Well this place has picked it up a lot since I last reviewed it. St. Augustine’s is a solid place for beer in Vancouver, with a lot of beers that are hard to find anywhere else (except Alibi). The food is pricey for pub grub, and the atmosphere is still pretty corporate (they can’t shake the Bino’s out of the space), but it is a busy place and that keeps most of the beers turning over. They also have a live tap list showing you how much is left in each keg. That is just awesome, and that they post it on their website and even at the urinals is even better. I don’t like much about it except the beer, but they are doing an excellent job with the beer.

Terrible atmosphere is made up for by the beer selection and especially the live-updated screen telling you how much is left in each keg. A corporate-owned vibe does not negate the fact that this is a decent place to drink on the Drive. Have never needed to eat here. Nothing is cheap of course. Decent selection of local and regional brews on draft and bottle. More like a sports bar with a good beer selection than a beer bar that shows sports but does have good TVs, they sometimes turn the volume on for games.

A fine pub, certainly one of Vancouver’s best for he who looks for fine ales near busy Broadway/Commercial intersection, on the part of Commercial that is not yet very hippie. I can’t say I find the place itself all that charming. The terrace is very small and receives all the noise from the nearby skytrain. Inside, black and gray are the dominating tints, making for a relatively somber and cold atmosphere with plenty of space that seems not optimally used for a city where the rent is probably the highest in Canada. Lots of TVs showing different sporting events, giving a sports bar connotation. But then again, the service was very enthusiast, compensating a fair bit and the beer list was probably the best in the city on that day with its varied list of 40 tap lines including both classic and rarer BC offerings as well as a few goodies from Belgium, the rest of Canada and of course, the neighbouring United States. I dig their concept of a live beer menu where you get to know what % of a keg is left or what just ran out. Were I a local, I’d certainly keep track of what’s on and the status of one of the best bars in my city. That’s another plus on the service.

Somewhat underrated place, visited with Brad. Lots of taps, and a good cask was tapped while visiting on a Monday. Good cross-section of B.C. and a few U.S. taps such as Deschites and Bear Republic. Reflecting some good choices. Very unique flashing video of what percentage of each beer was still available. Away from the downtown core, and not far from the best private stores. Service was instant and then not at all. The only way around this is to know what you want the second you sit down, or Ask & Wait. Quiet midway, very busy late aft when Vancouverites get off from work.

Largish spot a short walking distance from the Skytrain stop. Large dark space with loads of dark wood and brass everywhere. Inexplicably decorated with some very shiny remnants of someone’s brewery that I’d honestly rather see making beer than adding ambiance, but I digress. Nice selection of beers in here - available in taster pours (which I always appreciate). They also tweet their selection regularly which lets you keep track of what’s on. Never ate here, but enjoyed the time I did spend here. The bar staff know the selection and seem to enjoy chatting about beer. A great stop.

I know that this place will always be second choice after the Alibi Room, because it doesn’t have the same atmosphere, and because they seem to be less beer geeks and because they came after, but indeed they upped the tap list to ~40, they too focus on local beers, they have frequent tap rotation, they are quite up to date with the beer list (and if not enough, the level of every keg is displayed on a monitor over the bar), and usually carry a couple of interesting bottles too. The Monday night cask is a plus. The price for the sampler is too high.
Now folks, even if you make me pay too much, a couple of ideas to get even better: connect your beer monitor online to allow people to know exactly what’s on (your Twitter is useless) and stock 10 different beers in the cellar, choosing among the ones that are available only if you are lucky to go to the shop at the right moment, like Barley Wines, Imperial beers etc.

Great selection of BC micros with a few easy-to-find American brews. Service is prompt and friendly, though refusing of any free samples before ordering. Prices are quite high, especially considering the beer selection does not usually consist of rarities. Annoying that they only do one size, even if it’s a big BA impie stout. Food is quite good, though quite highly priced considering what you get and for being on the Drive. Still, second in the city only to the Alibi room.

Very good selection of BC beers with several good US micros as well. Food is good, staff is attentive especially if you sit at the bar Good location near skytrain, parking on the roof.

Great choice of beer here, and the live menu is great for snatching up pints of last minute kegs. Sample flights of 4 for $9 - you can’t go wrong there. Place lacks ambiance but nice view of characters walking by on Commercial. I usually sit at the bar but at this place it’s a little dark and uninviting - especially during the late afternoon. Food was ok, had some ok calamari that I wouldn’t order again. Service very good. This and Alibi are the best hits in Vancouver for beer.

Nice trendy open space, with only women working there. Great location especially if you don’t drive. Service was good, but nothing exceptional, the staff new enough about beer to make reasonable suggestions. Selection is good and is posted online, which is great. Food was above par but nothing I would come specifically for. Prices are reasonable and overall a place I would feel comfortable recommending.