at 11:50 PM on May 23, 2006
From the article: "Whyte Avenue, known as the Blue Mile during the hockey playoffs"... the "blue mile" they're referring to is about 8 blocks west of me, and I can hear the roar from my balcony most game nights.
Sometimes I think of it as awe-inspiring and impressive. The other day I found myself walking down Whyte Ave for non-game-related reasons, and basically every driver was honking their horns in the unmoving westbound traffic, and I couldn't help but raise my closed fist in ephemeral, anonymous solidarity. So many people, so very involved. It's moving.
On the other hand, the near-riots and the stabbings are embarassing, to say the least. People lose their minds. I suppose soon the World Cup will start up and we'll forget all about the quaint little ice hockey fans... but right now I'm just wondering if I'll be able to sleep on game nights when Edmonton's in the final.
That all being said, Go Oilers. :)
posted by blacklite at 12:12 AM on May 24, 2006
Sometimes I think of it as awe-inspiring and impressive. The other day I found myself walking down Whyte Ave for non-game-related reasons, and basically every driver was honking their horns in the unmoving westbound traffic, and I couldn't help but raise my closed fist in ephemeral, anonymous solidarity. So many people, so very involved. It's moving.
On the other hand, the near-riots and the stabbings are embarassing, to say the least. People lose their minds. I suppose soon the World Cup will start up and we'll forget all about the quaint little ice hockey fans... but right now I'm just wondering if I'll be able to sleep on game nights when Edmonton's in the final.
That all being said, Go Oilers. :)
posted by blacklite at 12:12 AM on May 24, 2006
Go Oil!
It feels like there's a buzz in the air here - people are more friendly, everyone's excited. Some of the Tims have "Go Oilers" flashing on their menu screens - I thought that was great. And I was in the Rona the other evening when a game was on, and they had a TV set up so you didn't have to miss a goal, even as you were shopping. Also, perhaps, so that their employees would show up to work instead of calling in "sick".
But this fpp is about beer! I haven't noticed stock being low, but I don't drink kokanee or canadian, so I wouldn't. Beer snob. I'll take that Fin du Monde, zenzizi!
posted by meringue at 12:49 AM on May 24, 2006
It feels like there's a buzz in the air here - people are more friendly, everyone's excited. Some of the Tims have "Go Oilers" flashing on their menu screens - I thought that was great. And I was in the Rona the other evening when a game was on, and they had a TV set up so you didn't have to miss a goal, even as you were shopping. Also, perhaps, so that their employees would show up to work instead of calling in "sick".
But this fpp is about beer! I haven't noticed stock being low, but I don't drink kokanee or canadian, so I wouldn't. Beer snob. I'll take that Fin du Monde, zenzizi!
posted by meringue at 12:49 AM on May 24, 2006
/not a fan
//not a member of fark
///not caring
////flagged
Cared enough to contribute something worthwile to the discussion, apparently...
posted by afx114 at 1:04 AM on May 24, 2006
//not a member of fark
///not caring
////flagged
Cared enough to contribute something worthwile to the discussion, apparently...
posted by afx114 at 1:04 AM on May 24, 2006
For those who aren't aware, you can only buy alcohol in Canada at the govt-run liquor commission, or the govt-licensed Beer Store chain.
Actually, that's not true. You can buy alcohol from any store that's licensed to sell alcohol. I buy wine from specialty wine stores and the local grocery store all the time, in Ontario.
posted by disgruntled at 1:47 AM on May 24, 2006
Actually, that's not true. You can buy alcohol from any store that's licensed to sell alcohol. I buy wine from specialty wine stores and the local grocery store all the time, in Ontario.
posted by disgruntled at 1:47 AM on May 24, 2006
Now, having been so far removed from any success for such a long time, it's nice to see some real enthusiasm to go along with it.
Or it's just assholes looking for an excuse to get shitfaced and stupid.
Makes me glad The Jets left, the yobs here act dumb enough as it is.
tsarfan's link made me laugh, though. If there's one store that would be safe from gangs of rampaging tools, it'd be a bookstore.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:13 AM on May 24, 2006
Or it's just assholes looking for an excuse to get shitfaced and stupid.
Makes me glad The Jets left, the yobs here act dumb enough as it is.
tsarfan's link made me laugh, though. If there's one store that would be safe from gangs of rampaging tools, it'd be a bookstore.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:13 AM on May 24, 2006
/not a fan
//not a member of fark
///not caring
////flagged
posted by sourwookie at 2:50 AM EST on May 24
Hmm... is there a flag for "General Douche-baggery"?
posted by BobFrapples at 8:12 AM on May 24, 2006
//not a member of fark
///not caring
////flagged
posted by sourwookie at 2:50 AM EST on May 24
Hmm... is there a flag for "General Douche-baggery"?
posted by BobFrapples at 8:12 AM on May 24, 2006
I don't recall talk of any beer shortages down in the City of Cows*,
Tonight, during the game coverage on OLN, they showed a young man in the crowd holding up a big sign with "CBC" written out to say "Calgary Blows Cows".
I love how the rivalry persists, even when they're not playing each other.
posted by BobFrapples at 8:16 AM on May 24, 2006
Tonight, during the game coverage on OLN, they showed a young man in the crowd holding up a big sign with "CBC" written out to say "Calgary Blows Cows".
I love how the rivalry persists, even when they're not playing each other.
posted by BobFrapples at 8:16 AM on May 24, 2006
For those who aren't aware, you can only buy alcohol in Canada at the govt-run liquor commission, or the govt-licensed Beer Store chain.
In Canada, access to liquor is regulated by provincial gov'ts, so rules differ by province.
Civilised provinces, like Quebec, permit citizens to buy beer and wine in corner stores; those run by uptight Anglicans -- I'm looking at you, Ontario -- restrict beer sales to the Beer Store (owned and operated by a conglomerate wholly-owned by the major beer companies, thus lacking almost all microbrews) and (all drinkable) wine and spirits to the LCBO, aka the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world.
posted by docgonzo at 8:53 AM on May 24, 2006
In Canada, access to liquor is regulated by provincial gov'ts, so rules differ by province.
Civilised provinces, like Quebec, permit citizens to buy beer and wine in corner stores; those run by uptight Anglicans -- I'm looking at you, Ontario -- restrict beer sales to the Beer Store (owned and operated by a conglomerate wholly-owned by the major beer companies, thus lacking almost all microbrews) and (all drinkable) wine and spirits to the LCBO, aka the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world.
posted by docgonzo at 8:53 AM on May 24, 2006
If there's one store that would be safe from gangs of rampaging tools, it'd be a bookstore.
Considering the hullaballoo over the Da Vinci Code and The Satanic Verses, I'm not so sure you're right.
posted by docgonzo at 8:54 AM on May 24, 2006
Considering the hullaballoo over the Da Vinci Code and The Satanic Verses, I'm not so sure you're right.
posted by docgonzo at 8:54 AM on May 24, 2006
aaronetc writes "Now that you mention it, though, I wonder if this was a problem in Calgary two years ago?"
Not that I recall, but we're probably able to absorb the excess demand better because we are a larger city, the reserve pool is larger. Plus I think Edmonton has a slightly younger demographic than Calgary.
posted by Mitheral at 10:08 AM on May 24, 2006
Not that I recall, but we're probably able to absorb the excess demand better because we are a larger city, the reserve pool is larger. Plus I think Edmonton has a slightly younger demographic than Calgary.
posted by Mitheral at 10:08 AM on May 24, 2006
Oh, come on. If you've been to Edmonton, you'd know why they're drinking so much.
"Boys, boys -- we're going to drink until this town is slightly less ugly!"
posted by antifreez_ at 10:36 AM on May 24, 2006
"Boys, boys -- we're going to drink until this town is slightly less ugly!"
posted by antifreez_ at 10:36 AM on May 24, 2006
Where you can get beer from depends on the Province. Each province regulates their own temperence alcohol licencing legislation.
In Saskatchewan, there are government run Liquor Board stores (known as LBs). There are licenced establishments - usually in hotels - where you can get booze at extended hours (known as off-sale). At off-sale places, there is less selection and higher prices, but at least the beer is COLD. In the past you could only get Beer, Wine & disgusting coolers at these stores, but about a year ago the SK government relaxed the rules and now allows them to sell hard liquor at ridulously inflated prices.
posted by raedyn at 12:06 PM on May 24, 2006
In Saskatchewan, there are government run Liquor Board stores (known as LBs). There are licenced establishments - usually in hotels - where you can get booze at extended hours (known as off-sale). At off-sale places, there is less selection and higher prices, but at least the beer is COLD. In the past you could only get Beer, Wine & disgusting coolers at these stores, but about a year ago the SK government relaxed the rules and now allows them to sell hard liquor at ridulously inflated prices.
posted by raedyn at 12:06 PM on May 24, 2006
"Boys, boys -- we're going to drink until this town is slightly less ugly!"
If anyone actually attempted that, then we'd see an alcohol shortage.
posted by Zozo at 1:18 PM on May 24, 2006
If anyone actually attempted that, then we'd see an alcohol shortage.
posted by Zozo at 1:18 PM on May 24, 2006
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posted by zenzizi at 8:05 PM on May 23, 2006