When toasting the new year, the easy choice is a sparkling wine. It’s traditional, it’s a zazzy crowd-pleaser and it’s the simple thing to pick. But maybe others don’t like the whole champagne at midnight thing? Maybe they’d like another […]
Arbitrary
NEAROF!’s Christmas Gift General Ideas 2011
I did one of these Christmas gift lists last year, and I had fun doing it, so why not give it another go. Don’t be surprised if you spot items that seem vaguely similar to things from the 2010 list. […]
Arbitrary: Newcastle Brown Ale – cans vs. bottles
Newcastle Brown Ale is one of my favourite beers. I love its amazing caramel notes, the crisp carbonation, the mineral profile, the balanced hops, the roasted malt, the light sweetness. On the rare occasions I watch soccer games on TV […]
Arbitrary: Are Madeleines the next big thing?
There’s a lot of money to be made latching onto a sweet-treat trend before it takes off. The surge of gourmet cupcakes hit the mainstream half a decade ago, and, while I won’t predict a dinosaur-style mass die-off of cupcake […]
Has it been a year of NEAROF! already?
It’s kind of amazing to think this site has been up and running for a year. I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect when it launched, but with more than 160 posts so far and readers from more than […]
How To: Pick Halloween candy, NEAROF! style
Halloween is right around the corner, and you haven’t stocked up on Halloween candy yet. It happens. We won’t judge. But you might want a few candy selection tips before heading out to your local grocery store, and we’re here […]
Review: Expired fortune cookies
Perched atop the highest shelf of the Asian foods section of my old Edmonton Safeway was this gem of a dust-covered box of expired Golden Yuan fortune cookies. See, I’m starting a new job today, so I figured I could […]
Experiment: Skittlebrau
Homer: I’m feeling kind of low, Apu. Got any of that beer that has candy floating in it? You know, Skittlebrau? Apu: Such a product does not exist, sir. I think you must have dreamed it. Homer: Ohh. Well, then […]

