BE STILL MY BRITISH PUB LOVING HEART! I cannot believe that, after all these years, I have only just discovered how truly excellent Canmore’s Georgetown Pub is! Picture it with me: a roaring open fire, a polished wood bar with wooden stools, decorative tankards hanging from beams, stained glass features above the bar, and not a single sports screen in sight. THIS, my friends, is how a pub should be. Not a bar, a pub. There is a difference, and few people this side of the Atlantic seem to get it; the Georgetown, however, very much understands the assignment.
Winner of “Best Fish and Chips in the Bow Valley” for FIFTEEN years in a row, you know you’re in good hands at the Georgetown Pub, which can be found nestled within the inner belly of the cosy Georgetown Inn. Yes, of course I had to sample the revered dish, which was of ample size, crispiness and served with lashings of tartare, so received a firm thumbs up from me. I also tried out the “famous” Georgetown Institute Nachos; a vast plate of double layered hand cut nachos smothered in cheese, tomatoes, red onions, bell peppers, black beans, jalapeños and corn, with a side of cream and salsa (plus an add on of guacamole, because what kind of animal doesn’t order guac with their nachos?!). The ‘chos were hearty and the perfect level of crispy crunch, which really is all one can ask for.
Want to make a Brit cry tears of joy and nostalgia? Say things like: “steak and ale pie”, “ploughman's platter”, “Yorkshire pudding” and “Scotch egg”, then watch them weep. I honestly can’t think of a legit English pub with such ample traditional offerings in all of Alberta, let alone the Bow Valley, so let The Georgetown Pub be a mecca to all those wanting the salty taste of the British Isles.
English desserts really don’t get enough air time, but stick your fork into a billowing plate of creamy banoffee pie (swoooooon), or through the moist boughs of the sticky toffee pudding, and you’ll be praising Saint George and eyeing up a second portion in no time. Like, I might literally come back just for the sweet treats and a pint alone (think that’s weird? Malted barley beers, or indeed a Guinness and sticky toffee pudding is a pairing for straight up champions and I won’t hear of anything less).
Outside of the legit decor and pub fare, The Georgetown Pub does a great job of interspersing Canmore trivia through their menu! Browsing their broadsheet worthy literature, I learned about the mining history of town, and that a multitude of movies were filmed in Canmore (plus there is a whole wall gallery of the movie posters on the second floor of the Inn!). Additionally, I learned that The Georgetown Inn launched the Triple Crown of Canmore hiking challenge in 2011, with a prize for ramblers who summit Ha Ling Peak, Lady Macdonald and the East End of Rundle all in a season! Cheers to that!
Pub Pie Mondays, Fish & Chips Tuesdays, Steak Sandwich Wednesdays, and a week-round serving of English charm, I loved The Georgetown Pub (and that their non alc pint list was ample, ‘cause sometimes a honey wants the taste of a real beer while still being able to operate her wagon, y’know). I truly can’t wait to come back. Save me a slice of sticky toffee pud!
For further information, please visit www.georgetowninn.ca
