Vancouver craft beer lovers have one more beautiful space to raise a glass: Devil’s Elbow Ale & Smoke House officially opened its doors on Tuesday in the old Chambar space on Beatty Street.
“In one of the earliest English legends, the Devil’s Elbow is said to have been a meeting place for two lovers – a young man and woman – whose woman’s father did not approve of their union. The father swore that he would rather the Devil take his daughter than have the two lovers meet again. On their next meeting, the Devil appeared and chased the terrified couple across the moor. When the Devil reached out to claim his prize, a loud voice boomed out and turned the Devil’s arm to stone. The Devil tore off his bent arm and threw it to the ground, and this crooked place in a road in Derbyshire became known as The Devil’s Elbow. Today, the term “Devil’s Elbow” is found as a place name in many areas of the world, where there are extreme bends in a road, trail or river. The Devil’s Elbow Class IV rapids on the Elaho River north of Squamish, BC is one such place, and is the namesake for Howe Sound Brewing’s Devil’s Elbow IPA, which lends its name to this alehouse.”
The space is warm and inviting, seats up to 170 people, contains lots of rustic wood furnishings, a full range of Howe Sound Brewery beers, and a sweet tasting room in back.
The theme of the art pieces was to combine beer, breweries, and devils or Hell. Howe Sound Brewery’s graphic designer Tom Pedriks commissioned six up-and-coming artists to create their own interpretation of that theme.
The Devil’s Elbow owners have sourced rustic leather seats and gorgeous wooden tables; a large hollowed-out canoe hangs from the ceiling towards the side kitchen.
The menu features smoke house dishes including ribs, smoked duck BLT’s, beef brisket, and beef and lamb sausage. Several other options (soups, salads, light dishes) will appeal to non-meat eaters. I can highly recommend the Asian sticky ribs ($13) with a sweet, spicy sauce sprinkled with sesame seeds. Goes down well with a Pumpkineater Ale or a Hopraiser IPA. You’ll likely not go wrong with the IPA Mac ’n Cheese either.
And desserts? How about a slice of deep-fried cheesecake with phyllo pastry, served à la mode, or a hemp fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream and fudge sauce ($8 each).
I’ll be returning for more of those sticky ribs, and a glass of seasonal brew. Also look for other BC brewery selections (such as Parallel 49’s Ugly Sweater Milk Stout) a whiskey-charged cocktail list, a nice assortment of North American whiskeys, plus a few red and white wines.
Worth trying: the triple pub trifecta in a cocktail: Beer, Bourbon and Bacon: 12 oz. pale ale, 1 oz. bourbon, smoked bacon on the side; $12.
Keep an eye out on their website for cask nights, beer and whiskey events, and food-pairing dinners as well. Devil’s Elbow Ale & Smoke House is located at 562 Beatty Street in Vancouver and is open 11:30 am to midnight from Monday to Friday, 10 am to midnight on Saturday and Sunday, plus weekend brunch.
