Dix BBQ and Brewery (Mark James Group)

February 21, 2008
I think that Dix has become a go-to stop in Vancouver. The place was my kind of place, well-lit, relaxed, fun. The pool table was there, private tables, artifacts, and of course a great bar and bartender. The brewmaster is within the last year or so transfered from Surrey, and has been given free reign recipe-wise. I liked the offerings, fresh and flavourful,and the Texsas brown shows the industry what can be done to spice up a brown,good show! I thought this to be an above-average brewpub overall. Different ages were here, always a good sign.

August 23, 2007
As with all the Mark James Group pubs, and perhaps because it’s a MJG pub, I have mixed feelings about Dix. When it first opened I was thrilled. They brewed a Vienna Lager that was exquisite from what I remember. Rumor had it the brewmaster was going to specialize in lagers and I got really excited. How many brewpubs around here can make a passable lager let alone this copper-colored gem? Then suddenly *poof* no more Vienna Lager. However, they did brew some consistently drinkable beers (including a lager) that were much better than most MJ overcarbonated swill. Before that I went to Dix a lot, almost once a week. Atmosphere in the early days was so relaxed I thought the pub would go under. Seemed they never made a dime unless it was game night. Then it seemed they got into that whole Red Truck thing and homogenized the selection too much. I grew bored with the pub just as biz started picking up. Then suddenly *poof* again and they’re doing that Caskival thing now. Been to that a coupla times, had a few very well done IPAs, but was always with the wrong people and unfortunately never got into the social aspect of it Anyway, the service at Dix is usually top-notch, always appreciated that. Won’t comment about the food since I’m not a big meat eater and it’s a BBQ joint. I’ve heard it’s mediocre. However, I’m not a pure vegetarian and I tried the chili once--fantastic.

August 8, 2007
I find the food is ussualy better than there beer, which is average at best. I have not been to one of thier weekly caskivals but I find that thier BIG Caskivals are a ripoff. (20 dollars for the right to pay $1 for each 4 oz. sampler. No freebees) I will give them credit for atempting to at least get some interset in the local beer scene. Way too yuppie for me.

January 27, 2007
Your standard sports bar with not so standard beer. Closes early, even on Friday night, which was a little alarming, but luckily it’s walking distance to Steamworks and Yaletown brewpubs! :D I had one of the best tasting beers (Game Day) at this brewpub.

January 7, 2007
Definitely a sports bar, but clean and well-maintained. Menu is decent, food is quite good (standard fare, a bit on the expensive side) and the beer selection is better than average in that they brew decent beers on-premises. Service was good, except no Interac. I will be happy to visit it for special events, or hunting down the latest local brew on special, but not for any other reason.

June 30, 2006
Reviewed on June 22, 2006. Same industrial-escape brewpub feel as Yaletown yet with heavy wood seats and cushiony stools for my tired rump. Ordered the BBQ Brisket Sandwich with Jalapeno Mayo ($10.99) which was slow-cooked overnight in their huge smoker. I have a smoker at home and know that this brisket could have been more tender... but it was hardly identifiable beneath the heaping slabs of BBQ sauce (which is very delicious!). The waitress this morning was incredibly abrupt as I walked in the door because she claimed she "hadn’t opened the door" though my watch said 11:31am and they were supposedly open? I sat down and enjoyed the refreshing East-West cross-breeze and pondered the menu. Seems that a staff member forgot about his shift to open the restaurant and about 20 minutes later the upset waitress was still telling all the staff of the morning shift screw-up for the world to hear. When I was finally approached for my order, I politely asked "what food do you recommend? What are you known for?" for which she replied, "c’mon you’ve got to narrow it down to what’cha like?" She was clearly frustrated by her colleague’s no-show but she seemingly took it out on me? The only definite upside at Dix is that the beers are somewhat stronger than the Yaletown.

June 3, 2006 [ Updated November 5, 2007 ]
Second visit less than 3 hours before a Lions game. Quiet when we entered and then chaos. Luckily we were sitting tight against the bar. The staff were friendly and efficient carrying on conversations with those at the bar. Unfortunately no sampler trays on game day. Went there in 2005 for an IPA festival. I understand that they have fairly regular festivals. Big place. Lots of beers.

April 17, 2006
Try the pulled pork or the beef brisket. Dix at least tries to present something other than pizzas & burgers. There are usually a couple of beers worth drinking as well as easy ordinary micros. A converted warehouse with some nice beams, pressed tin ceiling above the bar. Good staff: Mark, Sean, Candace , Karen & Tony. It’s not just a sports bar, it’s home to Vancouver’s only regular cask ale night. You can find some interesting guest beers here and two or three mini beer fests a year.

April 9, 2006 [ Updated October 19, 2006 ]
Well - it was definitely a sports bar ambiance, but then again I was there on Grey Cup Sunday (Nov-05)... and it was quite packed. Hard to judge the service. The woman serving us seemed like maybe she was brought in to handle the overflow crowd for the big day, but really did not know the beers (in fact did not know which, if any, were brewed in house). Interesting range of basic beers that are mostly very good. Although I’m not rating it highly, it’s probably a place I would return to on occasion, especially given it’s proximity to the sports venues (hockey/football). It deserves a chance to put it’s best foot forward and for the crazy moment I was there, it fit the bill.

April 1, 2006
Dix was recently named "Best Local Brewpub 2006" by the Vancouver chapter of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). There is better microbrew in Vancouver - Steamworks (Gastown) Central City (Surrey), but this place combines pretty good BBQ Sarnies, good beer, a pleasant interior with some fine supporting beams, and a nice crowd who aren’t up themselves like sister brewpub Yaletown. Most importantly they have a brewer - Tony Dewald who showcases both his and his fellow brewers’ beers. No-one else in Vancouver does cask nights (Thursdays when the Canucks are not playing at home - but phone ahead to confirm). Tony & CAMRA also put on a Caskival in the summer and a Xmas fest in December. It’s a great time to sample Vancouuver beer.